Abby Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hi - I've just joined this forum and would welcome any advice. The electrical glossary on another thread will come in very useful but I've scoured the section and can't find the answers I need - I apologise if they are in there somewhere....My husband and I are having ahouse built in Lozere. It's in the Gorge du Tarn, which is a conservation area. Builders have basically erected the shell of the stone house for us (we have full planning permissions etc from the relevant bodies), the water is in and runs up to the edge of the house, the septic tank is in and the electricity has been brought up to the corner of the plot - there's now a box there (re the rest of the house, the roof is on, windows are in so the house is secure but empty). We were hoping to continue slowly from this tpoint but we got so badly stung on our last payment with the exchange rate that we decided to hold fire for a while to see what happened. That was a year ago and we really want to get started again but cash is short. My father in law who is currently out of work is a trained electrician and has offered to go over with his brother (also a trained electrician) to wire the house and perhaps do some plumbing. We need to draw up some detailed interior plans (where pipes will be, sockets, bathroom fittings etc) before they can start but what I'm concerned about is whether they are allowed to carry out that sort of work in France. The local mayor told me he thought they were as long as they used French regulation materials but since then a couple of other French people have said they don't think this is right. Therefore (sorry for being so long winded) my questions are*Can a UK trained electrician carry out this sort of work?*Will it need to be inspected?*If they can do the work, where can I access jargon free, easily translatable regulations etc?*Are they allowed to take the electricity from the box and run it up to the house or does the electricity company have to do this? We seemed to have one company taking the electrity from the pylon and another fitting the box - am feeling a bit at sea as to who needs to do the next bit...Finally, any advice as to generally proceeding from this stalled position with the house would be much appreciated! We are loving our house and are happy to camp out in it but as my husband puts it, until we get any further it really is the most expensive tent in the world!ThanksAbby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 [quote user="Abby"] *Can a UK trained electrician carry out this sort of work?[/quote]Yes, but he must be registered to work in France, and be insured. The fact that he is a relative may enable you to bypass this problem, but it will come back to bite you when you sell the property, potentially. [quote user="Abby"] *Will it need to be inspected? [/quote] Yes, by CONSUEL[quote user="Abby"]*If they can do the work, where can I access jargon free, easily translatable regulations etc?[/quote]Buy a copy of L'installation electrique - Amazon.fr [quote user="Abby"]*Are they allowed to take the electricity from the box and run it up to the house or does the electricity company have to do this? We seemed to have one company taking the electrity from the pylon and another fitting the box - am feeling a bit at sea as to who needs to do the next bit..[/quote]Depends on the box. assuming that you have not ordered a temporary supply, then no. It cannot be connected until you have a CONSUEL certificate.[quote user="Abby"]Finally, any advice as to generally proceeding from this stalled position with the house would be much appreciated! We are loving our house and are happy to camp out in it but as my husband puts it, until we get any further it really is the most expensive tent in the world![/quote] Yes, get a pro in and save the money somewhere else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Can a UK trained electrician carry out this sort of work? Yes he can. If the Gendarmes or the Douanes or the Impots turn up at random and ask if he is working then their may questions about why he is not paying cotisation(NIC) / taxes but broadly if he shares the same name as you they would have had to have a couple of teeth kicked out that morning to push the point. Also make sure he is prepared to accept it is another country with another set of regulations. I have an ex colleague who can barely bring himself to work on French electrics*Will it need to be inspected? Yes – in theory every new connection needs approval by the CONSUEL In practise work done by established electricians goes through on the nod but you will be inspected*If they can do the work, where can I access jargon free, easily translatable regulations etc? As Nick above*Are they allowed to take the electricity from the box and run it up to the house or does the electricity company have to do this? We seemed to have one company taking the electricity from the pylon and another fitting the box - am feeling a bit at sea as to who needs to do the next bit.. Talk to EDF, dig the trench with the right conduit and grillage and cable pass the inspection and get connected. People do use the cable they will bury to reach the house. Finally, any advice as to generally proceeding from this stalled position with the house would be much appreciated! We are loving our house and are happy to camp out in it but as my husband puts it, until we get any further it really is the most expensive tent in the world! If you are planning on selling within ten years it may if you have a very picky/British purchaser produce a problem over the lack of ten year insurance. Spreadsheet the installation and buy the stuff you need. Decide if double sockets are worth the time you save. In the UK it is a no brainer but in France they are serious money more than a pair of singles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks Nick - no, no plans to sell unless we have to - and it should be a permanent supply. Your answer was a great help! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 That's fab Anton, thank you. We do have insurance on the house. Do you know of any way for roughly calculating the costs of materials for wiring a house of approx 176 sq m? Abby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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