Firstly,if it is a barn( an agricultural building) then you must ascertain as to wether you stand any chance of getting planning permission to renovate it for use as a home (see first poster).The seller will tell you what you want to hear in order to sell it , so ask them if they have been granted planning permission or have they the contact name and number of a person who could tell you.If this is ok,then bear in mind that there are many cowboys operating in France (mostly Brits) and under new legislation ,you can no longer use these people to do your renovations for you.They must be fully qualified and registered tradesmen(mostly French) and so the costs will be quite high .If none of this deterrs you then find a local architect who will take on the overseeing of the renovation for you as you will not be there yourself(get reccomendations from other brits there) it will save you money in the long run.If all this has made you reconsider,then look for something already done it will save you a lot of hassle and headaches.
there are some good books available called funnily enough “Buying a home in france” isbn 1-901130-77-0 and “Renovating & maintaining your french home” isbn1-901130-03-7 also “how to renovate a house in france” isbn 0-9544669-3-4
October 10th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Firstly,if it is a barn( an agricultural building) then you must ascertain as to wether you stand any chance of getting planning permission to renovate it for use as a home (see first poster).The seller will tell you what you want to hear in order to sell it , so ask them if they have been granted planning permission or have they the contact name and number of a person who could tell you.If this is ok,then bear in mind that there are many cowboys operating in France (mostly Brits) and under new legislation ,you can no longer use these people to do your renovations for you.They must be fully qualified and registered tradesmen(mostly French) and so the costs will be quite high .If none of this deterrs you then find a local architect who will take on the overseeing of the renovation for you as you will not be there yourself(get reccomendations from other brits there) it will save you money in the long run.If all this has made you reconsider,then look for something already done it will save you a lot of hassle and headaches.
October 10th, 2009 at 5:31 am
no renovations permitted or did your archetect not tell you that heavens did you not enquire at the ordinance hall enville?
October 10th, 2009 at 5:52 am
there are some good books available called funnily enough “Buying a home in france” isbn 1-901130-77-0 and “Renovating & maintaining your french home” isbn1-901130-03-7 also “how to renovate a house in france” isbn 0-9544669-3-4