In the meantime, we've asked the bank about possible bridging finance - no way Jose
So we will probably be putting the house on the market sooner than planned, as we would need proceeds from the sale to finance the build. We'll ask on Monday (a) how long the tender process takes and (b) how long they think the build would take. Based on that, we will then talk to the estate agents and get that part of it going. We had really hoped not to have to rent, and maybe we won't - SIL was saying this morning that we could stay with them, something I would be resistant to, but a short term let would be hard to find anywhere let alone in this area. He and Miss Osc have obviously given it some thought, as he said they could turn one of their bedrooms (they have four) into a sitting room for us - might have to consider that in spite of my reservations. We once had my parents living with us for four months and it was very hard for everyone, although in fairness we would have a different relationship with Miss Osc and SIL than we had with my parents, so we shall see - it would be stupid of me to totally discount it.You don't want to know what the last bill from the architect was
but hopefully their expertise will be worth it in the end 
We have recovered from it and are good friends these days 
