milims

Seems everybody concurrs. Local schools and sounding out the local Marie as to additional tutoring etc are the way to go. Thanks everybody for your input, you have set a couple of my worries to rest. Now i can start looking in earnest! Soooo..... Anybody know of a 3 bed house with an acre of land and outbuildings suitable for a workshop for a tenner? lol Only kidding, gonna trawl the net again and see about registerting wit the local estate agents to see what they can bring up. Thanks Chris

Thanks Val Any information is a bonus and allows me to progress without  making a mess of it and being stuck with a condescending "Anglais!!" label lol  I am aware I will probably get that label no matter what, but can minimise the occurrance, due to my mistakes, by understanding the rules etc. as much as possible. Fore Warned is Fore Armed! Chris  

Don't wory about the postings, maybe  was a bit vague in the initial one! We expect to integrate into french society and an important part of that is for the children to be educated to the best of their ability. As such i am looking for schools that have had experience of teaching non french children and promoting high standards of written and oral french. I can't see the point of moving to france unless we are willing to embrace french culture and the french language. As far as working and supporting the family, I'm a joiner by trade and my partner is an electrician, so we would be looking at applying for a Siret no. and setting up in business in france (After consulting with a good english speaking accountant so that I know EXACTLY what my responsibilities are, that side of france is a little daunting in comparrison to the uk!!!)  From what I've seen and heard I shouldn't have too much trouble finding work, but Helen is another matter, as the french specs for electrical works are different and  would necesitate some re training. Hope that clears the air a bit. So, any Schools you can suggest? Chris and Helen ( and the kids) 

Hmmmm! Big difference in insurance then! Have to look in to what the french consider a carpenter in comparison to the english definition lol. Thanks for that Nick Chris

We have 2 children, 11 and 12 who have a very basic understanding of french. Which areas have the best schools for non french speaking pupils? Heard that the Dordogne and generally the Aquitaine region is good. Need to identify catchment areas too before we make a decision about moving over as the kids education is important to us. Any comments, web links etc would be more than welcome! Chris

Just looking into applying for a Siret no. and getting abit confused! Please correct me if I'm wrong, but as i understand it all of the "hats" I wear as a general builder/joiner have to be covered in the siret and by insurance. So........ Does this mean I have to have a completely different siret for each function I perform? I can understand having listings of works in your insurance, you have to pick a category for that in the uk. Suppose it's easier to list my experience and hope that someone out there can give a hand in sorting it out lol I place myself at the mery of this forum! Been a joiner for over 16 years, 1st, 2nd and final fix, (Don't do roofing anymore, ankles are what they used to be!!!) kitchen fitting timber frame construction, Fencing, Dry lining and metal stud and track walls, Suspended ceilings Timber floor laying Thats just a few of the things I do, then there are the usual add on roles, decorator, remedial plasterwork etc So, any ideas? Thanks in anticipation Chris    

Sounds pretty much as I thought then! Think best bet is if poperty has this to g ahead and fit a septic tank instead. Actually if there is enough land would consider the idea of grey water holding tank as well. Might come in handy for those summer droughts that see to be cropping up more frequently now!  Thanks for your input Chris

Thanks for that Bones. Looking into it.[:)] Chris

What is tight pit sanitation? Is it an older version of the septic tank (brick built chamber) or something else? Come across this whilst looking at property listings.Assuming that if it is something like wouldn't be too hard to change to a modern septic tank as the sort of site I'm looking at has land so a re-siting for the new tank wouldn't be out of the question, then I don't have to watch out for anybody flushing toilets etc for the couple of days whilst i'm digging the hole and getting the new tank set up! Any assitance would be appreciated.   Chris 

Thanks for that Andy, I can definitely confirm that metal stud and track goes up a lot quicker than timber stud and if put up correctly you get instant walls, but there is a down side to the stuff we use in the UK, standard size is 72-75mm and whilst this allows you to put 3" of insulation in, the structural integrity in comparison to a timber frame is considerable reduced. On one office rip-out  and refurb I was involved in, one of the labourers decided to have a go at doing like they did in the matrix and an advert by running throug the walls. needless to say that he got through 3  stud and track walls with comparative ease, but the 4th was a timber stud wall which knocked him onto his backside when he ran at it! Hey ho, the joys of having a complete office block to yourself and a gang of looney labourers let loose with sledge hammers and a couple of brain cells! Chris 

Merci! Think that has given me a few things to think about, now just to explain uit to the OH and see if  I can persuade her to look into it sooner rather than later! ;-) Chris  

The more I look at the posts on here the more I think we need to get over to france and have a look at  identifying the differences in the france and english building specs. I've been a joiner and Joinery foreman for over 15 years now, and my partner is an electrician, so I think I've got the easier end in transfering my skills to france!!! Been told that most french stud walls are using metal stud and track, is this true, or is that only in new builds? Chris

WOW Wasn't expecting half of that Mochas!!!! Must admit it did make me laugh out loud and my other half came running down the stairs dripping wet as she was having a bath and thought I was screaming in agony not mirth! Hey like this forum, where else do you get tongue twisting poetical song lyrics than on a french forum! [:D]   Chris

I'm a Joiner/Foreman (also taught at college) and my partner is an Electrician, any ideas as to the best areas to find work, what requirements are stipulated before comencing employment/self employment? Considering the Languedoc-Roussillon or maybe Aquitaine areas. The idea of doing a renovation project for myself is also a possibility, run enough of these in the uk, but  france could be a different matter lol. Any help/sugesstions would be greatly appreciated. PS what is this Black Market workers thing anyway? Unregistered labour? If so, how do I register and would the E101 form be okay as a start? Chris  

I'm a Joiner/Foreman and my partner is an Electrician, any ideas as to the best areas to find work, what requirements are stipulated before comencing employment/self employment? Considering the Languedoc-Roussillon or maybe Aquitaine areas. The idea of doing a renovation project for myself is also a possibility, run enough of these in the uk, but  france could be a different matter lol. Any help/sugesstions would be greatly appreciated. PS what is this Black Market workers thing anyway? Unregistered labour? If so, how do I register and would the E101 form be okay as a start?   Chris  

Thanks for that! Makes the possibility of the project i'm thinking of more feasable than I thought. Was quoted around the 30k mark for all services in the uk and thought that was possibly the same for france. So could get all services, water electric and sewerage for about 10k WOW! Have the advantage that i'm a joiner in the uk and my partner is trade as well, she's a sparky so between the 2 of us could easily get a decent property sorted and then either settle in france or let it off. Set some worries to rest i must say!   Chris and Helen (Still in Northumberland but france is getting closer and closer!)

Anybody have any idea how much it costs for a new connection of electricity to a new build? Place I'm looking at has services on the edge of the land.   Chris