need2no

Hello all
We have our permis de construire so are beginning to get quotes for building materials etc and looking for information regarding local electricians, plumbers etc.

We are going to try and build as much as we can ourselves, but its a bit daunting.

Can anyone recommend any useful websites for information on building, either French or English (we thought we'd probably use English regs as guidelines) or, even better has anyone done this themselves and can they offer advice?

All suggestions gratefully received, now the hard work begins.

dmu

Oooh là là... When in France, you follow French regulations!!!!!

need2no

Aren't we in the EEC? Perhaps mistakenly we thought all the regulations are the same. What would the differences be, and of course, we'll make sure we stick to them.
I've heard that new houses rarely get inspected (a builder friend of a friend has been building his own house for over 15 years and not had one inspection yet).
For insurance purposes yes we must have an electrician, can anyone recommend one who covers Lot/Dordogne areas?

dmu

Sorry, maybe I answered a bit too quickly. Someone with experience will be able to advise you better, but I do know that you have to follow French "Normes" (standards) in France. You'll probably find them under "Normes de Construction" via Google, but be prepared for a long read!

stanage2

If you have permis de constriure,i would have thought you had a architect (French),he or she will keep you on the right track,as he or she will sign it off,when it is finished.

need2no

We used a maitre d'oeuvre (not sure about the spelling) so I don't know if anything needs to be passed at the end? Maybe they just turn up one day to do an inspection. All our chap said was that we must make sure we leave at least 3 m from the boundary, which isn't a problem as we have an acre of land.

Thanks I will check out your suggestion dmu.

Ka Ora!

For the Electrical work you WILL need to follow the French regulations otherwise EDF will not connect you to the Grid this mean you have to thread individual cables through the plastic conduit (Crap Job). Wire as is done in France it does differ from English wiring.

Jazzy n Lol

Absolutely, plus for a new build EDF demand a phone, tv/cable socket in every room. My mother is doing a conversion, which luckily has less stringent laws than a new build, and the electrician told her all this. Contact EDF, they have a brochure.

stanage2

All the above very good advice and worth takeing on board,but are not these things that his Maitre d`oeuvre should be guiding them on?

Jazzy n Lol

True, but that depends what they've contracted the M d'O to do. Checking his/her contract to see if everything is included. We had a ridiculous quote from one, but after removing half of the work, the quote was more reasonable - so each M d'O is responsible for only what has been agreed. Signing off the property and liaising with EDF may or may not be his job. Definitely worth checking.

dmu

Yes, but right at the beginning, they said they were going to do it themselves, following British regulations as a guide-line, no mention of a maître d'oeuvre.....
Of course le maître d' should be organizing all the plumbing and electricity, in order to be "conforme aux normes" for the Utilities, and presumably advising them as to the suitable materials for the region where they are building. (And if all European Directives were followed to the letter, I imagine that electrical plugs in the UK would have round pins by now!)

need2no

Thanks for all advice.

The m'd was only responsible for drawing the plans, but he did put in where the drainage should be in relation to the house.

I will have a look at the EDF site as suggested. Thanks again for help

stanage2

Having done in England the same thing, as your are to do in France.
All i can advice is stay with it and when things get rough,reminder one thing.
That which you do now you live with the rest of your time in the house.
So do it right and too the best you can.

Finisteremaman

Just wanted to say, we're doing a new build (well a building company is), and we only have two phone sockets, tv/cables sockets - in a 4 bed house, although the house we're renting atm was renovated in 2002 and does have all connections in every room, so not sure if it's a new build thing? Thought I'd mention it

stanage2

I think the best thing to do in this case is talk to your builder,as soon as possible.
Doing that should clear it up to save trouble late, if they have got it wrong.