Which Survey?

The principal service offered is a Pre-Purchase Survey. This is ideally undertaken after you have received verbal agreement to your offer and before a ‘Compromis de Vente’ is drawn up. This type of inspection is generally known in France as an ‘Audit Technique du Batiment’. James offers this service with two levels of reporting; both include the same careful inspection of:-

Structure, Walls, Foundations, floors, ceilings, stairs, windows and doors, exposed timbers, roof carpentry, roof covering, drainage and sewerage and services.

A) Summary condition report (akin to a U.K.’ home-buyers survey): -

Deficiencies, defects, anomalies and non-conformity highlighted, put into context and explained.

Cross-references to high quality photographs.

A verbal appraisal given the same day of inspection if practical.

( N.B. this service is only available within zone 1 of the area covered - see map)

B) Complete appraisal including all the above, plus: -

Comments in respect of condition are qualified, where future attention is advised.

Solutions and remedial action is suggested where appropriate.

Boundaries, access, land drainage examined.

Impact of local infrastructure projects discussed.

Health and safety issues such as swimming pool safety highlighted.

Vendor’s mandatory diagnostic reports reviewed, explained and put into context.

Fees

Charges are dependent on such factors as the size (habitable surface area) of the house, the number of storeys, its location (distance travelled), whether it is occupied (furnished) and whether outbuildings are to be included. Please provide this and any other relevant information with photos and agent’s particulars if available, when requesting a quotation.

The level of fees is not dissimilar to what you might expect to pay for the equivalent professional service in the U.K.

Optional extras:-

A ‘guide to value’ can be appended to either of the above at a modest additional charge.

A feasibility study into the clients proposed structural alterations can be appended to report B. An additional charge for this option may be made depending on the complexity and extent of the project.

Clients’ particular needs are always accommodated, so some flexibility to the above is only to be expected. A fixed fee quote is always agreed prior to the inspection.

Specified inspections

Where clients have a particular aspect of their property that needs analysis and remedy, an inspection can be arranged on a consultation basis. This service might for example concern subsidence issues, damp or timber infestation, modification of roof timbers prior to conversion or sewerage and land drainage problems. Fees are always agreed in advance.

Pre-renovation surveys. This will normally take place prior to the planning stage, if approval is required, and is more than just a feasibility study. James has had experience in the total renovation of a Chateau and Manoir as well as a new build villa, and his knowledge of procedure and French building practice can help clients avoid some of the pitfalls he had to learn the hard way. This service is normally requested after acquisition but can of course be added to the complete pre-purchase appraisal.

Valuations

As an added option to the pre-purchase survey, a ‘guide to value’ taking into account the condition of the property can be given at a modest additional cost.

In addition to the ‘guide to value’ as above, James undertakes the following formal valuations: -

Formal valuation for banks and mortgage lenders ‘valeur venale’, for either purchase or re-mortgage.

Single-joint expertise for county courts. (divorce proceedings etc.)

Commercial property appraisal and valuation.

Planning Matters

James can advise on planning and zoning issues.  Clients with renovation, extension or convertion projects will invariably need planning consent.  A full service comprising measured drawings and the formulation and submission of applications is undertaken by Tom Latter in conjunction with his architect partner. This service includes:-

Certificat d’Urbanisme

Declaration prealable (new version of the ‘declaration de travaux)

Demande de Permis de Constuire

Demande de Demolition

Modified or Retrospective

This service, which has seen many satisfied British clients realise their projects in a timely and cost effective way, is pursued with diligence and procedural correctness.

James is registered in France, siret no 438 774 051 00017 and insured through the C.N.E.I. with Lloyds S.A.

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