Tips and tricks for cleaning old French brickwork Columnist Nick Inman says it can be a thing of wonder if treated properly
French DIY stores reorganise as people reduce home projects Several factors, including cost, have been blamed
Why authentic sand is so crucial in restoring a French farmhouse Columnist Nick Inman realises that finding the right shade of lime mortar is not so straightforward
practical How recycling old sand for restoration work looks quintessentially French Columnist Nick Inman reveals an environmentally-friendly way to disguise new building work in his old French farmhouse
How I found a creative outlet for my French barn Columnist Nick Inman discovered that turning it into a exhibition space took more work than he predicted
The reality of restoring an ancient fa莽ade in France Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse
Fitting new gates on a French driveway does not have to be hard work Nick Inman completes his project with a little help
A brick-by-brick guide to making rustic-style French gateposts Nick Inman disguises a new fixture as something centuries-old
Where can I find cheap DIY tools in France? We also review whether second-home owners can bring tools to France from abroad
Opinion: Another week off 鈥� how I love living in France One of the many things I adore about the French is their attitude to time off.
What are the costs and rules for DIY home solar panel kits in France? The number of those choosing to install solar panels themselves is increasing
Noisy chickens, chimneys, renovations: French property round up Our pick of property stories you may have missed
From 鈧�135,000: Five renovation projects to give grand homes in France These properties just need some love (and money) to restore them to their former glory
Sellers responsible for DIY defects in French home after sale A seller is liable to pay compensation if completed works are later found to be faulty, confirms court
Progress on French DIY tortoise house is slow and steady... Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse
Leroy Merlin voted France鈥檚 favourite DIY shop: do you agree? A 2021 survey found that the store was a long way ahead of competitors for helping people find items they need for home projects
French farmhouse DIY on a budget: Quick bathroom makeover ideas Writer Nick Inman explains how a daring new colour scheme brought seaside chic to the space
DIY: Upcycling pallets keeps costs down on French farmhouse renovation Ladders, gabions and even a bar are among thrifty and creative ideas for repurposing wooden pallets
French renovation: family DIY project saves money on garden gates When shop-bought gates were too expensive, Nick Inman got the whole family involved in his latest woodwork creations
DIY car port adds beauty to retired builder鈥檚 French home We follow how a car port project went from planning permission refusal to beautifully finished labour of love
DIY: Check the price of cement in France and bag a better deal Nick Inman discovered he had been paying his trusted, local supplier over the odds for a bag of cement - he challenged the manager and got a surprising response
French DIY: My mission to build a cost-effective garden pergola After losing his box hedge to caterpillars, Nick Inman attempts to revive his garden by taking on the challenge of a DIY pergola
Cost of home DIY projects rises due to shortages: should you delay? We share tips for households thinking of starting works
Repair Caf茅s: a way to save broken items from the bin in France There are now 400 such venues in France. We visited one in Nice to see how it works
French farmhouse renovation unearths tools that tell everyday history Writer Nick Inman would rather dig up an ox-drawn plough blade than a Roman mosaic - and enlists the local heritage association to help
France lockdown: Are DIY shops still open? DIY shops were open during France's first lockdown in spring - and are on the list of essential business which can stay open this time too
France lockdown: Can I go to a home/garden shop 50km away? Shopping for essentials is permitted, with no travel or time limits
Do 鈥榯rade descriptions鈥� laws exist against selling items under weight? The general principle is that the quantity sold should be at least equal to that advertised and the legal tolerances are higher for items sold in small quantities than for larger volumes
French farmhouse renovation: Installing a gable window Faced with a gaping hole in his French barn, Nick Inman decides to install a gable window. Only problem? It is 7.5m from the floor
French farmhouse renovation: How to install cobblestones Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he shares how best to lay a cobbled garden area
French farmhouse renovation: Concreting a barn floor Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about transforming a barn floor for a wedding day
What is in my DIY toolbox after 18 years in France? Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he reveals his DIY toolbox after 18 years鈥� trial and error
DIY tips for French farmhouse renovation: Where to get help? Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about where to find DIY advice
DIY tips for French farmhouse renovation: respect the basics Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. Here he talks about mixing DIY with creativity
DIY tips for French farmhouses: how to cover tiles Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. In the October print edition, he talks about covering up tiles, and whether or not to do so.
