Hi. I have to build an new residential house for a customer close to Nice, France of about 160sq double story with light steel frame method. I am going to send all material from SA and also send a small team from SA to do the job.
Have never done a project in France, so I need advice as part of my research. Do I need special permits to built and what is the step by step requirements to built in France, for example do you have to have a registered plumber to certify his work? Can I do the engineering certificate from SA or do I have to use a engineer in France and so on.
Just been through the planning permission process so I can sympathize!
All new permis de construire must comply with the thermic regs RT2012 which means paying companies to do various studies on your plans and then they tell you what R values to use for all surfaces and windows (including size of openings) etc - this is the attestation Bbio you have to submit to the mairie with your plans and then after that there's the CEP/TIC calculation which will tell you whether the boilers , cooling systems, ventilation and lighting you plan to use meet the requirements etc. and at the end of the build there's the air-tightness test which you must have done to sign off the build. See some info here: http://www.forumconstruire.com/guides/voir-gid_92,rt_2012.php
If the house is not to be connected to the mains drains then there's another study to be done on drainage before you submit your plans.
If you use an architect, they could help guide you on this too.
And of course there's the planning tax (and possible sewage tax, parking tax etc - depends on your commune) - your CU (outline planning permit) will have details of all the taxes to pay - payable in 2 parts ; 12 months and 24 months after approval of your plans is received.
It's all possible, but it takes time to get the information you need to make it a success. And research your options to keep costs as low as possible - it's too easy to pay too much for "experts" when there are lots of building forums etc with experienced people there only too willing to help. Talk to your mairie - they should be able to help too. Good luck!
& all the labour has to be paid & insured etc in accordance with French employment law & the people have to be eligible to do a job in France which as they aren't EU workers may be a significantly complicated business.
You can start here. If your build is 170sq metres you will need to engage an architect to draw up the plans for your build. The architect will provide elevations of the build, sections indicating the layout of the various spaces within the house, a plan showing how the building fits in to the cadastral plot on which it is to be built and the surrounding environment. (all or nearly all land in France is registered and appears with each parcel numbered on the plan cadastral which is held by the local Mairie and the Environmental division of the département) He will indicate the method of construction (this may be particularly important around Nice which may well be in a zone where additonal measures are required to combat seismicity as Nice is in the zone which raised the Alps). If permis de constuire is granted then you can if you wish act as maitre d'oeuvre and put the project out to the market and appoint yourself contractor but all work needs to be to French normes and you might be better off to work with the architect from day one.
I should add that a construction below 170sq metres does not free you from the drawings etc which you need to submit. It simply means you don't have to employ an architect to do that job.
I have heard that under 170sq an French registered architect is not necessary, and over 170sq you would have to appointed a French registered architect. Is this correct? Anybody you can recommend who has all this details about permits, forms and so on.
Insulation properties is excellent R Value of 3 for walls. Not sure if a historical building is close, will check. Do you perhaps now of a institution of somebody who would be able to assist with the process?
Yes you need special permits to build, over a certain size you must use an architect and to ensure all is well for the compulsory 10 year guarantee, you will need registered tradesmen to certify the work. Am not sure but you will probably have to have all the relevant documents in French as well. Building and renovation as a professional in France is not for the faint hearted. You will also find that the majority of the technical norms are unique to France as well, your best advice is to liaise very closely with someone already working in the area you wish to build. Make sure you have lots of patience and lots of money.