We need a window constructed in our bathroom, as in stones knocked out of the thick stone wall (as there isn’t a window there at all) in the 1st floor bathroom. It is like a dungeon.
It needs a registered builder not just a “jack of all trades”.
I’d ask around locally for friends / neighbours recommendations. f you don’t have anyone to ask your mairie may be able to help.
To be honest from what I’ve heard you may struggle to get a ‘registered’ builder in on such a small job. There are plenty of business registered macons etc (ie all above board) that would be more likely to actually quote you / have time for you on such a small job.
Tried all that already hence the request for an actual referral.
3,500 Euros is an expensive job to me for one small window.
Yes that does seem a lot! I know a builder friend of mine said he charges about 2000€, but that was a few years ago and I guess it depends on the thickness of the walls etc.
Finding an artisan who will come and do a small job for a new customer can be difficult. If there is somebody you have had in to do work previously, there is a better chance they will agree come back if they see you as ‘their’ customer and they know you pay on time etc but even they they may keep you waiting for a long long time.
Have you already done the déclaration préalable or are you wanting the artisan to do that for you also? If so there will be a cost for that as well. At least I am assuming a déclaration will be necessary for a new opening in an outside wall.
Mirror tiles are one way of making a room seem less like a dungeon.
Yes, the one who built the ensuite for the BnB room is not getting back to me when he said he would which is last weekend and that is only to come out and give a quote. He had no problem with us (payment) nor us with him as we gave him a written reference. I gave him an out by saying if this was a type of work he didn’t want to do, just to tell me so would know to look elsewhere - the 2 I’ve contacted all say “We are sooo busy”. I don’t know why that would be.
I should wait until they are desperate for work and turn the tables on them.
I’m not interested in any other aspects relating to the job except getting a quote at this stage.
The trouble is that good artisans never do seem to be desperate for work, they are booked six months or more ahead. It is same with chimney sweeps, you phone them in August thinking you are in good time and they tell you their first available appointment is in November.
1 Like
… NEXT year. 
2 Likes
A small hole and window has little difference in price to a big one. I have lost count how many times when working in the UK when customers would quote how much they could buy materials for and winge when they thought the labour cost was horrendous.
One small hole and window!
Material cost for window, sand/cement/lime, supporting lintol inside and out,external cill,internal and external making good, scaffolding as at first floor, 2 man job for safety reasons as first floor,removal of all rubbish. Works vehicle and tools,travel and fuel, general business on costs, 10 year warranty and so it goes on. Oh and in addition to all that perhaps a small profit which invariably disappears in no time with repairs and renewals that all businesses face.
The British way of thinking that a builder should be avialable at the drop of a hat just doesn’t work in France.
Wanting 2 or 3 quotes for a job when only one quote will be successful means that 2 or more builders are wasting time and effort to get nothing out of it.
If I asked you to make a 100 kilometre round trip in your time in your car at your expense and then spend an hour at your home talking about your needs, then ask you to take another hour or two at your home pricing up the work, how keen would you be?
Sorry if I am having a rant but perhaps you ca see my point.
I live between Limoges and Brive which is a very large area. Thankfully now retired.
I wish you well with your project.
Have you thought about installing a sun tunnel?
A great piece of kit that floods natural light into a dark room.
2 Likes
Head.
Nail.
Hit.
Thank fuck someone gets it !!!
No, it has to be a window.
My qualm is not the cost - I was told what was involved and I never like to tell anyone else how to do their job when it is a specialised field. When I have a justification as to why the cost s what it is then I am satisfied.
The issue is not when they can do the work, it is getting a firm quote in the first place - the rest can be discussed after, because I will need to work out when I will have enough funds.
I can’t do that if I don’t even know the cost n the first place**
If you’ve thick stone walls, it will cost from 1,000€ upwards to make a hole… any hole.
that’s what we were told many years ago by a local builder.
and, yes, 1,000€ has been subsequently charged some 10 years later, for a small hole (pipework) through a metre thick wall…
For a window, which will require a larger hole, attacked somewhat differently… the lintel etc etc… I reckon 2,000€ to 4,000€ maybe more…
Perhaps I have misread your comment?
Are you saying that 3500 euros is alot for you to afford or are you saying that 3500 euros seems expensive for the work required.
Either way I think you have your answer, you need to build up a fund of about 4000 euros which includes any unforeseen nasties and then place your order which is best done sooner rather than later as any artisan worth his salt will have a 12 month plus order book.
Dont forget that usually if you accept a devis a deposit is requested so you will be tied in to the contract.
Deposit can vary but reckon on about 30%.
You might be lucky if the contractor already knows and trusts you as you have already mentioned, if so they might not insist on a deposit.