We are so fortunate to have had a referral from Sharon Evans at Cle France (http://www.clefrance.co.uk) to Nick Turner, a superb property inspector, who, having discovered most of the possibilities and detriments of our house, then referred us to Andrew "Jim" Daniels and his business partner, Nicola Tasker, who renovate properties. Yes, they are all English, and it is a big help to those of us who don't speak fluent French, especially not "builder's French."
Jim has about 12 years of experience in France, and is fully licensed here. Nicola speaks fluent French, loves history, and was already a great comfort to me - communicating via email - as we waited for more than a year for the English courts to sort out the inheritance rights to our property. As days and weeks and months passed, she kept checking in with me, and we would joke about the Dickensian progress of the courts.
Nicola and Jim have their own team of specialists whom they call on for estimates for the work to be done, but Nicola has also reached out to local French artisans. We are pleased that she has found Monsieur Stephane Degrenne, who has agreed to completely replace the house's gutters and drainage below the roof.
The first project for Jim and Nicola is the demolition of the old flooring, walls and ceiling of the tiny house. Pretty much all of it has to go, as the floors have all been worn away by damp and insects. The attic is in the worst shape, but really all the floors and ceilings have to be replaced.
Jim has about 12 years of experience in France, and is fully licensed here. Nicola speaks fluent French, loves history, and was already a great comfort to me - communicating via email - as we waited for more than a year for the English courts to sort out the inheritance rights to our property. As days and weeks and months passed, she kept checking in with me, and we would joke about the Dickensian progress of the courts.
Nicola and Jim have their own team of specialists whom they call on for estimates for the work to be done, but Nicola has also reached out to local French artisans. We are pleased that she has found Monsieur Stephane Degrenne, who has agreed to completely replace the house's gutters and drainage below the roof.
The first project for Jim and Nicola is the demolition of the old flooring, walls and ceiling of the tiny house. Pretty much all of it has to go, as the floors have all been worn away by damp and insects. The attic is in the worst shape, but really all the floors and ceilings have to be replaced.
Nicola and Jim have already spent a good deal of time with me in September, and with Joseph and me in November, walking through the little house and giving us the benefit of their good counsel. When we finished our walk through most recently, Jim said, "You'll be amazed when we're done." We do believe that. Demolition has begun in earnest now, and we will soon be making more decisions about the floor plan and new materials. We feel we are in good hands.
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