Do not forget your machinery and tools budget.
Today’s excitement (and budget draw down) was the delivery of another machinery piece to our collection, a garden chipper.
France has banned bonfires. Fines of €450 for burning off your garden refuse is not something in our budget. Knowing this earlier, we would not have piled our trimmings and cuttings in huge stacks around the place for a burn this autumn.
I will mourn the loss of our annual fire ritual for some time however the new chipper will certainly replace some of the fun.
The relief of the truck driver when Husband explained he had tractor with forks to lift it off the truck was priceless. It weights over 110 kilograms and is another example of having the right machinery to make life easier.
Our 400+ square metre home, two hectares of land and lakes/ponds all needed major attention, similarly the right tools to do the job.
Avoiding injuries
We were careful from the outset to reduce the risk of breaking ourselves. Hernias, bad knees and backs, and general “this can kill you” stuff is an everyday risk during such a project.
The scoping of said toys, I mean tools, became husbands job to define, price and procure. I however, reserved the right to name them all, as pets were not yet on the priority list.
Equipment essentials – budget recommendations from the very start
As we left our temporary home in the UAE to head to France, we did a quick shopping trip to Dragon Mart. The idea was to sort out some basic well priced décor or household items to be squeezed into our already groaning shipping container.
I looked at sensible aesthetic things that could be wedged in the almost full cartons but the reality of future and priority debates quickly became apparent.
The end result was a 0.75 ton palette truck, a very clever sack barrow and an articulated saw.
Husband was right (again) and these have proved invaluable in so many ways over the years, they even unloaded the said container when it arrived here.
We highly recommend both lifting/transport equipment from day one for any renovation, large or small, or even just to own to assist with everyday life; let alone renovation.
The sack barrow proves invaluable at the local wine annual wine sales.
Like all good multi-purpose tools, our collection has come in handy in ways we could never have imagined.
Initial budget hit – The works’ vehicle – very important!
Buying a sensible car sounds like stating the bleeding obvious. However, we have been surprised by the DIY-ers who chose glamour/image over practicality.
The vehicle must be both for transport of stuff as well as a family wagon. Above all it helps to be the right height for lifting out equipment and materials.
Furthermore it must be strong enough to tow a reasonable trailer whilst still allowing for wife to be transported in her best clothes without shedding tears.
Your main vehicle will do many miles here in France as procurement trips can take you all over the country or further. We buy all our house paint in Austria but that is another story.
Certainly make sure your partner is also comfortable, plus a navigation system to get you where you need to go without family debates.
We also chose 4×4 which was also a good decision.
Elementary you say? We were shocked to meet a DIY couple whose main car was a Fiat 500 convertible. They thought it was both economical and sensible. They can’t transport a ladder let alone a load of cement sacks or flat pack furniture. Perhaps a blessing in the city, but delivery costs in France for materials add up quickly.
The big boys “toys” budget – €50,000
Machinery rental and delivery costs, plus the inconvenience of not having it when you actually need it, will take its toll on any large renovation project and budget.
So many new friends here envy our (husband’s) foresight on machinery and tools purchasing. After-all, you can sell your capital items when they are no longer needed.
Furthermore, the avoidance of some physical toll of tackling many tasks manually makes for a happier time of it.
It would seem that many look at the price of the house and then add their guesstimate of renovation costs without taking in equipment as a basic necessity. Many we have met regret it.
Husband set aside €50,000 for capital machinery items. Right again! The following is an overview of how he spent it and on what plus a few tips for additional items you will need.
As a part of our overall budget spend, machinery was never an afterthought. Here is a master budget and costs. DIY Reno Budgets – the basics to begin
Our capital budget machinery list
STORMY – THE TRACTOR.
Pre-ordered and arriving only days after us was our tractor. Husband undertook significant research over some months. This included machine sizes and dimensions.
He studied which size of machines require separate licensing/permits etc. and also what can squeeze into small situations such as down paths or under verandas.
Stormy’s roles as a fork lift, general garden work, mowing lawns and much more required it to be easily maneuvered.
Finally he chose a new 4WD 25hp Dong Feng with a back actor (digger thing with multiple buckets) and front loader with 4 in 1 bucket, adjustable forks and a large mower attachment for the back.
Husband also wisely had it delivered with turf tyres, which cause minimal damage to lawns and surrounding areas, especially in damp conditions.
In hindsight, we perhaps should have included a flail arm and log splitter in the deal. However, we have managed without them. Husband has since created many labour saving elements and accessories but I will cover these in later posts.
Total cost delivered from UK to SW France €16,500. This was several thousand euros cheaper than purchasing the exact same brand and model here in France.
MAC – THE RIDE-ON MOWER.
Purchased new at Brico-Marché locally on a special offer, our 107cm wide ride-on has been marvellous, and for more than just it’s mowing. It’s amazing how much more these things can do especially when the optional trailer is purchased.
Again Husband has designed his own accessories for the trailer and I will post pictures of these eventually.
We recommend buying both the mower and trailer from the very start if you have the need of a ride-on. If not, look at a small motorized trailer anyway. The mower was approximately €1,500 and the trailer accessory an additional €240 and worth every centime.
DOUG – THE DIGGER.
Although this was added to the toy box a little later, purchasing him earlier would have saved on our initial equipment hire costs.
Drainage, trenching, tree removal, stone and rock relocation, lifting, gravel and materials movement are renovation basics. He has handled most with ease.
Again, husband surprised me by purchasing quite a small model and again, he was right. Doug manages most of the jobs whilst able to fit in tight places. With the multiple buckets also purchased this toy has fulfilled many tasks that would have required hired help and/or machinery.
