I am starting my plans to move to France to live.
Started all the talks with the right people and have found a property I think I am going to put an offer on over this next week.
I just need to get some insight into doing renovation and conversions in France.
the property I have found is a good sound property which like most older french houses needs some modernisation.
I want to install solar panels onto one of the attached outbuilding roofs that is facing out into the garden which then goes out onto fields so no neighbors to upset.
I also want to do a loft conversion that will need some windows installed I am thinking one more to the garden side the other would be looking over the road but might just put a velux window here.
Has anyone got experience of both these types of projects?
Would love to understand what gotchas you have experienced, what costs I should expect for solar panel installation (thinking about 8-10 panels with battery storage) most likely used for water heating and some outbuildings
The loft has one window in it at present (this is actually the door into it but may convert this to a slightly larger window and put a balcony to enjoy the views from the house the others are the Velux on the other side and one more next to the current window, unless I make the current window larger as stated
Any solar panels above 1,8m from ground level require at least a déclaration préalable.
If the system is no bigger than 3kWc then apart from informing ENEDIS about it & providing evidence that the inverter/s conform to their regulations there is no other obstacle to auto consommation. I strongly recommend use of an energy diverter if you want to heat hot water.
Once you get involved in battery storage you will be subject to checks & approval by CONSUEL.
There’s lots of good info to be had at this website…
I have no direct experience myself of renovating a French property but as well as the advice already given it seems to be a good idea to use local artisans whenever possible as that engenders goodwill and helps you integrate with the community.
I know some are tempted to go the DIY route but if you do that beware of very different regulations and technical specs from the UK especially in relation to electricity.
For the advice and links I will start my research now.
I agree its best to keep the local person in charge of urbanisme and or the mairie so I keep them on side.
I am content to do some of it myself but yes local experts will be used for anything that needs to conform to certain stands and regulations I know my limits in DIY.
All good advice given already but if you are a complete novice at doing anything at all related to building technology, design, procurement, construction and I read that you want to do some reconfigurations in the roof of this building…
And I would say this because I was one…So first thing to do is to…
Hire an architect. Pay the money.
Be it a UK one or a French one and you will first get a design to suit you and also the specifications of all the of materials will be correct. Some UK based architects are familiar to French stuff too I think…
How is your French too?
I personally would never get a ‘builder’ or artisan as they are called here do anything on spec with a recent set of drawings and specifications. If your French isn’t to C1 level you will be goosed.
We installed out PV cells through EDF and sell the surplus power back to them (we generate over 5 KW on a sunny day).
So spend more time planning and then some more and then, because it’s France, things happen in a frenchily way and depending on where you are buying, can take time. Be calm, drink wine and enjoy the sunshine
Thank you and yes I agree it will be done right using professionals so yes that will be an architect, builder and talks with the local mairie or person in charge of urbanisme. Ensuring anything I do has been approved before hand.
My French is passable but not perfect so I have started lessons again and intend to spend as much time in France as I can over the coming months while my purchase gets completed and my visa application is approved.
What I mean by me doing some of it is things like stud walls, running cables and plumbing all of which I am capable of doing and have done in the past with the professional coming in at the end to check and sign it off. the main thing I have tried and not managed to master is plastering so again will be looking to hire a professional in this. The same goes for anything that is structural I will get the professionals to do this and if needed get in a structural engineer to confirm any supports that are needed are correct.
Like the idea of selling the excess power back and will certainly look into that as the roof I have in mind is one of the outbuildings and is just over 18 by 9 meters in size so its more than big enough but again I am going to get the roof checked and if needed have that strengthened or replaced if needed.
Yes i understand the French way a little so expect it to take time and the plan is to enjoy the sun and wine while enjoying all down time with my son as I intend to take a year or two out to relax and enjoy the time I have with him (nothing morbid meant here just spent so much time working and now I can take the time to enjoy time with him and make some memories)…
will do and once I am over I will send photos if I can and if I remember
Just put my offer on the property in today so should find out if I got it on Monday
Depending on how much land you’re buying and whether the property is on farmland don’t be surprised if it takes longer than you hope. SAFER manages the process of first refusal for the local farming community. That’s what happened when we bought and everything went very quiet for weeks and no one explained to us why. In the end it wasn’t an issue other than being a challenge confirming a moving date for the new owners and the removals company.
Its not that common to skim plasterboard in France, although I think its a good idea. They tape and skim the joints. If you have or want to plaster Lutece 2000 is a good plaster with a long open time.
