“When we started our property we employed Steve Davies, to help with the work, project management and production of plans etc. I told him if he did a good job, I would say so in a public way and as we near completion I can say that we have had exactly what Steve promised us….help and support when we needed it and nothing we didn’t want!! (we wanted to do loads of stuff ourselves!)
When we bought our house and outbuildings in North Deux Sevres, we knew that when converting the outbuildings into gites, we wanted to keep control of the project as much as we possibly could. Both for the financial benefit and for the self-satisfaction we knew we would have when it was finished!
It was at this point that we read a Steve Davies’ series of articles on barn conversion on French entrée. We contacted Steve, and met up to discuss what we felt we could do, and what Steve could do in terms of planning and project management. Our ideas coincided, and there followed the production of a planning dossier based on our ideas (which needed to be passed by Batiments de France), the organisation of materials, and then the works themselves. It is very satisfying; now knowing we have only the finishing touches left to do ourselves!…Steve helped with the tough or complicated stuff but we still did the lions share of the work……we wouldn’t have known where to start without him though!!
Steve was patient, willing and capable throughout. He told us what he could do; and also could not do, helped us to find the relevant people to do what he could not; and he has enabled us to realise our project how we wanted it.
Put simply…Steve has been a bloody good chap and we would have no hesitation in recommending him to anybody planning a project of this nature….especially if they want to keep it as their own dream and stay involved with all the works themselves.
Thanks Steve!!!”
Ian, Caroline Roulstone
Mauleon
“Steve has helped me get my plans for the derelict barn off the ground. He did all the paprework for me for the Certificate de Urbanism, which I have now got, and has just delivered, as promised all that is required to apply for planning permission. Steve has kept me informed on progress at all times and am grateful that I found him!! Watch this space as I will update as the plans progress.
Thanks once again for all your help”
Jill, Alan Selby
Les Basses Berthieres Gennes-sur-Glaize
“I am a project manager by profession & know the value of having someone guide a project through from start to finish.
Steve took our rather woolly vision of what we wanted, walked us through planning permission, helped us find a French builder to do the complicated work & is now helping us with the middle bit of the building work.
He is patient & has a great sense of humour, something you need when working with us……. where we once had a stone barn with a broken door open to the elements we now have a new roof, windows, doors & the internal walls, insulation etc are all going in at the moment.
His help has already saved us loads of money in pointing out where to buy certain things – eg we had chosen some really nice slate floor tiles from a local tile place close to us & negotiated what we though was a very good discount, about 35%; Steve suggested we check out another tile place near Parthenay where we have been able to buy the same tiles at even less, which over the square meterage we need will save us almost a 1000 euros over what we could have paid. We didn’t know this other place existed and I had done some diligent on line searching & thought the original price we had been quoted was pretty good.
This sort of local knowledge is so important & is why although we are keen where ever possible we want to employ French artisans, there was no contest when looking for someone to help us with the project management.”
Liz, Nigel Clarke
“La Girardiere”
“Are you wishing to convert a barn or construct one? “I need help to have plans for a barn put up”. Although I hasten to add that I am no expert in these matters, if it is in fact the latter, I would imagine the requirements for agricultural buildings is different to domestic ones, possibly an easier process.
Are you in fact looking to get the plans drawn up or have a full planning dossier compiled and submitted? Do you wish to get your own ideas laid out or draw (excuse the pun!) on the services of someone to generate some ideas for you and possibly manage the project.
I ask because if it is the case that you are aware of the 170m2 rule and know that you need an architect then I’m probably wasting your time because we, thankfully, managed (by about half a meter or so) to avoid the need for an architect. But if it is for any of the previously mentioned reasons then I can only say contact Steve Davies.
We did (and are still doing) a great deal of research to try and make a success of our French money pit. It has been a steep learning curve and we have, from the outset, tried to maintain control of all aspects of the project and undertake as much of the work ourselves, partly for the sheer pleasure of it and partly to reduce costs. If we had needed to employ an architect the project would never have got off the ground, I believe their fees average about 10% of the build cost, although I could be wrong. I, like other posters, can draw plans, produce artist impressions and take photographs but how thin do you spread yourself? Unlike Steve, I don’t live in France fulltime, I am not fluent in French, I do not know the quirks of the French planning system and I have not got (until now) experience of successfully submitting planning dossiers.
There have been a number of views expressed regarding the detail and quality of plans required/submitted, I can only say that I believe if you work midway between the two extremes you shouldn’t go far wrong. The plans need to be clear, accurate and well presented in the appropriate manner, if not you will suffer delays in an already slow process.
I will go a long way to save money or avoid paying it out but after due consideration it was nice to pay the money, state what we wanted and to say to Steve ‘tell me when we’ve got it’ and we’ve got it. Now the work really starts! Sorry to go on, hope this helps, good luck.”
Ray, Jennie Smith “La Fernandiere”
“When I bought my barn last year the estate agent handed me a print out of an article about renovating a barn. The agent thought that the chap in question project managed jobs, put in applications for planning etc so I got in touch via email. He was really helpful but I soon discovered a long, long way from Auvergne and surprised to hear from me!
To cut a long story short he still helped me get my planning application passed but also has a very helpful website now – www.renovateinfrance.co.uk which many newcomers may find useful for builders merchants, advice and services etc in your area. The chap is called Steve Davies and there may already be similar posts so I apologise if this is a duplication on previous info. Many thanks Monsieur Davies if you read this! Shame you aren’t a bit closer to us !”
Lesley Garside
“We are about to finalise on an EXTREME (roof falling in, walls collapsing etc we must be mad!!!) very, very large renovation property.
So before we made the final decision I did lots of research on how to go about various phases, problems we might encounter, cost and suppliers of materials…… Some site didn’t give me the answers I needed although listed as renovation info.
Some of the best help and advice I have found so far is from Steve Davies and I always get answers to any query. So if you need advice or answer to any query on renovation, finding tools and materials try www.renovateinfrance.co.uk . I’m sure if there is something he cannot answer he will know someone who can.”
Judi Caddy