| Often expectations are high when first looking for | | | | estimates/quotations prior to commencing work. |
| a home in France, but after visits to chosen areas | | | | Always ask for the following: 0. The Siret number. |
| have been made and you have looked at | | | | This is issued by the Chamber of Commerce and |
| innumerable properties with inadequate facilities, | | | | signifies TVA (VAT) registration. 0. Decenel |
| your perspective changes. A great number of the | | | | Insurance. This is a type of insurance bonding, |
| older stone houses on the market are in need of | | | | which gives the builder's client, a guarantee of |
| work to put them in good order having either | | | | workmanship for up to 10 years depending on the |
| been left empty for years or just generally | | | | work carried out. 0. Responsabilité Civile. |
| neglected. Many people who contemplate buying a | | | | This is third party insurance that provides cover in |
| property in France have already considered | | | | case the builder accidentally causes damage to |
| undertaking a restoration project to some degree. | | | | the house during the course of renovation works. |
| There is obviously a danger in buying property in | | | | Building Work It is important to keep every single |
| a run-down condition but there are advantages if | | | | receipt for building work carried out on a property |
| you follow the rules. Research and groundwork | | | | so that these costs can be set against the |
| Research and groundwork in the beginning will pay | | | | perceived 'gain' on the resale of the property for |
| dividends later. Make contact not only with agents | | | | French Capital Gains Tax. All receipts from |
| but also with architects, builders and even | | | | materials and labour should also be kept in order |
| Geometres or Expertises (Surveyors) if | | | | to prove that TVA has been paid on the building |
| necessary to obtain as much information as | | | | works. If you are having work carried out on a |
| possible prior to your visit. Follow some simple and | | | | property, then it is essential that you should |
| perhaps blindingly obvious 'ground rules: 0. Fix your | | | | arrange to have something called Dommage et |
| budget and don't take on anything that will | | | | Ouvrage Assurance. This is in addition to buildings |
| obviously pass your limits. 0. Don't buy on impulse; | | | | insurance and covers you against the builder or |
| it is better to come back and take another long | | | | one of his men having an accident on your |
| look. 0. Take notes and photographs as a | | | | property. It will also help you to claim against bad |
| reminder; one hour processing exists in France | | | | workmanship. Always obtain a devis (estimate) |
| too! 0. Ask to see for yourself that there is a | | | | for any work that you intend to have carried out |
| supply of electricity and that this supply is | | | | to your property. This should be quite detailed, |
| adequate. 0. Check the condition, if any, of the | | | | showing a schedule of prices and the TVA against |
| fosse septique (septic tank). Should a new one be | | | | the various items of work. You may require |
| necessary, is it possible to install one successfully. | | | | professional help in preparing this schedule which |
| 0. Ensure that there is a 'town' (mains) water | | | | should relate to the 'survey' you had carried out |
| supply. 0. Have a copy of the 'cadastre' (land | | | | when you bought the house. If you accept this |
| registry) plan for reference. 0. Check that the | | | | devis then you should sign a second copy with |
| roof is in good condition, the ridgeline is straight | | | | the builder which then becomes a fixed price |
| and roof timbers (the charpente) are sound. 0. | | | | contract if work is started within three months. |
| Always ensure that there are no major repairs | | | | Don't forget, some alterations to the house will |
| required to the house which are obvious but | | | | require planning consent. Respect the local |
| which you are told are 'mere trifles' - structural | | | | traditions. If you paint your house pink when all |
| repairs are just as expensive in France as | | | | the others around you are white then expect |
| anywhere. 0. If in doubt - instruct an Expertises - | | | | trouble! Lastly, make regular visits (if you're not |
| a French Surveyor, who can advise you on the | | | | 'camping out' at the property!) to ensure that the |
| condition of your prospective home as well as | | | | building is going to plan. Your architect or Maitre |
| how much it will cost to put right. See the section | | | | d'Oeuvre should be present to explain progress. |
| on Surveying in France. 0. Seek local advice. A | | | | At the purchase stage insist on a clause in the |
| great deal of information can be obtained from | | | | compromis de vente to the effect that the |
| 'the locals'. Local Tradesmen If there is some | | | | purchase is subject to successfully obtaining all |
| work to do, no matter how much or how little, if | | | | necessary permis de construire and certificate |
| you are employing a builder rather than doing the | | | | d'urbanisme for the proposed alterations to |
| work yourself, try to use local tradesmen if | | | | facades and usages respectively. The benefit and |
| possible and always ensure that the builder you | | | | satisfaction of renovating a property is that you |
| use is properly registered in France. Any | | | | finish with a home that pleases you because your |
| competent architect or builder can see major | | | | ideas and designs have gone into it. It hasn't cost |
| defects in buildings and warn you. More important, | | | | more than you can afford because you have |
| they can often envisage the best way to | | | | controlled the expenditure. If you do not over |
| restructure a building when all you are looking at is | | | | specify i.e. don't go for gold-plated taps and William |
| a ruin. Ensure that if you need the services of an | | | | Morris wallpapers (unless you want to, of course) |
| architect and/or builder that they are registered. | | | | - you will finish with a property with a higher |
| You have no recourse in French law if you use | | | | re-sale value in comparison to the money you will |
| someone who is undeclared or works | | | | have put into the project. The main disadvantages |
| clandestinely. In France all traders must have a | | | | are that the work to your home may take some |
| SIRET NO and you can verify the trader's | | | | months to complete and you will have to patiently |
| registration by using the MINITEL 3617 code | | | | wait until you can use it. You will also have to |
| SIRENE. Draw up plans and written specifications | | | | commit a fair amount of time and attention |
| for work to be undertaken by a builder and obtain | | | | throughout the project. It is for you to decide. |