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2 contacts very quickly Thank you, we will be recommending you Would recommend the site, saved us time We were contacted quickly by your members I have already recommended you to friends. Client/customer satisfaction Well done - By Karen Jones A really good value way of advertising A homeowner's nightmare after using unregistered/uninsured services I take my hat off to you NOT GETTING OUR EMAILS? Contact us on-line We provide a unique trade/artisan, work/job finding/recommending service by language spoken throughout France at a local level. What is a Job - and why post one? What is a SIRET and SIREN number and what are the rules? We now recommend the site to both Clients and other artisans - by Steve & Sue Davidge Registering in France and using insured trades/services 2 contacts very quickly 1) Were you contacted by trade/artisan members of http://www.findatradeinfrance.com/ quickly or after a long time (more than 1 week) ? Yes, 2 contacts very quickly. I then chose one who gave better responses over the phone to me to quote. 2) Did you recieve an estimate from them ? Yes 3) Did you select one of our members to do the work ? Yes 4) If you did use one or more of our members and the work is finished, have you evaluated their work ? If no please go to http://www.findatradeinfrance.com/ and login using your username and password and then in My Account use the Rate A Trade feature. Job still progressing – but so far so good 5) Will/would you use our services again or recommend them to someone else ? Yes Thank you for your feedback, we are always striving to provide a better service and this information is important to us. Thank you, we will be recommending you We were contacted the following day, they viewed the work and gave an estimate very quickly. We agreed the contract with them - one of your members. The work needs planning permission from the Batiments de France because it is in a protected, heritage village and will not start until September 2008. We will rate the job then. Thank you, we will be recommending you. Please remind us to rate the job in October. - Mr Murphy Would recommend the site, saved us time We did receive an estimate from your member. We are going ahead with the work which is due to be completed by the end of september. Would recommend the site, saved us time....thank you C Whitlock We were contacted quickly by your members We were contacted quickly by your members. We requested and received 2 estimates We selected one of your members to do the work I have rated them on your site I will be using you again, and in fact the tradesman will be doing more work for us in a couple of months. Thank you Karl I have already recommended you to friends. I was contacted by 5 companies and all of them made contact within 3 days of your email informing me of their interest. One company was the only one who didn't come to the house to view the work, as we are just too far north of their area. Each of the others made appontments and all arrived within an hour of each rendezvous time. All 4 also supplied estimates, 2 of them sent their estimates via email within 48 hours! I selected one and they have started this week. The work will be done in 2 sections and is not expected to be finished till mid-January. I shall evaluate their work then. I shall almost certainly use your services again and have already recommended you to friends. Client/customer satisfaction I asked for a famous film star with dark deep set eyes and a nice smile... I got Mickey Mouse... The trouble is the description and the end result match but maybe not quite what you had in mind? Would you like to avoid this type of miscommunication by telling potential companies what criteria you will use to select the company who will do the work for you and what criteria you will use to evaluate how good the job was? We have just introduced a new optional feature that asks you, when you post a job, to select up to 7 criteria for deciding whom to select and how well they did once selected! In order to help both parties get the best from the relationship, we will then share this information with the potential trades/companies. Example criteria: Criteria for selecting the company to do the work/job: I/we receive a quick reply to this request for contact Once contacted I/we receive a timely estimate for the job/work Experience - Have you done this before, references, knowledgeable Qualifications including paperwork, insurances Price Criteria for evaluating how well the work/job was done: The price quoted and what was actually invoiced for the work The time it takes to do the job - ON TIME The quality of the final Job/ end result – Did it match the plan? How well I/we were kept informed of progress throughout the work/job How well I/we were treated (options always discussed, politely, clearly) Arrived/started on time Was the company organised, in control Did they exceed expectations If you use this optional feature, it will help ensure that you only get companies contacting you, who have a good idea of your expectations and are available and ready to work/estimate. It can then form the basis of a more in depth discussion about detailed requirements and expectations. Missed expectations are often the major cause for dissatisfaction within a project. Well done - By Karen Jones “The site improves every time I look at it. I Regularly use it to search for new clients and to find the trades we need to support our business. Well done for creating such a useful source of information.” A really good value way of advertising Kate Millson of Safe as Houses in departments 62 & 80 writes "After just 2 weeks