Message received from Helen Alley 09/11/03

I spent a long time looking into various approaches to build my house on Kef.  I decided to go for a timber-framed house, partly for the (alleged) speed with which it could be ready.

Then my Kefalonian architect (who is a family member of a good friend of 15 years acquaintance and unlikely to tell me rubbish) advised me against it.

Several reasons:

¨ The company turns up, puts up the house and then disappears. Any problems don’t get resolved as the company already has enough of your money to cover their costs and more.  Then starts a long court case to actually get the house you wanted and were promised…  My architect is contacted on a regular basis by people asking if he can go in and sort out the problems rather than them go the court process.  Our friend of a friend who went this route (not in Kef, elsewhere in Greece) has had nothing but problems and regrets and wishes she hadn’t bothered.

¨ Kefalonia is a very damp place!!!  When it rains, it rains big-time.  (Just like California???) So any minor problems can lead to major problems when the damp gets in.

¨ The cost differences are not that great between the prefab and a traditionally-built house.  And quite honestly neither is the time-scale.  I have met several people this year who have had trad-built houses up in 4 months (including Kef Homes).

¨ None of the prefab firms (I visited about 8 in Athens) were able to give me a phone number for a satisfied customer so I could call them for a chat.  Even one guy who assured me he had built something in Ano Katelios (he showed me a pic and it was definitely in that location) suddenly became flustered and told me didn’t think he had that customer’s number…??? Can’t think why.

Believe me, I wanted to have a timber-framed house but I did my research and I think I have made the right decision.

As regards insurance, Kef Homes have pointed you in the right direction.  What more can you ask?!!!

Just in case you are wondering  -  I have no relationship with Kef Homes and am not actually using them for my project because I already had my team lined up before I became aware of their existence.  But they seem helpful and full of informed and sensible advice.  And it’s free!!!  Receive it with thanks…

Helen Alley                                 

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