French Restoration The Pleasures And Perils of Renovating a Property in France

This work is a charming and informative account of renovating a property in France. When you fall in love common sense flies out of the window. This is how it was for David and Doris Johnson when they found a down-at-heel mini chateau in the heartland of France. A three year restoration began - and with it a journey of discovery. French property expert Clive Kristen was drawn to the subject immediately. This is the amusing and instructional story of the Johnson's restoration, written to help others wanting to embark on their own French renovation. CONTENTS: The reason for the book A renovation story A word about language 1. Preparations 2. House hunting 3. The builder 4. Formalities 5. Moving in 6. Beginning the restoration 7. A history lesson 8. Plaster and politics 9. Etiquette and the septic tank 10. Gardens and shutters 11. A load of old codgers 12. The log burner 13. Pumpkins and prices 14. Hardcore and the five feeds 15. The case of the missing tiles 16. A mouse trap 17. A Harley at the party 18. The Auf Wiedersehen builders 19. French kissing 20. One wedding and a bedroom 21. Remembrance day 22. Big strong boys 23. The peasant economy 24. Charente Christmas 25. The wheelbarrow trick 26. the 70th celebration 27. Fireworks and snails 28. A most secret history 29. Old friends and new 30. Future plans 31. Make a wish 32. Appendices How much does it cost? Utilities Settling in France Managing the removal Health care Motoring Banking in France Taxation Sample projects.Kristen, Clive is the author of 'French Restoration The Pleasures And Perils of Renovating a Property in France', published 2006 under ISBN 9781845280680 and ISBN 1845280687.