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Below you will find a list of the services we offer and a guide to the respective fees involved.

Feasibility studies

Project cost summary: Before you embark upon your project we can produce a full cost summary, offering you the opportunity to see what it may all cost. This report is broken down into the trades necessary for your project, recommended phases of work and perhaps most importantly, the costs involved. These are further separated into materials and labour costs, which is very helpful for those who wish to carry out some of the work themselves and contract out the remainder. 

Project feasibility: You may have grand ideas for your french home, but they can’t always be achieved. We’ll help you assess the feasibility of your project taking account of any planning restrictions and other more practical building issues. 

Planning applications

Certificat d’urbanisme (CDU):   If you own or are buying a plot of land and wish to build upon it, the first stage is to apply for a “certificat d’urbanisme”. This equates roughly to UK “outline planning permission”. The principle here is to obtain approval to use land for building purposes (whether it be houses, factories, shops, etc). If you are buying land with the intention of building on it, your Notaire will normally ensure the purchase contract includes a clause allowing you to withdraw from the purchase if a certificat d’urbanisme is not granted. If you have already bought land and have no such certificate, we can deal with the application for you. Similarly, if you have bought land with, say, an existing barn (but no house) and wish to ensure that you have outline permission to convert the barn to living accommodation, we can handle this on your behalf.

Permis de Construire (PC):   There are several types of application for detailed planning consent - New build, conversion, renovation, etc.  Also, if you wish to build a swimming pool, erect a greenhouse, site a wind-generator, etc.  The requirements and accompanying documentation required for each application vary - we will deal with the appropriate paperwork for you, ensuring the minimum of delay before you can begin your project.

Déclaration préalable (DP): Minor alterations to exterior appearance can often be dealt with under a simplified application called a “déclaration préalable”.  Things like fitting velux windows, creating new door & window openings, erecting a small garden shed etc., all fall under this heading.  We can prepare the dossier for you, again ensuring the minimum of delay.

Etude de sol: For properties not connected to mains drainage, a private system is required.  Planning applications now require details of all existing or proposed private systems (septic tanks, etc) in order for permission to be granted. Often no such system exists or is inadequate for the proposed use of the property and a new system will need to be installed.  Before this can be done, a soil test (étude de sol) needs to be carried out and the report submitted to the authorities.  The report will outlines the most appropriate type & size of system and explains the regulations concerned. As part of our planning application service we can arrange a soil test to be carried out by a local expert on your behalf.

Division of land: As part of our planning application service, where necessary, we can also arrange for a Géometre (land surveyor) to deal with the division of land and the appropriate alterations to the land registry. 

Other design services

Electrical & plumbing schematics: In order to ensure your builders & artisans appreciate what is required, we can produce a variety of schematics.  For example, electrical, plumbing & waste plans showing the position of sockets, switches, tv points, bathroom fittings, waste pipes, etc.  This allows you to ascertain the most effective routes for your services and the best positions for outlets.  Your artisans can then ensure things are sited in the correct places and in accordance with your wishes.  There can be nothing as frustrating as returning to your french project after a UK visit to find your sockets in all the wrong places!

Floor plans: As part of planning applications you will automatically receive full floor plans for your property. However, you may already have a house where planning permission is not needed, but where you wish to alter the internal layout. We will work with you to produce the most effective & efficient internal layout and produce scale floor plans that can be used to carry out the alterations.

Guide to fees

Planning Applications & related services:

These fees are intended as a guide only. Actual fees will depend on the precise nature and complexity of the project. Fees shown are per building - where there are 2 or more buildings on the same plot, a sliding scale of charges will apply - the larger the number of buildings, the smaller the fee per building.  Fees are fully inclusive, including TVA if/where applicable, but exclude any/all additional one-off or ongoing property taxes relating to the project.  Where an existing property is being converted, extended, etc., fees are based on the TOTAL area of the finished project - ie: including all existing and new floor areas, or  areas converted from non-living space to habitable space.  Fees for electrical or plumbing schematics and floor plans only relate to plans/drawings where no planning application is required. Fees for all projects where a planning permit is required include only those plans & drawings required to complete the official dossier.

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