Services
Question
time
The services that CPA provides
Fees
How the suveyors can help with the different aspects of buying and
renovating a French property:
It is likely that anyone, who is
thinking of buying a
property in France, has many questions. Here at CPA we feel that you
should be
able to
ask CPA your questions, also when you have (not yet) decided to use our
services.
We can assure you that you will get independent and objective answers.
To give you that opportunity, CPA holds a free telephone surgery once a week and you are invited to contact us. We only ask you to book your call in advance. For more information, please visit the Question time page.
To give you that opportunity, CPA holds a free telephone surgery once a week and you are invited to contact us. We only ask you to book your call in advance. For more information, please visit the Question time page.
The services that CPA provides
CPA has access to the French network
of fellow Experts Bâtiment. As a result, CPA can provide services
in every French region.
| Please click the links below for
more information. Surveys - Find out the condition of that French property. Solutions / Assistance - For your technical questions after the survey. Valuations - How much is that French property really worth? Renovations - How CPA controls the quality and costs. General Inspections - Get the truth about that French property. Is your house for sale? CPA can help you sell it quicker. Click on the CIBI logo for more information. |
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Fees
Unfortunately, CPA cannot be specific
about the fees it charges as
these depend on the type of services, the size of the
property, the amount of work that needs to be done and the location of
the property in France. As a result, the fee for each service will
be calculated individually, taking these factors into account.
CPA always produces a formal quotation for the required work. This quotation contains a description of the requested services, what will be delivered, when, and what the services will cost. It also contains details about guarantees and insurances.
Please visit the Fees page for an indication what CPA charges for its services.
CPA always produces a formal quotation for the required work. This quotation contains a description of the requested services, what will be delivered, when, and what the services will cost. It also contains details about guarantees and insurances.
Please visit the Fees page for an indication what CPA charges for its services.
CPA only uses qualified surveyors.
Surveyors must be registered with
at least one professional organisation such as the
CEIF (Chambre des
Experts Immobiliers France), the RICS and/or the Institute
of Builders.
Being a member of these organisations means that strict rules of appointment apply to the surveyor's professional conduct and, as a result, CPA's surveyors are not only highly qualified, they are also completely independent and objective.
CPA's Technical Manager David Harris, himself a member of the CEIF and the Institute of Builders, is responsible for the quality of the work that CPA's surveyors provide.
Some of the surveyor's tasks:
Surveyors provide detailed information about:
Survey reports will be provided in English or in French.
Being a member of these organisations means that strict rules of appointment apply to the surveyor's professional conduct and, as a result, CPA's surveyors are not only highly qualified, they are also completely independent and objective.
CPA's Technical Manager David Harris, himself a member of the CEIF and the Institute of Builders, is responsible for the quality of the work that CPA's surveyors provide.
Some of the surveyor's tasks:
• investigate the structure, the
condition and the overall quality
of the property
• investigate the quality of the windows, the woodwork, the chimneys, etc.
• flag the presence of any damp, leaks, lead, asbestos, etc.
• check the condition of the electrical wiring, pipes, etc.
• check the available systems such as heating, drainage, etc.
• check if any servitudes apply to the property (e.g. right of way, shared access)
• flag any problems with legal requirements (e.g. fire regulations)
• check if any development plans near the property have been approved / requested
• investigate the quality of the windows, the woodwork, the chimneys, etc.
• flag the presence of any damp, leaks, lead, asbestos, etc.
• check the condition of the electrical wiring, pipes, etc.
• check the available systems such as heating, drainage, etc.
• check if any servitudes apply to the property (e.g. right of way, shared access)
• flag any problems with legal requirements (e.g. fire regulations)
• check if any development plans near the property have been approved / requested
Surveyors provide detailed information about:
• the repairs to the property
that are required (recommended
and/or
essential)
• the work that needs to be done to meet the client's requirements / expectations
• the approximate costs of the suggested repairs
• the anticipated costs of the suggested or desired alterations or improvements
• the proposed sequence of the recommended work would be (if requested)
• the work that needs to be done to meet the client's requirements / expectations
• the approximate costs of the suggested repairs
• the anticipated costs of the suggested or desired alterations or improvements
• the proposed sequence of the recommended work would be (if requested)
Survey reports will be provided in English or in French.
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Information about the the market value of a
property, its condition, the costs of any repairs, etc. is useful
when
negotiating the purchase price of that property, during discussions
with a project leader, or when discussing finances with a bank
(if
required).
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Reporting the
results of a survey is
often not enough.
Clients ask for advice and surveyors will be pleased to present
solutions for specific problems. Some assitance is included in the
services provided. Support tasks that are too time consuming will be
suggested as a new service and CPA will present the client with a
separate quotation.
