I agree the roof quote seems awfully high. He saw a woman, American, who doesn't know much about how much things should cost in France. Definitely get another quote or two. To me pressure to sign right away is a big, big red flag.
Empathize with you, Abby. Keep the faith. You’ll find trustworthy businesses via ‘expat’ referrals. Am American living 10 years in S. America, used to be ‘Gringo’ gouging was rare preCovid, now locals literally have said to me, they are taking advantage of us. Pricing in Ecuador has exploded.
@@sarahmiller5632 That's depends of her financial situation. We just redone the roof of our house. Having 3 prices is the best. For each of them, let them talk and explain what they are proposing for their price. Make sure they place a protection (it's call a "membrane" in French, I am French) directly on the wood before the tiles. So you can compare between them. Some of them can be really dishonests on their prices. Do not gave them money (or a deposit) before the work is completely done (and well). This is my best advice, you pay them when the roof is finish. Its your condition.
On the roof: 1. For a serious roofer here in France you have normally a delay of between 6-8 months before the work starts. In some regions a year. 2. 12.6k for cleaning and minor repair is quite steep. 3. I have had redone my roof here in Luberon, might be 1/3 to half of yours. For your house I estimate 70-100k for a new roof at best. This is always one of the problems with old properties here in France, if the roof had not been renovated within the last 20 years, add 25% of your purchase price to get it done.
@@chateauchronicles Count around 260€ the m2. If there are a major repairs needed on the wooden substructure, it can jump up into the 400-600€ range the m2. There is no more any mine in France for the slate tiles, they come today from Spain and are all handcrafted.
@@trixiegirlism Yes, but she is not obligated to make the roof in this material. Others options less expensive exits and are also good. Unless if you are a millionaire... She does not need a roof for 200 years... This house cost aleready a fortune with all these renos and suprises everywhere.... 🙄She can look and ask to see the options.
In the US a roofer would have sent a drone to take pics and measurements. Slate roofs are extremely expensive. No way to evaluate the repair proposal without knowing exactly what will be done. In any event, I would make sure to get references and also check with the building authority (I do not know what is the appropriate agency in France) for which permits are required for repairs of this type of roof, and whether you roofer is appropriately licensed and insured. (20+ yrs experience as insurance adjuster :)
I have a pair of young koi in my outdoor water feature,it turns green also, just part of nature. They know feeding time and recognize me. One is white,one orange.
U mentioned renting out the whole property for a Wedding or Family gathering or Event is 1 of the uses for the Keeper’s Cottage. That’s gonna be really nice. Even if a Tenant lived in it…that would be a steady income stream.
@@chateauchronicles oh good! Does France put chlorine in their water like the US? Or at least they do here in California. If so make sure you let any water added to the fountain sit for 24 hours before you add, or get some of the special aquarium additive that neutralizes it, or it can kill the fish. Hopefully they explained all this at the fish store, but as an ex pet store manager and aquarium enthusiast I know that some places don't bother.
Years ago I had a large pond on my property. We got koi, which we enjoyed a great deal. Neighbors recommended we plant water lilies and other plants so the koi have a place to hide from predators. You may want to inquire about predators and, also, about transition to wintertime. Of course in a pond they have more protection and the temp varies as opposed to a concrete or stone vessel.
Some of the other chateau owners are on a private what’s up group together. You might ask Stephanie about this? You also might check to see if there is any grant money for major projects like roofs. I know of at least one chateau owner who’s gotten help from the local government. Networking with other chateau owners could prove helpful.
I have similar surreal feelings of home and distance. I live between Canada and Mexico with travel in between to visit family. I have sad feelings of leaving one country for the other. Both places are important to me.
I feel the same...Today I leave California for France. making video's of the kittens frolicking in the gardens this morning... saying goodbye to everyone... delicate* but super happy to go to France!
I love the fountain! What a beautiful addition to your outdoor space. I believe you can get a UV attachment to help control the algae. Also I have a suggestion for the outside wall where a window was closed up. An espalier of jasmine growing up that wall would be beautiful and fragrant! The diamond pattern is unique and perfect for a chateau. You are doing an amazing job!
Yes, the fountain is still green... I guess the pressure water gun to clean is not enough powerfull. But it's beautiful to see the fountain working! So charming. We have a fountain also in our backyard. We have to take good cares of her. The smaller they are, more love they request. :)
I place one 1" chlorine tablet in the top tier of my fountain once a week to keep the majority of the algae away. It's a small enough amount to not harm birds that might drink the water. I do not have any fish in the fountain.