Green grants and tax credits for French homes Grants and tax credits are available for people insulating their homes or taking other environmental measures, such as putting in solar panels or cleaner heating boilers, but they come at a cost...
Selling self-renovated French home: faults found on sale Reader question, answered: we鈥檙e renovating a home. What comeback falls on us if we sell and a fault is found with work we did ourselves?
Understanding electricity in French homes: DIY tips Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse. In the September print edition, he talks about how you can get to grips with French electricity.
Tips for renovating roof timbers in a French farmhouse Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse by himself.
France confinement: Are DIY goods 鈥榥ecessary items鈥�? Since confinement was imposed in France on March 17, and all 鈥渘on-essential鈥� shops were closed, there have been further questions about what police consider 鈥渆ssential鈥�. We answer a question on DIY goods.
Covid-19 in France: The shops and brands still trading A number of brands in France - including Nicolas, Interflora, and Castorama - are finding creative ways to continue serving customers in safety despite the government-ordered shutdown.
Tips for buying a rainwater tank in France A wide variety of rainwater tanks can be bought, with farmers鈥� supply shops often having the best prices.
French farmhouse renovation - roof window Nick Inman charts the ups and downs ofdoing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Fitting a roof window need not be a hole lot of trouble
French farmhouse renovation - November 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Plastic fantastic plumbing
French farmhouse renovation - April 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he explains the trick to understanding how an old house was built
French farmhouse renovation - May 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he talks candidly about sanitary issues and the dirty secret of a septic tank owner
French farmhouse renovation - July 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating an old French farmhouse. This month: know your cement and lime mixes
French farmhouse renovation - August 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: the secret life of French shutters
French farmhouse renovation - September 2019 Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself with tips and information he has learned renovating a French farmhouse. This month: Know your roof - and understand its philosophy
What self-build dreamers in France need to know People decide to build new houses or convert barns for many different reasons.
How to learn language of French 'bricolage' Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, he discusses how to find the right advice
Ultimate DIY equation RE: The article 鈥� How to decide if you should do it yourself 鈥� (Connexion, February 2019, see here).
Seek answers to restoration queries and ye shall find Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of doing it himself in our regular column... here, the difference between a renovation and a restoration
Quick reliable help at home If you need a tradesperson urgently to fix a leak or mend a broken lock, then the website mesdepanneurs.fr could help.
How to decide if you should do it yourself Thinking about having work done on your home? The first, most crucial, question is: can you do it yourself? The second question is: should you, or would it be wiser to call a professional?
DIY in France: ladders and scaffolding Mistakes and ladders... building a new life as a budding artisan. Some buyers fear renovation but others welcome it... our writer Nick Inman has a foot in both camps, as he tells in this first of a series of articles
Building a new life as a budding artisan Some buyers fear renovation but others welcome it... our writer Nick Inman has a foot in both camps, as he tells in this first of a series of articles
Tour on avoiding DIY accidents launches in France The first national 鈥渢our鈥� on how to avoid DIY accidents at home is launching today (Friday October 5) across France.
DIY repairs... if you dare People often think it is cheaper to throw away broken appliances and gadgets and buy replacements rather than pay for missing parts or repair.
Cheap pallets can make an ideal DIY shed Continuing our series on becoming self-sufficient one step at a time, we look at one of the best-known features of most gardens... the shed
Save money by using a DIY garage Car maintenance costs continue to rise year on year and with the new stricter Contr么le Technique starting on May 20 (131 points will be checked as opposed to 123 now) they are likely to rise again but there are ways to keep them in check
You can go far with a cello and a woodworking machine Sue Evans and husband Mark found their hobbies came in useful when they moved to Tarn-et-Garonne
Learn DIY repairs and save a packet Repairing household appliances instead of buying new ones could save you a LOT of money...
Workshops help fix your machines Workshops to teach people how to repair their own white and electrical goods are proving a success
