property renovating in France - anyone here done it?
Discussion
A couple of friends have done this (one still in process). The first guy bought a big house in the south west and had a LOT of work done. He used an architect (who he eventually sacked). Before he went he was useless at DIY but is now very good at almost everything even though he did use local builders. I know he learnt a lot but the main lessons would be to either find someone you trust to manage the whole project or get heavily involved yourself; it will cost much more than planned; and take much longer than planned.
The second guy has bought a smaller village house in the west. He's doing the work himself with the help of friends - he's an experienced handyman. I think he's finding it ok - language not too much of a problem. The only thing he finds frustrating is the red tape - get on side with the local mayor and this should be easier.
If you want to email me with more details I can see if they can offer greater insight. I assume you're now rethinking the snow boarding/trading? I've been thinking about similar ideas combined with my area of expertise (software). Good luck.
The second guy has bought a smaller village house in the west. He's doing the work himself with the help of friends - he's an experienced handyman. I think he's finding it ok - language not too much of a problem. The only thing he finds frustrating is the red tape - get on side with the local mayor and this should be easier.
If you want to email me with more details I can see if they can offer greater insight. I assume you're now rethinking the snow boarding/trading? I've been thinking about similar ideas combined with my area of expertise (software). Good luck.
I have no personal experience of developing residential abroad, if you exclude Scotland and Germany. In both of these places you get get good professional help, specifically trades. If I was doing anything below the Mason Dixon line I would find a smaller builder from UK and take him out there for a short contract. You need to get all your legals and consents sorted out in advance though and I advise you to do that yourself.
Hi Alex
I develop a couple of properties over here (small scale - not the 'buy loads of champagne of a Thurs/Fri/Sat' type of 'property developer'). My bank may have enough confidence in me now to finance it. I have a very good friend who is an architect with a practice in France and I just think it could be a good development. Worth investigating anyway
I develop a couple of properties over here (small scale - not the 'buy loads of champagne of a Thurs/Fri/Sat' type of 'property developer'). My bank may have enough confidence in me now to finance it. I have a very good friend who is an architect with a practice in France and I just think it could be a good development. Worth investigating anyway
a tip on French Plumbing and Electrics is that they are very different to the UK and you will probably need to enlist the help of a proffesional unless you really know what you're doing.
If you're buying in Ski Resorts - you will usually be able to find a few seasonairres of local ex pats that are sparkies or plumbers and familiar with the French Utilities (best way is to ask around the local bars) - much easier than dealing with the French in my experience. All tradesman are usually fully booked up in October / November before the season starts as well.
If you're buying in Ski Resorts - you will usually be able to find a few seasonairres of local ex pats that are sparkies or plumbers and familiar with the French Utilities (best way is to ask around the local bars) - much easier than dealing with the French in my experience. All tradesman are usually fully booked up in October / November before the season starts as well.
John a couple of website that may help you are - www.natives.co.uk and www.snowheads.com both have forums with a lot very knowledgable people...
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