RENOVATION IN FRANCE

There are many properties for renovation in France, all requiring work to bring them up to 'dream home' standard.

If, having read  the  RENOVATION IN FRANCE  section of the site, you feel that this option may be your way to property heaven, this page may help you to choose the right house for renovation in France.

We aim to give you some basic information about the type of work most properties for renovation in France are likely to need, and how to get it done while remaining sane!

The amount of work needed for renovation in France to these old houses varies between the mainly cosmetic and the installation of more modern fittings, to the complete rebuilding of a ruin.

I can't stress (and if you take this route there will be rather a lot of stress!) enough that the information on renovation in France and the costs on this page are only to give a general idea of what may be involved.  

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Try to speak to people who have already completed a renovation in France successfully- there will be lots of useful (and not so useful) stories to be listened to.

HOW MUCH DO YOU RENOVATION IN FRANCE DO YOU WANT TO TAKE ON?

The greater the renovation in France to be undertaken, the greater the risks of the project costs spiralling upwards, and of your enthusiasm spiralling downwards.

This said however, there is enormous satisfaction to be had from bringing an old wreck back to life and beauty.

You must not underestimate the hard work involved, or the costs of materials and labour, but you are in control of the expenditure and if you plan very carefully, you can suceed with renovation in France

Try to speak to people who have already completed a renovation in France successfully- there will be lots of useful (and not so useful) stories to be listened to.

Many properies to renovate abroad may be structurally sound, but need new bathrooms, kitchens and some serious decorating. You do not have to over-restore and use luxury specification fittings.

Don't forget that you can survive on holiday with ( shock! horror! ) only one simple bathroom!

And that with a little imagination, you can make a virtue out of rough walls , and the huge open spaces of an old barn.

SEARCHING FOR YOUR RENOVATION IN FRANCE PROJECT

In many ways the search criteria when looking for a renovation in Franceare the same as when looking for a home in good condition, but renovation in France creates some extra criteria.

Before you take the plunge make sure you:

Set a budget  - don't get carried away on ideas you can't afford.
The work to be carried out could cost as much as 4 times the purchase price!

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There are useful newsgroups and forums on the web contributed to by other people who are involved in a renovation in France.
You can ask questions and swap advice with others who are in a similar situation.

Spend a  few hours exploring links to some of the many web sites available. You will soon see which ones specialize in the kind of property to renovate abroad that you are looking for.

You can book appointments with agents before you go, and this is really useful- but I would always recommend that you allow some time to prowl around the agents offices once you are in the area-
and to allow time to make appointments to view properties you may see in their windows..

If this is your first viewing trip, this is even more important. It is surprising how much your ideas can change when you begin to see properties in situ.

You would not be the first person searching for a project for renovation in France to realise that in reality, a newly built appartment on the coast was the best buy for them!
 
BEFORE YOU SIGN....

Don't buy on impulse -   make sure you know what you are taking on.

An old barn may seem like a real bargain for renovation in France. Converting it into a liveable, let alone a luxury space may take it beyond your budget. Or you may never even be granted planning permission to convert it to residential use. Find out before you sign!

Don't sign anything on any property before you have fully checked its condition,
and received written quotations for the work needed.

If you are planning to do much of the work yourself do be realistic when telling yourself how much time you will need to spend on the build. Can you really commit to the timescales involved in your renovation in France?
 

VIEWING PROPERTIES FOR RENOVATION IN FRANCE

Take photos and make notes to help you remember each property.

Print out our RENOVATION HUNT CHECKLIST.

Take it to record details of each property you view.
This will allow you to recap accurately  the details of any property you have seen.
If possible, try to view early in the year. As in the UK, this is when most properties come on the market. You will also be taken more seriously by agents- they know you are not wasting their time
on your holiday whim. Don't be in too much of a hurry-
never believe the property you are seeing is the last dream home you will ever see.

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Spend time viewing your preferred style of property, of course.
But it is a good idea to view a few which are in a different category. This can either broaden your search, or confirm that your initial choice was definitely the one for you.

As you look around you will  start to build up your knowledge of the local area- and of just what you can get for renovation in France for your money. A visit to some already renovated properties will give you an idea of what can be achieved- and how much houses sell for after restoration.

If you see a property which seems right, it is a good idea to visit it again and again and again.
You  should try to make 2, 3 and even 4 visits, preferably at different times of the day.

Imagine it at different times of the year- when all that baked earth has turned to mud and the riverside garden is under water.

This will be your home in the sun.
At the end of the day, gut feelings matter.
If after several viewings, weighing up its pros and cons,
if it still feels right, it probably is right.

FINDING HOW MUCH THE RENOVATION IN FRANCE WILL COST
 

When contemplating buying a property for renovation in France, ask around locally for recommended, registered and insured tradesmen.

Don't sign anything on any property before you have fully checked its condition,
Get estimates, as detailed as possible, for the work you are contemplating.

At the purchase stage, a clause should be inserted into the initial contract making any necessary planning consents  a condition of sale, and to make getting a mortgage a condition of your purchase.

Also consider using an architect for large renovation in France projects.
This will certainly be an extra cost- but the detailed plans and the fact you will be ensuring that no major  tasks have been overlooked could save money in the long term.

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Seriously consider investing in a detailed survey. You must do this before you sign the initial contract- you can't change your mind after signing if you find the house needs more work than you thought.

It can  be difficult to get an idea of the costs likely to be involved in the repairs, and even the nature of the repairs most commonly needed.

Before you make an offer on a particular property you will obviously need to get full written quotes for all the work that will need doing.

But what about when you are just wondering if renovating is for you?
When you are just starting to view properties, and need just a basic idea of the extent of renovations likely to be needed?

You can't get builders in to view every house with you!

The list below  gives some very rough, but helpful ideas of commonly needed repairs. and in some cases, an even rougher guide to what these types of jobs could cost.Where there are 2 figures, the first is for a builder to do the job, the second the cost of materials for a DIY job.