91 One problem solved new problem appears

The last blog was full of despair and worry.  Since then there has been a flurry of activity.  The extra 6300€ has been waived, the anniversary date put back but we do not have a revised approach to financing or a change to reflect the alterations that we need to the protocol and out of the blue has appeared a demand for an extra 2500€ for something called plan management. The bank manager even suggested that he phone Schwoerer to try to explain to them that it is not possible for a French bank to complete their form when no loan is involved.  Unfortunately had to phone the ₣ench representative as nobody in adminsitration at Schwoerer speaks French.  This conversation does not appear to have been passed on.

It is extremely difficult to maintain motivation in these circumstances and especially when each communication to Schwoerer either seems to be ignored, there is never any acknowledgement and there are very long delays whilst responses are being prepared.  We can not even withdraw as the costs of doing so would be too great though would not advise anyone else to embark on a similar project.

The weather is also depressing as it has been wet since the beginning of November, which stops all work on the site as it is too boggy.

Progress – there is little apart from us selecting and signing for companies to do the ground work and build the concrete raft.

Another disappointment has been that there has been no response to the insurance claim for the broken windows on the digger; but I guess that is no great surprise.

 

Post 64 Another step forward and deeper in debt!

After the last post which showed me at a low point I decided that it was time to do something.

First step ring up the Notaire for advice on the law and he informed me that I have a year between accepting the new house and selling my existing house before the capital gains taxes kick in. Second step ring Schwoerer to see if they would accept a statement of savings to cover their financial requirement and they said yes. Third step get statement from the bank.

Final step get the revised contract, sign it, add the deposit check and send off in the post.

Some notes about the contract:

• They strongly recommend a Dommage/Ouvrage insurance if you are using more than one contractor.  They have arranged an agreement with some insurance companies so that this costs 3% of their costs.
• They need to know the sources of your finance especially if it includes any loans.
• There are many pages of small type which are presented on a take it or leave it basis with no room for negotiation.
• The conditions relate to French law and they have dropped the 30 year guarantee.
• There is still no reference to a detailed specification of the house to be built and delivered so if it came to court then it would be interesting to find out how this would be resolved.

So we have signed the contract for our house even though our house remains unsold and the financial outlook looks a little cloudy.

In the mean time it continues to rain and the land remain water logged.