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clarksinfrance

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Everything posted by clarksinfrance

  1. Cork varnish works a treat, ( if you can find any) penetrates into the wood, leaves a hint of a sheen, and is waterproof, and because it sinks in, the wood doesn't become lethal when wet. Haven't seen any out here though.
  2. If you press "TV Guide" then select any of the resulting categories, the i button will then work on any programme you scroll to using the up/down/left/right arrow buttons
  3. It was open to the elements for a little over 2 years before we put the slates on
  4. If you are asking how long does Lariviere's membrane last? Then if I remember correctly (it was 4 yrs ago) it has a 25yr guarantee. Ours has been on 4 yrs and no problems so far.
  5. OMG I can't believe some of the stuff I am reading in this thread! Firstly DO NOT INSTALL A FLUE LINER THAT IS SMALLER IN DIAMETER THAN THE EXIT FROM THE FIRE. It is true it will make it draw better, BUT IT IS AGAINST EUROPEAN, FRENCH and UK DIRECTIVES. It will induce much hotter teperatures higher up the liner, increasing the risk of a fire, not to mention your fuel will disappear much more quickly, and provide less heat.  Can you get someone to go to the top of the chimney and measure the diameter of the hole, then find a burner with the same diameter exhaust vent? Flexible liners rated for wood and coal are available with 5yr guarantee (liners are designed to last upto 10 yrs, but may last less) from between €20 and €25 a metre. Stainless steel solid pipes 1m long are available from €20 - €38 a metre length. All fires should have a register plate, again European regs. There are loads more things to be aware of, and all information is available on the interent, so not too difficult to do the research.
  6. Lariviere (Pontivy)s ell a breathable membrane, about 75m2 (50mx1.5m) for about €50 it is re-inforced, so if you roll it onto the chevrons horizontally starting at the bottom, and working your way to the top, and then batted along the chevrons, when you come to re-roof, you won't need to take the membrane off. It is clear so lets the light flood in, don't forget you will need permission first.
  7. We used to be members of BF property owners club, but after the second year ditched it. The reason being, when we rang for a price, or checked out BF website using our POC number, we then compared this price to a freely available price using the internet ferry shops, and on every occasion we could get better prices freely available to everyone, that said, we did not have to travel on a Saturday, so that may have been part of the reason. At the end of the day you pays your money and takes your choice.
  8. billyo, sorry for appearing a bit dim, but why don't you just go back to the Mairie and explain you already have a connection to the mains sewerage, you do have a connection to the mains don't you? you don't make it clear. If not, I suggest its about right, we paid €750 3 years ago.
  9. Have you looked at leclerc mobile?Credit lasts a year (or longer if you top up in time) €1.50 a month is taken for the priviledge, So If you bought €50 credit, and didn't use your mobile, at the end of the year you would have €32 credit left. http://www.leclercmobile.fr/ Leclercmobile works on the SFR network.
  10. I can't vouch for its effectiveness, but none of the relevant authorities (IIRC) will give this foil type insulation any kind of thermal rating. I don't know the reason, but if the professionals don't rate it, do you want to take the risk?
  11. Don't know if its any use to you, but if you go to our website, on the RHS on the front page are some useful links, one of which is "Risk Maps of France", you can see the risks of flooding etc, it does take a little getting used to; this is kept up together by the Ministere de l'ecologie. http://www.gite-maintenance.co.uk/
  12. You need another box, which collects the signals from the TV aerial, Sattelite Dish. Then you need run one coaxial cable from the collector to the box shown. The Ethernet cable is run separately (I think)
  13. What Operating System? If by any chance its Vista, You may find that Windows Defender is completing a daily scan on startup, at the same time that Norton (ughh) is doing an almost identical thing. Personally I'd bin Norton, it is very virus-like itself, in inviegals its way into too many system processes, just like any dreaded virus. Have a look at ESETs Nod 32, works a treat,or if cost is an issue, the windows firewall is a reasonable bit of kit, and there are some very good free anti-virus programs.
  14. Firstly all modern washing machines are cold fill only, Comet in UK will honour their guarantees in France via Darty, but you will have to contact the head office. All UK appliances will work in France, the question is do you have enough available power to your property in France? You may have to change some plugs, as most are molded, this MAY invalidate guarantees, you will need to check with manufacturer.
  15. You are of course quite correct, that is a matter of choice, your choice as to what you wish/can pay, his choice as to whether he will accept. I just hope for your sake, that when you start your business, you don't find out how little people wish to pay you, or loose a lot of your work to some scally working au noir. But just to clarify your posting; your second missive in this thread, is saying a Frenchman wanting €16/ hr (the inference is working on Cd'E syatem) and a UK registered business asking €200 a day. Rightly or wrongly, you appear to be comparing apples and pears. What most people were trying to point out, including me, is that not just  you,but everyone needs to compare like for like, a chap working on Cd'E may welcome €16/hr inc taxes, but a business person, of whatever nationality, would be hard pushed to make ends meet on €200 a day. Anyway thats my 2ps worth, hope I haven't upset or offended anyone, guess I'll now get back in my box.