A good second-hand one with low hours was searched for and collected from Toulouse. Doug is a pre-used 2.2 ton Komatsu with various buckets approx €13,000
DELORES – THE DUMPER.
Once again this “must-have” was scoped back on the size of what I had envisaged and once again, you guessed it, husband was right.
I love her and the many tasks she has helped with. Added to that the fact that I can drive her thanks to the hydro-static drive. She lifts her skip to over 2.0 metres (it is already a metre off the ground) and tilts at any height for dumping. Second hand ex-rental purchase €6,500.
Husband has customized some palettes to make platforms and she becomes a mobile scaffold as shown in the photo above.
TRAILOR (NO NAME YET)
We initially had our sights on a larger one but that would have required significant additional paperwork and registration (a carte gris).
We decided to fore-go the tipping aspect in favour of a simplified (less expensive) version.
After five years we sometimes regret this however our trailer with an all up weight 750 kilo capacity has paid for itself in a very short time. The French made “remorque” was purchased locally for around €1,000 on special offer and has proven sturdy and easy to use.
LIST OF OTHER KEY TOOLS TO BUDGET FROM DAY ONE
- Heavy duty electric/rock breaker.
- Basic medium quality drills (and if tools battery driven – get all that use the same batteries such as Ryobi +One). Cheap tools from Aldi or LIDL generally do not last or cope with the jobs undertaken.
- A good mobile scaffolding which is light to erect and move around. This is invaluable inside and out. Ours extends up to 3.4m with ground brace attachments and was purchased from Castorama for around €600.
- A good concrete mixer – size is important. Hot tip: bolt it to a palette and then you it can be moved with your tractor forks. Most of our equipment is now set up this way.
- A variety of ladders – for both inside and out work and I suggest you label them that way. Risks of indoor stuff becoming covered in concrete and building muck are high. At least one ladder should extend to reach your guttering.
- A compressor for any render removal with a sandblaster if you are going to strip beams/structure or clean up stone features.
- Chainsaws -one traditional and an extendable one. Many of the extendable versions come with multi attachments such as hedge trimmer and strimmer.
- Industrial wet and dry vacuum cleaner dedicated solely for the renovation works. This ensures your internal vacuum cleaner does not migrate to the barn or workshop.
- Palettes – source some initially and then don’t throw any away as they are invaluable for storing all your materials and sorting them for storage.
- We have a variety of garden tools but I will cover these separately.
Basic stuff to add to day one purchase/arrival list
I am adding some basic stuff below that should arrive with you. The purchase costs of these can add up. Don’t ignore these basics as they are essential.
- Add a significant sum for work gloves and safety glasses. Buy good quality as cheap ones do not survive or simply hurt. We seem to need new ones every other month.
I suggest you write your name on them or they are quickly adopted by your significant other or temporary workers.
Good leather work gloves €20 per pair. I estimate we have spent around €1000 so far.
- Buy builders grade apparel for the job – good work boots with steel toe caps. The right kit puts you in the right frame of mind as well as the various safety elements in them. Allow for both winter and summer sets.
It is easier to sort them come wash day and once again reduce wife’s tears.
- Husband has a hard hat that looks like a baseball cap purchased from Brico Depot.
It has saved many bruises clambering around a work site.
- Drop tarpaulins and indoor outdoor carpet pieces become invaluable. Giant poly bags and trestle tables also fulfill multiple roles. Protection of all surfaces means any space can become a work space without causing unnecessary damage.
- We have several very huge sacks with handles for the fork lifts – they can make life easy. These are available at any hardware place that sells gravel and sand by the scoop.
- A good first aid kit x 3. Have them handy around your home and site with one by the bed. Basic advice but worth the investment. Top up a good store bought one with:
- burn creams, insect bite ointments, Voltarol or other muscle stress balms, tea tree or other good multi purpose antiseptics and balms.
- plasters of every size and configuration.
- Bath salts to soak away the aches such as Radox. If you are flusher with funds and excitement than we were – add sauna to initial must-have list.
- Find a good pharmacist at home – they can recommend additional items to add such as heat/cold packs.
Get a tetanus injection!
Random stuff
Here are a few random budget and renovation survival tips.
No matter what size of house you buy, the cost per square metre will generally be the same. Please do not make the mistake, as so many do and buy a huge old chateaux you think you could renovate for a modest budget.
We have witnessed so many optimists run out of money and/or inspiration. It is tragic for those involved and for those having to watch it happen.
Take on a project that is a manageable size in every way – not the least being able to achieve your vision with the monies you have.
Divide your project into bite sized pieces and prioritize.
Give yourself a realistic timeline. Above all, DO have deadlines and/or target dates by project to aim for and celebrate.
Celebrate everything and often – it helps.
Our last other tip –
Lastly, if you are buying in France, the amount you spend on your project does not mean that your much loved slaved-over home will increase in value by what you have spent and more. IT WILL NOT.
To set your renovation budget…..
Set yourself a total budget based on the price of homes around you that are already at the stage you envision yours to be. Then, deduct what you paid for the house (and costs) and the difference quite simply should be your maximum renovation budget.
That is of course unless you want to gift all expenditures over that amount to the next owners.
Above all, enjoy the actual renovation project – put on those new gloves and get on with it.
I am off to help Doug, Stormy, Delores and Husband fell some dead trees around our boundary before Floc o’clock* (apero hour).
Be inspired!
*Floc is a Gascon aperativ derived from fresh wine and white armagnac. Served in a low wide glass it is the starter drink of choice here in the Gers. It is sweet, sticky and simply delicious. Here is a good article http://www.thesommelierchef.com/article/get-floc-out