Renovating a house in France? Here's how to go about it
Jos Deuling, Saturday, 21 January 2017
Undertaking a Renovation Project in France
Local Contractors and Craftsmen
Most people who buy a fixer-upper in France are not intimidated by minor renovations. A complete renovation or restoration, however, is best entrusted to a local contractor or handyman company. Make sure to check in advance that the contractor is officially registered. This offers several advantages. For instance, an officially registered contractor, painter, electrician, plumber, carpenter, or mason is legally required to provide a warranty for their work. For a larger renovation or restoration, you'll also need a good architect or contractor. They can identify hidden defects and warn you about them. They can also advise you on how to approach a major renovation, draft a step-by-step plan, and assist with obtaining the necessary permits.
Ensure that the architect, contractor, or craftsman is officially registered. You cannot appeal to the French legal system if you hire someone without proper documentation or if you use people who work under the table. Make sure that all work is documented in writing beforehand, as detailed as possible. Based on this, request quotes from several local contractors.
Always ask for the following:
You must keep all invoices for the work carried out. This is very important. If you make a profit when selling the property, the French tax authorities will claim a portion of this profit through the . If you can prove with receipts that you have invested money in a renovation, you can deduct these expenses from the capital gains tax. So keep all the receipts. The receipts are also necessary to prove that VAT has been paid.
If you hire a contractor for the renovation, you must take out separate damage and accident insurance, known as Dommage et Ouvrage Assurance. This is a supplementary insurance policy in addition to the contractor’s Responsabilité civile insurance. This Dommage et Ouvrage Assurance is very important. The insurance covers damages if the contractor or one of their employees has an accident on your construction site. This insurance also covers damage from poorly executed renovations.
Make sure you get a quote for the work to be done in advance, as detailed as possible. The quote should include a timeline and an overview of the materials to be used, including material costs and VAT. If you have little experience with renovations, it might be wise to hire a third party. Companies that conduct structural surveys can help you, for example, by creating a step-by-step plan. They can also evaluate the contractor’s quote.
If you agree to the contractor’s quote, you must sign it. If the work begins within 3 months, it will be carried out at the price agreed upon in the quote.
Don’t forget that you need permission from the local authorities for some changes to the property (there is also a planning committee in France).
Respect local traditions. Don’t paint your house pink if the surrounding houses are all white, especially not in a rural village.
Visit the site regularly during the renovation to keep an eye on things. If it’s a large and lengthy renovation, arrange a meeting with the contractor or architect in advance. They can be present during the inspection and explain the progress.
Also, make sure to include a clause in the Compromis de Vente, the preliminary sales contract, that the purchase is contingent on obtaining government approval for the renovation. The government must issue a Permis de Construire and a Certificat d'urbanisme for the proposed changes.
The big advantage of renovating is that you can completely customize the property to your own ideas. If you stick to the budget, you won’t face financial risks. And if you’ve made structural improvements, the house will increase in value. A new roof, for example, is a good investment.
A disadvantage of a renovation is the long wait for completion. You also need to constantly check whether the work is being carried out properly during the renovation. This can be challenging if you live in the UK, but you can also outsource this to an independent party.
Undertaking a Renovation Project in France
Local Contractors and Craftsmen
Most people who buy a fixer-upper in France are not intimidated by minor renovations. A complete renovation or restoration, however, is best entrusted to a local contractor or handyman company. Make sure to check in advance that the contractor is officially registered. This offers several advantages. For instance, an officially registered contractor, painter, electrician, plumber, carpenter, or mason is legally required to provide a warranty for their work. For a larger renovation or restoration, you'll also need a good architect or contractor. They can identify hidden defects and warn you about them. They can also advise you on how to approach a major renovation, draft a step-by-step plan, and assist with obtaining the necessary permits.
Ensure that the architect, contractor, or craftsman is officially registered. You cannot appeal to the French legal system if you hire someone without proper documentation or if you use people who work under the table. Make sure that all work is documented in writing beforehand, as detailed as possible. Based on this, request quotes from several local contractors.
Always ask for the following:
- The Siret number. This is issued by the Chamber of Commerce. The Siret number consists of 14 digits. The first 9 digits contain the so-called Siren number, which is the company’s VAT number.
- L'assurance décennale. Depending on the type of work, you can get up to 10 years of warranty on the completed work. Ask about this warranty.
- Responsabilité civile (). The company you hire could accidentally cause damage. Most companies are insured for this. Ask about this insurance.
You must keep all invoices for the work carried out. This is very important. If you make a profit when selling the property, the French tax authorities will claim a portion of this profit through the . If you can prove with receipts that you have invested money in a renovation, you can deduct these expenses from the capital gains tax. So keep all the receipts. The receipts are also necessary to prove that VAT has been paid.
If you hire a contractor for the renovation, you must take out separate damage and accident insurance, known as Dommage et Ouvrage Assurance. This is a supplementary insurance policy in addition to the contractor’s Responsabilité civile insurance. This Dommage et Ouvrage Assurance is very important. The insurance covers damages if the contractor or one of their employees has an accident on your construction site. This insurance also covers damage from poorly executed renovations.
Make sure you get a quote for the work to be done in advance, as detailed as possible. The quote should include a timeline and an overview of the materials to be used, including material costs and VAT. If you have little experience with renovations, it might be wise to hire a third party. Companies that conduct structural surveys can help you, for example, by creating a step-by-step plan. They can also evaluate the contractor’s quote.
If you agree to the contractor’s quote, you must sign it. If the work begins within 3 months, it will be carried out at the price agreed upon in the quote.
Don’t forget that you need permission from the local authorities for some changes to the property (there is also a planning committee in France).
Respect local traditions. Don’t paint your house pink if the surrounding houses are all white, especially not in a rural village.
Visit the site regularly during the renovation to keep an eye on things. If it’s a large and lengthy renovation, arrange a meeting with the contractor or architect in advance. They can be present during the inspection and explain the progress.
Also, make sure to include a clause in the Compromis de Vente, the preliminary sales contract, that the purchase is contingent on obtaining government approval for the renovation. The government must issue a Permis de Construire and a Certificat d'urbanisme for the proposed changes.
The big advantage of renovating is that you can completely customize the property to your own ideas. If you stick to the budget, you won’t face financial risks. And if you’ve made structural improvements, the house will increase in value. A new roof, for example, is a good investment.
A disadvantage of a renovation is the long wait for completion. You also need to constantly check whether the work is being carried out properly during the renovation. This can be challenging if you live in the UK, but you can also outsource this to an independent party.
Fixer-uppers and renovation properties for sale in France. Old farmhouses in the Dordogne, Auvergne, Burgundy, Brittany, Central France, Aude, Gard, Correze, and Creuse.
An online dictionary of French real estate terms. Words you may encounter when you are going to buy or renovate a house in France.