advertising with you we had two positive outcomes already, I think it is a really good value way of advertising" A homeowner's nightmare after using unregistered/uninsured services Dear Findatradeinfrance, We have a house in the Var (83) and last year the house was maintained by an English service company (xxxxxxxxxx). We naturally assumed they were insured and when they accidentally left our water on over the winter, which caused a serious leak after the pipes fractured in the cold months, we expected to be able to claim the costs for the damage (5000 euros) from their Insurance, however they failed to communicate and even ignored our Insurance company's recorded letters. It appears they are not insured, registered in France and apparently working on the black. So your advice to check a company's Insurance before you enter into a contract is very valid and my experience is probably one of many. Thanks for the excellent service. Tom Crawford I take my hat off to you I take my hat off to you. Your site is what every harrassed relocator needs. I am moving permanently to Ruffiac in the Morbihan in March 2007 and your website will be so useful to me. The feedback on my request was very speedy - a fantastic result. I am sure there must be lots of expats and relocators who, like me, have had difficulty in finding artisans for work projects. The adventure for me is fast approaching and I take comfort in knowing that I can contact reputable sources to help me start my new life. NOT GETTING OUR EMAILS? Many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are blocking more and more emails from genuine businesses. If you are expecting emails from us please check 1. Your deleted/trash/spam boxes on your email software (Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird etc...) 2. Your email via your ISP - for example Orange and Wanadoo have web mail where you can log in and they they store emails they consider to be spam Contact us on-line Got a question? Got Skype/MSN messenger? Check if we are online and SKYPE us at Findatrade Our username is findatrade OR try MSN Our username is findatradeinfrance@hotmail.com We provide a unique trade/artisan, work/job finding/recommending service by language spoken throughout France at a local level. As a result of all our investigations we defined this unique, integrated service not offered elsewhere through 2 fast growing, linked websites www.trouverunartisan.fr and www.findatradeinfrance.com By linking the 2 sites together, Artisans/trades people/service providers can now List their business contact details, find work posted by anyone in France, by language spoken, by location, get notified by email of new work/jobs and at the same time get a recommendation from homeowners/architects. Homeowners/architects can find qualified registered artisans, who can only join/advertise if they are confident enough to be rated. They can also select trades/artisans by languages spoken, recommend them to others, post their jobs/work/projects and let artisans contact them and get an email when a new trades artisan joins, taking a lot of the drudge out of searching. If you post a job on one site, it is automatically shown on the other and if you post an advert on one site again it is automatically shown on the other We started out by asking, “how easy is it to find good quality trades people/artisans/service providers who are registered, responsive, do a good job, are reasonably priced and in this multi cultural multi lingual environment, people who speak the same language”. We also asked “how did the really good artisans/trades people get work, other than by word of mouth”. We decided to go out and ask our English, French, German, Dutch, Norwegian and other friends/artisans for their experiences and views. (See responses below) The criteria we used to build the sites included, they must be easy to use without clutter, no flashing signs, not loaded with external links/adverts, not confusing to the user and all this meant that they built them to specialise in one thing and one thing only and that is putting artisans/trades people/service providers and homeowners, in touch with each other to the benefit of both. Here is some of the feedback we received. Homeowners said: - · I find artisans often by word of mouth and they frequently turn out to be unregistered or uninsured · If I use a directory it doesn’t tell me how good they are · If they do good work I like to recommend them to others · They are often too slow to respond, one guy got back to me 6 months after I called. · The job frequently takes longer and costs more than the estimate. · They do not turn up when they say they will · We have just moved here and I am learning French but do not speak it well enough yet. I would like to know which artisans speak my language Artisans said: - · I have just started this business and need to build a client base · When I am working although I do a good job and my clients tell their friends, I am not able to look for work at the same time. · My clients often do not know what they want and sometimes take many months to get back to me. By then I have moved onto other work and feel I have wasted my time visiting them and estimating the work. · I would like a good way to tell possible clients that I do good work other than just telling them. · People often want something for nothing We decided that unless we could send all artisans and homeowners on a planning and estimating course and train them in ‘making up their minds’ we could not improve these aspects easily. Although it is something we want to tackle in the near future. We did realise that all these other issues were resolvable or at least could be