LesFlamands

If you are sure it is over 170 sqm then it is not small. This is not a recommendation as I don't have much faith in Architects but if you need one to do the plans for a Permis de Construire try Stuart Parkes at Milhac de Nontron on 05 53 09 33 45

Please, please, you can't do anything for a property you've not even bought. Ballpark figures are banded about without any precision - habitable space, inc. TVA, exc. TVA, who knows. Architects (bless the incompetent lot of them) are using around 1500 euros TTC per sq. m. for new build at the moment. For renovation it could be anything. You need to waste a builders time and get an estimate then, perhaps, try 25% materials/75% labour. As for roof screens, it's worked fine for hundred's of years without and I think you will have far more fundamental problems to deal with.

If it (the finished article) has what they call a SHON of over 170sqm. then will will need the plans for the planning permission either drawn by or signed off by a registered architect. Finding an architect to sign off your plans can be difficult. Basically, for a house, the SHON is the total habitable floor area measure externally. There are a number of deductions allowed some of which can make a significant difference but if it's a house with a footprint of 125 sqm. over two habitable floors (250sqm?) it's unlikely that the deductions will bring it down to an SHON of <170sqm..

They have the same problems here as in the UK with mini-motos and motocrossers out on the roads and trails. The gendarmes always seem to be pretty reasonable if you're just going about your business in a sensible fashion. A lot of 'bikers' just make themselves too conspicuous and the standard of riding is also very poor. If they do manage to nick twice as many speeding bikes it will still only be a drop in the ocean.

[quote user="raindog"]The fact is, if everything's set up correctly, and your upper chimny is insulated in some way, you shouldn't be having the tar problem anyway. [/quote] Yes, and the fuel is dry (hardwood) Regarding horizontal runs, going horizontally through a stone wall is sometimes unavoidable. If you ensure there is decent access into the pipe (external Tee piece) this will simplify cleaning out which will probably be required at least once a month for a stove in full time use. Stoves that are designed with a male spigot for the flue connection are useless (i.e.most French stoves)

Female end upwards

Sockets must be upwards (regulations). 90 degree bends are not a good idea except at the back of the stove but best use a Tee with bouchon for easy cleaning. If the flue draws correctly, i.e. it is long enough, clears the roof by a decent margin and is insulated where it needs to be then you won't get any smoke leaks or condensation unless the fuel is wet. Taping the flue won't work against condensation. taping is only used as a belt and braces on gas flues. You installer should be shot, or banned, or something.

I had to turn down the opportunity to quote for a central heating job last August as the client needed it finished for October. We are working on another project for the same client and the plumber he found is still on site now although apparantly part of the system is working. The plumber only seems to turn up when hassled. Whilst I'm annoyed that I didn't take the job on I wouldn't like being in the situation where I was running late on a job like central heating feeling I had mislead the client, I just don't need the stress. I also do electrics. Whilst there is nothing special about being a registered electrician there are some special insurance conditions that don't apply to other trades and the responsibilty to bring existing installations up to date. If an electrician does not bring an installation up to date and then the house burnt down I suspect they would find themselves in very serious trouble. Of all the trades to employ on the black the electrician is not the one.

I use a small late on my enduro bike because if it's too large it gets snapped off by trees etc. Certainly not a follower of fashion but the bike doesn't have indicators, horn or mirrors either, all of which the gendarmes tend to turn a blind eye to as long as the bike is insured, fitted with road legal tyres and you're driving steadily on the tarmac road.

They're saying that, of the 1.2 million speed camera photos they have of bikes, 900.000 are from front facing cameras and they can't identify the bike. Of the remaining 300.000 there are 250.000 where they can't read the plate. The gendarmes are always on the lookout for bikes with small plates at race meetings and the like and I imagine that they are planning to install more cameras that take a shot of the rear of the vehicle. I've already noticed it's harder to find places who will make small plates!

