French Artisans

[burgessfarm]

Hi, we have recently bought a property in south west france and are not fluent in French language, we get by, we need some help and advice on building work, landscaping and would be interested if anyone could give me a list or contacts of how to get things moving we have only been in our property 2 months so any info would be gratefully received. The house is in the Charente 16390. This is my first post so any advice about expat would be good .

[rynd2it]

Originally Posted by burgessfarm

Hi, we have recently bought a property in south west france and are not fluent in French language, we get by, we need some help and advice on building work, landscaping and would be interested if anyone could give me a list or contacts of how to get things moving we have only been in our property 2 months so any info would be gratefully received. The house is in the Charente 16390. This is my first post so any advice about expat would be good .

Look on AngloInfo - there are many English speaking artisans listed for various parts of France. It does pay to use locals where ever possible as nothing ticks the French off quite as much as RHD UK registered builders trucks all over the place. I will admit that having English speaking contractors really helps in the more complex projects (like drainage or electrics) if, like me, your French is less than fluent.

Cheers

[hils]

If you go into your local Chambre de Metiers/Chambre de Commerce, they should be able to give you a list of whoever's registered, and might guide you towards any Anglophone artisans.

As David says, wherever possible, it is best to use local people, because apart from otherwise pissing off the locals, they will know what works in your area and where the best places to go for raw materials are. They're also "au fait" with anything which qualifies for the lower TVA rate and/or Credit d'Impot, which a Brit might not be.

I do agree that for complex issues, an English-speaker is easier to work with, but .... look upon working with the locals as a(many) free language lesson(s)

But however you embark upon this project, you WILL need "courage, mon brave" and oodles of patience. And be prepared for being thwarted, frustrated etc etc etc - you only have to look at some of the postings in here to find how the rest of us vent our spleens when required

Hils

[Bevdeforges]

Working with the local artisans is also a good idea because they are familiar with the local bureaucracy - and if you are planning anything that needs approval through the mairie, they'll be able to tell you what needs a permit and what doesn't and possibly help you manage the process.

One idea: Ask at the mairie if they have a local bulletin or newsletter (depending on the size of the town, it may come out monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually). The local artisans often advertise in these publications - and you know these guys are probably in good graces with the mairie.

This is the time of the year when the local clubs and associations are getting started up. You may want to check (with the mairie, of course <g>) to see if there are any groups you might be interested in. If you could find a friend or two who speaks English (offer to do a language exchange - English for French - and you'll be friends for life) and you may be able to find out who the best artisans in the area are!
Cheers,
Bev

[burgessfarm]

Thank you all for replying, there is enough info and ideas to definitely get me going in the right direction, i am expecting quite a journey with the projects, thanks again.

[Grayando]

I could give you a quote with 14 years in France, examples of work etc. let me know. Graham. : )