BQF

Looking for some help here! I have owned a house in Normandy since 2004 - had no problems whatsoever, has a loft conversion, central heating fitted (by french builders) and all has been OK. I took on a new job a couple of years ago that meant I worked away quite a bit, so I couldn't get over to the house as often.  So, I hired one of these 'good neighbour' type businesses to look after my house.  They have been great - arranging gardening, landscaping, small repair jobs etc - no problems.  Because they have been so good I asked them to source some building work - knocking a wall down, a bit of making good, and fitting a large woodburner in my lounge and some associated building work. They sourced a quote from an English builder registered in France, who has done work for them before.  The quote for the whole job was Eur3,000, and I sent a Eur1,900 deposit to include buying the woodburner back in September. Heard today that the builder has gone bust.  Liquidator on the way etc.  The builder 'promises I'll get my money back', but I'm not hopeful.  They didn't buy a woodburner with the deposit funds (sounds like fraud to me - they must have known they were going bust). Has anyone dealt with the French insolvency system?  Where will I rank as a creditor?  Any chance of getting my money back?  If anyone has been in this situation I'd love to hear how it panned out...

[quote user="BQF"]I have a holiday home in Normandy, near Domfront/Flers.  I am not getting over there as often as I'd like and I need the garden to be completely re-worked - it needs landscaping really.  I also want 2 decks built, and a wall in the house taken out. I just don't have the time to organise it myself.  Anyone know of a 'fix-it' type person in the area that could arrange it for me?  Or a reliable landscaper/builder? Thanks [/quote] anyone?  1 reply so far... do help!!!  (if you can)...

My house is in Orne, which is very 'horsey' - the departement has a horse as it's symbol, and there are hundreds of racehorse breeders in the area.  There are many race meetings at the racecourse in Bagnoles de L'Orne.  There are 3x Golf courses within 5 miles of my house (near Flers), and land/houses are still fairly good value.  So, from a description of your interests, and that fact that the South isn't an option, I'd definitely visit the Orne......so thats the upside..... .....On the downside, it's absolutely rubbish weather in the winter.  The rain seems like a constant 'pizzle' - it's exceptionally cold (it was minus 13 the winter before last), and outside of Caen (an hour away) there isn't really much of a cultural life.  You'll easily be able to embrace the French lifestyle - it's primarily a 'country' area and the pace of life is very different to the UK.  For example, I paid my neighbour to build a fence for me, and he put up the posts two years ago, and we're still waiting for him to complete it by fixing the grillage (!).  The lazy bugger!! Seriously though - do rent places, travel widely and be prepared to be disappointed many times before you find a lovely place that is special to you.  Don't wait for too long though - 'carpe diem' and all that.  Bonne Chance!

I have a holiday home in Normandy, near Domfront/Flers.  I am not getting over there as often as I'd like and I need the garden to be completely re-worked - it needs landscaping really.  I also want 2 decks built, and a wall in the house taken out. I just don't have the time to organise it myself.  Anyone know of a 'fix-it' type person in the area that could arrange it for me?  Or a reliable landscaper/builder? Thanks

Howdy I have a cellar with an earth floor covered with shingle.  I want to install a washing machine down there, but I need to lay a solid base.  I will make wooden shuttering with some old bits lying about - and I have some small chunks of concrete I can use for hardcore.  Are there are french 'ready to mix' bags of concrete available in the big stores?  I used a few of these to concrete in my gateposts and it was a very easy job. Any advice appreciated - it's my weekends work!

I have bought an old french telephone from the 70s (with the 'mother in law' listener at the back).  I think it will make an unusual phone for my UK house. Is it possible to re-wire the input line using UK cable?  The french cable is 4 core with blue, green, white and red wires. I am assuming I can just use UK cable and connect it no problem?  Or am I mad? Any help greatly appreciated

Thanks very much to both of you - most helpful! I don't mind paying the bill now!      

I am having  loft conversion done, and I have just received a bill. It's got two items on it that I am struggling with: 1. reprise renfort d'un pied de ferme (re-inforcing something - whats a 'pied de ferme' - farm foot or closed foot doesn't help!) 2. Traitement de bois resineux restant apparent par une pulverisation (is this wood treatment for an insect infestation)?? Pied de ferme in particular has me beaten, I must say.

[quote user="Gyn_Paul"]If it is an electric hob and oven, it needs to be fed from a dedicated 32A disjoncteur on minimum 6mm cable. Not sure about the termination at the cooker end. It sounds as if you will be contemplating a partial or even total rewire. Also, it should really be supplied by a Type 'A' disjoncteur Differentiel, which - I'm guessing - your fuse box doesn't have. I think you need a proper inspection from a proper electrician. p [/quote] Thanks - I'd agree with the last point!  We have a 'disjoncteur' in the electirc cupboard but thats the main supply I think - it's rated at 45A.  The cooker is fed from a 16A fuse on the main fuseboard. I think i'd better get an electrician!

