Euromotorshop

I am confused. Trying to find honest answers / information on the right pool type is pas evident!! I am quickly drawing the conclusion the industry is full of ex double glazing salesman (not you pool guy, or are you an ex double glazing salesman  :-)). Given the following scenario what would you suggest? We have 4 young children ranging from 6 weeks to 7 years old. Obviously the main users of the pool will be the children (and rightly so) and her indoors. Daddy would like to play with kids and also do a bit of adult swimming from time to time. The kids also like to dive and having the habitude of pools are all strong swimmers. All things considered, I think a pool with a shallow end for kids (really a shallow end not 4 ft) with a bit in the middle deeper for general messing around in (4-5ft?) with a deeper end for diving. Thats the spec, now for the difficult part - Finding a pool to match! From my research I have identified: Pool kits - They seem ok but I somehow have the opinion that they are not high quality (will probably be ok for 2/3years?) and a cheap way to have a pool when otherwise it might be too expensive. Is this correct? Or are they on a par with fibreglass and concrete pools? Other concerns I have about this type of pool is they are not flexible in design (i.e. you basically get what you given (depth) and the extras (Roman steps etc..) really start to push the price up. Also having the pool filter system built into the steps/structure seems strange, perhaps dangerous (electricity). What are peoples opinions? Am I way of the mark here? If I can have my spec (as above) in a kit form for a reasonable price but good quality, I would buy it now. But must pool salesman just try and force what they have on to you and not what you want. Fibreglass - These I think are pre-formed to a spec. I assume there must be off the shelf solutions which might be cheaper that having it made? This is an assumption, perhaps it is wrong? The advantage seems to be you just dig the hole and volia, it pops in without too much of a problem. I am not sure the comfort is the same as a liner based pool but perhaps I am wrong? Are there any disadvantages? What is a typical cost? Concrete - Similar to above, you just dig the hole, add the concrete, perhaps some tiles, et volia. Complete flexibility with design. I am not sure of the cost and I would think (as above) the comfort is not the same as with  liner pool? Obviously I want to do this as cheaply as possible. I would also add I have my own tractor complete with digger. Given the requirements and the equipment I have (digger) what solution would you go for? If you are a builder, competent enough to help and with some free time, I would consider employing you come and install it. Thanks for any advice.    

Location: : Midi-Pyrénées   Departement : 82 Tarn-et-Garonne  Text : I am looking for a general builder who can help with restoring a property. Lots of work for the right person. Possible accomodation provided if we can work it. Contact; [email protected]

[quote user="wen"]My 13 year old son cant seem to even get invited anywhere after nearly 2 years! For his 11th birthday he handed out invitations to nine boys from his class. we set up the party in our dining room... no-one came![/quote] This is horrible and I really feel for you and espicially your son. I hope it didn't knock him too much.

This winter it's been freezing most days!! Have ordered their catologue Chas, thanks. The 15k the quoted me was an installed price. Geri - I would think 17-20k

Thanks Peter. Are the points you raised really a problem? How do they compare with other pools? And in terms of value for money what is your opinion? Thanks.

 Based in Montauban (82), I have the following positions available:   Office Manager; either full or part time, managing (with the help of an accountant) TVA returns, invoicing, telephones, organising events etc... We are upgrading to new accounting software (the name escapes me) but by no means is this a purely accounting position. More important (as the accounting is easy to learn) is an attitude to get stuck in, loyalty, honestly and confidence. A good level of French is required as I can’t really see how the position would manage without it.   Mechanic – No official qualifications are required as it isn’t rocket science but a similar attitude to the above position is required.   I am looking to fill these positions quickly so if of interest don’t put off contacting me. [email protected]

Has anyone any experience of DesJoyaux pools? Just on the off chance I popped into an outlet in Montauban today in the hope of seeing the owner (I kind of know him a bit). He wasn't there so I had a chat with a women who runs it and she explained their concept etc.. What I found interesting was they have a very different filter system to what I have seen/had before - they dont use a pool room to host the pump but the system is built into the steps. For a standard 8x4m pool with patio / pump / lights / steps etc.. she told me the maximum price (installed) was around 15k Euros. I thought this was quite resonable and as I know the owner would expect a decent discount on this. Am I missing something? Is this system not a good idea? They told me (perhaps sales speel) but others were now trying to copy their concept. hmmmmmmmm      

"mud brick not bud brick!"

