My husband and I recently bought an old stone cottage “to renovate” (no modern amenities) in the Dordogne which we plan to fix up, make habitable and stay in part time.
Would love to move to France full time but our kids, sadly, aren’t game.
Looking for contractors interested in helping us restore this gem in the rough while respecting, as much as possible, its character and history (15th/16th c).
Any and all contractor referrals would be much appreciated! Thanks.
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@Diana1015 sounds wonderful…
Bearing in mind this is a 15th/16th century building… it would be helpful to know what “Bâtiments de France” has said about the building and your Plans? Have they put any restrictions and/or guidelines in place?
Without giving too much detail… what is your nearest large town in the Dordogne ??
I know some excellent contractors, who are used to dealing with architectural gems, but they are very busy and won’t travel tooo far. 
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Bonjour. What @Stella said, and bear in mind that it is likely to be a slow process since good artisans are booked up months ahead. Also will you be around to supervise? It’s quite risky not being on the spot.
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I would get a Maitre d’oeuvre (project manager) to supervise - or have lead artisan do it. Our Maçon took the role and it was invaluable as he then got the devis from all the other trades and coordinated all the work so everything ran fairly smoothly.
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Hi there,
Just a word of advice that your concept of ‘make habitable’ and that of the local workers may be substantially different. The subject of HVAC springs to mind as just one example. I think you will need to be very specific as to exactly what you want done. A good architect who can both draw up the plans and supervise the work in your absence could prove to be invaluable.
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Not to knock French workers, but you should be aware they will do what they are told, and if they are not told in detail what you want then they are likely to do it in the easiest way. This can look like poor work at first, but rather it’s a different cultural norm that we need to understand and work with. Prepare for it and all should be well.
As said, habitable is open to interpretation. For some that would be an earth floor and no hot water. Make sure you know what you want and need.
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Following on from other posters, it’s essential to understand the French artisan’s devis, which is both a quote for work and a (hopefully) thoroughly detailed account of what work will be undertaken/what it will entail. You can add to it, or question aspects of it before signing, but once signed it is a legal contract. So it’s really important to get everything in it the way you want it to be before signing.
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Thanks for your response. My house is in Badefols d’Ans, next to a Romanesque landmark–Église Saint-Martin-et-Saint-Cloud de Badefols-d’Ans
The Batiments de France state they are only concerned with the exterior so want to make sure any changes are sensitive to the church’s historical nature–hopefully I can add windows to the two cellars beneath main level–we’ll see.
Please let me know if any of your connections are ok with my location–closest large city is Peregieux. Thank you.
Diana Bik Boeck
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Oh great, this is very helpful, thanks!
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Everything you have told us, Diana, rings alarm bells louder than the peal in the Cathédrale de St.- Front! You’ve got to get ‘down to speed’ for life in Dordogne - and learn how things work here. You have already had some good input on here - please don’t just read it, try to understand the points made. I’ve lived in Dordogne for 25 years now, and still learn every day!
Your first wrong answer was to Stella - when she very understandably wanted to know where in Dordogne your house was, by reference to it’s nearest town. Périgueux is the administrative capital of the Département, not your nearest town (Brive is) - and you’ll be most unlikely to find a builder there who wants to travel back & forth to Badefols every day!
Two key points: 1] The larger the builder is, the less they want to work on ‘renovations’ - new build is easier, more profitable, and can be quoted for accurately (the ‘devis’). As Dr Mark said, in France this quote is legally binding on both sides - therefore the builder has to cover himself for ‘possible unknowns’, and the devis amount will reflect this.
2] What you want is a small local artisan who understands and can repair these old stone buildings. I would guess that you don’t even have any easy access for his vehicles? Do you understand that every trade (plumber, stonemason, electrician etc) must be specifically registered for, and limited to, that single trade?
You haven’t mentioned how well you speak French and can communicate. The comments about whether you will be able to supervise the work, and progress, is most important. Bear in mind also, that it will be many, many months before you will be able to get tradesmen to start - as most posters have mentioned, these guys are booked up a year or more ahead.
The best advice is that from Jane Jones - get a Project Manager on board. He/she will manage everything for you, supervise, and coordinate. They will find the artisans, and schedule everything. Well worth the 10% or so that you will pay for this service. An architect is not what you need for your project - although some of them also provide project management services.
Any questions?
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And bé very wary of anyone who can start quickly.
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Bosendorfer,
I really hope other expats in Dordogne aren’t as arrogant sounding and unwelcoming as you. To want to share your apparent wealth of knowledge is great but to assume I have no idea what I’m doing and not taking the time to figure out how renovations are properly done in France is just really rude.
Yes I’m new to the process, but am familiar with your “key points”, and have been working with several artisans along with L’architecte des Bâtiments de France for past several weeks to get my project off the ground.
Unless you’re ok with leaving these beautiful old buildings in dying ancient villages to further deteriorate, then I suggest you change your attitude to one of support and appreciation than one of judgment and scorn.
-Diana
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Dear Diana - please will you accept my abject and total apologies for having obviously completely misread/misunderstood the request in your post! I can assure you that i had no intention of being arrogant, or unwelcoming, or rude, or judgemental, or - much less - scornful. Having brought three properties in Dordogne ‘back to life’, I can also assure you that my support and appreciation are unbounded!
I am delighted to hear that you, in fact, already have several artisans working on your house; and I can see that my clumsy comments were therefore badly misplaced.
I wish you well with your project.
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Thanks Bosendorfer and I wish you well with yours as well.
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To be fair, none of that was completely clear in your first post.
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Ah… if you’re already working with artisans… it might help if you clarify which trades/skills you are now seeking.
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It’s not about me–it’s about how to communicate effectively. Apparently you don’t see that.
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Good grief Diana. Wind your neck in.
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Ok, Helenochka. I will try to “wind my neck in”.
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