Conservatories

[P]

Have seen the conservatories that they sell at places like Brico Depot which seem to be just small lean-to types. Are larger ones, such as 'P' types available? If so where.

Would a UK one be permissible in France?

I am also aware that it would require blinds as, in summer, it could get a tad warm inside [:-))].

Thanks

Paul

[Nick Trollope]

[quote user="P"]

Have seen the conservatories that they sell at places like Brico Depot which seem to be just small lean-to types. Are larger ones, such as 'P' types available? If so where.

Would a UK one be permissible in France?

I am also aware that it would require blinds as, in summer, it could get a tad warm inside [:-))].

Thanks

Paul

[/quote]

I have to admit that the only new conservatory I have seen installed in France came from the UK. Cheaper and so much nicer than any French one, which do appear to be as you imply - plastic & glass sheds.

And they call them verandas, and a veranda is a .....

 

[saddie]

If you do get one remember to register it as a lean to greenhouse as otherwise it will have a nasty effect on the taxe fonciere.

[Christine Animal]

There are some nice "verandas" if you look for them, for example :

http://www.turpin-longueville.com/veranda-galerie/

http://www.lesverandas4saisons.be/verandas/galerie-prestigieuses.html

 

[WJT]

I too wanted a conservatory and agree with Christine, there are some lovely ones if you look. However, getting them to come out and provide a devis is like trying to pull teeth. I have finally given up. [:'(]

[Chris Head]

I have two Oak framed conservatories booked in and they are being called 'jardins d'hivers', here the maximum square metreage allowed without permission is I think 25m2 although a freind of mine who is prominent in the DDE reassures me that a 'jardin d'hiver' has never been controlled in his area.

[Christine Animal]

I also used to call them jardins d'hiver until everyone started saying veranda.  But maybe that came about when all the cheaper lean to ones mentioned above appeared.  That's funny they won't come to do a devis WJT, I would have thought they would be too glad to have a customer.  There are often large veranda ads in those gratuit papers we get every week.

 

[WJT]

I got the names from the Yellow Pages (Pages Jaunes). After a lot of difficulty I did in the end have two representatives come out and neither sent a devis as they promised. I really pestered the one and nothing. I think it could be a matter of location and convenience.

The first one that came out was I believe called Veranda Vie and the second EXAL Verandas. The title on the front of the brochure of the second is Verandas, Jardins d'hiver so perhaps they are called both at times. Oh well, perhaps this will be something we will look at doing in the future because in the end we had to make other decisions as an alternative to a conservatory.

By the way, they aren't the only ones I am having trouble getting prices from. Outside of the normal problems with receiving devis from electricians, plumbers etc.. [8-)] I have contacted a company that sells the flagstones I want and they will simply not get back to me on price and delivery information and it is no small order either.  So it looks as if I am going to have to find an alternative with those as well [:(]. It is very frustrating because it really feels at times I have to beg people in France to buy their products. [blink]

[Chris Head]

I'm sorry you're having the problems you are WJT (are you still talking to me?) but the truth of life here is that anyone who is honest and does what they say they do can pretty nuch command the amount of work they want to. My perception of the British mentality here is that the consumer thinks they rule the roost but in truth it's the opposite. I speak often to other Artisans, all of whom are seriously booked out, quite simply the demand seems to be seriously exceeding the supply. If I were 10 years younger and needing money I'd be thinking that all my Christmasses had come at once. Like most Artisans I'm in control of what I do and for whom I do it for, an open cheque book and/or stress matters nothing to me or the other Artisans I know. Honesty and patience and politeness are far more important.to us....however...not to respond to a client at all is just awful and you have my sympathy.

I personally always am always totally honest and in return have the best clients in the world and projects in the world.

Any other Brit worker looking in to this.....THINK! Don't promise what you can't deliver, it hurts you and it hurts people who really need your services.

[WJT]

Chris, I agree with you and that is the reason I said outside of the normal problems with receiving devis from electricians, plumbers etc.. Because I know that there is a shortage particularly in our area of good artisans because of supply and demand. Thank goodness, I do seem to have the artisans sorted, they are meant to be starting in two weeks [:)]. But it is companies that are selling products that quite surprise me but having said that we encountered the same sort of thing with estate agents when we were looking for property.

You are right when you say the customer is not king here in France, I think that may be an understatement [:)].

I am really upset because this company that I travelled quite a distance to see their showroom has some beautiful flagstones I would like very much to buy http://www.occitaniepierres.com/ They have a quarry quite near and was told it would not be a problem for delivery. I just cannot get them to return my call or give me a price for the stone or delivery. [blink] Fortunately, I may have found another company that sells flagstones even nearer in St Leon sur Vezere, I will go visit them when I am there next week. The woman on the phone seemed quite keen and very helpful so fingers crossed I can find something similar.

