Georgeandhenry

I have just purchased a small holiday home in Hungary we will need help with some building work and gardening can anyone advise

Pollypaprika

Hello. Welcome to Hungary. I am sure Rural Hungary, the concierge of the group, will be along soon to formally welcome you to the group.

It depends on where you are located really and the specific work you were looking for as to help available. All I would say is beware of wolves in sheeps clothing. Unfortunately there are some expats here (just like there are everywhere) who make a living out of 'helping' other newbies. Having said that, you can also find good builders and help, just takes a bit of digging sometimes :-)

I know Rural provides an excellent and trustworthy service, so might be worth asking her.

All the best and good luck

fidobsa

For the gardening there is probably someone local who will do it for you quite cheaply but they almost certainly won't speak English. With the building work the biggest problem is likely to be finding someone who will do work of the standard you require with the correct materials. This is especially true if you are not around to keep an eye on them.

Pollypaprika

I second what Fid just said

My advice would be don't think you can project manage from abroad...Hungary is not France or sunny Spain. IMO you really need to be here to oversee any building work.

Peter_in_Hungary

Hi
Welcome!
Where are you?
What type of building work - major renovation, minor changes, small repairs, decorating?
Wot polgardi said - but it is possible to get a project manager from here - but finding a good one is as difficult as finding a good builder. You need to be 'an educated consumer' to know what is going on so that you can prevent too many corners being cut.

Georgeandhenry

The house is just outside Tab are any of you close to there

Pollypaprika

Not 'that' close I am afraid. Do you speak Hungarian at all? That would help. Depending on how you came by the house, I am guessing it was not a private sale - I would have thought the agents who sold it to you would have some idea of reliable workman.

Having said that of course, we were taken for a right ride by some expats whose 'reliable workman' was invisible and the work which was done cost us thousands to put right.

Georgeandhenry

It was a private purchase so no agent, we don't have any Hungarian but have a friend who lives in UK that helped us with purchase, what sort of problem might we have with expats? It sounds like you are telling us to beware!

Pollypaprika

Hello. Hungary is a great place to have a holiday home, and for some its the right place to move to. I am not trying to put you off or anything...after all. I live here. However, in my experience, getting the right people to work for you and do a decent job can be difficult. Especially for foreigners who do not speak the language. Sometimes, expats move to Hungary, realise that actually making a living here is more difficult that expected...and end up doing something they can do...which is sell houses to other expats and then do the work for them. Nothing wrong in that of course, as long as you are competent. Sorry if it sounds like sour grapes, but I see so many people move to Hungary with the wool pulled over their eyes that it pains me.

Hopefully, now you have come on this forum and know the score, you will be aware of the potential pitfalls and will get yourself the right person for the job; regardless of whether it is an expat or a local. Just like anywhere, make sure they are qualified or have good recommendations/experience etc.

I am sure many people who live here or have holiday homes here have got some great recommendations. Our builder was fab, but he has since closed his business. We use locals now, but only ones we know and trust...just like anywhere...it takes time to settle in and get the right person for the job.

I suppose it all depends on what sort of work you want done and what needs to be done. For example, if you have an adobe house (there is another thread on this somewhere) it will need more specialist attention than a conventional build etc.

There are plenty of experienced people on this forum who should be able to give you good advice. And no I am not telling you to beware of all expats, after all..I am an expat

Good luck with it all.

Peter_in_Hungary

It would help if you could post the sort of things you want done and the type of building you have

Georgeandhenry

Sorry, we need a new bathroom, and some decorating inside and out, the garden needs some work and a new boundary fence, that's it I think to start with.

Rural Hungary

Cheers Pol, just back from football and will add to this later - takeaway with mum and the kids first.

Doubtful we will take on building projects anymore, apart from for our own clients as it's more hassle than it's worth - especially when they are being spoon fed BS from other quarters. As you know, another couple of weeks and I can say more but believe me, things have changed since we moved here and yes, not nice seeing folk being ripped off time and again but it sucks to be the messenger and I for one am sick of hearing what a bitch I am for telling it as it is!
Latest one - come to Hungary, open a campsite in the middle of nowhere, no hassle, no red tape...

Just to add, some folk ought to take a long hard look at themselves, self awareness is an amazing thing, before they start bitching about others, that ones coming as well but for now, they know who they are.

Rural Hungary

Hi George and welcome to the forum. I think Pol was assuming you bought through an agent as Tab isn't an area most British people would look to buy in. We have a few contacts out that way who we can put you in touch with but they all speak Hungarian. Will post more later.

Pollypaprika

After we bought here...we were told that old chestnut....the perfect 'additional investment'. Thank God we realised the area suggested would have been totally unsuitable before we wasted any more money!

Georgeandhenry

Sorry I am lost by the above posts!