Asbestos in old French property

It pays to be aware of risk. A Vendor selling a property in France must provide various risk assessments to support the sale. These form part of the purchase documentation, it’s a legal necessity. If they are missing or outside the legal period of validity it is possible to withdraw from the sale or try and negotiate a price reduction.

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Asbestos is common in roofs

If you’re buying to renovate a property not all risks are deal-breakers, Asbestos, for example, is often found in old buildings. It was banned in 1997 but the removal of asbestos is not always mandatory. What is most important is not to disturb it if possible. If your renovation project requires the removal of asbestos then it must be done by a specialist company. We would normally do this during the early demolition stage before actual renovation works begin.

“ We can leave asbestos in place if this is the recommendation of the expert.”

— renosud

Asbestos was widely used and incorporated into a vast array of manufactured construction products for its longevity, structural stability and fire retardant properties before its health implications were fully understood. As a result, it is near impossible to buy an old character property and not find some asbestos based components in the building. The graphic above shows just how prevalent it was in construction. The most common sources as seen by renosud over many years of complex renovation works in France are:

• Roof panels

• Pipes And ducts

The cost of asbestos removal

The overall costs on asbestos removal work includes different typical rates for different types of removal and also includes the actual cost of disposal itself. Below are some typical costs which will normally form part of an overall quotation for asbestos removal works.

Roof asbestos

Roof asbestos removal work is quite complex and requires much more attention and caution on the part of the professional, as it is carried out at height, and therefore the risk of proliferation is high. The price of a roof asbestos removal is estimated at around €50m2 but there is a cheaper and more practical alternative which consists of covering it with a bitumen coating to prevent the fibres from spreading where possible.However, in most cases removing roof asbestos panels is part of a complete roof cover replacement where given the choice, its best to remove it entirely.

Cladding, partitioning and covering materials

Asbestos is often found in cladding, partitioning and covering materials, in pipes, ducts or elements assembled by gluing. Some of these are fixed by means of staples, bolts or screws and others are ‘sealed’ in a masonry support, such as render or coating as an additive at the time of application. To remove asbestos, two methods are used: mechanical degradation by breaking or drilling and cutting. Whatever technique is chosen protection measures are important. Removing asbestos in the form of cladding and covering materials costs around €35m2.

Waste disposal after works

When asbestos removal work is completed, all waste must be sorted, collected and secured before being transported to a waste disposal centre specialising in the treatment of asbestos. The cost of this waste management varies according to the type of waste. Type 1 waste is the most dangerous, i.e. waste containing asbestos or waste that has been exposed to asbestos. Type 2 waste, on the other hand, is ordinary demolition spoils not containing or exposed to the asbestos during the works. The cost of managing type 1 waste is estimated at between €300 and €500 per tonne and type 2 waste around €40 euros per m3.

Concrete swimming pools - a wise investment

Nothing beats a structural concrete pool for investment value

renosud summer kitchen and covered pool terrace - There’s more to a pool area than just the pool

“It is one of only a few things you can do which will immediately pay for itself and add profit from the moment it’s finished.”

Long-lasting and durable, there’s one very good reason to add a pool.

Think about when you last rented a summer holiday property. Chances are, like most, you skipped past most properties without a pool. When the temperature hits 35° the first thing you head for is the cool of the pool. Add children or a group of friends, and the pool becomes an essential part of the South of France experience. It’s no surprise then that if your French property doubles as a holiday rental, adding a pool will greatly increase your bookings and revenue.

A concrete swimming pool is the number one investment intervention.

renosud concrete pool 11m x 5m & complete LANDSCAPING

What is not fully appreciated is the investment value of a quality pool. It is one of the only few things you can do which will immediately pay for itself and add profit from the moment it’s finished. There are very few things you can do to add better value. A pool will not only increase the value of the property but also its desirability and that’s important if you ever want to sell up. When somebody is contrasting properties to buy the one with a quality pool will have a desirable edge, making it sell fast and for usually for a better price.

Upgrading bathrooms and kitchens certainly add value, but they are often open to aesthetic taste. What you loved may be ripped out by somebody else. By contrast, a pool is always a winner but be careful to make sure you balance the relative merits of price versus outcome. Cheap can come with nasty surprises and as usual, you get exactly what you pay for.

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Quality is the key - but what constitutes quality versus price?

This blog post is about concrete swimming pools because, from an investment and quality perspective, when correctly designed and built they remain the best choice. But to evaluate what constitutes quality we need to understand the relative differences between pool types.

Choose carefully and try to afford the best

Above-ground pools

Above ground pools are the least expensive. They come in various qualities and some can even be partially in ground or can be decoratively integrated into a landscape. Some self-assembly pools are practical and affordable and can last a few years or more. However, even though the best types may last several years, most people know and accept that an above ground pool is an economic trade-off for the real thing. An in-ground permanent pool.

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Advantages

• Cost effective

• Quick to install

Disadvantages

• Limited life

• Difficult to aesthetically integrate

• Looks like what it is

Budget

• €1500-10,000+

In ground - polyester pools

The first serious level of in-ground pool are the pre-fabricated variety. Durable and convenient these types of pools can cost 50% or more less than a structural concrete pool equivalent. Usually made of polyester or Vinyl ester resin and pre manufactured to a range of sizes and shapes, they are quick to install. There can be problems with these types of pool if not correctly located and fitted. They are prone to move. Remember one cubic metre of water weighs one tonne. A 8 x 5 pool filled can weigh as much as 45 tonnes. If the pool structure is not ‘packed’ and seated correctly a full pool can tilt or move snapping or straining the plumbing connections below ground. This can sometime occur months or years later after settlement in and around the pool hole construction.

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Advantages

• Costs less than a concrete pool

• Relatively easy to install [by a professional]

• Many shapes and sizes available

Disadvantages

• For most models, there must be vehicular access to crane it into place

• Limited life but usually min 15 years

• Prone to move if not properly installed causing leaks

Budget

• €10,000 - 40,000+

In ground structural concrete pools

To fully appreciate an investment in a structural concrete pool you must first understand the difference in construction. A concrete pool is a significant and serious construction in its own right. It is not a formed plastic shape simply placed in a hole in the ground. Made of reinforced concrete it has an almost indefinite life, is super durable and is the ultimate aesthetic look. Nothing compares to the quality, durability and style of a real concrete pool. It costs more but will outlast everything else, and look better.

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Rensoud concrete pool in construction - steel, then more steel.

Formed in place, often with concrete blocks used as ‘moulds’, the strength and durability of a concrete pool lies in the rebar [steel] configuration. Once constructed it adds structural elegance to the external landscape and is an instant indicator of quality and execution. Concrete pools always look best carefully landscaped in place.

Advantages

• The most desirable option for high quality execution

• Extremely durable

• Any shape and even in tight spaces as it is built by-hand

Disadvantages

• Cost - requires an investment mindset

• Must be built by an insured pool professional

• Requires a ground-survey and engineering plans for correct execution

Budget

• €45,000-€65,000 min

• +€100,000 for large complex pools