Why won’t building my dream home let me sleep?

And I pose that question in all seriousness.  Nightmare scenarios with the collective red-tape gang, the straight answer isn’t our forte, building fraternity and the group that own really smart calculators who keep telling me I’ve got no money.  This all adds to me losing valued dream time, usually including members of Girls Aloud , to much less enjoyable nightmares, most recently about getting the DPC level wrong and having to tear the whole thing down, with only enough money left for excavating my cave. 

I know I’m not on my own, I can’t be.  As a first-time-home-builder I was totally seduced by the idea of having my design  unfold before my very eyes for a happy every after.  This of course is still what keeps the project alive, well that, and the fact that all I own for subsistence is a muddy trapezium of land, albeit with a recently and smartly trimmed hedge.  The illusion of having what you want, when you want it, at a price you can afford that bestows you instant equity, is, exactly that.  I’m sure there are many that have built an ideal home at an ideal pace and price, but sadly, I’m in the everything is a palaver brigade. 

“It will be worth it in the end.” Well yes, I still hold that belief dear to my heart, but it’s seeing the light at the end of the well excavated, inspected and approved tunnel, that’s breeding doubt and concern.   Despite, what I would consider fairly extensive reading, couple with a circle of family and friends that includes tradesmen, quantity surveyors, project managers and even those that have already built their own home, I never imagined I would have to be a mind-reading-billionaire to bring my modest project to life.  My plan was to get my son’s drawing off the fridge door, which detail even includes the pets we shall be requiring, and hand it to someone, anyone, to quote, build and hand me the keys on a sunny day before said son has actually left home.  Naïve a tad, but isn’t that what dreams are? 

Research, research, research and even then, don’t trust that you know a particular subject inside out.  This world is always moving, and while you’re in control, perhaps realising at an early stage that compromise and negotiation skills will be essential for even getting close to your original dream design.  Get yourself a Homebuilder’s Bible , that title is correct and Mark Brinkley  should be worshiped, well to the tune of tenner or so anyway.  Find people you can trust and those in the same vessel.  Some of the homebuilding magazines run good forums, or provide links to the best populated sites. 

 Anyway I’m off to send grand opening invitations to Nadine, Sarah, Kimberley, Nicola and Cheryl.  Now that’s what I should be dreaming about.