Hi all, we’re keen to get cracking with our new home in 61 but, are having issues with builders. We have emailed a couple of English speaking builders who say they cover our area but, the replies to emails are dreadful. Even though one says they will reply within 48 hours, it’s been 10 days and not even a holding response. Our priority is to get a new log burner installed complete with new flue (old log burner condemned and multiple failed flues need removing), then the floors, walls and roof need insulating.
Any recommendations you have would be gratefully received.
Many thanks in advance.
In my experience, no business people in France - and especially not artisans - respond to email, sms or any electronic communication.
Give them a ring or, if you prefer, drop into the showroom. That’s what we did.
Our experience when we first came out here:
French artisans don’t know you, how are they going to trust that you will pay them, made worse by the fact that you are a Brit and may be difficult
they want to work locally and be able to go home for lunch - so 20 minutes drive max
depending on where you are, Brit builders have more work than they need and so they tend to stick with the clients they already know.
In the end, we found an excellent maître d’œuvre who managed the whole project for us. The artisans were only too happy to work for him because they trusted him.
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You need different trades for the different types of work. A builder (maçon) can’t install a stove, you need a cheministe. Insulation is a different trade, and only large firms will have all the skills. You need to show that you understand the process if you want people to respond to you. So emails that ask for impossible things will be ignored (well 90% of emails will be ignored anyway no matter what you say). Phone!
Look locally, talk to your neighbours, the marie if a small place, your estate agent, pay attention to names on vans. And don’t insist on english speaking as this will narrow your options and possibly raise the price.
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