Your experience and advice is very useful - I am going to re-read it all and use it! I will definitely try to get your email address Peter, thank you. I will be in touch if I can get your email address. As you say, how fortuitous that you are from Nottingham! It is true to say I do have several options, and time is hopefully on my side. I have been given a wonderful opportunity and don't want to mess it up by rushing into anything and being ill informed.

Peter I would be interested in seeing your spreadsheet as well if possible as I was about to start adapting the PS one myself but if you have done this allready (and it sounds like it is tryed and tested) then why re-invent the wheel !! Could you let me know if Sarah managed to get your email. Rob

Rob, I don't want to make the spreadsheet sound too grand. If anything, it is much cut down from the PS spreadsheet and I adapt it for each venture. For example, when I am budgeting a refurb, I tend to cost things up in a way that suits me. I can send you a real example. When I cost up a new build, I use a price per sqm for each house, adjusted to the quality of the house I build. I then add in any contingencies that I forsee. For example are the ground conditions difficult, is there a long drive to lay, are there any special planning conditions that may cost money etc.. When I assess land value, I estimate the gross development value of what I will sell, deduct the build costs, deduct my profit and what I am left with is the price I would pay for the land. I do a similar exercise when assessing planning gain on land that has no planning permission. This gives me an idea of the potential planning gain I might achieve. Anyway, yes, Sarah hs my e-mail address. I will be happy to send you some details if PS will put you in touch. Cheers, Peter