There are many things to consider before starting a renovation project:

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Is the basic structure of the property sound? The first consideration of any renovation project has to be about the present structural integrity of the original construction. Checks for subsidence, walls that may be out of shape, wood rot/infestation, the condition of support beams and many other considerations not least, the condition of the roof. There is little point in putting money and effort in to renovating a property that has basic structural problems until those problems have been addressed. We at Normandy Building Services will carry out these checks as part of the renovation service that we offer to our clients.

Will the project require planning permission or other legal considerations?
Some or all aspects or your renovation may require that you seek permission from a governmental department before any construction work is allowed to begin. Any changes to the property such as moving/enlarging windows, adding dormer windows or other alterations may require permission. It would be unwise to make changes to a property without checking this first. As part of any renovation work that we undertake we can help our clients in making applications to obtain the necessary permission that may be required to begin your project.

Services?
You will need to give full consideration to plumbing, waste, and electrical installations. Some older properties may not have mains water or a connection to the main electricity supply, in which case arrangements will have to be made obtain these services. Properties in remote areas are unlikely to be connected to a main sewerage system so a septic tank system will have to be installed or if one should already exist it may need modernising to adhere to the latest regulations under French law.

Where do we start?
This depends entirely on the scale of the project that you will undertake. A full renovation will require careful planning and project management, whereas some work can be undertaken with the minimum of preparation. Producing a good set of plans for the project is recommended and in some cases absolutely necessary where a project requires planning permission. As with any project the organisation of labour and the timing of the the different aspects of your renovation is paramount to successfully completing a project on time and within budget. You will be wasting money if the plasterer is unable to complete a job because the electricians have not completed their job, because the carpenter has yet to finish a partition wall. By allowing Normandy Building Services to undertake all or part of your renovation project management, you will be able to effectively communicate your requirements in English so there is no misunderstanding.