Renovating an old stone house in Burgundy.

Contents

1. Permits
2. Materials that suit old stone
3. Craftsmen
4. Grants and VAT
5. Before the offer
6. Frequently asked questions

Many buyers fall for a house that needs work. Here is what to know before the offer: the permits, the materials that suit old stone, the craftsmen and the grants.

Permits

• Changing the façade, the windows or the roof usually needs a declaration at the town hall.
• A larger extension needs a building permit, and an architect is compulsory above 150 square metres of total floor area.
• Near a historic monument, the Architectes des Bâtiments de France must approve the exterior works.

Materials that suit old stone

Old stone walls need to breathe. Lime mortars and plasters let the moisture out, where cement traps it and damages the walls. For insulation, natural materials such as wood fibre or hemp are often used in old houses. Ask craftsmen used to old buildings.

Craftsmen

Ask each craftsman for their ten-year insurance certificate, and for energy works, the RGE label, needed for most grants. Good craftsmen are booked months ahead: plan early.

Grants and VAT

French renovation grants mostly concern main homes, and their rules change often: check France Rénov'. Renovation works on homes over two years old benefit from reduced VAT rates.

Before the offer

For a house with works, I organise a second visit with a builder or a craftsman, so that the price you offer takes the works into account. I work in English and French every day. I also speak Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi fluently, Persian (Farsi) very well, and good Greek and Arabic.

Frequently asked questions