Ground Rules for French Property Renovations
Ground Rules for French Property Renovations
French property renovations are initiated in order to convert an old and damaged structure like a house or residence into something that is more modern and more equipped with facilities and amenities. In France, many stone houses that were built several years before are now on sale to new property owners. While these houses may have withstood the test of time, they commonly require French property renovations since most of them are either neglected or vacated for a long time.
Period properties are very commonplace in France. While these properties are livable, a new owner may feel the need to have them modernized. Before embarking on French property renovations, it is advised that the property be checked by an expert or expert en immobilier, so that the authenticity of the period property would be established. Likewise, the drainage and septic tank system, and other parts of the French real estate structure like the walls and roofs, including the electrical wirings, should be checked to make sure that they are still usable. Moreover, this once-over is needed in order for the new owner to know what needs to be improved or changed altogether.
Furthermore, it is prudent that before commencing French property renovations, the new owner should have an idea about how much the entire home improvement project may cost. When making cost estimates, the owner should allow significant margin of errors for unscheduled and unplanned project delays. To ensure that there is progress in French property renovations, it is recommended that an architect be employed to oversee the tasks. Aside from knowing a great deal about building construction, architects also ensure that the property restoration project comply with national and local building regulations.
Guidelines in Hiring a Builder or Architect
A building permit may sometimes be required before a new owner is allowed to make French property renovations. This is a requisite if the French property that is to be renovated is subject to a preservation order or if it is included in the list, Inventaire Supplementaire des Monuments Historiques (Additional inventory of the Historic Monuments) or ISMH. Usually, it is the architect who secures a permit before any renovation can be done. In hiring an architect or professional builder to supervise French property renovations, a property owner should ensure that he is employing someone who is properly registered in France. To verify this, he can ask for important information from the builder or architect like the Siret number issued by the France Chamber of Commerce or a Decenel Insurance, an insurance that protects a client, or a Responsabilite Civile, a third party insurance that will cover the costs in case the builder unintentionally damages a property. It is crucial to hire someone who knows what they do so that an owner can be forewarned about major building defects.