Payments

On full-scale renovation projects, we require an initial payment of 50%, at least 7 days before works commence.
A further 25% is due as a stage payment mid-project and the final 25% upon completion. It is possible to break a large project down into stages for payment purposes.

On smaller projects we require an initial payment of 50% followed by a final payment of 50% on completion.

All payment is due within 28 days of our issued invoice.

Any bank charges with reference to payments from a non-French bank, are the clients responsibility.

Policy and Procedures

We run a dedicated team, and we only ever work on major project at a time, thus being able to give it our full attention. When we start your project, you will have our full commitment to the job, we will be on- site and working to complete your project on schedule.

You will be supplied with a CD of completed works (weekly for large projects).
You will be supplied with a schedule of the coming weeks work (for large projects).

Our aim is total client satisfaction, as a happy client will give good recommendations and it upon these that we have built our reputation for providing a reliable and quality service.

TVA 5.5%

As we are fully registered in the French system we can charge the reduced rate of TVA at 5.5% on all projects which fall within the criteria set out by the French authorities. This reduced rate of TVA will now remain in place until 2010, and you can benefit by employing us to carry out your renovation works. Neither micro enterprises, unregistered workers nor tradesmen or companies based in the UK can legally offer you this reduced rate.

A Note of Caution

Having been in France since 1999, we have come across all sorts of people claiming to be builders and tradesmen. When employing someone to work on your property, you need to ensure they are both registered and insured for the works they are carrying out.

A siret number is by no means confirmation that someone is registered and insured to carry out all trades, if indeed any. There are a lot of registered companies and individuals claiming to be able to "project manage and carry out renovations" when they have little experience of property renovation (save their own uncompleted pile of stone) and lack the basic skills or qualifications to be able to do so.

Alot of "one man bands" or "agencies" sub contract out a high percentage of their work, you will therefore end up paying a much higher price for your works to be completed. With us there is no "middle man", all our tradesmen are employeed directly on our books, we have the manpower, machinery and knowledge to see through projects large and small without the need to "sub contract" any part of the works. This saves both time and money enabling us to keep full control of all our projects, making sure we run to schedule and your project is completed on time and on budget.

I very much doubt you would employ a gardener, painter or electrician in the U.K. to make major structural changes to your property, nor would you take the advice of someone you meet in a bar, so why consider doing it in France?

We are currently constructing a new build 3 storey "Maison de Maitre" for ourselves and are always happy to welcome clients to visit our own project, as we apply the same quality of workmanship and high standards to our own home as we do to our clients. Our progress can be viewed at www.pjmnewbuild.blogspot.com  If a so called "builder" does not have the skills to finish his own home, nor apply any care to his work there, it would be prudent to consider what kind of job he will do for you? Illegal fosse septic installations, working without the relevant building permits, houses with no heating and poor quality finishes are just some examples that I know, of how other "builders" are renovating their own properties. If your builder does not want you to see his own home, it should make you question why?

If your tradesmen are not registered, you may be liable for hefty fines for employing them, and any work carried out is not deductible against capital gains tax (plus value) when you come to sell your property. If they are not insured you have no come back if there are future problems with the workmanship, and if the tradesman has an accident on your property you yourself are liable for damages.
To check a siret number visit www.infobilan.fr
To check for insurance cover ask to see the tradesman's decennale and responsibilite civile insurance certificate.

Anyone can provide you with an estimate on headed writing paper, have a sign written van and flash website! It is up to you to protect yourself and check that your tradesmen are indeed capable of carrying out your works in a safe, competent and legal way.

Sadly there are still alot of bogus builders around, who give all genuine tradesmen an unjustified reputation as "Cowboy Brits". The best way of finding a builder is still by personal recommendation, but do check their previous projects and independant client comments, the person who recommends a builder to you, may just be their wife, sister or associate.

We have no links or ties to estate agents, property management companies or other builders, therfore you can be assured of a totally unbiased, independant and honest appraisal of your works and realistic quote.