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Rasputin

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  1. To summarise briefly (not all will apply to everyone) No-one has yet answered Billy10 queries, and these are fundamentally the same queries that I have. I wait to see the post from someone who has had a system installed in this way that has subsequently had it approved. I assume it exists and I will be pleased to be corrected... Some problems that occur to me at the moment, in varying degree of relevance and seriousness, are (not all apply here I realise): Insurance and maintenance problems as above Work will not be supported by French tradesmen, parts probably won't be available, and the system won't be constructed with parts that the French tradesmen recognises. After sale of the property maintenance will be very hard to get by the purchaser. No 10 year guarantee, which you will get for work carried out by a registered French plumber No VAT saving - you will be paying 17.5% against 5.5% No Capital Gains Tax deduction for the heating will be available on sale of the property Probable problems at resale time of the property, in not having an 'authorised' French heating system. It is common that a system like this is being implemented 'on the black' - not properly paying import duties, taxes, labour charges, social charges etc Deprives the local economy of employment You get the picture - I can believe there are short term financial gains, but these are outweighed by the disadvantages. Incidentally, if the problem is language, which I realise it is for some people (not the OP here), try the site http://artisan-anglais.com/ to find registered artisans in France who speak English.
  2. Gluestick, I will very happily agree with you if anyone here can tell me they have installed a system themselves and subsequently found a French authorised plumber to maintain it and sign the certificate of maintenance each year - that is not quite the same as a French plumber taking over from another French plumber on retirement. My experience has been that it would be very difficult in our region, but I accept that that may not be the case everywhere. Powerdesal, If someone is in a position, as you clearly are, to compare specific products between two countries, know that they are identical but differently priced, and make a judgement on that particular part then clearly you are right, of course I agree that is the best approach (paint is another common example). I was referring more to the wholesale importing of a system in the back of a van from the UK, with a couple of UK plumbers, and installing a system UK style - a practice which is reasonably common with electrics, heating sytems, kitchens etc.
  3. We had thought that would be a problem, and anticipated adding big fans. In fact the difference is perhaps 2-3 degrees, and our lounge is on the mezzanine, with the bedrooms below. So the bedroos and kitchen are 2 degrees cooler, but that is probably the best setup anyway.
  4. The many who have said it above are right. You should not import from the UK, either materials, regulations or techniques. A further problem to consider is insurance. All oil fired central heating systems must have a certificate each year to show they have been inspected and serviced correctly. I think it will be very difficult to find an Authorised French plumber who will do this service and certification for a system you have installed yourself. Not to mention the problems if you ever come to sell the property, with a system that hasn't been inspected and certified each year. So make sure you know who is going to do these things before you start - perhaps you could find an English plumber registered properly in France who is qualified to do it, if you can't find a French one - their SIRET / registration will need to state that they are eligible to do it, I don't think all plumbers are quaified to service boilers (I could be wrong on that though).
  5. We have an open plan barn - 75 square metre downstairs and 85 square metre mezzanine, average ceiling height 4-5 metres. We use a large wood-burning stove (downstairs) and oil fired central heating with reclaimed radiators (also radiators in the bedrooms) Works a treat, and doesn't cost too much (we have good roof insulation as well)
  6. Hi, Take a look at france-renovation.com, that might help
  7. I think your 'secret' is out Patmobile, and a lot of people could learn from it. Your place look beautiful, well prepared and maintained. Anyone with nice gites oops cottages, furnished well and well-equipped, with competitive prices in a nice location should be getting bookings. (And your good photos count for a lot as well). Would I guess you have a reasonable amount of returning customers? That I think is the 2nd key to success with rental properties.. Rasputin, from the sunny south of France (39 weeks booked out of 42 total available this year so far, despite the distance!)
  8. Hi all, just found this forum - pleanty for me to read up on I see. Bit confused about this thread though, saying 'I booked 35 weeks but I'm not telling you how I did it' Can't you givve us some clues to get us started???[;-)] isn't that the whole point of a forum[:(] thank you for helping us
  9. Just came across this forum, wish I'd found it 5 years ago. Cassis is correct with what he says. It would be better with more lime and less cement (or even no cement at all is OK) - cement causes many problems, all of which you want to avoid (structural elements aside) - but there is no issue with it being too white. The traditional technique uses white lime (chaux) and it is simply the colour of the sand used that modifies the colour - so use the sand for your region and all should be well. More recent mixes, using chemicals etc are fine but all they are trying to do is emulate this original/traditional look from sand and lime. Cheers    
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