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Professional Management Renovation & Design
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Project Managing
Modern house renovation or construction is exciting because it is like taking an empty shell and pouring in ideas: every person is their own architect. I personally find it both essential and fascinating to be constantly on the lookout for new technologies, materials and designs for the client to choose from. Integrating passive heating and cooling principles into house projects – such as using roof angles to provide shade in summer and sunlight in the cooler months, special solar- control windows, solar chimneys (which evacuate hot air in summer) – will, I am convinced, develop into a major trend. A wealth of new materials matched by vastly increased enthusiasm among the tradesmen for innovative practises mean that the possibilities offered by a decent budget are virtually unlimited.
A note of caution
however. There are many potential pitfalls. While many architects,
tradesmen, suppliers and administrative staff often have more than
Further difficulties are obtaining planning permission, ensuring that the correct VAT guidelines are applied (for houses over 2 years old, if the correct conditions are met, the VAT tax is only 5.5%, a huge saving over the standard 19.6%), unravelling often intricate procedures to obtain grants and tax credits (environmental incentives in particular are increasingly available as the French state seeks to fulfil its European commitments) and, above all, ensuring that the work is completed on time, on budget and to the expected quality and beauty of finish. These are the project manager’s tasks. Carrying out preparatory research, drawing up plans, sourcing materials, negotiating quotes then ensuring that the tradesmen co-ordinate with each other smoothly requires an often daily presence on site, on-call availability, good relations and diplomacy with all concerned, and the skill and knowledge to make quick decisions. The result is that perfect house you’d always wanted, the house of your dreams.
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Renovating or
building a house has never been so challenging, interesting, and rewarding.
As a professional project manager, I am constantly amazed by just how much
the sector has evolved in the past 20 years. When I moved to France from the
Borders Region of Scotland in 1990, a house was hardly more intricate than
four reasonably straight walls and a roof – more exotic designs seemed to be
reserved for the super wealthy on the Mediterranean coast. Now, however,
medium priced projects can be wonderfully original creations, combining
beautiful stonework and character with modernity, essential warmth and
comfort. Bringing out traditional character features (such as the lovely
stone sinks - éviers, mangers, wall cupboards or beams) is as much a
priority as integrating cost-effective renewable energy power sources,
under-floor heating, extensive well-lit rooms with extra-large windows and
doors, vastly improved wall and roof insulation and equipment to match.
Thankfully, the traditional box shape is decidedly outdated – nowadays, we
wish to live both in and around our houses, and building practices are
tending to reflect this preference. Swimming pools, gardens, lawns or
outdoor barbeque areas are no longer simply add-ons, their location and
orientation is conceived from the outset, resulting in a far more pleasant,
extensive and flowing living area. 
just a
sprinkling of English, it can be very difficult to explicitly convey precise
information, ideas and instructions. This confusion can lead to horrendous
(and expensive) messes, especially if the owner resides in the UK. No one is
truly to blame but these can cause frustration, delay, upset and loss of
money. Maintaining a dialogue between the trades and the owners is, I feel,
perhaps the biggest single contribution a project manager can make to
successful building or renovation work. (While employing British workers
is an option, there is far less choice, with the result that, overall,
French artisans are far more knowledgeable and boast a greater affinity and
experience with the local materials).