On the subject of shopping for a second residence in France, it’s important to contemplate not simply the situation, but in addition the quantity of labor, in addition to the price, of upkeep. It could actually make it onerous to search out the right property, and an increasing number of patrons are contemplating a distinct possibility – these knowledgeable ideas for creating a perfect second residence in France will make sure you spend extra time having fun with your self and fewer time working to keep up your property.
Your dream home in France
Home hunters shortly be taught that they’ll have to compromise on their want record, whether or not it’s location, the variety of bedrooms or the quantity of labor required. However as a substitute of ‘we may make this work’, why not make it precisely proper?
“France is a incredible place for a second residence,” says Tom Easdown, a French-registered architect and MD of French Plans, based in 2002. “There’s every little thing from snowy mountains to the Mediterranean, metropolitan cities to swathes of countryside the place you may’t see a single neighbour. You’re virtually assured to discover a location that fits you, however that doesn’t imply you’ll discover your ideally suited property.
“Most patrons discover a property that ticks a few of the packing containers and settle for that they’ll should compromise on the remaining. As an architect, designing your individual residence appears completely logical to me, however many individuals don’t even think about it.”
One of many causes patrons don’t think about designing their very own house is that they think about it’s past their price range, however Tom explains that the alternative could be true.
Professional ideas for creating a perfect second residence in France
“Primarily, your want record turns into a specification record. By designing your individual residence, each penny of your price range goes into constructive actions. You’re not spending cash reshaping or adapting an current property, making an attempt to make it what you need. You’re additionally avoiding potential bills similar to discovering rotten timbers beneath the plasterboard, defective electrics or sanitation that doesn’t meet necessities.
“We may also help with your complete course of. From the primary steps of discovering the correct space and plot to commissioning dependable tradesmen and the ending touches of cost-efficient lighting, an architect-designed residence can deal with getting you the most effective worth for cash. And once you’re working with a bilingual group from the start, there’s no stress with the paperwork, as a result of, hopefully, there are not any surprises” says Tom.
“Usually, patrons underestimate how a lot upkeep is required on a property even when no one resides there. Simply take into consideration all these minor jobs you do with out actually fascinated about it: sweeping leaves, fixing gates or shutters, touching up paintwork and clearing gutters or drains.
“There are set guidelines to contemplate with a second residence, as an example – keep away from flat roofs, as these require common, ongoing upkeep: they is perhaps cheaper to construct however, significantly with a vacation residence, it’s a false economic system. Home windows, the façade, guttering, wastewater and extra must be thought-about. As an example in lots of rural areas, chances are you’ll not have entry to a primary sewer system, and a personal drainage system will must be put in and maintained. We’ll discover a solution to make issues give you the results you want.”
Heating your French residence
Greater than 65% of our power payments (ADEME) goes on heating alone. Which means your selection of heating and the standard of insulation are very important to managing prices. It’s particularly vital with a second residence that can’t depend on residual warmth.
“Thermal efficiency and insulation are key components of any new design,” agrees Tom. “Most with second houses simply need to flip up and revel in being right here as quickly as they arrive, not spend the most effective a part of every week getting the home as much as temperature. Ideally, you’ll set up a heating system that reacts immediately in case you’re turning up out of the blue, or a wise system you can activate remotely.
“We additionally information purchasers via the correct insulation, which is an important resolution on second houses. Select effectively, and even when your own home has been empty for a number of weeks it won’t be as chilly, so it can warmth up extra shortly – which saves you cash.
“In lots of components of France, the local weather implies that you’ll want to consider how you retain your own home cool. Once more, getting the preliminary design proper, siting the home to face the most effective path, understanding insulation and selecting the most effective glazing on your home windows can all make an enormous distinction.”
Measurement isn’t every little thing
How a lot house do you assume you want? Tom and the group, have labored with tons of of British and American purchasers over time, and say that this is likely one of the hardest facets to be real looking about when designing your individual residence.
“The quickest path to low upkeep is simply to construct what you want,” says Tom. “Many people need to maximise our residing house however in case you don’t want two spare bedrooms, why construct them?
“It applies to the skin, too. A lot of our British purchasers are thrilled to discover a plot that may give them an enormous backyard, as a result of land comes at such a premium within the UK. Nonetheless, all these acres should be maintained and in case you’re not residing there, the land shortly turns into overgrown and unmanageable. Do you actually need to spend the primary week of each go to clearing the weeds and strimming grass? Wouldn’t you fairly be unpacked and having fun with the sunshine?”
Future-proof your second residence in France
“Future-proofing your house is about anticipating future wants so you may construct a house that may give you the results you want long run. This may embrace designing a house you may proceed to dwell there past the purpose the place you may not go upstairs. We’ve had a couple of of those requests lately, both for brand spanking new properties or for adapting floor flooring and creating walk-in moist rooms.”
If you design a low-maintenance second residence in France – it’s a singular alternative to create one thing that’s good for you.
To search out out extra about designing your individual low-maintenance property in France, go to French Plans, the place you’ll additionally discover free guides and useful data.
