takaerao

Thanks so much that seems to be the feedback i am getting and it is great to put my mind at ease from someone who has nothing to gain from it.  Thanks again

Hi going through all threads and just want to clear up for myself the following: 1.  If we buy a house do we need to get a solitictor?  If not, who gets the title and deeds for the property?  Do we get them at some stage or does it stay with the notaire? 2.  I read somewhere that you should include your will in the Acte de Vente.  Does that mean that we should tell the notaire that we want the property to go directly to either spouse in the event of death or do we get a will drawn up the same day as the final signing with the notaire or on a separate day? 3.  How much is inheritance tax?  Would really appreciate it if someone could help us with the above. Takaerao

Thanks Gluestick, I have taken note of these sites and read they seem to be what i am after.  I am going to contact right now.  Thanks again for your help.  

It is amazing that there is no such profession, for any engineers looking on, there is a huge opportunity awaiting them  

We are looking for a structural engineer in the Ax les Thermes, ariege area, we are contemplating a house, but there are a few cracks and possibly chimney problem, but they keep suggesting that we get a roofer or an architect.  We are used to getting a structural engineer to check such faults.  Can anyone recommend a thorough engineer and what is the going rate for a structural report?  Thanking you all for your help as always.

Hi Folks Thanks for all your thoughts and experiences.  To Nearly Retired I just recently got a quote and you were spot on.  And as for the etiquette for writing the amount with ,'s and 's thanks for the advice, never spotted that.  I appreciate all your chat and information and to see that i am not the only one they tried it out on.  The fence really tops the most outrageous devis at the moment, i think you have outdone me!!  I think you are right about inviting my friends and having a paint and wine party it definitely would be cheaper but my god i'd never get rid of them and the job would be ongoing!!  Thanks again folks.

I have put it to him and suggested that maybe the quote is in French Francs and surprisingly i have not heard back from him. :)  I am now looking for someone to paint a house inside and out in Ax Les Thermes.  Anyone interested?  But i ain't paying their going rate!!!

I mean 19 thousand euros and 17 thousand euros!

I guess about half a year!!

Hi I have seen a chalet that seems to suit our needs, and went to get a quotation to paint and generally update it.  The house is 115 sq mts.  It is the same as other chalet layouts 2 bedrooms upstairs, a kitchen, bathroom and a sitting/diningroom, plus two bedrooms created in basement.  There is wallpaper in the two bedrooms, which we want removed and all the walls painted.  The bottom half of the outside of the house is to be re-painted.  Then the decking and stairs leading up to the front door along with the the shutters and garage door varnished.  For all of this we got a mighty quotation for €19,000.00.  This seems crazy to us, or is painting extremely expensive in France.  And then to top it off (literally) he wants to put something called Canexel up on or over the existing wood under eaves and on gables of house, this comes to €17,000.   Can anyone make sense of this or explain what Canexel is or why would you use it on or over existing wood?  I would greatly appreciate any advice.  It is in Ariege department.

Hi folks thanks so much for all you replies, i will get back to you individually and pick you brains.  All your thoughts are a great help to me.  Thanks again.    

But we would like to know what the weather is like summertime in areas like Prades, Font Romeu etc.  I have heard that there are frequent thunder storms.  We would like to buy a place near to a ski station and village.  Is it a silly notion to have a house with a pool, would it be a waste for a pool as it may never heat up in summer?!!!  Would we be better off going nearer Limoux, Carcassone or Perpignan and commute to skiing areas.  Also as we do not have any experience of driving in snow conditions are the roads in these areas i.e. Prades etc dangerous to drive on in winter.  Thanks a lot to all who may offer some advice.