chris_lohierchris lohier

Hi everybody, and thanks once again to those who took the pain to mail me. it appears necessary , at this point, to correct and add a few things. I have not yet setup this company, and therefore am not competing against "HARDHAT", nor do I intend to do soIt would help to know where you, "HARDHAT" are basedBritish people dealing with british firms or good British Artisans (And there are some, thanks god) have absolutely no need for someone like me. I would be there when they meet a problem when dealing with french entities!!!I would rather consider (but location is the key factor) that I could help "HARDHAT" if required rather than trying to pinch his clients!  I am writing to get opinions and advices about what is still a project. my aim is to get opinions on it's viability and opinions or ideas on how to make it viableThis company to be would not deal solely with building as such but would also deal with the admin jobs that are compulsory as soon as you plan to build something slightly larger than a doghouse... all replies and opinions welcome as usual Many thanks and good luck to you all!

Answer to Monika, Hardhat and Tony F: First thanks a lot for all your helpful answers. Here are a few answers to your questions: As previously stated, I would work with French firms I already work with. But it would be wrong to think that well established company are ready to handle everything. Most of the firms are doing T.C.E (Tout corps d'état) and may employ between 10 to 40 people.their problem is that none of them can speak the lingo, and that becomes a major problem when you are tackling technical and financial issues. As far as geographical distance is concerned, there is a real issue there. For major work, the problem does not really exist as less than 2 hours for a "full job" is not too much and is obviously included in the price. On the other hand, very small jobs can be handled by my own team (let's say for instance plumbing for an extension) But between these two examples the answer has yet to be found!!! And it might just well be that we could not deal with them: One should only take a job if he can deliver. You are not obliged to deal or accept everything. Answers welcome as ever. Cheers to all!

Thanks a lot to everybody for your replies and advice/point of view, I really appreciate it. However there might be a slight misunderstanding, as I do not want to be a M d'O. but instead set up a company who can help people who meet problems. I only mentioned that it could be very much like acting as a M d'O sometimes.. My problem is not to find people do do the jobs, because that is my area of work and I already work with people than I know I can rely on, they are well established company who can deliver the stuff. I do not work with Artisans as they are overworked , will accept a job even if they know they're tied up for the next 6 months and as mentioned by many of you do not have a cashflow that allow them to do a job without being paid upfront. This leads however to another problem: I can only work in some limited geographical areas where the companies I work with can accept to work. But it has got a major advantage: these companies know me and know that, for instance, when I ask for a quote and a lead time I mean business. it is also much easier to deal with a french firm when you are french and well known to them. Please, do not hesitate to write as I really welcome every little bit of info or any story that can show me where I go wrong or problems you meet or have met. Many thanks!

Hi there! I posted a mail yesterday asking about the viability of setting up an helpdesk. And this is exactly where it can come up handy. The idea is to act as what is called a "Maitre d'oeuvre". This means that the company I would like to set up would deal with all this kind of problems and could deal with turnkey full building projects as well as small renovation little jobs or maintenance. That is what most people use in france. The idea is that for a fee based on a percentage of the total price of a job we handle whatever part from start to finish and ensure the job is done and is done respecting all the client's specs. the client pays the fee AFTER full completion of the job. Being in the position of a maitre d'oeuvre allows you to put the necessary pressure on for instance, builders that you KNOW. and this is the key: You need to know which company to employ and only experience in the field will allow you to know that. As stated, nothing such as SIRET/SIREN/VAT reg. is an insurance that you are dealing with a sound company.it merely proves that it probably exists. A bit of advice: one should never accept to pay something upfront, but you can agree to pay what is called "situation" (can be weekly, monthly...) which is a payment based on the percentage of the job actually achieved during the period. I would love to get more answers Re. viability of my project taking into account this message. Many thanks!  

Since we've been back in France after 8 years in the UK, I have met a lot and heard even more people complaining about the difficulties they had to face (call it a nightmare if you're sensible ) when trying to deal with both French businesses or tradesmen and the french administration) there is of course the language barrier, but also the complexity of dealing with the french administration and when dealing with business, a combination of language barrier and a lack of respect on their part. Knowing that and having been in the building industry (business M.D) for 7 years before I moved to england I know realise how helpless one can feel!!! If it makes you feel better, the vast majority of the french feel the same way too. So the idea and my question is would there be an interest in setting up a small company that could deal efficiently with all that mess? I would love to have your opinion on this one... Bon courage à tous.