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We've recently completed a loft conversion and now need to get our house re-assessed using the dreaded Form H1.  We read somewhere that we only need to fill it in for the new works, yet the Form H1 is set up to take into account the entire property. Can anyone clarify? Dave  

Clair/Anton Thanks for your replies.  I think I'll try the DIY route. Regards    

Hello We have a telephone line which has been disconnected (at the exchange) since we bought the house 3 years ago.  We want to get it re-activated.  We understand that France Telecom will need to inspect the line first - do they charge for this? Also, we want to re-locate the internal socket to a more convenient place in the house.  Do FT do this work and do they charge for it?  It looks like this could be a DIY job - you can get the cable & sockets at the Brico.  However, we're a bit nervous about the "box" which connects the incoming line to the internal cable. Could there be problems here? Thanks    

We're beginners at this, but if you don't ask you don't get. We have a maison secondaire which has a de-activated phone line.  We intend to get this re-connected through France Telecom. We then intend to get a laptop computer - it's main function will be for emails and, importantly, to access our emails in UK.  Our UK provider is BT Internet Pay as You Go.  Our WWW requirement will be very occasional and we don't need Broadband. That's it!  Assuming we have the phone line and the computer - what do we do next?  Do Wanadoo have a Pay as You Go service in France?  Will it be necessary to change our UK provider? All advice, hints and tips will be very welcome.    

Can anybody tell me what does, and does not constitute "habitable floor space". Thanks

Does anybody know if it's possible to use a sprayer with Sandtex. Dave

Hendo Would appreciate it if you could give me some info on Wood chip/pellet heaters.    

All Thanks for your replies. I need about 10m of flue liner. That works out at 80 Euros per metre. Must be gold plated. How much should I expect to pay for stainless steel?

Hi All We've just had a quote for installing a new chaudiere (fioul). Included in the quote is 800 Euros for "Tubeage Super Tenliss 125". Any body know what this is? Thanks

Opel This system is absolutely brilliant. Your answer to my first question answers my second question, doesn't it. IT'S FOR ME! I shall seek out my plombiere/electricien right away and arrange for a devis. Sorry - I just don't have the time for this sort of DIY at the moment (although I am capable). We're only part timers at the moment and I've got enough decorating ahead of me as it is. Regards

Opel Once again - thanks. What is a jour/nuit contactor - what does it do and how does it work? I like the idea of a Chauffe Eau on Creuse. Anything which saves me money is GOOD. However, may I wind things up with the following hypothetical scenario:- Your weekend guests, being a clean lot, have plundered your Creuse Chauffe Eau during the day, leaving you with a tankful of tepid water with which to wash the mountain of dishes after dinner. How do you cope with this? Or do you just ensure that it remains a hypothetical problem?

Coco 'Twould be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to get a child's head through a 60mm gap. That's two and three eigths inches in old money. Mind you, these days I wouldn't half like to give it a try.................. Victor Meldrew

Opel Thanks for that. Seems like we've got our own forum going here - but what the hell. Questions. Questions. Questions. What is a "French SARL". What is a "rechauffage mixte". Chauffe-Eau. I found them on the Leroy Merlin site. A good range at good prices. I assume that the insulation in these units is up to scratch. For my money, this is just as important as the price of the electricity you put into them. Creuse. Isn't there a charge to be paid to EDF for installation? From a fact sheet I've got from the EDF site, the cost of Creuse seems to be about 20% less than Pleine. Is this your experience?

Opel Thanks for that. I shall pass this to our plombiere. Doubtless he will try to sell me something more expensive - but I will be firm. Do you have any thoughts on the comparative running costs of fioul/electricity for the provision of hot water? This question is prompted by the humungous increase in the cost of fioul over the last year. Regards

Opel Thanks for that. I drew a blank with Leroy Merlin, but eventually found them on the Castorama website. Once again, thanks. Dave