TheNewPM

Ok it's gotten better and worse. The builder and I have agreed a reduction from 3,000 euros to half that for his partitioning/boxing in work. The down side is that the electricians want 7,700 euros for the 'local technique'. 8 electric meters and then connecting them to 8 units ? Surely I'm being ripped off ?

I appreciate your advice and am aware of the case you refer to. Unfortunately although the company has a UK arm and a French arm, the contract is French and bound under French law, and the company conveniently 'segregates' its estate agency from it's 'consultancy' arm in times of litigation. It's also worth being aware that the company tied us into sales contracts 'off-plan' with customers, and in selling these properties they promised most purchasers the earth. One thought he was getting a 3 bed house, with wooden floors, a free kitchen, white goods, a communal swimming pool and tennis courts, and special inset lighting for 75,000 euros. In the Pas-De-Calais/Picardie region. If you can find me that deal on a new build in France I'd be happy. Although the company promised all of this to our customers (unbeknowns to us), French law holds us responsible because agents like this company are deemed to be acting on our behalf. Though all this means is that the customers can take action against us and we have to seperately take action against the PM company. Anyhow, causing them all sorts of problems isn't difficult for me. The hardest thing with the French legal system is getting them into court. For those people asking who the company is, whether on here or by PM, it would be libellous for me to name them until I have a judgement against them. But two of the main people in the company are called Adrian and Eric. Buyers/people seeking project managers beware.

You're very lucky and I'm truly pleased for you. One thing I missed out in my story was that this company sold some of our development 'off-plan', only to English buyers (who usually have cash or borrow against property in the UK not France). All of these buyers were either elderly or using their life savings, and this didn't seem to bother the company we used much when they walked away from the project leaving the site unfinished, and supposedly unfinishable for legal reasons. This company is owned by ex-pats.

My parents trusted a company based in the UK and France to 'project manage' their development of new homes, and despite having a contract that makes it clear they are only allowed 5% of build costs as their fee as well as obliging them to get 3 competitive quotes, they've taken advantage of two elderly people and the company selected only artisans willing to give them between 8 and 20 percent in commissions for being given the work which of course added 8 to 20% to the price of the work to my parents and of course they were charged an additional 5% on this 8 to 20 percent. Stupid as it is they also took advantage of my mother's inability to write French words, so when she's given a cheque destined for an artisan in some cases the PM put the money straight into his own account. So beware. I've seen this company mentioned in these forums. I won't mention their name until the outcome of the writ I've served them, and out of respect for the legal position of the forum. However beware. This company has a UK and a French arm which unfortunately go by seperate names. If someone is managing your build for you, make sure that: -You have full control over which workers/companies are selected -You have full and direct control of payments made -You have definitive contractual statements as to how much the PM earns from the job and through what mechanism, and that he is responsible for producing accounts of all monies including his cut -You have a schedule of work, and it is clear who is responsible for administration and for signing off the work when it's done (there's no point 12 months into a build deciding that you're not happy with some bricklaying that was done a year ago - the PM should make sure it's done to satisfaction before authoring the final payment to the bricklayer) -Make sure the budget is agreed in advance and in writing with the PM, and that he is accountable for any overspend (our PM claimed he had no financial responsibilities when the build went over budget by 300%) I know it sounds obvious, but don't sign over power of attorney on making payments. Our PM tried this one on my parents. I' pretty sure I've said nothing libellous but in case it could be considered saw please consider all I've said as being without prejudice. I'm not pointing the finger at a specific company. Rather I'm suggesting what people should look out for when entrusting their project to someone they don't know. If anyone has any other experiences to share, please post them (without the name of a company or individual) so that we can all be aware of the sharks out there.

But if they don't respond to a formal planning application for three or four months I have no way of escalating the process ? We submitted the application through the Mairie but they simply don't respond to phone calls or call back.

Thanks again Nick. I'll take it up with my builder.

When applying for planning permission at what point is it acceptable to bypass the Mairie (which isn't replying) and to go to the DDE ? How do I find the DDE dealing with The Somme ? We're asking for land to be rezoned for building, not for detailed planning permission. The land is currently ND, but in the centre of town and all agree that it will eventually get planning permission.

Erm. What's this all about then ? :-)

Is the Consuel the planning authorities ? Essentially if my builder is telling me he and the electrician have spoken with the EDF and the requirements are firproof plasterboarding between the meters, and fireproofed wood or metal over the meters themselves I'm at a loss as to how not to hold up connection. Do you know of a web link or something that might point me to some off the shelf covers for meters ? The 8 units are a converted stable block with an archway between two of the units. The meters are in the archway for the water, telephone and the electricity.

Nick, I've been told not to approach the DDE directly until a decision has come out of the Mairie with the planning committee. We've owned the land for 17 years, and my lawyer assures me that the Mairie will only get their hands on it over his dead body. The mayor actually seems to want his friend to buy it, so it's not really for official purposes.

Many thanks Nick. It's actually the main supply to a development of 8 units, and they've insisted it's fireproof. So plastic won't do. I'm looking into fire treated wood. So do you sell properties in France then ?

We submitted a planning application for a large site in the North around February time. It was submitted by a French architect who has since been unable to get a response of any kind from the Mairie as to what's happening. The Mayor had told is that urbanisme was on hold because the regional authorities were trying to decide on the allocations in the area. It's apparently been on hold for 8 years. Surely this can't be the case and surely when a formal application is submitted a formal reply must be forthcoming. It's a hotly desired piece of land right in the centre of town and word on the street is that the Mayor and his friends want to buy it cheap and develop it. So I need the Mairie to decline my application before I can go over his head. If I go over his head prematurely it'll reflect badly on me. Any ideas anyone ?

I have on retention an English speaking lawyer and an English speaking notaire, if these would be of benefit to you.

My builder is telling me the EDF want fir proof boxing around the meters before they'll connect us. He's also said the want the Qater and Telephone meters seperated by similar boxing in. He's quoting 3,000 euros to box them in and provide doors/shutters for the meters for 8 units. Surely that's a crazy price. surely there's something off the shelf we can buy to contain these meters. I wouldn't expect to pay more than 500-1000 euros in total for the job. Any advice ?   Also EDF are giving us a September date for connection despite having requested it in April, on a supposed 10 week lead time. Any advice ?

Could someone tell me how to go about registering a couple of friends of mine to work on my site in france ? I'm not concerned with guarantees and insurance as it's painting and decking they're doing, but I don't really want anyone driving by the site and questioning their right to work there. What is the likelihood of this ?   If I have to register them, where do I do it, and how do I get the paperwork ? The site is in Normandie Thanks in advance for any help.