Choosing a builder

I haven't yet mentioned the limestone. Our house is built on an outcrop of limestone overhanging (literally) the river Dronne. Bourdeilles is in a prehistoric area of caves and fabulous rock formations, which add greatly to its appeal, but present problems for any sort of digging. Having received permission for a microstation rather than a traditional fosse septic, we were hoping that excavations would be kept to a minimum (as would the cost).

So a chilly week in February found us huddled around our kitchen table reviewing builders and their initial quotations. Here we have to give a belated but sincere big thank you to Cate our agent, who had not only smoothed the purchase process with the charming notaire in Brantome, but then suggested a builder whose work she had admired. I'm sure the builders originally suggested by the architect are good quality and possibly efficient, but initial impressions suggested that the size of gesticulations had a very direct relationship with the size of the potential bills. Also that the old stone giant would be rudely shaken awake, various limbs chopped off before a violent reassembling.

Andrew on the other hand, not only had a sensible budgeting head, he loved recycling, reusing, and keeping as much of the old guy as possible. Also he had been in regular contact and had supplied a quote that didn't make me immediately want to weep. And he only wants paying in arrears! What finally decided us however, was he and his wife Debbie's generosity when we visited for an aperitif. They showed us around the beautiful home they've created, gave us equal measures of wine and advice and then even supplied the bottle of wine for us to take to Etienne and Lucie's for dinner, when we belatedly realised shops had closed.

Which brings me to the hospitality we have already enjoyed. Dinner with Cate and her husband Billy in their amazing renovation (according to the plans) and new build (in reality), with a steeple tower our local church would be proud of. And Lucie and Etienne, proprietors of our local restaurant and B&B who had invited us for dinner when they were closed, arranged for tree lopping and dispensed valuable advice and local background. We have already booked our rooms and courtyard table for the summer whilst the outfitters work on the tailoring of the old guy's new garments.