beal

iTrader: (1)

I have the oppertunity to renovate a house in Brest,just wondering about the implications tax wise,advice appreciated.

markGT

The first question I would ask you is are you French registered? If not then you would be effectively working on the black which is illegal. The implications could be that you and the owner of the property could be heavily find and could also be jailed. The French authorities are cracking down very heavily on British workers coming over to France and working on the black.

Secondly building regulations are very different in France. For instance ring main circuits are illegal, as is a lot of roofing work that is normal practice in England. Pipe dimensions for plumbing are also different in France. If the property is a complete renovation then the owner will need certain building permissions by the local authorities. Once these have been applied for, the building will be inspected to make sure it complies with French regulations.

Also from the owners point of view, if he has work done by a none French artisan, apart from having no guarantees, he well end up with a property that no one would touch, assuming the owner wants to sell within in ten years.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. However if you are just plastering a few walls and doing some tiling, take no notice of the above.

As for tax, you will have to declare the earnings to the country where you are resident.

Hope the above helps.

tanyatriangles

iTrader: (2)

Hmmmmmmm, I'm not sure about doing ANY paid work out there, tbh, without a SIRET number which is basically your registration as an artisan.

Without it, you are "on the black", as they say, and can run foul of large fines, even imprisonment........and be warned, the locals WILL grass you up, as will many expats who employ registered artisans.

You will effectively have no insurance cover, so should you be injured, or cause any damage, YOU would be liable, as would your employer.
Your employer, likewise runs the risk of fines, even imprisonmant, and of being told to undo any illegal work.

Unless you can get registered, (and there is a LOT of red tape), I'd forget it.

As mentioned, electrtics are a whole new ball-game compared with the UK, not only are ring-mains illegal, but so is UK twin and earth, and everything is protected by multiple RCDs and circuit breakers, and double pole ones at that.

Most plumbing has to be brased because of higher water pressures, (up to 10 bar is common), and regulations abound.

beal

iTrader: (1)

Good god!!does'nt sound worth the hassle..
But i think it only some drylining and plastering,so i should get away with that surely(it's my brothers boss(english)

markGT

As I said in my ealier post you should be ok if thats all you are doing. Where people run in to a lot of problems is where they are having complete renovations done. I've seen EDF pull main circuit breakers to plonkers who have had ring mains put in!

I've worked and lived in France for nearly six years. I run a number of estate agencies and dabble in property development. I wouldn't employ anybody that isn't French registered i.e. has a SIRET number from the local prefecture. It can take up to eight months to become a French registered artisan, the French do like their red tape.

Good luck with the dry lining

beal

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the comments

TopBanana

Have you been there? It's a hole IMHO

beal

iTrader: (1)

Not yet....The lady who owns the property is going to fly me over there to have a look.