This is a list of companies and people we have used ourselves, or with other people, in the course of renovating, converting properties in France.
Service Providers
These are the provider of services and information both local and national that we have used in the course of property conversion or renovation.
SIEDS. Is the name of the local water company(Deux Sevres). Although they operate locally they are regulated by the government and controlled as a private company.
SEOLIS. (previously SOREALIS) Is the name of the local electricity company(Deux Sevres). The same regulatory framework applies as for the water company.
Note. The reason for mentioning these agencies is that they have to operate as private enterprises to attract custom. They offer all sorts of services for free, including reviews of requirements for use and conservation of electricity and water. They are great for getting help with things like level of insulation specification, water capture and usage etc. The name of your local service providers is available from you local mairie (town hall). All backed by the state!
Speaking of which
www.cadastre.gouv.fr is the online land registry. Allows you to print plans of your cadastral plan from address.
www.service-public.fr is the portal for the French government. Here you can access all sorts; from immigration advice to bin collections. Building permits can be downloaded and completed on line or printed off and submitted locally. Also in there is the cadastral plan for the whole of the country to enable the printing of exact property measurements etc. (the equivalent of the land registry in UK being available online to everyone).
FNAIM. Is the acronym for the federation of estate agents in France. As a private company all reputable estate agents are affiliated to this association. From their web site you can find agencies by region, town or post code. You can also search for properties by criteria reference.