That was such a nice ride to your home with the full song playing. Cleo was a super super excited (Mommy is home!!!). I see the vote below for real water Lillies and other plants for the fishes. Welcome back Abby.
The video on the plane showing the view of the clouds and land was beautiful. Then, the trip to the chateau was beautiful, especially the field of sunflowers. Thanks for helping us feel like we were there. Adorable Chloe's excitement was special. I love the fountain and the fish. The workmen are getting a lot done. I would be very nervous about the roof quote, also. Hope everything continues to go well. Janice from Arkansas USA
To many beautiful things are happen for you, is wonderful. ❤Cleo, was very happy to see you... The fountains is a touch of life with the beautiful 🐠...I pray 🙏toGod in the heaven for great and honest people for work in your 🏡 so they will appear more companies the best will be the one...
hi Abbie, happy to see you home. Lots got done while you were away in the field and the cottage! Looks great. Love the fountain and fish. It was so great seeing how excited Chloe got when she came down steps❤❤❤. I loved the video of the plane coming into France and the drive to the Chateau. I got all excited too😅. I always loved your song and it was nice to hear full thing. Glad to hear France did good in voting! Vive La France!🥰🥰🥰
Cloe was up in mom's bed for sure she is happy her mom is home but sure she had a good time when you were gone Abby ! Tomas spoiled your sweet girl ! Great way to be welcomed home ! Do more research on the roof how can someone be ready to work in the busiest time of year! Talk to the Pethericks the are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful Very kind British boys ! Glad had a safe travels!
So delighted to see your return journey! Then I was 'welling up' at Chloe's reaction to seeing you! Awwh 😢 The roof bandit was surely taking the p!ss with that quote. The fountain looks fabulous and so do you Abby now you are back.XX 💕
Cute little Chloe! I think she was sleeping and didn't know you were home at first. Love the fountain! It looks better all the time and did I see a palm tree in your garden? Are you going to have the gardeners trim back all the dead fronds? I had neighbors in southern CA who had date palms over 100 yrs old in their front yard. One day they were trimmed and it was amazing. They looked like an entirely different tree and beautiful. Fish for the pond are perfect, but does France have racoons or similar critters? Fish are sushi for racoons
You are doing wonderfully at your house and it seems you are almost finished that is if a person ever finishes their large home. I have been following many chateau restorations and the stories of repairing the roofs is always a terrible and drawn-out event and it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars considering just how complicated the roof design is. May God bless and protect you in you lovely French maison, amen!
Look at chateau de la lacelle and see what they used for to clean their roof and hire a cherry picker and get Bruce or Thomas to replace the missing roof slates
Hi. Yes, quote is too high FISH: I highly suggest you add some floating plants so your fish can hide when there's alot of sun (you'll find them at the fish store). Also, it helps keep the water clean. Cheers
Abby you are in solidarity with those that are destroying your host country France. I will give you free advice to keep politics off your vlog. Your subscribers will appreciate it and choose to continue viewing your content.
Abby seems to be unaware what is going on around her in France, not to mention the rest of Europe. Marie le Pen is a ray of hope for the real France to survive.
@@kittykatty2898Didn’t a large majority of voters come out to vote against little miss sunshine so she couldn’t gain power? Here’s some advice for you and the original commenter-mind your own business.
@@Finn0892 Maccron lost on numbers to Le Pen, it was his aliance with the literal communists and Marxist party that barely dragged him over the line. Now they’re left with a party that can not agree on anything because it’s not united. France will not tollerate 4 years of this nonsense.
W welcome home I like the fountain and the colorful fish for the roof keep shopping around be careful and hope you will get your visa soon nice view with the trees all clear and good take care seeing chloe so happy that lovely bye
Ears perked up, hearing the first bars of your theme song...and then we got the whole song?? I loved it!! Wonderful opening of your homecoming. Woohoo I am a happy girl!! I love that song, and it is so YOU, Abbi lol I felt like you did that just for me! (Since I did "complain" more than once about the opening being too short hahaha!) Chloe is so darned cute! Welcome home indeed! Lots of progress happening!
@@CynthiaBerry713 Honestly it’s the one thing I dislike about the vlog because this song is so overused. Just about every chateau vlog has used it AND multiple times. I’m sooo over it. I just have to skip it.
@@Ana-Maria-Sierra I'm sorry you feel that way! I watch about 2 dozen chateau vlogs and not a one of them uses this song as their theme. Sure I've heard bits and pieces here and there, but not once did I ever feel this song was "overused".
