Kernow

Thanks to everyone who has contributed, you have all been so much help. The phone number given for the English speaking EDF help desk is a good one. Spoke to Anouk, who has sorted everything out for us (fingers crossed). She said there are only two other people with her so it does get quite busy. Thank you all once again. Marcus

Hi Kathy, Thanks for the reply. The number we used was +33 810 126 126. Which is from their 'English Version' Web page. You are correct it does state 'EDF Access Numbers in France' but it is for 'non residential customers'. The link is below: http://www.edf-bleuciel.fr/141412i/accueil/pages-transverses/foreign-residents.html We just want to tell them that we are the new owners (wef 15 Dec 2007), the meter reading at the time, our names and UK address which is where we would like the bills to be sent. We know the tarrif we want to be on, and have a Frech Bank account to be able to pay on line. I find it strange that they disconnected the supply without any warning. There had been no post to the 'Present Occupier' in our post box (which is checked by our friends every week), and our artisan had been their all day on the day of disconnection..........they must have come early evening. It is also quite obvious work is being carried out on our house as well, and if they had come when he (the artisan) was there (we email and speak regularly), he would have given them our address / details etc. Our friends phone line is playing up at the moment (awful buzzing noise), and we also do not want to keep relying on them to sort things out whenever we have a problem. Its also not particularly fair on them,we need and want to able to do do things for ourselves, its the best way to learn and it was our choice to buy a house in Brittany. Thanks, Marcus

Hi, apologies for asking what probably may be a simple question. Having brought a house in Britanny back in Dec 07, which is being renovated,  the previous (French) owners said they would contact EDF on our behalf with the current meter reading and let them know our UK address and names. Yesterday English friends of ours (in France) rang us (in the UK) to say EDF had disconnected the electricity. We want to contact EDF ourselves, but the number we ring listed on their English written web site, just has an answering message. My wife, who's French language skills are only marginally better than my almost non-existent French (although improving), cannot understand what is being asked. Does anyone know a good telephone number to ring EDF direct to avoid this, and speak to an actual person, where we have a better chance of explaining our situation? We know the abonnemont level we require and KVA rating, and that we do not require E7.

Hi, My wife and I recently paid an Italian Euro cheque into our Barclays France bank account at a cost of 18 Euro. Not cheap I know!

Thanks Charles and Le Plombier, you have clarified things perfectly - I now have a much better idea of the situation and options when dealing with artisans. Your help is much appreciated, and what an excellent forum this site is.

Thanks very much for the reply. So all artisans must pay the full 19.6% TVA when purchasing materials, charge the client 5.5%TVA and then (the artisan) claims the difference back, you say 'if registered for TVA'. Are some builders not registered for TVA and therefore can only charge a client the full 19.6% on materials, but not labour? Is this how it works with some artisans, particularly with a single, self employed artisan?  

Hi, I have just purchased a house in Brittany. It is a habitable house, but needs new windows/doors, floorboards, bathroom (only a toilet at the mo), kitchen (only a sink present), rewiring, plumbing improved / repaired, new studwork, repointing, and an extra opening for a door and two windows (planning already submitted to Mairie). The house has a couple of electric panel heaters and two chimnies (woodburner to be used in one). The house is about 100 yrs old. I think I am entitled to claim the lower TVA. Please correct me if I am wrong. What is the process for getting the 5.5% TVA used by a builder. Do I just complete the Attestation Specifiee, tell the artisan that I am entitled to the lower TVA (and provide him with a copy), he then purchases materials (after quoting 5.5% on the Devis)? When going to a builders merchants, would they just sell the materials at 5.5% to the artisan, based on the artisan stating that the materials are to be used on a project that qualifies for the lower TVA rate? Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks, Marcus