You can see that I’m not just throwing all my money into holes in the ground. I am also burying it under floorboards.
These are the floor joists in the future kitchen for the little apartment that is attached to the house. Back when healthy people had live – in staff, the butler or housekeeper would have lived here. Now we plug in our labor – saving devices, so this is going to be used for what, I don’t know. No way will a rental pay back what this work will cost. I can’t just let the house rot, though, and it had gotten into a state where this sort of thing was necessary. Plumbing and wiring will be laid around these joists. A finish floor will go on top. Then, hey presto, these joists will have disappeared.
At Home in France 
Sadly, we renovators do bury much of the budget where it can’t be admired . Gas, electric, heating, insulation, digging big holes and knocking things down. etc etc . You can hardly invite folk round for an aperitif and to admire your exposed waste pipes
Having spent a great deal of time and most of the budget on the underpinnings of our project, I am not sure that we still have the energy to fit new kitchens and bathrooms , paper,paint and twiddle with finishing touches- think this will be my next blog post
Lovely joists by the way………………………….
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While it might not pay for the remodel – you could always try airbnb for a few francs (err, euros)
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Oh, Gérard, the myth of the income – producing gite. That place would rent for maybe 500 euros a month as a regular rental. In summer, without a pool, it would rent for about 750 euros a week, with a pool, 1000. Did I mention that the season is 6 weeks long? The cost of renovations, just for the apartment, will be about 30K. A pool with all the trimmings, another 20K. Yes, true, it beats a poke in the eye. Unfortunately that’s about all I can say for it.
Of course I’ll rent it, so tell your friends and neighbors. And of course if you and Ms. Veleckis care to grace me with your presence, a guest room will be yours.
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