Hello there.  I have a problem with electrics and hope someone can give me a smidgin of advice. I have a very old Faure electric cooker, that plugs into a large 20A socket.  It's so old and decrepit I thought I'd invest in a new one.  So I bought a large range style electric job.  The problem is it doesn't have a plug, and needs wiring in. Is this a job I can tackle myself (by putting in an isolating switch and then just wiring in), or do I need an electrician?  What are the regulations around cookers - I know in the UK you need an isolating switch and separate circuit.  In this house the cooker point and fridge are wired to the same 16A fused circuit.  I'm not sure this is right (!). On a separate note - the electrics themselves look a bit dodgy - old round plug points, bakelite light switches in one or two rooms.  Can I get the system inspected for saftety and if neceesary upgraded by EDF, or is it a re-wiring type job?

I bank with my local Caisse D'Epargne, who are v helpful.  I have to say they are just as good as my UK Bank, for sure. Easy to open an account, might be a pain in the bum to switch though. I have heard many bad stories about Britline...I am an Auditor for a UK Bank and I have a colleague who used to work with CA - bit of a nightmare systems-wise - because it's a co-op they have many IT platforms, which makes communicating between CA's v difficile..... Bonne Courage!

Before this ends up in a 50 page slanging match...I really did ask for internet fioul outlets, and merely said my French was 'rubbish' for some 'colour'.  I expected posts like the one from Lori (thank you for that - I'll try Auchan) not ignorant ones like that of Ken B (loud raspberry to you). When someone asks a question - it's not sensible to respond to other information in the post.  I saw this with the guy who posted on this forum, and asked about the right sort of blade for his chainsaw -  he ended up having his ear chewed off by people calling him an idiot for not knowing how to use a chainsaw...... I don't know what gets in peoples heads on messageboards - I really don't

[quote user="Dick Smith"]And you were given it! I can guarantee you that this sort of response means you won't get it again. [/quote] No, I asked for places to buy fioul over the web, not a sermon about speaking perfect french.  Get back in your box buddy.

when did I say that I had no French?  Rather than smug holier than thou responses, I asked for help. 

Thanks for your help.  I don't actually spend all my time there, and can get by - although debating which type of oil to have over the phone might be quite tricky. If you haven't got anything good to say - say nothing.

[quote user="Sunday Driver"]Ask your central heating installer to order a full tank to be delivered on Thursday when you are there.  He will need the oil in order to be able to commission the system - before you hand over the large cheque.....[;-)]  I was wondering about that - he couldn't commission it without oil could he?  Mmmmm.   [/quote]

Hello I am having central heating installed in my maison secondaire, and I am off over there next Thursday to hand over a large cheque...... When you have ordered oil how long does it take to arrive? It's my birthday at the weekend, and I'd like to be warm 'n' cosy rather than staring at an empty central heating system!!!! Any help appreciated...although if you just like to annoy others by telling the world how great you are, then that will be fine too. cordialement

Save on all fees and all expensive hassle by recommending your friend sells the house to me for €30,000. Sorted :lol:  

Thanks for the replies - they are horrid, and definitely as big as a euro.....

getting back to the house (in Normandy) after 6 weeks of it lying idle, we were greeted with not only millions of lazy.dying flies, but also 1 euro sized crawling insects that make an incredible noise when they fly - like a light aircraft.  They have a hard shell too. Can anyone tell us what they are, and how best to keep them out of the house??  Is there anything that smells strongly (plants?) that will keep them away? Thanks    

Hi I've been quoted €3,700 for the following: Chaudiere fiuol a ventouse (Marque 'FB'), puissance 22 a 28Kw comprenant bruleur, ventouse horizontale, accessoires.... Firstly, does this seem reasonable?  Secondly, does anyone have one of these boilers?  What type of oil should I run it on - I gather there are different qualities... Also, where should I get the Fioul?  I see Leclerc do a fioul delivery service... I'm a total oil heating novice, obviously.  Good old gas in the UK.......

Whereabouts in the Suisse Normande??  Its lovely isnt it...

Excellent - the time delay felt like a bit of a worry but glad it's all standard - thanks

Ah - theres no leak, but the 'yearly standing charge up front' theory seems to be the issue - Thanks all!

To find out its value use a magazine called 'L'Argus' - it is the French equivalent of 'Glass's Guide/Parkers'.  You often see adverts with Prix: L'Argus.