I am sure in time I will get used to the fact that companies in France may not be so keen on selling their products as those in the UK but perhaps by then I won't need anything.[:D]

[Danny]

Sorry if this changes the direction of the thread somewhat but...

Chris

I am one artisan who does not yet have the demand that you describe... of course it doesn't help that I am very specialised and don't live in a major population area but not all artisans are as you describe. It sounds seriously rosy for you and I am very happy to hear that but there are also many like me who don't make a lot and still have hefty charges/expenses to pay.
I do always respond very quickly to any request for my services and do high quality work. Quite honestly it seems like only those with lots of money are able or willing  to appreciate this, and in our region I have the feeling that locals just don't have that much money... 

Flute repairers - mmm - I know you haven't met any others but even those I know (french and british) with more mainstream occupations - menuiserie, building etc find it difficult to make a good living even if they are busy.

BTW it also pi**es me off when I don't receive the courtesy of replies or just plain lies from others when they are asked for estimates or timeframes for work. If I am too busy to do something for someone, it seems easier for everyone and just simpler to say I will do it at this time or I can't do it for you...

anyway, happy carving

Danny

[Chris Head]

OK Danny here goes, I was going to write this last night but the Chablis had taken ahold by then!

We were just another disillusioned young Brit family when we arrived here, we came with little money but a years worth of income in advance, and no mortgage. I had no work here at all and not much idea of what I really wanted to do, I knew what I didn't want to do but hadn't really thought much beyond that. I'd stopped all shows/exhibitions in the UK and effectively cut my ties. That was my first mistake.

I took three months or so off to start work on the house, none of that time was spent researching, marketing or developing, whilst Sarah saw the warning signals, I didn't, I was too stuck into what I was doing.....after all work had always come in so it always would do, right? Nope, that was mistake number two.

I became complacent and didn't listen to those around me, neither of which I'd ever been guilty of before, mistake three.

So one day, with all of the UK contracts completed and the money in the bank (which was rapidly running out) it suddenly hit me that I effectively had no business and that's when the real heartache started. Without my parents in law to help us out it would have been dire indeed, without a doubt we would have failed. The stress was terrible. I don't know how it happened but a few projects came in and we were able to start walking again, but the cost was high. I was forced to have to work horrendous hours in the sort of winter conditions that would have most of you scuttling for a cosy fire, I recorded one month where I averaged 101,5 hours a week. It hurt but it got us out of the hsit, BUT it got me burned out too, which was also not very pleasant, I'm still taking the medication, it was pretty bad, the doctor explained to me that the brain had effectively pulled a fuse to protect the rest of the circuit.

So anyway bit by bit things build up to where they are today. In many ways those few months were the best lesson I've ever learned. You might see my position as being rosy Danny but I've grafted for it and paid a price that could have been avoided with a little more care and attention. Now life has evolved into what we always imagined we wanted from it, yes we're good for work and the finances are healthy once more, I work when I want to now, no rush, no stress. We have time for freinds and family once more and the house will get done when it gets done. My clients (save for two!) are just fantastic and the projects I have are my dream come true, but please believe me, nothing ever just fell into my lap. We took the risk and it just happened to pay off, we're a stronger family and closer as a result but it could just as easily have gone the other way, without the skills we have and support from others it probably would have done. I know damn well there are people looking at this who are going through the same thing at the moment, it's hard to say 'HELP!' but there's some good and experienced folk on this forum who would help without hesitation. I honestly don't think young families realise just how tough it can be to live a comfortable life here.

Would I take the risk again? Oh sure,  with a few adjustments maybe, but they say hindsight is 20/20 vision!

 

 

[tetley]

instead of seeking out people who advertise as veranda specialists....could you not try a local menuiserie?  if it is a wooden conservatory you are looking for...they could knock up some frames, order the double glazed units to size....they make external doors and windows...it could be a challenge for them to come up with something to someones design if kept simple?

[Danny]

thanks for the reply Chris -always interesting to read your posts.
I hope you didn't misunderstand me - I just wanted to put another view regarding the work supply demand thing. I am sure that you have worked bleeding hard.

Anyway even though it can be difficult, I am still very glad we decided to make a life here also.

now back to the thread, my (french) neighbours had a conservatory done recently, referred to by them as the "veranda" and very nicely done too. It was made/installed by a local company in Cahors.

Danny