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Property renovation

How a builder's creative tip helped me in my farmhouse renovation

Nick Inman continues with his project to restore an old farmhouse

PHOTOS: Renovations to our maison de maître have made us YouTube stars in France

Rebecca and Jack Jenkins fell in love with a dilapidated property in Charente, south western France, and fixing it up brought an added bonus

How I revived the rusty railings at our old French farmhouse

Columnist Nick Inman explains how an inventive use of copper tubing gave his garden wall a new lease of life

practical

What repairing our French farmhouse taught me about tiling

Tuile canal can be seen across the rooftops of central France, but can be notoriously tricky to repair

French state watchdog recommends grants to stop house drought cracks

More should be done to prevent damage from climate change, it says

Must I declare an en-suite shower room to French tax authorities?

Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query

Why are rural French houses so cheap?

Lack of demand by the French for countryside lifestyle, and state of properties are among the reasons

US-French couple give up on ‘frustrating’ home renovation grant

The couple in Bordeaux were eventually told they had ‘done everything wrong’ when trying to access the government’s MaPrimeRénov’ scheme

Can I build on shared wall between neighbour’s and my French property?

Shared walls exist in both rural and urban areas and do not need to be a certain length or made from specific materials

How I converted €45,000 French ruin into high-end home

The property has undergone complete renovation, including bespoke stained glass windows

Tips to avoid energy renovation scams in France after warning issued

The government’s consumer protection branch shares examples of typical complaints it receives and how to spot fraudsters

Boost for homeowners as France pours €300m extra into eco grant scheme

MaPrimeRénov provides financial aid for those planning environmentally friendly home improvements

‘No sense’ to exempt old stone homes from EU energy rules, says MEP

But couple blame ‘absurdly low’ energy rating for buyers pulling out of French farmhouse sale

Old rural homes should be exempt from EU energy plan says French group

Green directive being prepared could hit value of character properties

French renovation: Bell tower collapse is a chance to ring the changes

Writer Nick Inman is impressed by his friends’ ornate rebuilding of a bell tower on their property, which showcases the couple’s skills and interests

3D houses, ugly extensions: Five updates for property owners in France

We also look at one couple’s surprise discovery that their house is scheduled to be demolished and a potential increase to eco-renovation grants

Dordogne couple uncover history of French home 20 years after purchase

They were too busy renovating the building to trace its history, but the Parisian-style house in the country held secrets of a local boy-done-good

Property search led to 12th Century chateau in France’s Loire Valley

Dutch couple Paul and Sandra Las van Bennekom thought they would never find the perfect property for their gite dream until they saw Château de la Preuille

If derelict French barns get roof grants, why not our houses?

There are European farming grants for barn roofs and French government grants for insulation and boilers but frustratingly no help to replace the roof on your home in France, writes Samantha David

Can new residents in France obtain a property renovation grant?

‘MaPrimeRénov’ grant programme was launched by the French government to improve the energy efficiency of homes. We explain eligibility for new residents

Renovation aid, septic tank court case: Five French property updates

Our weekly roundup of French real estate and property news, including issues with the MaPrimeRénov’ grant

French property news: Our January 2022 round-up

From hemp-covered houses to affordable housing schemes and a green renovation grant…Our pick of recent news and updates for property owners and tenants

DIY tips for French farmhouse renovation: Where to get help?

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about where to find DIY advice

DIY tips for French farmhouse renovation: respect the basics

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about mixing DIY with creativity

New French site makes finding an architect easy

Finding an architect when you need one for planning permission for house restoration projects can be frustrating.

Rural French property prices to rise post-lockdown?

Ever keen to spot a bargain, buyers were keeping a close eye on the property market during confinement. Many are expecting a post-lockdown dip in prices and are prepared to wait to get a better deal.

Planning permission in France : sample letter

Here is a suggested sample letter for contesting planning permission using a recours gracieux (letter to the mairie).

French manoir restoration could win ‘historic’ status

A single-handed restoration of a 14th-century manoir has been done to such a standard that the building and the complex around it are heading for monument historique status.

Posting up planning permission notice in France

I am having an extension built and understand I have to post up a planning notice. Is there anything to be aware of?

French farmhouse renovation - roof window

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs ofdoing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Fitting a roof window need not be a hole lot of trouble

Last chance to claim eco-friendly cash for French home

Many better-off households are likely to lose their eligibility for the long-standing system of tax credits for eco-friendly home improvements and renovations next year – so if affected you may want to undertake work while 2019 lasts.

French farmhouse renovation - November 2019

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Plastic fantastic plumbing

French farmhouse renovation - April 2019

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he explains the trick to understanding how an old house was built

French farmhouse renovation - May 2019

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he talks candidly about sanitary issues and the dirty secret of a septic tank owner

French farmhouse renovation - August 2019

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: the secret life of French shutters

French farmhouse renovation - September 2019

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Know your roof - and understand its philosophy

Owning a French monument historique has its advantages

If you want to buy a chateau, you will need to know the rules and regulations – but also the financial rewards – of monument historique status.

Can I get grant for new fosse at French home?

We need to replace our fosse septique . Is it possible to get a grant for all or part of the work? M.J.

French ruin château Rothschild to be restored to glory

The 19th century château Rothschild, in the Paris suburbs, and which once belonged to a banker to Napoleon III, is to be restored to its original state after lying derelict for almost 40 years.

Facade renovation for our home in France

We have been told it is a legal requirement to “upgrade” the facade of our home in France every 15 years. Is this right?

€1 insulation offer is real but be wary

IF you own a home in France, it is highly likely that you will have received promotional leaflets, emails or cold calls from companies offering home insulation for €1.

Architecture of France: Water mills

Mick the miller gets the old water wheels turning again

What can I have an eco tax credit for?

What home improvements are now eligible for a tax credit? It seems to have changed a lot recently. G.T.

Extra help for green renovations at French home

Financial help to carry out energy-saving renovation work has been improved.

Seek answers to restoration queries and ye shall find

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, the difference between a renovation and a restoration

Unauthorised work can be approved in France

Those long-ago home improvements could come back to bite you when you decide to sell if you did not get planning permission.

How to decide if you should do it yourself

Thinking about having work done on your home? The first, most crucial, question is: can you do it yourself? The second question is: should you, or would it be wiser to call a professional?

DIY in France: ladders and scaffolding

Mistakes and ladders... building a new life as a budding artisan. Some buyers fear renovation but others welcome it... our writer Nick Inman has a foot in both camps, as he tells in this first of a series of articles

Green efficiency tax credit move delayed

Plans to change the CITE tax credit for energy efficiency renovations into a grant have been delayed by a year, so residents must still apply for a credit.

A home AND a concert venue? That’ll do nicely

American-British classical pianist Kit Armstrong has no particular religious attachment, but the practical possibilities of living in a church attracted him and his mother, May, when the idea was first put to them.

We want to install a Jacuzzi or hot tub in our garden

Can you tell me the rules and does it need a safety cover? G.S.

Low-rate loans to ease renovations

Anyone planning home improvements such as a garden workshop, new kitchen or rewiring a house can get a loan for up to €75,000 with lower-than-normal interest rates through a prêt travaux or crédit travaux .

Hallelujah! How French churches are converting house hunters who are prepared to see the light

Religious buildings in France are an increasingly common sight on the property market as the Catholic Church sells off properties that are no longer greatly used and are expensive to maintain.

Historic change for exterior insulation law

Minister agrees to ease regulations after protests that historic buildings would be damaged

A few home truths about renovations gone wrong

We speak to three sets of people about how their renovation dreams quickly turned to nightmares and look at ways you can avoid it happening to you