When we started this process, so long ago it seems now, I really didn’t have a clue about the complexity and magnitude of this sort of business venture. I certainly had no idea on just how complex building a house was. And I really didn’t know just how long this would take. We’ve been going on now for well over three years. Part of the reason it takes so long is that you’ve only one shot to make the ship. If all of your ducks aren’t in place well before the beginning of August you have to wait for another year.
One of the first things we did, was talk to our house designer, and he quickly came up with a concept. Before we had the plans ordered however we ran into one of our early road blocks. One of the people in a funding agency we deal with advised us not to spend any money on plans as then we would become an established business and not be eligible for certain funds from the Federal Government. Signficant funds. So we held off, and held off, and held off.
Now not having actual plans in the early stage had several ramifications. First of all it was difficult to accuarately cost out the project for a business plan. It also made it more difficult to show funders and financers exactly what they were funding and financing. But probably the biggest problem it created was the logistical nightmare of moving on with the project in a timely manner. When the financing was finally obtained we could get on with ordering the plans, and start to get the material take off, and get our package ready for the ship.