benson

Hubby was not trying to quote nor would he without first inspecting the job himself.  It was just a comment based the material costs of a similar sized job he carried out recently.  Everyones labour costs are different also. If plastering seems to be an 'english thing' surely it is not that unusual to find that many english clients and Dutch still request it?

Hubby is home and says it seems expensive he is a plasterer by trade (last 20 years) and it could deffinately be done for a fair bit less including a plastered finish if you prefer.  

Iceni That is a matter of personal preference I think.  Most of the clients my husband works for request plastering.

Do they post the notices on the hamlets 'Mairie notice boards'  as well?  Our only seems to get very occasional notices and the actual mairie is about 11kms away from our house and I don't fancy walking that everytime I need a bonfire.  We have had bonfires all year round even in summer and on Sundays (I have scince heard this is a no-no to) and no one has mentioned anything but I would still rather not fall foul of the law!

Is this a French builder? Does this include the actual plastering as well?? My hubby is a builder here in France and if you've had no other replies, when he gets back from work I'll get him to have a look at your post and see what he thinks.

So everything is good for me with Tontine apart from the fact that One or the other of us will have to pay huge inheritance tax Would changing to CU solve the tax problem but still retain the line of succession we want (as posted above)

I am very interested in this topic as it affects me and my family.  I have just read through all the posts and I think my brain is going to explode!!  Just when I think iv'e got it straight another twist confuses me. Here is my situation: Me and my husband are british, we married in UK, We have 2 children together (both under 18) I have 1 child who lives with us from a previous relationship(not marrage) who is also under 18. My husband has 2 children from a previous marrage who do not live with us (both under 18) We bought a property in France and live here perminantly.  We have clause tontine but no will at present. This is what we thought having clause tontine would mean for us. Scenario 1: If I were to die first my husband inherits does he have to pay tax? then he dies. the property is shared between HIS children so effectivly my child is disinherited? My husband is planning to adopt my child to rectify this. (advice please on process here in France) scenario 2: My husband dies first I inherit Do I have to pay tax? When I die MY children Inherit so his 2 children from previous marrage are disinherited? (it is not possible for me to adopt them) so he would have to write a will to include them a share? In both cases will the children also have to pay tax? Have I got it right or not?  Please help

I think you're right MM, I realised this as no one came to read the meter as far as I'm aware. How are estimates calculated?? It can't be very accurate though can it I mean surely no one in France uses that little electricity in Winter?? Coco If its right Im keeping it and certainly wont be complaining!!!

We bought a free to air (numerique) sat system last year.  We set up the dish connected the box and spent about 6 hours adjusting the dish till we recieved a good signal (we cpuld choose between Astra, Hotbird and several others.)  Hurray about 600 channels down side only 1 in English and only Arte in French the rest were Arab or Italian and lots of Porn (not suitable for the Kids!!) Up side children learnt some Italian!! We managed to find a channel that showed 1 film a night in English at 9pm but a few months later the time slot changed to 1 am.  We gave up and got SKY.   Is there anything I can do to the original system to obtain English and or French channels or should it go in the bin??

I must have a different version or something mine says alt 0233 = é although i've tried alt 130 and that works to (é) !!

We are in the process of renovating a large barn.  We had the electricity connected in June last year.  The first bill we recieved after connection charges was for 170 euros (on a works tarrif). We only ran the fridge, freezer  the caravan lights and a couple of fans during the summer.  In October we changed to a domestic tarrif because we 'moved in'.  During the long winter months we ran 2 convecter heaters constantly the Dish washer, washing machine fridge, freezer and oven everyday and the usual TV and computer etc We only have 3 lights in the entire property and also the 2 lights in the caravan so I was expecting a hefty bill when It arrived it was for 20 euros.  Any ideas why? and If I'm now about to receive a massive bill any guesstimates on how massive?

Good morning all dieters!! Its the second Tuesday of my diet and I still haven't bought a scale or tape measure so I have no idea how I'm doing although I certainly don't 'feel' any thinner!! My problem I have realised is that I have to have lots of what I like and unfortunately what I like is FOOD!! I don't have a particularly sweet tooth but I do get cravings for the stuff and when I do I cant stop! so I haven' been buying any sweet stuff at all (Hubby and kids not happy) My Solution to the after dinner craving is Yogurt or fruit no where near as good as chocolate, cakes ice cream biscuits etc etc but with no other option in the house it works. Second tip.  I eat really fast and so don't get the 'full up' feeling till I've eaten way to much so (and don't laugh) I am now eating my main meal with chop sticks!! It works. Congratulations to all those have have 'lost' this week and to those who have stuck with it.(and even to those like me who have had a few 'little' slips!) Keep at it.

