Hello there
We have an old (300+ years) house and barn that we would like to re-roof in tiles of a similar style and add a waterproof membrane for piece of mind
The tiles are the small red clay type, there will be an element of replacing and repairing some beams and levelling the roof where it sags. There are 4 chimneys and the building is an L shape so zinc valleys and flashing will also need to be done
We have had 2 wildly different prices so far and both of these are much much more than I would have expected to pay in the UK
Does anyone have any experience of having a roof done in France and can advise on any ways we can get it done more cheaply but still done properly to a good standard?
Weâve toyed with the idea of maybe bringing a roofer over from the UK
Weâve also been looking into maybe having materials delivered from the UK
Can anyone offer any good suggestions or advice for us on what we could do to achieve a new waterproof roof at the lowest possible cost?
A reality check!!
It isnt my intention to throw cold water on your aspirations but I have little doubt that my response will seem that way.
Never compare Uk with French building/renovation costs.
Cheaply, properly and good standard are not terms used in the same sentence for building/renovation in any language.
Brexit has put an end to this practice
No, think Brexit again.
Seek 3 quotes from local French artisans, evaluate their proposal, choose your option and be prepared to wait for a while (6,12 or more months) before they have a time slot to do the work. If, and it is a big if, your chosen artisan can start work in a few weeks be very wary.
Thoroughly agree with Johnâs comments. We have done two restorations here and there is absolutely no point in comparing UK and French prices - that way is madness. You just pay what you pay here for good artisan builders. If possible go local. If itâs a lot of money it might be worth getting in a French project manager - we did and it paid dividends - he managed the budget, got the devis, and controlled costs during the build. He also was trusted by the artisans because they knew him - we were less trustworthy - newcomers and Brits to boot.
Also, if the artisans are good you may have to wait a year before they can work for you. Be very suspicious of someone who can do it immediately and cheaply.
Sorry, just realised, Iâm repeating what Johnâs already said - I got carried away!
PS: itâs worth looking out for artisans working on old buildings in your area - not every artisan has the empathy for the old stuff and the blending of the old and new.
We got 4 Deviâs, agreed that one of the artisans would do the job, then 3 months start became 6 months, then 9 months so I bit the bullet and did the job myself, it took me quite a bit of time but we got there in the end and if anything goes wrong I have only myself to blame.
The replies probably arenât what you would like to hear but thatâs the way things are in France and comparing to the UK is pointless Iâm afraid.
Me too, also getting the insilation in properly not just in the space has revolutionised the house warmth and cool wise. The tiles I used are made by Redlands and the same tile made in france as Redlands have a commercial tie up, well they did before brexit.
Ta, I have done a few barns in my time, itâs not as hard as it looks just a bit tedious and monotonous , the stables and outhouses are next on the list later on in the year.
It was quite a while ago but an "acquaintance " (couldnât call him a friend) of mine ordered the tiles directly from the factory (Imerys?) and hired a truck to pick them up. No idea if itâs still possible.
If youâre physically capable, have a think about doing it yourself. I did mine 2008/9, 250 m2. Borrowed scaffolding and a tile hoist and called in a few favours. Itâs not that complicated and very, very satisfying .
We are lucky insofar as when the castle was knocked down to built the chateau, the farmer saved the tiles so they are stacked everywhere, hanger, barn, byer, stables.
Our roof is seriously weird, because of a mistake in mixing the tiles, but we have got used to it.
We also waited well over a year for the artisan of our choice. And I echo others in that if someone says they can start in two weeks then be careful unless they provide a good reason. Many artisans will start too many jobs and then take forever to finish - which is a nuisance when you have no roof! Better to wait.
And really donât even start to think of bringing in a roofer! It is extremely unlikely that you will find one with the right to work here and employing an illegal foreign worker is serious. All it needs is for the firm you did not use to make a phone call⊠And by the time you have added taxes onto imported goods you will be in the same place.
We waited a long time for our roofer, but also enlisted his help in how we could cut costs. Not just materials, but how we did the work to make best use of cranes and so on.
I have a portion of my roof that I need to replace, and based on what Iâve seen with local builders full order books, thinking about also doing it myself. I plan to keep the existing roof timber, add insulation, boards, vapour barrier and reuse as many existing tiles as poss. Interested to know, if I do choose to do it myself, roughly how long it might take???
Wow, some big gaps between those roof planks I had a roof replaced 3 years ago and the planks were butted up so there was literally no gap between. Is there any specific reason for the gaps?
In that photo (and from the earlier description), I thought the roofing felt was laid on top of the boards, and then the âverticalâ battens, followed by the horizontal battens for the tiles? In the photo, it looks like the vertical battens are fixed to the boards without the membrane being in between?
The volige used to be fitted before the invention of more modern roofing materials like the pare vapeur membrane. Its not really necessary these days unless youâre going to use totally traditional materials.
Make sure you closely check the condition (depending on the tile for frost damage, porosity, fragility) otherwise it can be a false economy.
I had a roof replaced 3 years ago and the planks were butted up so there was literally no gap between. Is there any specific reason for the gaps?