How much does a French property renovation really cost?

Dreaming of turning a neglected old French property into your perfect home? Here are the average costs to help you plan

Even with careful planning, renovation costs and timescales can often spiral out of control. But having a realistic idea of what the different types of work cost will help you make sure your budget doesn’t overrun too much.

Get several quotes for comparison, and note that it doesn’t always pay to go with the cheapest quote. Make sure everything is included and itemised, so there will be no hidden costs. Any extras that you add in as you go along will of course cost more. And bear in mind that good artisans in France will be booked up so you may have to wait a while.

While costs will vary from area to area, and from builder to builder, an article in Le Figaro has laid out a rough guide to what each job costs in France.

Painting

Budget for around €25-€40/sqm. Prices can vary significantly depending on the paint you choose, but also the condition of your walls. For example, if your decorator needs to fill in holes or strip the walls of wallpaper, it will of course cost more.

New windows

It will cost around €50-€100 for removal, €150-€300 for installation and €100-€1,000 for a double-glazed window. PVC is the most affordable option, then wood and finally aluminum.

New roof

A new roof with insulation will cost an average of €60/sqm. If the timber structure needs to be replaced, budget for around €200/sqm. Again, prices will vary depending on the materials you choose but your roofer should be able to advise you.

Heating

Heating options (and costs) vary widely, from traditional electric and gas central heating to woodburners and eco options. However, for a basic calculation, you should budget around €3,000 for a gas boiler, double that for a wood stove (you can find secondhand bargains too) and between € 5,000 and €10,000 for a heat pump depending on the model.

Electrics

On average, it will cost around €110/sqm to redo the wiring in your home. Once finished, the work should be checked by the Comité national pour la sécurité des usagers de l’électricité, who will give you a certificate of compliance.

Insulation

While adding new insulation to your home may seem an avoidable expense, it will save you money in the long run via energy savings. You may also be able to benefit from tax credits. The most affordable insulation material is mineral fibre, felt, glass or rock wool or fibreglass from €3/sqm. Expanded polystyrene, cellular glass or vermiculite insulation will cost from €10/sqm, while POR (polyurethane) will average €20/sqm. For the installation, budget around €20/sqm for floors, €30/m² for interior walls, €50/sqm for attics and €100 for exterior walls.

Plumbing

Again, prices will vary enormously depending on the scope of the work and the size of your home. For comparison, plumbing for a 50sqm apartment will cost on average €5,000.

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