@@CynthiaBerry713 I’ve been watching some for 4-5 years. None of them have it as a theme song, correct. But many have used it here and there. It’s been done a lot. I’m over it. Not original. That’s all.
Hello, Abby, it’s great to see you back in France, though I did enjoy your last couple of posts from the US. The fountain looks fantastic as does the field. Do you have landscaping plans for that area? I’m sure you know how fortunate you are to have people who continue working in your absence. The cottage floor looks to be coming along really well. If the chimney is unused, it might be easiest to remove it rather than repair it? I’ve a question about the shutters: how does one close them from within? Is there a tool of some sort to reach out and “grab” something on the shutter to pull it closed? Merci et à la prochaine!
Yes, they close from the inside. Most have a handle that you grab to pull them in and a hook to lock them. They also all have hooks on the outside to secure them in the open position. That gives me an idea for a vlog segment...😉
As far as elections go, France seems to have it figured out..there no way to steal the paper votes! Electronically are where we have fraud. Also some ferns would look lovely around your beautiful fountain ❤
Chloe is so sweet , glad you are back , fountain is so pretty , my father has a koi pond and his Koi are 16 years old and are huge , cant wait till the next video, God Bless
Well I hope the Macron party don’t mess up the country like the Biden administration , talking about immigrants you are in their country legally , going thru the process and abiding laws and regulations 👍🏻
@@glogu8021 exactly, how anyone can think that open borders and unvetted, unmonitored immigration is good thing for ANY country is beyond me. No country can survive that.
Welcome home to France….🥰 Adding the fish .. nice touch …. Comments about a screen and plants in fountain..:: helpful …! Roof … get more estimates. ! Ask around to get ideas from others about a fair cost ! Good luck 🥰
Chloe was really pleased to see you , it looked like she was saying, come and see the garden Mum ❤ It will be interesting to see how they lay the cottage floor. Cheeky roofer trying to charge all that money, some people have no morals.
So - I walked into a shop to pick up a bass guitar I had had refinished, and the guy behind the counter says, "OMG! When you walked in I thought you were a person whose RU-vid channel I watch all of the time!". So I looked you up. ;) Hello! I'd attach a photo if I knew how. If you are curious I'm fairly easy to find online or on facebook. I'm a musician in Florida. I'm sure some photos make us look more alike than others, but I see it ... a little. Anyway, I'll check out your channel! Have a great day! Elizabeth Roth
You were wise to say "it's a no go" Abby. By all means get some more quotes and references. I'm a widow and I needed new fencing...got 3 quotes and went with the people had great references (not relatives) and it was almost half the cost of one of the quotes prior. The fence is still standing strong and it's been 3 years with no sign of it falling down...lol. I'm praying you get 'just the right person' to do this.
It might not be unreasonable depending on the techniques, material and rental of equipment, for example, not the mention the extremely high business contributions in France. However I agree with those who have suggested that it's always a good idea to get a quote from at least two professkonals and to go on recommendations from locals. No need to stick to professioanls working with native speakers of English, but a good idea to have Thomas or another trusted person to be predent and/or to go through the terms and conditons with you. (Agree entireme that the request to sign quickly is a potential red flag).
Mercy its hot on the west coast! Too hot! Love the shoes happy feet are best! Get ball rolling cause its summer then Fr goes on vaca then Ger ... Brits try find space that works for you. Yea you voted!
For what? Is he coming over to fix the roof? Or teach her to fix it? Too bad she just miss buying the cherry picker from Adrian. It is an 8 hour drive though nearly 600 kilometers Awesome suggestion
@@chateauchronicles roofers are busy and hard to book and it’s a French thing! 🤷🏻♂️ And those are two names I thought I’d never see in the same sentence together as they are total opposites. 🫢 Jane has waited along time for her roofs both of them, but they did an excellent job of it.
Abbey, Can you add a little bleach to the fountain to keep it from growing the green stuff, like a swim pool, or does it run off and would contaminate ,kill other things. I can't remember if it is just reusing the same water or if it goes out some where. OK, Not if you put fish in it. The fish poo will always make it get dirty fast. I hope the fish make it-But if they don't, Another idea would be to make the water blue. I think that would be pretty too. Thank You . I so love watching having iced coffee wishing I could be there. Can some one come that does not paint or draw? Never been out of US.
You can prevent algae growing in the fountain, by adding some water hyacinth. Just pull out the excess if it over crowds the fountain. It will provide cover for the fish and it makes great compost. Loved your new intro BTW 👍🏻
