I don't really think that it's down to luck Berni...be prepared to hunt around a bit and do your homework...quite surprising what turns up!
As everyone has discovered, this isn't the UK and you can't really expect to find the same things, in the same way you can at home.
For example...10 years ago, when I was ready to start my building projects, I dropped into the local Forestry Dept and asked a few questions...the result was me being directed to a really good supplier of quality timber (turned out that he was able to supply many other related building products as well). A few weeks later I saw a man retiling his house roof in a village not far from me (we travelled past his house when you were down here) and it looked really good, so I stopped and asked him about the project...resulted in me knowing exactly where to go and buy good quality roofing materials. All the info I collected never cost me a penny, but I have saved many pounds over the years.
Just to give you an idea of the size and scope of my particular project....
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]...a lot of work has been completed since then. The roof has been re-done, waterproof membrane installed under the tiles and the whole thing re-aligned, extra window put in on the middle level and so on. Lower level now has a movie room and modernised guest room.