Gill, of couse the comment was serious :-) WJT - We actually live in a bud brick house so nothing nice about leaving the walls exposed. Now, I am no expert, but I have picked up some knowledge from my on-site English builders / friends. The choice (for us) is either to use crepie on the walls and then plaster it or plaster board / insulate the walls and then skim it with plaster. This is normal practice and whilst plaster board doesn't need to be plastered afterwards, it isn't good practice to NOT skim it. Now for the costs.... I am awaiting a detailed break down of the costs before deciding but I will be very surprised if the traditional method of crepie/plastering the walls is not a lot (LOT) cheaper than modern day methods (i.e. plasterboard and then skimming). Will get to the photos soon... Bonne soiree.

Thanks all and fantastic photos Anton, thanks very much - love your choice of colours and what a great job! Just returned from a bad day at the office (with the accountant) and now the missus is moaning I dont help as much as I should with the kids!!! We have 4, the youngest 10 days old - do women realise we actually work too! Will take some photos and post them tonight / tomorrow. Perhaps will keep a mini diary over the next 6 months! I really welcome and appreciate all the input. Bonne soire.

Thanks and of course your views are relevant. The bathroom cost was in € and also included a new septic tank, windows/doors, electrics, plumbing (including new cumulas) fixtures and fittings etc.... Size is about 10m x 4m and we built it from nothing. There is so much space I thought it would be a shame to downsize on such an important room. By no means will we be spending the same cost / m2 in the rest of the house. When finished, I would think the house would sell for €700-1,000k (depending on the level of finish) and I expect to spend about €130-160k. Personally I prefer the modern look, with a nice clean finish; but we are in France :-)

We are at a bit of crossraods at present....... We have a large (1000m2) old farm house that we are currently renovating. Downstairs is in resonable condition, and doesn't require much more than a little decorating (we have installed a fantastic modernish bathroom at a cost of about 20k). The upstairs I dont think has ever been lived in and so we will be starting with only the walls (mud brick) and ceiling. the crossroads.... Do we convert the upstairs using modern materails i.e. plasterboard the walls and insulate througout or go for the traditional appraoch i.e. crepie and plaster. As we see it modern methods would provide a very good Finish, warm rooms in winter, lower heating costs. Whilst tradional methods are more in line with "the French way" and would be somewhat cheaper. If you were looking to buy a propery in France which type of finish would you prefer and why? How have you renovated your houses? We really cant make up our minds!!!!!!! Help!!!!

Thanks for the advice. Ours isn't clipped but the tiles are stacked up at least 3 high! And with only one small leak on a 500m2 roof I dont see any point in spending 50-60k? on putting flexotweal down. It's not as if it's in bad condition but certainly flexotweal has become more popular here - and it would add something to my roof but I dont see it as value at that price. I'm sure there are many in similar positions.

We have recently moved into a new place in the south but been in France many years. The house is around 1000m2 and we are renovating the upstairs. A burning question I have is about the roof. Currently in the worst of storms, we have only one small leak (out of place tile). The rafters / main beams are in resonable condition, probably only 5 (rafters) in the roof need replacing. When we renovate upstairs we will either put in a false ceiling or cover up all except the main beams. The house is about 120 years old. Given the background, a couple of skilled people have still suggested we need to lay some flexotweal. Others have said (a view I share given the roof is 500m2!) if it doesn't leak there is no need for it. In an ideal world, yes flexotweal would be beneficial, but for one small leak and a roof in resonable condition? Any thoughts? Thanks.