Most of the issues with the house have now been rectified. We have been offered an independent inspection of some of the brickwork to clarify the robustness of the mortar. Some of it appears and feels very soft - you can rub it away with your finger.
Work has started on the outside, although we got caught short with some wet weather over the last few days. Unfortunately the clay will probably take a few days to dry out to a point where excavators can start working again.