Hi Nickd We used an archetect who did exactly what we asked no more no less we new what we wanted for the main house (1/2 a barn) but for the rest we left it up to him to decide what we weren't happy about he changed several times till we got exactly what we wanted at no extra charge. Very quick reliable resonable price.  English spoken based in La souterainne but covering most areas I think.  I don't know if I can post the details here incase its classed as advertising so if you're interested drop us a PM

I would recommend researching areas around Aubusson there still seems to be a shortage of holiday accomodation in the small towns around here.  It is possible to get a good bargain here but they are mainly small properties or complete restoration/renovation properties. We bought a large barn to convert into 2, 3 bedroom gites and also our main home.  In this area it is  possible to get year round or long rents as it is becoming increasingly popular with british looking for property in out of season times although it it still not realistic for us to rely on this income alone. Luckily my OH is a builder and is doing all the work apart from the electrics and plumbing himself.  This has saved us money but has drasticly increased the time it will take for us to finish the project. My husband registered at the CdM as an artisan and is now to busy most of the time working on other peoples renovations to do much at home but this is necessary otherwise how would we afford to renovate!! a catch 22 situation! Don't be fooled into thinking your money will last for long it wont. Good luck

My mum who lives in UK hasn't had any of her garden ornaments pinched but twice when returning home after visiting us here in France she has found new additions a gnome and  a turtle!!!!???

We included our fosse plans when we submitted our planning application last year but our friends 5 mins down the road submitted their plans this year without any fosse details at all and they have just had plans passed with a footnote regarding the fosse just to say it must comply with the regs. (we are in 23)

I have seen 4 seater sans permis advertised today in dealership websites new and occasions. If I go back to UK and take a 'crash' course the costs involved would be immense (accommodation for me and 3 kids a childminder for the kids whilst I take the lessons and test and of course the cost of the lessons and test the costs of the journey and crossings etc etc) and if I were to fail......... Like  I said not an option at the moment

I have seen 4 seater sans permis advertised today in dealership websites new and occasions. If I go back to UK and take a 'crash' course the costs involved would be immense (accommodation for me and 3 kids a childminder for the kids whilst I take the lessons and test and of course the cost of the lessons and test the costs of the journey and crossings etc etc) Like  I said not an option at the moment

My test.... my french i'm led to believe wont be good enough to take the french test and going back to England to take a test isn't really an option at the moment with 3 kids to take care of.

[quote]We had our Maire round recently to look at the alterations we want to make to our barn. We also asked her about the new regs. We thought that perhaps it would be more sensible to save some of our mo...[/quote] 'In fact she seemed to be amazed that we even HAD a fosse!!' Is there a law that you have to have adequate sanitation facilities?? We haven't any facilities apart from a port-a-pottie how long can we go on like this??

Sorry to be so un informed here but what exactly are the new regs and how do I ensure we comply with them when installing our 2 fosses?

No No, I'm sorry I didnt put it very well.  the question about provisional licenses wasfor driving a 'normal car' !!!

This is a 2 in 1 posting! (1) I have been told it is possible to get a sans permis voiturette with 4 seats but haven't seen any! Have I been miss-led? Does any one have a 2 or 4 seater for sale at a resonable price as I desperatly need one.  When TOH goes back to UK or away on business I am left carless, in the middle of nowhere with the kids and need to be able to get to the shops etc. (2) Are the rules and regs the same in France as they are in the UK when driving a car in France on a UK provisional license? If so  what would the consequenses be if in an emergency one used a car unaccompanied by a qualified driver , got stopped by the gendarme and could only produce a provisional licence??  Not reccomended I know.    

Hello everyone I decided 1 week ago to loose (quite a bit) of weight.  Its great to have found this thread hopefully this will give me a bit of support and encouragement as I dont seem to do to well on my own. I'm sort of following slimming world (mainly green days) as this is the only diet I've had any success with in the past. I don't own a set of scales or a tape so have no Idea how I'm doing. Will invest in some soon. I can only work in Llbs I think I weigh about 182llbs and am around 5ft 4. Apparently my 'normal' weight is between 119llb and 133llb although I will be happy to get to 147llbs Does this sound about right?  If anyone can tell me how to convert llbs to kgs It might be easier. Thanks 

Hi There is no restriction on the type of business even if you are to be a self employed artisan for example builder. The maximum grant available is 3,050€ (every little helps!).  No specific use. You will recieve a form to complete and must also have the following: registration document from the chambre de metier, URSSAF or MSA etc  something with your previous address outside of Limousin within the 12 months preceeding your application for the grant. i.e Sale of house documents or termination of lease. (We used a inland revenue letter with our English address on it) A document with your residential address in Limousin. i.e Copy of purchase or rent agreement. R.I.B to prove your address. The amount you will be awarded will be decided upon the presentation of recipts you provide. The costs of removal to set yourself up here i.e removal company costs or van hire, fuel costs, ferry crossing and péage The charges made by a notaire for the purchase of a property The charges by an agent or notaire for renting a property The charges for connection of electricity telephone water and or gas. Charges connected with sending your child/children to school in the 1st year.  Hope this helps.