vastly improved and that no one was doing this, especially not through the rapidly expanding use of technology through computers and specifically the Internet. We are planning some new features in the near future and are always happy to receive suggestions /ideas that will make it easier for both sides to find quality artisans/trades people/service providers or find work/jobs/projects What is a Job - and why post one? Why post a job? · It saves you the time and effort to contact everyone yourself. We will email everyone who has asked to be notified when a job is posted · Avoid the “I am too busy” syndrome · It is quick and easy to do. In two minutes you can tell us about the job and within 2 hours, we will have contacted all relevant member artisan/trades people. · You can ensure you speak the same languages too. What is a job? Well it can be anything from building a house to mending a tap, mowing a lawn, making some curtains, installing windows/bathrooms/stairs/carpets/fosses…any size big or small. Here are a few examples of jobs posted already · House needs pointing · Large Stone Barn Conversion · Beams are nearly black with dirt. They need cleaning/blasting · Repair/Replacement of windows and sets of shutters required · Remove bath and bidet and replace with shower and toilet · Bathroom installation · Land surveyor to survey land · Double storey extension 5m x 3m · Fosse installation · Electrical circuit blown needs mending · Cleaner required for rental property · Entire roof replacement included joist · 3 kitchens to be installed in our Gites · Re-wiring required in kitchen · Connect to mains drainage, reconnect electricity, basic rewire, new windows etc · Tiling floors and walls · Architect to discuss converting a utility room into a kitchen and adding a conservatory to achieve an area of 8 sq m · Garden terrace · Gas connection · Estimate required for plans drawn for conversion of house and barn · Satellite/dish installation for free view · Re-plastering & rewiring · Install oil fired central heating What is a SIRET and SIREN number and what are the rules? This is an article to help clarify the rules for homeowners and artisans in France. It is reproduced from a published article with the kind permission of The Connexion - the newspaper for English-speakers living in and visiting France. ALL businesses registered in France, as well as public bodies, are assigned a SIRET number for identification purposes. This is made up of 14 digits and consists of two parts. The first nine digits are the SIREN number, which identifies the legal entity, and the last five are the NIC or numéro interne de classement (internal classification number), which identifies the local unit of that entity. The digits are non-significant, except in the case of public bodies where the SIREN number begins with 1 or 2. The last digit of each part serves as a control key or check digit. Each establishment (local geographical unit) of a legal entity (self-employed person, company or public body) is allocated a separate SIRET number, meaning that the same number cannot be used for two different establishments belonging to one entity. Where an entity has several units, the SIREN part of their SIRET numbers will be identical, but the NIC will be different for each. Similarly, if several SIREN entities carry out their activities in the same geographical location, each must register separately and receive an individual SIRET number. The current system was created in 1973 by a decree establishing a national identification register of enterprises and their local units (Répertoire National d'Identification des Entreprises et de Leurs Établissements - SIRENE), whose origins trace back to a business register set up in 1942. The SIRENE system is managed by the National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques -INSEE), which uses the register for statistical as well as administrative purposes. SIRENE records key data about enterprises (such as activities, number of employees and legal status), and assigns each enterprise and local unit a single, mandatory identification number – the SIRET number. Since 1983, public bodies have also been included on the SIRENE register. Thus in total, the register is meant to cover any physical persons (self-employed people or individual enterprises) and moral persons (limited companies, associations, public bodies, etc) that: are on the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (Commerce and Companies Register) or the Repertoire des Métiers (Trades Register); employ staff; have fiscal obligations; or receive public funds. In most cases, the information needed for SIRENE registration and the allocation of a SIRET number is not directly collected by INSEE but by centers de formalités des entreprises (centres for business administration). These include chambers of commerce, trade and agriculture, as well as the social contributions agency URSSAF. If you wish to register a business and are not sure which of these you should apply to, there is a useful online directory of centres, which will point you in the right direction: www.sirene.tm.fr/annuaire.cfe. Some, but not all, registered French businesses display their SIRET number (or just the SIREN part of that number) on publicity materials, and most include it on correspondence. Thus if you are seeking a registered tradesperson to carry out work on your property, you should check advertising for a SIRET or SIREN number. If registration is still being processed, you may find instead 'SIRET en cours' (SIRET in progress). Some companies also display an APE code, which consists of 3 digits and a letter, and identifies the principle activity of a