Brixtonian

Hi everyone
About to start refurbishing a small apartment in Paris and wondered if anyone could recommend a good contractor to put in new kitchen, bathroom, move a wall etc?
Many thanks

Tweedpipe

Welcome to the forum!
We're not in Paris so unable to give any recommendations or otherwise.
I would think a good start would be to ask your neighbours if they have any recommendations, or at the worst who they feel should be avoided at all costs - and I understand there are many 'cowboy' operators.
We've found if neighbours cannot help, then we check on Les PageJeunes LINK where you will find all available contractors.
We've just done that for a roof which requires repair to the faitage (unsure of the English term).
For all contractors (especially locksmiths whom I've read are notoriously dishonest in Paris) always get at least 2 written quotations, and ensure that the contractor has a siren number. We've just had 2 quotations for our roof repair, and expecting a 3rd later this week.
Good luck!

cyrian

faîtage = ridge ??

Tweedpipe

I agree Cyrian, I found the same word which fooled me too. Then with a little more digging just found, ......'identical tiles are used, arranged astride the top of the two slopes. These tiles are said to be ridge tiles.'
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...px-Tiles91.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ntil%C3%A9.jpg
We lost 5 or 6 of these top tiles during a recent violent storm which led to some ceiling light water damage, tiles were replaced but advised to have all the other top tiles replaced asap as their original concrete sealing had deteriorated.
Just received 1 written estimate of 3 requested, cost of 5.4k euros......! Think I now need a lie-down! At 21 years the house isn't exactly ancient either.

cyrian

Hi TP
That seems a bit steep (no pun intended).
I look at how long a job should take and divide the price by the number of days.
I always ask the tradesman how long he thinks that it will take.
Your example allowing 500€ labour cost per day would equate to 10 days for a job (normal size roof) of 1 - 2 days.
@ Brixtonian
Visit several DIY stores like Leroy Merlin or Castorama and look for tradesmen who advertise there.
You still need to check the tradesmen for reliability and don't expect someone to come on site and stay there until finished.
Check that they are registered and have insurance.
French tradesmen are known to disappear for periods during the work.
Good luck

dmu

Hi, I don't know about "moving a wall, etc", but there are plenty of firms specializing in fitted kitchens and bathrooms. As suggested, ask your neighbours for recommendations, or look in the Pages Jaunes (sp) under "Installation cuisines/salles de bains" and entering Paris and your arrondissement. And as mentioned, make sure that they are registered, with professional insurance (confirmed in print on the Devis).
I concur that it's likely that the contractor that you hire will have several on-going worksites, and will disappear off at regular intervals....
HTH

Novocastrian

A chap called Hausmann is well spoken of in Paris. I believe he may be getting on a bit these days.

Chatter Static

He's a bit tied up, No I mean boxed up....

EuroTrash

You probably need several good contractors, unless you go to a contracting company that will project manage it all for you. French tradesman tend to be quite specialised. A plumber won't move a wall and a builder won't put in pipework.
As Tweedpipe says, you should get et at least 2 quotes, ideally 3, for each job.
Bon courage

dmu

This is what I envisaged, since it would be too complicated to cope with all the different artisans.... There are several firms in my neck of the woods who do kitchens, bathrooms, "dressings", etc... and contract out all the plumbing, electricity, "wall-moving", ... to their favourite local artisans. We had our bath-tub removed and replaced by a "douche italienne" by one such firm, and it wasn't our normal plumber who came to do the pipework (luckily the latter didn't turn up to do the boiler maintenance while this work was in progress....)