Anyone had experience of renovating houses in France?

With the oldest at uni and her indoors busy with a new business venture I fancy picking up a bargain old barn or house and doing it up. Ive been looking in the Limousin region as it has such good access to the UK from Limoges airport and £30K will get you a derelict barn with consent for conversion.

Im quite handy and have renovated in the UK. The language shouldn't be too much of a problem as I can get by.

Anyone else had a go?

Cheers

Brad FF 4.4 V8 Soooo looking forward to this bad boy
Ex 2006 RRS SC - garbage
Ex 2016 135i M Sport - dream car
Ex 2003 RS6 Avant - piece of cr*p
Ex 2014 320d X Drive, M Sport Touring - ok I guess
Ex 2007 RRS TDV8 - bloody loved it
EX 2007 FL2 XS - not so bad

ive watched enough grand design and such like to know that it can be a complete nightmare, as the person that controls the planning consent is the local mayor, you need to get on the good side of him first - and get a local property lawyer as they will know all the loopholes and stuff, have a look on this site for more info
http://www.barnsinfrance.co.uk/

cheers
dave MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

I'd go with Dave on this one..I considered building my own villa in Cyprus but eventually bought a resale which with hindsight was the right thing to do as I know many people that have done it the other way and regretted the whole experience...Don't know too much about the legal /planning system in France but can't imagine its straightforward I do know property is cheaper in the Limousin region and I'm sure you could get good value on a farmhouse there that needs little done to it, get the right one and you can start using it straight away for holidays

Thanks for the replies.

Ive been doing a bit more research over the last couple of days. While £30k will buy you a shell of a barn to convert, build costs can be very high especially if there are no services already connected.

I am looking at old farmhouses to renovate rather than barns because of this and may 'jump into bed' with an architect friend to share costs. Ive also found a UK law firm who specialise soley in buying and selling French property and hope to speak to them soon.

Special rates for holiday rentals for Forum members when its coverted !! FF 4.4 V8 Soooo looking forward to this bad boy
Ex 2006 RRS SC - garbage
Ex 2016 135i M Sport - dream car
Ex 2003 RS6 Avant - piece of cr*p
Ex 2014 320d X Drive, M Sport Touring - ok I guess
Ex 2007 RRS TDV8 - bloody loved it
EX 2007 FL2 XS - not so bad

Book me in!!!

me too!! , usually do alternate years france/italy through "owners direct" , with them you deal direct with the owner who then give a percentage to the website.

cheers
dave MY10 TDV6 SE (debadged ), Santorini Black, Flappy paddles, Privacy Glass, 20" Stormers, Mudflaps!

Gone: a comprehensive list of imprezas and a Merc ML AMG

Yeah count me in too!!

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Low rental to forum members, with other costs charged by the hotel, i.e. food, laundry, transfers etc.

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