business (activité principale exercée). If no numbers are shown and you wish to verify that a company is legally registered, you can ask directly for written proof or check with local trade bodies, such as the chambre des metiers. You can also access the 'Infogreffe' service provided by the Clerks' Offices of the Commercial Courts - Tel: 0899 70 22 22/Website: www.infogreffe.fr. It should be noted that you are only entitled to insurance and other legal protection if you use a registered French company for work on your property. In addition, if you use a foreign or non-registered company, you will not be able to offset the cost of the work against capital gains tax should you sell the property. Moreover, there are financial penalties for employing unregistered companies to carry out work in France (registration abroad is not sufficient). For further information on the SIRENE system: www.sirene.tm.fr We now recommend the site to both Clients and other artisans - by Steve & Sue Davidge We became members of Findatradeinfrance within a few months of setting up our own business here in France. Which is a hard time for any new enterprise especially in a foreign country. We have found findatrade to be a vital part of our advertising campaign and for a small yearly subscription our ad was soon paid for after receiving our first job through them. Our first client recommended us to their friends so we are not only receiving work through Findatrade but also getting recommendations from previous clients through word of mouth. Findatrade was recommended to us from a friend who had advertised his own trade on the site. We find the site very easy and user friendly as we only get emails from people who are looking for our particular trade and thus saves on wasted time visiting jobs that aren’t suitable. We now recommended the site to both Clients and other artisans. The new idea of linking the site with the French equivalent is an excellent idea as this was our next move to try and obtain work from the French as well as the British expats here. Bon Chance From Steve & Sue Davidge of Steve Davidge Groundwork’s Registering in France and using insured trades/services The following is reproduced with the permission of the Riviera Reporter. http://www.riviera-reporter.com/ It is one of a series of articles regarding being legal in France. FORMS AND FORMALITIES Like almost everything else in France, setting up in business entails a multitude of formalities and filling out forms. Unlike most other aspects of French bureaucracy, the business community has organised itself so that these formalities are relatively painless. Your CCI (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie) and Artisans Registry (Chambre des Métiers) are vital allies which will show you how to go about setting yourself up. They even publish a guide in English "Setting up a Business in France for non-French Nationals" (7 euros from the CCI). GETTING ON WITH IT Probably the best - but most expensive - procedure is to make an appointment with a good local expert-comptable (chartered accountant) or business lawyer and explain your business project to him. Take his/her advice on how to structure your business legally and financially and let him do the formalities for a fee. Also, let him/her handle your monthly, quarterly and annual declarations and keep your formal books. This might not be the cheapest option but it's likely to cost less than getting it all wrong. Ask friends or other business people who they use and whether they're happy with their choice, or simply pick an accountant near to you from the yellow pages and make an appointment. Don't hesitate to consult several before making your final choice. This person will be one of your most valuable collaborators. A big no-no is to get advice exclusively from overseas. We've seen UK-based accountants set up French businesses with disastrous results. Use someone established locally. CENTRALISED HASSLE CFEs (Centre des Formalités des Entreprises) exist so that the small businessman doesn't have to deal with a myriad of different bodies in order to set up a single-person business. Thanks to the CFE you can accomplish the main legal, fiscal, social, administrative and statistical formalities all in one place at one time. The CFE will handle your registry with the RCS and INSEE and see to the attribution of your SIREN, SIRET, NAF (formerly APE) number which denotes exactly what type of activity you are licensed to carry out. (You can't sell bagels on the back of the NAF number of a plumber). They will also declare your existence to the tax authorities, handle your initial obligatory health and pension insurance registration and affiliate you with the appropriate URSSAF, ASSEDIC and CRAM caisses. SOME PEOPLE ARE SPECIAL When you're setting up a business it's a good idea to check whether your sector of activity requires special permission, accreditation or insurance. Obviously medical and legal professions require specific qualifications, but they're not the only ones. Ski and scuba diving instructors must have special accreditation, as do hairdressers and estate agents. If you're chauffeuring or transporting passengers, you'll need a taxi licence or transport de personnes licence and proper professional insurance covering paying passengers. Here ’s a tip that can save you a lot of hassle. Ask every tradesman for his siret number and a copy of his carte professionelle. File them both away. If there is trouble further down the line this is your only proof that you have taken reasonable precautions to ensure the legality of the tradesmen you employ.And if you don ’t? Well, under the law you ’re party to fraud. |