I think there is the possibility that this will be the end of the Dakar. I don't know what the situation is with regard to return of entry fees or insurance pay outs for loss of revenue in the event of the rally being cancelled but the big companies (Mitsubishi, Nissan, BMW etc.) who have spent millions just getting to Lisbon are unlikely to commit to doing the same next year unless ASO can guarantee that the rally will run. I'm sure that this year's disaster will cost ASO a lot of money even if they are insured for this eventuality, so they need every entry they can get next year to cover set up costs, massive security commitments and potential uninsurable losses (nobody will be able to get cancellation insurance next year so ASO will have to cover it) I'm sure it would have been possible to delay the start for 48 hours and try and arrange a limited rally - Lisbon-Marrakesh-Lisbon for example (probably finishiing a few days early)

If an Artisan is trading as a micro entreprise he is not TVA registered. This will mean that he will include materials he supplies to you at the TTC price (19.6%) plus his margin but he won't charge TVA at all on his labour. Having said that, most micro entreprises need to keep their turnover down and, therefore, may ask you to supply the materials so they don't appear on the invoice - which is no good for you if you want to offset cost of building works against CGT when you sell. It's generally better to use a TVA registered business and benefit from TVA at 5.5% on both materials and labour when you can.

On the plus side, you don't need to take any exams but you (all 3 of you) will need to attend a week long course at the Chambres de Metiers in order to register and then get insurance. Fixed monthly payments to the state and insurance allow 6 to 700 euros a month. You'll be lucky to get work with the French and you need to be aware that the area is already overun with British 'builders' both legal and illegal trying to scratch a living. There are plenty of Brits around looking for tradesmen but speed is often more important than quality.

Operate as a Entreprise Individuelle (regime reel simplifiee). As the Gerant (principal in qn SARL) you are still responsible fpr all the debts of the company not as in the UK where all directors benefit from limited liabilty. My French accountant tells me that the only people to benefit from individuals setting up EURL/SARLs are the advocats and notaires. Merry Christmas everyone[B]

We make staircases to measure in oak such as this one recently installed http://www.hautefortrenovation.com/img36.jpg Cost of this was about 2.5 times the price quoted above (fitted).

John, welcome to this forum, I know you post from time to time on the UK GSer site. I' used a place in Terrason for sandblasting and Brive for powder coating. Both were pretty shambolic and not used to dealing with small bike parts so I currently looking around in Limoges for someone better. I'll let you know if I find anyone.

[quote user="Chipie"] I also phoned Rayburn tec department they put me on to their export department who just confirmed that the only way it should be installed is as per installation manual eg: vented system with header tank! [/quote] All solid fuel heating systems use open vents with a header tank. Everything you need is available in France except ready made 'injection tees' but these are easily made fromother parts. Not very familiar with the 'Heatranger' but did have to replace a boiler in a 'Nouvelle' that was only 14 months old, hence my comment regarding buying secondhand.

I've installed some Rayburns. Don't but secondhand solid fuel Rayburns as the boiler is probably on it's last legs ad costs a lot to replace. Needs wood cut up into short lengths, will stay in overnight (just) but don't expect the rads to be warm in the morning. Running rads it probably needs 150 to 200kgs of wood per 24hours so it's hard work to keep up with it. I think the best option is a Rayburn for cooking only (or even better, a gas or electric (latest version) AGA) and a gas or oil boiler for central heating and hot water.

Circulating water underfloor heating is very good if properly designed and installed. Electric mats are not a good idea (IMO)

[quote user="Will"] Nobody is compelled to give estimates, invoices, receipts etc [/quote] AFAIK. If the work is more than 150 Euros?? we are legally obliged to have a signed estimate/contract

As I understand it, if the income from your holiday lets and caravans is more than 15000 Euros p.a. then you have to register as a business. I know that you won't have this income for a while but with the changes in the health cover for people under retirement age it may be better to be in the French system rather than pay for private health insurance.

From a legal point of view an Artisan should have a signed estimate for any work he is doing. I'm sure he'll be able to provide a more detailed bill. He was probably just saving himself a bit of time as you are a friend. He also needs to show his Siret no. and TVA intracomm. reg. or the appropriate exclusion clause if he is a micro entreprise.

Welcome to the forum, Tony. We're just down the road from you near Excideuil and I've just bought a new KTM, not a road going model though!

Installed as a building entreprise in 1994, various up and downs since, haven't given up but got fairly close to it on a few occassions. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Finance is always an issue and cashflow is a nightmare. Speaking French is essential and being able to communicate on the phone on complex issues in French is important. High anxiety threshold helps but I've found this reduces as age inceases. Bear in mind that almost all parts of France are now overrun with expat tradesmen trying tgo scratch a living (many on the black) so unless you are well established you be hard pressed to find work.

If the flue is drawing adequately then holes in the firebox should only cause air leaks into the stove making it less easy to control at a low burn rate. Fumes coming back into the room indicate that the flue is not working properly.