  16. Jon, as you no doubt know, if you are to pay your gardner on Cd'E €16 an hour, the tax and cotisations deducted from your account after you have paid him are approx 70% which is another €11.20, making a total of €27.20/hr, on top of that you have to provide all tools and fuel. So for an 8hr day this comes to a total of €193.60. Time you add in cost of providing tools, fuel, depreciation, transport, insuration, it looks like €200 a day is fairly cheap; or have I missed the point? If you are talking about paying him/her €16/hr including all cotisations/tax then you are paying your employee the minimum wage of about €8.44 iirc. Got to be honest here, if I am running a business with all the admin, bureaucracy, cotisations, taxes, grief, unpaid work, advice, sourcing materials, unpaid factures, breakdowns, repairs, maintenance, huissiers and possible legal costs; I for one wouldn't want your work for €8.44 an hour. This posting isn't intended to cause grief or to insult anyone, but merely to state a few facts and imponderables with running a business, which can in no way equate to working on Cd'E system.
  17. Mogs Firstly where are you? there may be someone close to hand who can pop over and take a look with a fresh pair of eyes. Can you clarify a few things? On the first PC (the working one) what version of Oranges' software do you have (Gestionnaire Internet) could be version 6 7 or 8, plus various sub releases. Lokk for a ? or help on the software which should reveal some info. What is the Operating system on the first PC? I have a thought to make sure the OS of the second PC is compatible with the Orange software, for instance version 8 is designed for Vista. and not XP. Is it possible to get the second pc close to the Livebox? If so connect using the network cable first, then when all is working, disconnect it and try again with the wi-fi dongle. As you have already explained the 2nd PC will work with the 1st dongle so the PC isn't at fault. The Livebox works with both PCs as you have tried both dongles in both PCs. The Dongles both work, again you have tried both on both machines. The only issue that remains is the 2nd dongle doesn't work with the 2nd PC, therefore: it can only be a communication problem between 2nd dongle and livebox, when it is connected to 2nd PC. So it means that the issue is the 2nd PC is not sending (correct) information to 2nd dongle. This means only 3 things can exist. 1 Driver for 2nd dongle on 2nd PC is not correct. 2 Orange software is incorrect version, or this from left field: 3 The USB port on your PC is not configured correctly/not working. Anywhere nr Baud in Brittany? if so give me a shout. Regards Nick
  18. We installed new windows and doors, the main door we bought from Lapeyre and fitted ourselves, about a year after we installed it, we noticed the hardwood turning black (mouldy) on a joint, so took photos to the shop and explained the problem. Lapeyre came and inspected the door, took their own photos, and then rang us 3 days later to arrange delivery and fitting of a new door. We didn't have to do anything. While on the surface it may look like I am saying don't buy from Lapeyre, in fact the opposite is true. I would not hesitate to buy from, or reccommend Lapeyre doors, they are certainly not the cheapest, nor the most expensive, but if the service we received was anything to go by, our shop had excellent customer service. If you buy a door in the UK and you have a problem, how are you going to get them to look at it, or even take it back? Just a thought.
  19. Dowot, as it is a buyers marke at the moment, you generally have the upper hand when it comes to negotiating your future purchase. If it was me I would try to negotiate a time period, where I could install a couple of simple movement detectors over the cracks. A month should do it, then buy some small pieces of 3mm gass, about 10cm x 4cm and araldite these over the cracks, make it a condition of purchase, that if these break (movement) you will not be buying the house, but if they don't break, then it may put your mind at rest. (don't forget to sign the glass with a suitable marker pen, so no-one can cheat). If some-one else comes along in the mean time, the seller should be at liberty to go with the new purchaser.
  20. we still use expats for supplying our telephone calls, on an FT line. Certainly not the cheapest, but never had a problem, and has saved a considerable amount on call costs over FT. The simplicity of the system is that once signed up, there is no contract, and you don't have to worry about dialling access codes or whatever. Oh and any advice or help is in English.
  21. I am led to believe in a casual converstaion with our Notaire it is 5 yrs from when the Hotel d'Impots receive your form, which declares the building habitable again, not necessarily completed. But please put this and any other questions to your local Notaire, its OK for to listen to the likes of me and others here for non-critical advice, but in these types of situations, ask the question of a professional before you commit yourselves. Someone else has pointed out the possibility of the sea encroaching on the possible future property, this web-site may help determine if you could be at risk http://cartorisque.prim.net./.
  22. Also you may or not be aware that if you complete a total renovation, and then decide to sell within 5 years (IIRC) you will also have TVA to pay on total sell price. But in answer to your question, I would surmise it can be renovated (depending on level of trim, some self work etc) for €100,000. That said, you will have to take into account purchase price, fees, taxes etc to come to a better understanding of the situation.
  23. Have just helped a good friend install such a system, his fire had 2 fanned outlets built in so was quite simpe, can't speak for the metal box distribution system. We took insulated flexible tube up 1 floor to master bedroom, and 1 horizontally and then up into a mezzanine kitchen.€45 for 10m of flexi tube €1.50 for large jubilee clips (2 for each end of flexitube, 1 for the insulation, and 1 to secure metal foil). €10 straight joint, €15 for Y or T, and €15 for floor fitting. They are over the moon on how it works, but You won't get as much heat as you think, but as "free" secondary heat it was well worth the cost, it certainly takes the chill off otherwise unheated rooms. HIH
  24. I believe casserolier is the term for the deeper pots and pans drawer(s). As in 1 tiroir casserolier, or 3 tiroirs casserolier. HIH
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