Value engineering continues.
The team have been brilliant, working flat out to drive down costs with cunning plans and practical suggestions. Some are no-brainers, others require some serious thought to make certain we won’t regret it later while a few have been vetoed to preserve our goal for this project.
Unfortunately Brexit, COVID and a ship stuck in the Suez have had a crazy impact on materials, the price of wood is up 40%, sheet materials 120%. It has also become a sellers’ market with sub-contractors able to pick and choose what they take on – building Wimpey homes is alas easier and turns a bigger profit. All very frustrating but there seems to be little we can do about it.
On balance we have probably reached stage three.
thetinbarn.co.uk 
I think Gin will help push forward to stage 5!