Building Work in France

 

I try to answer all mail I get, a lot is asking me about moving to France or getting work in France – when there is something which may be of interest to others, I publish them in my blog. This came in today.

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Hello Tony and Family,
 I would be grateful if you could tell me what are the possibilities of work for an  53 yr old ‘fit’ carpenter. I have a wide experience of house building gained over the many years of living and working in the UK and Ireland and even a short spell in Brittany. I am very capable at brickwork , block work stonework, I can roof almost any type of house and finish carpentry is my trade anyway. I am very experienced in Groundworks from setting out for excavations to laying all services and pipeworks.
My wife and 11 year old girl(who absolutely adores dogs ,and has 3 little terriers) are probably less enthusiastic than I, but given the right area(we live in the countryside ) the may be for turning.
We have our own house here which we would have to sell or rent, but could look at that down the road.

I would be very much appreciate any advice you have to offer.

Yours sincerely
Michael
Ireland

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Hello Michael,

I have write a lot about working in in my newsletters and blogs, you can see these notes in the archives at http://www.nizas.com/newsletters/archives/
There is building work in France and skilled trades are valued – the techniques are substantially different to the UK, but this i not a problem for a craftsman.
The problem is the need to register with the authorities - penalties for illegal working or not issuing invoices can be high and working illegally has many risks and will not get a good wage. However – getting a job with a building company is very difficult as most builders are very reluctant to have employees due to the high social charges and employee benefits imposed.
There are a large number of “general” builders and “odd-jobbers” in France – most are voslute rubbish and many are dangerous – the good ones are in high demand and it is all “word of mouth” in the non French community – the French people generally prefer to only use French workers.
My advice is to come and stay in France for a while – at least a couple of months to see how things are – do you speak French?
Hope this helps a little
Tony

 

About tony

Blogging about life in France since 1997 and running vacation apartments and BandB in the south of France keeps me busy (and poor)
This entry was posted in Building in France, Business in France, French life, fruk, Living in France and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to Building Work in France

  1. laura cruz says:

    I enjoy your e-mail very much Tony. I don’t plan on coming to France for about 3 years, but I’m sure that will fly quickly. My mother was french, and I have all the paperwork I need, but I’m told my best bet is to hire a french lawyer to get all the important papers translated. I do have a means to support myself, not rich, but carefully I can be ok. I enjoy all your time and effort, the information is invaluable. I have cousins scattered all over France and my sister just went over there. I’ve forwarded your e-mail to my brother-in-law also as he too is planning on a move also. . This e-mail you send out is like keeping on the pulse of France which I whole heartedly love. I have numerous friends that want to come, but are afraid, but I think sending your e-mail to them and keeping in touch it will make it easier for them to visit France.

  2. tony says:

    Hi Laura
    When you come you don’t rely need a lawyer – you will need some official translations and this can be done by – an official translator (of course) you can find these in yellow pages.

    My advice, once you have decided where to live, is to talk direct to the local Mairie – they will tell you what you need, what papers and required etc and can make things very simple and straightforward – the opposite is also true, they can, very rarely, be ‘difficult’ if they are, don’t move there, go to another place.

    Keep in touch and let me know if I can help (especially with accommodation)

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