LesFlamands

Your electrician is correct although the certificate only costs 106 euros he's probably charging for his time to arrange it as well. For peace of mind then get it done but the artisans 10 year insurance is much more important.

I have been a registered PGP although I've let it expire now. The only rule that a UK appliance is breaking is that it doesn't have NF or CE(F) certification and therefore no label and therefore it is illegal to install it. If it is a new tank and a CofC is required to get the tank filled the first time, when the Qualigaz expert comes to if he sees an appliance without the correct certification he will fail the whole installation. No hearsay - just fact.

Probably another Corgi registered fitter who thinks the UK rules apply here. I know of two French plumbers who've served time due to negligence (and not having the proper insurance) There are a lot of gas related accidents in France and the authorities are very hard on anyone breaking the rules

I haven't read all the replies to this but it is not legal to fit an appliance without the appropriate labelling (certification). If, however, you use the proper parts and stick to the letter of the law as regards ventilation etc. I'm sure it will be fine.

You don't say whether it includes ventilation  and certificate of conformity or TVA @ 5.5% or 19.6%. Also, if you choose a condensing boiler you can get a 'credit impots' of between 25 and 40% of the cost of the boiler. But, even so, doesn't sound outrageous.

breizh, you have a lot of faith in Architects, most of the ones I've come across haven't a clue. You are much better off getting a good builder - make sure you see and check out his references and all his insurances (as you should with an Architect). Most builders will do all the project management for no extra charge and will also draw the plans necessary for a much smaller fee than an Architect. The 170 sq.m. rule is, in my opinion, a farce. If the SHON is 169 sq.m. anyone can supply the minimal plans required with no construction drawings, nothing to do with the complexity of the build. If the SHON is 171 sq.m. the plans have to be drawn by an Architect but they're the same plans again no construction drawings, no calculations or reference to the complexity, just a whopping great fee and it's still the Artisan who has to insure the work. Work creation scheme!

You'll have to be careful they don't change it to left hand drive[:D] Moto Move have a reasonable reputation but, like a lot of motorbike/car dealers, I don't know how they make a living. I went in there to buy a new Husaberg, virtually had the cash hanging out of my top pocket but the salesman wouldn't get out of his chair so I bought a KTM instead. Espace 7 is the Honda dealer in Limoges

It is certainly not the Chambres de Metiers job to assess the viability of any businees you wish to set up. They will want to know that you are qualified either with a specific qualification or experience but other than that as long as you register under one regime or another you are free to do as you wish. I agree with XLeblanc that there is a lot of rubbish posted on these forums by people who try very hard to sound like they know what they are talking about!

I would say that 1000 euros per sq.m. HT would be about right but don't forget the 19.6% TVA.

I only report those who I have lost contracts to directly. I am then able to give details of the client and report the builder for working without a signed estimate. In a lot of cases the 'contractor' has a siret no. but has a team of stray brits who are working for cash. I've reported them to the URSSAF, Impots and Gendarmes. Sometimes the result is obvious as the site closes down but in other cases nothing much appears to happen but, as far as I know, all those I have reported over the years are no longer living in France. What can you do when you've lost a job to someone you know doesn't have insurance?

Boarding, counterbattens and tile battens sounds like doing the job twice but It depends on the type of insulation, how it's fitted (internal or external) and what aspect you want inside. If you only have A Frames and purlins at the moment, then you will need to fit rafters, so if you fit these at 400 centres you should be able to dispence with the boarding and just fit tile battens and nibbed undertiles. Alternatively, you could use something like this: http://www.solution-soutuile.com/produits.php

Taking the Brit community in isolation - there are those that are registered and provide a service, inevitably to other Brits who in the main, have a 'rose tinted' view of what they should be charged for a service in France. This 'confusion' is made worse when the Brits find out that some large percentage (50%?) of French work for SMIC which is about 1250 euros a month and hotels, B&B's and restaurants are significantly cheaper than in the UK. So how does it work in France? on the face of it, there seems to be a lot of prosperity. Who has the money to keep so many Artisans so busy? Why do gardeners on the black sometimes charge more than registered gardeners but manage to convince holiday home owners they're getting a good deal because they're not paying TVA or tax??? Confused as well.

