Recommendations for building works please

[Clubby]

Is anyone able to recommend some reliable, local trades people?

We need,

- an architect
- a builder - for structural work involving beams, laying a new floor
- a carpenter - for the creation/installation of new windows and doors
- a chimney sweep - and for installation of a wood burning stove (think I may have seen a post on this somewhere, I will check...I checked and will try Beauchesne in Montmorillon - Thanks!)
- a plasterer - external rendering and internal lime render

Any comments will be greatly appreciated

[Fred]

Hello Clubby further on from our other conversation we have had a quote from another guy for windows at around a third of the price we was quoted from the one we told you about.

We haven't made a decision yet so cant comment on his work, but I have been told by a few people he has a very good reputation. He gave us a devis broken down with all the prices for each window along with the measurements and cost for fitting, not a total scribbled on a piece of paper.

So he could be worth contacting for your windows and/or some of your other work.

Sebastien Cousin
Artisan Menuisier
8 Route du Stade
St Remy en Montmorillon
86390

06 74 19 30 65.

Can't help with the rest myself, maybe worth having a word with Rosie & Huw they was having some work done too.

Good luck.

[Admiral]

Hiya Clubby.

M. Cousins work can be seen at the bakers next to the SPAR in Lathus.

He ripped out the front, including the door, and replaced with new and very good it looks. Also did some interior work.

Don't tell me. You're not in Fraance and available to view.

For plastering and tiling work would recommend Alan Cooper. Very nice guy based between St Remy and Bussiere.

Call 05 55 68 59 24 or mobile: 06 37 71 20 57.

Bonne chance.

[Clubby]

Thanks very much Fred, Admiral

That should start us off nicely

[Fred]

Hello Clubby just thought I would let you know we have now used Sebastien Cousin (see my post above) for our windows and door.

He came when he said he would, two of them worked through the day till gone 7pm and tidied up after themselves. We did have a problem with the door not locking properly the next day, but after a phone call from Mrs Fred to say she had to go out he was here within an hour and fixed it.

Unfortunately it wouldn't lock again on the Saturday. so another phone call and he arrived at 6pm, done a temporary fix and said they would be back Tuesday 8am. They arived on time, took the door off repositioned it and all works great now.

So I can recommend him

[Fred]

Update to my post above: Sebastien Cousin has now delivered the final invoice for the work, and he has got it wrong! For some reason he has added the deposit we paid to the final bill, as opposed to deducting it.

Mrs Fred has been on the phone to him and he says he will arrive tomorrow after speaking with his wife who does the invoicing, so we will wait and see.

It could be a misunderstanding and for the moment we will give him the benefit of doubt, but it does make us put our British head on and think Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Will report back, but for the moment I would say keep a check on your original devis and make sure you get one. (A devis is free and any respectable company should give you one.)

[Fred]

Update on my post above:

Well Mr Cousin didn't turn up last Friday, he has not phoned or sent a replacement invoice. So I can only assume he is thinking we are mug enough to pay an invoice where he has added the deposit instead of deducting it.

Could be he is busy, could be he is getting to big as he now employs people, could be he couldn't care less, maybe he could be on holiday. I don't know, but I think he should have the decency to get back to us in the past 12 days and explain why he thinks we are going to pay an extra €1500 on the original quote.

Again I warn everyone: Get an official Invoice (Devis), any respectable registered company would give you one free of charge and it is a legal document so you'll have legs to stand on should something like this happen.

[Fred]

Another update: We finally have it sorted out, Mr Cousin has personally come around with the correct invoice and apologised.

However it did take a visit from Mrs Fred to his yard to remind him apparently it was a mistake by his wife and she had added the deposit instead of deducting it like I said.

But it's sorted now and I would still use him again as I don't think he is the sort to try to rip you off, he's just typical French "Don't worry it will be fine, à demain"

REMEMBER: Get an official Devis and keep hold of it just in case.