For example: one of CPA's surveyors discovered that a hotel did not meet the necessary fire regulation standards. As a result, the hotel had to remain closed. The surveyor discussed possible solutions with the authorities (the local fire brigade). The available solutions were proposed to the client, including a cost estimate. The licence to open the hotel was granted.
Surveyors also make recommendations for conversions or renovations, etc. The client will have an indication of the total cost of the completed property before buying that property.
For example: one of CPA's surveyors discovered that a hotel did not meet the necessary fire regulation standards. As a result, the hotel had to remain closed. The surveyor discussed possible solutions with the authorities (the local fire brigade). The available solutions were proposed to the client, including a cost estimate. The licence to open the hotel was granted.
Surveyors also make recommendations for conversions or renovations, etc. The client will have an indication of the total cost of the completed property before buying that property.
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Applications
for planning permission are not always
straightforward. CPA can investigate which conditions must be met by
contacting the local authorities prior to presenting the request. David
Harris is a recognised and accredited specialist in obtaining planning
permissions.
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• by informing the client what
the best way is to carry out remedial
work
• by giving recommendations how to meet the legal requirements
• by giving advise how to apply for planning permission
• by giving advise how to re-apply for refused planning permission
• by chasing the (local) authorities to speed up planning applications
• by providing a planning / scheduling for a conversion or renovation
• by defining the requests for quotations from French builders, decorators, etc. (the artisans)
• by checking the quotations from artisans
• by checking the quality of the work of the artisans
• by offering advice how to deal with artisans
• by determining if a grant is available for the work
• by helping with the request for a grant
• by giving recommendations how to meet the legal requirements
• by giving advise how to apply for planning permission
• by giving advise how to re-apply for refused planning permission
• by chasing the (local) authorities to speed up planning applications
• by providing a planning / scheduling for a conversion or renovation
• by defining the requests for quotations from French builders, decorators, etc. (the artisans)
• by checking the quotations from artisans
• by checking the quality of the work of the artisans
• by offering advice how to deal with artisans
• by determining if a grant is available for the work
• by helping with the request for a grant
CPA provides official valuations of
properties. These can be private
properties or properties that are used to run a business. In case of
the latter, business results (e.g. revenue, profit, goodwill) are taken
into account. These valuations are, as the surveys, accepted by major
banks, insurance companies and the French judiciary.
CPA also carries out combined survey / valuations. This is the best way to determine if purchasing a property is the right decision.
CPA also carries out combined survey / valuations. This is the best way to determine if purchasing a property is the right decision.
CPA's chartered surveyors are experts
in
renovating French properties.
Their knowledge and expertise during a renovation or new built project is invaluable and can prevent costly surprises.
Surveyors can provide advice on every aspect of the project, at any time. These projects can be third party work or a CPA project.
The surveyor's objectivity, independence and local knowledge delivers results: properties will be of a high quality and projects are on schedule and within agreed budget.
Their knowledge and expertise during a renovation or new built project is invaluable and can prevent costly surprises.
Surveyors can provide advice on every aspect of the project, at any time. These projects can be third party work or a CPA project.
The surveyor's objectivity, independence and local knowledge delivers results: properties will be of a high quality and projects are on schedule and within agreed budget.
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The surveyor will be
• dealing with architects
during the
design and planning
• select and deal with project manager • select and negotiate with artisans, where required • manage the work, if required • check the quality of the work and as a result: • recommend to pay or not pay artisans during project • report on progress, at agreed intervals • carry out budget control |
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This is not
a
technical inspection!
The local CPA
consultant will investigate if the information about a property,
provided by the owner,
estate agent(s) or notaire, is correct and complete. Your
decision to travel to that property or to stay home becomes easier.
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Viewing a
property is a
spot-check. The truth may only come out after the property has been
purchased. The consultant will ask the relevant questions about the property and its environment to the neighbours and local council. |
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Inspectors carry
out:
Survey reports will be provided in English or in French.
• On-site check of the general
condition of the
property
• correct and complete the sales information, if necessary
• investigate the location and environment,
• search for hidden problems such as traffic, noise, farms, smells,
• take photographs of property to show reality
• collect information about the local infrastructure and amenities
• investigate if any local development plans have been approved
• investigate if any development plans have been requested
• collect information about local taxes
• correct and complete the sales information, if necessary
• investigate the location and environment,
• search for hidden problems such as traffic, noise, farms, smells,
• take photographs of property to show reality
• collect information about the local infrastructure and amenities
• investigate if any local development plans have been approved
• investigate if any development plans have been requested
• collect information about local taxes
Survey reports will be provided in English or in French.