Hello Frank, welcome to the Forum. I can't give you all the answers to your questions but would suggest you look into registering as a 'micro-entreprise' which will mean you don't have to keep accounts and you just declare your receipts at the end of the year. The downside to a micro-entreprise is there is a ceiling on your turnover of 27000 euros a year (if you are only providing a service and not selling a product as such). As a m-e you wouldn't be registered for TVA which means you don't charge TVA for your service. For a m-e they assume that your allowable expenses are 50% of your turnover so if, for example, you turn over 20000 euros you will only be taxed on 10000 (similarly you 'cotisations' or social charges are assessed on this figure). Once your establishe your cotisation works out at about 25% of your turnover but for the first two years you have to make a fixed payment which works out at between 400 to 600 euros a month for all start up businesses (except 'Societe' of course). I don't know how it works if you are over 60 as the normal Artisan retiring age is 60 at the moment. Also it might be worth looking at registering as a 'metier d'art' if you are doing mainly decorative stuff as this will reduce your cotisation a bit. First port of call is your 'Chambre de Metiers' where you will have to book yourself on a course before you can actually register (the 'stage' is available in English in some departments). I'm sure others will be along soon to fill in the gaps, good luck with your plans.

Paul, the official rate (as published by le moniteur) is around 1400 Euros per square metre inc. TVA at 19.6%. This would be for a fairly simple build with a shallow pitch roof.

Don't think there is any regulation but only the area with a headroom of 1.8metres or greater counts as habitable space. It would be bad design if the stairs arrived at a point with less headroom. Personally, I always locate the stairs before anything else is decided when drawing up a barn conversion. Never really seen a good spiral stair that saves space. 3000 litre septic would be required with either a 25 sq.m. sand filter or 60 metres of soakaway drains.

Try http://www.missionmotos.com/ although, as far as I can see, the 'location moto' links at the bottom of the page don't seem to be working.

I usually fit the Polyphosphate anti-calcaire units which are available from Plumbers Merchants from about 90 to 150 euros and everyone seems pleased with them. Max cost installed would be 250 euros.

Change your tarif to heures creuse and fit a chauffe eau electrique (200 or 300 litre as required)

If you mean the lightweight factory made trusses for a new construction, they are generically refferred to as 'fermettes' (big traditional trusses are 'fermes'). Point P or any other builders merchant will be able to supply or you could go directly to one of the many suppliers listed in the yellow pages and save a few euros.

Pressure reducers are required by regulations for chauffe eau installations but a good idea on all installations, even if the incoming pressure is low it can vary quite a bit

What sort of sockets do you have? If they are the old type often the sprung leaves inside which contact the pins on the plug are just worn out plus the fact that many appliances with 2 pin plugs have very thin pins. I assume you are not using English to French adapters which can damage plug, socket and user.

If you were registered last year you should have received your 'Avis d'echeances' from RSI before the end of last year. RSI is just a centralised payment caisse which just combines all the previous payments into one.

[quote user="clarksinfrance"]  the condensates are very corrosive. [/quote] Indeed they are, which is one of the main reasons for fitting a chimney liner. The flexible stainless steel liner with a smooth interior (required by regulations for wood burning appliances) is one of the most cost effective ways of lining an old chimney although I have not seen the correct liner at 22 euros/metre. As well as preventing further degradation of the masonry, the flue liner will also improve the draw of the chimney, make the stove much easier to light, is also easier to clean and if properly fitted and not damaged by incorrect cleaning, will last much longer than 10 years. By the way, I am a registered and insured installer and have been fitting stoves and liners in France for 15 years. Good advice regarding 'Credits Impot' but as far as I'm aware it's only on appliances not installation materials.

A chimney liner is required which is usually a stainless steel flexible tube with a smooth interior, fixed at the top of the chimney with a special bracket. At the fireplace end the pipe exiting the stove is usually enamelled steel to match the stove and then connects to the liner using the specific adapter/reducer (again stainless steel). The joint should be made out of sight but easily accessible just behind the lintel. At the same level you will also need a register plate to block the chimney opening around the flue pipe. This is usually metal with some 'firerock' insulation above. The register plate and frame has to be custom made to suit your chimney and should also be easily removable for servicing purposes. You may also need to fit or replace the rain cover at the top of the chimney.  Depending on access to the top of the chimney the cost of fitting the liner (usually 8/9 metres for a two storey house) and making and fitting the register plate should be around 800 to 1000 euros plus TVA at 5.5%. This should include fitting the stove as well. Don't buy a cheap stove as you'll be disappointed. If it is your main heat get a good stove that will stay in overnight and which is generously rated for the volume you have to heat.

They must be registered with the Ordre des Architectes which is regional (Aquitaine, Centre etc.). It wouldn't surprise me if they were limited to working in their home region but I don't know if they are - you would have to ask one. Project managers or Maitre d'oeuvre have there own professional body. A lot of foreigners who claim to be PMs are registered as something else ( one I know of is an ornamental gardener), I think this is because the qualifications for a Maitre d'oeuvre are quite specific or perhaps they have to pay a lot of professional charges.