Lesson 1 of flying training. You are about to dive into the often murky waters of the flying school world, and there are many, many sharks who will only be too pleased to relieve you of your 8 grand – and then some.
Never, ever pay loads of money up front for flying training. Pay only what you need to keep your flying account in credit. If a school offers temptingly large discounts for pre-payment, suspect an ulterior motive, i.e. cash flow. Many people have lost small (and not so small) fortunes over the years thanks to schools going belly-up with their money. Not least at PFT in Bournemouth, just a few months ago. I’m not suggesting any problem with Cabair specifically, but it’s a general principle you would do well to follow.
As others have suggested, visit (rather than phone) at least 2 or 3 other schools to get a feel for some alternatives before you commit. Your PPL will lay the foundations for all your future flying – particularly important if you’re planning to go commercial – so it is vital that the training is of a high standard and the school is one you are happy with. You can’t possibly know this from a phone call, so in the absence of personal recommendations, visiting schools (preferably unannounced) and speaking to current students is your best bet. You will very quickly decide which place is best for you.
Re. Hours building in Florida, it can be a great experience. It can also be a minefield, littered with dodgy aircraft and operators, so tread carefully. As you point out, by the time you have added air fares, accommodation, travel insurance etc, the savings may be small to non-existent.