Stuart

Speaking only on the tile front, at most, depending on tile size and complexity of the walls (how many corners etc etc) I would charge 20-25 Euro psm inclusive of materials. Try getting individual trade quotes, it's harder to hike costs up if individualised tasks. Where are you based ? Good Luck  

I have always used EGG WHITES as the solvent glue...Can use it even when the fire is lit and hot...Worked wonders over the last 20 odd years of woodburners...In fact, the fire NEEDS to be lit to "cook" the egg whites..At least you get no loss of fire for 12 hours..

Give or take a few mtrs...5,500 = 1 acre.

Enduit a joint...Various sized bags...Mix with water, and when dried, so soft/easy to rub back. WWW.homepratik.fr. It's the specific product for jointing boards.

If you get mice enter the gap behind the boards , they are bad enough with the fiberglass insulation...They'll thank you eternally for shredded paper...

I guess speed comes from practice...I put the mix on a mortar board and apply with several sized filling blades. The trouble can arise on larger gaps, the jointing will slowly fall out unless it is quite a stiff mix. And even worse, if you're going for a flat result, you'll have to rub down and second fill everywhere. (Do not joint over untaped joints it will eventually show cracks)

Cost cutting, I now use the metal railings from stud walls which are a fraction the price of timber battens.They screw just as easilly to the beams... I cut the boards in 120cm widths, nothing longer as its hard to single handedly screw up...Cut fractionally oversized, then offer up and pencil the bits that need shaping...Use a tool, hand held rasper thingy that shaves off the unwanted areas...Then, the worst bit, fill all the lines...I use slightly drier than norm jointing compound.....Labouious, but effective.. Good Luck

Good vets practice in Confolens... Place de Dr de Faut (sp)  05 45 85 58 58....Off top square in town. Also opp side of railway station carpark in Chabanais...Don't know their tel #. I assume you have passable telephone French !   T

16500 Confolens Pads.. I recall getting sunburnt 2 years ago in November whilst strimming some wild area on our land. Even had drinks outside on Xmas day....But, as we were living in 2 static mobile homes at the time whilst our 2 dwellings were being worked on, it sank to minus 16 in February...(Bloody cold)...But hey...we now live in 1 of those houses and it is warm (must get some wood in for winter)... 

I love shopping(spending Dosh) its my second nature...But I also try to get through to November in shorts. That,s why I came to France 5 years ago.Though I have to say, the jury is still out on if it was a wise move..Job wise..being a registered artisan and still £25,000 down on UK earnings...But hey, baccy and wine is cheaper...Plus no mortgage

What's wrong with you all ! I'm still in shorts and t-shirts. Temp is still above 20 C in day light

Sorry to be slightly off topic, but.... As a regular lurker on this forum I have oft followed Chris Heads threads...Marvelled at his skills with a "sharp" chainsaw to the point that I've made a note of contact details for possible future sculptures...I clearly missed the last years thread on "alcohol"...Do I  take it that Chris from time to time needs a little "away" time ?  I ceased reading after the trauma of 1977 English A levels (aside from the Stephen Clarke "Merde" series of books.So can not offer my literary collection for perusal...But wish the chap well for me....Where in France does he hail from ? ps...Sorry for the overuse of "..." Regards..Stuart Park

Buy the contentsyourself and make it. My wife did several years ago and we're still on the same batch. 

I live within 2 1/2 hours of Bordeaux. Mr.Bowie is a good 2 hours drive from you. I throw in the fact that he has another 2 properties within the French main land. He has only visited these houses twice in the last 6 years. I know he occassionaly browses forums..Hence my obligation to remain tight lipped.Plus I was a fan from 1969..

He does have a "pad" in France, not more than 30 minutes from my place. I know this because I've done work on it 3 years ago and met the gent for the 6th time in my life going back over 30 years. He's even on my Xmas card list..