The most important thing I found is to keep very friendly with the local buildings inspector as he can cause so many problems for you. I have been lucky because when my building inspector came round he spoke a bit of English and loved to speak, and so we sat down and begun to talk and I bought out the vodka and he spent the whole afternoon there, just exercising his English.
It has been very valuable relationship as he has given me lots of advice, and when issues arise, there is plenty of flexibility in his decisions.
One of the biggest problems that I found was when you ordered something and it never arrived on time. I had to wait another two months for roof trusses because they had taken too many orders.
Make sure you pay when you order, and have them delivered as soon as possible, because if you don't and the prices go up they will try and pass on the price increase to you.
Always order and pay for your materials and have them delivered in the deep of winter as they are fighting for customers and will undercut the other supplier, as there is very little work going on in the winter due to the climate, you can make a saving of 10 to 15% on winter prices.
*edit*
are you doing most of the work yourself? or contracting it out-to polish builders?what stage are you at with your build and how long will it take to complete?
The main work I am doing myself, footings, walls, roofing, tiling, specialist work like electric, plumbing, gas, plastering, is all being done by contractors.
Work is slow at the moment as it is winter, and although it is mild, it is very wet, but I guess I am two to three months away from finishing.
I am completing the second fix of the carpentry, doors and such like at the moment.
Next will be the bathroom and kitchen, and finally the decoration, so its not far off. :O)
