Title: Common things buyers miss when budgeting for a renovation in France
Hi everyone,
I’m new here. My partner Mark has spent more than 25 years working on building sites, including over 17 years as a qualified electrician in France. We’ve also taken properties from completely derelict to fully renovated, so I thought it might be useful to share some of the things we’ve learned.
A few issues that can easily catch buyers out:
- The diagnostic reports provided with a sale are useful, but they are not a full structural or building survey.
- A contractor’s quote may not include every material, finishing job, additional repair or unexpected complication.
- Electrical installations, roofs, damp, drainage and septic systems can change a renovation budget very quickly.
- Planning restrictions can affect what may be altered, extended or converted.
- A project can be technically achievable but still make little financial sense once the full cost and eventual resale value are considered.
- It is sensible to leave a realistic contingency rather than budgeting solely from the visible work.
Before committing to a property or accepting a large quote, it can be very helpful to have an experienced second pair of eyes look over the information and identify the questions that still need answering.
Has anyone here encountered an expensive renovation surprise that wasn’t obvious from the original listing, diagnostic report or contractor’s quote? It would be interesting—and hopefully useful to future buyers—to compile some real examples.
Of course, these are practical observations only and not a substitute for an official diagnostic, legal opinion or structural survey.