Also consider whether second home owners can bring tools into France from abroad.
Reader Question: I like doing DIY in my second home, but I always feel that the dedicated shops here are expensive. Is there a way to find products sold cheaper?
There are many major DIY chains and garden centers across the country that sell DIY products (bricolage) task.
However, product prices may vary and discounts may be found during the approved sales seasons that take place in January and July each year.
Read more: When is the best time to get great deals in France?
In addition to lowering prices during traditional general sale periods, home improvement stores also hold events. Ventes Privé – Private Sale – Invite customers who have a loyalty card or have signed up for a rewards program at other times of the year.
However, there are many options outside of these main stores where you can purchase both equipment and materials at discounted prices.
There's value in buying second-hand, especially when it comes to equipment, and small local DIY stores may even offer a selection of second-hand items.
Additionally, you can also purchase tools online through French sites such as Leboncoin, but these don't come with the guarantees you'd find when purchasing in-person, so be careful before handing over large amounts of money. there is.
Read more: How safe are purchases on French classified websites?
You can also find tools on the French car boot market (Brocanto or video grenier).
Rent or borrow tools
If you're working from a vacation home and only need your tools for a few weeks a year, it may be cheaper to rent the specific tools you need.
This is especially true for expensive tools that you don't use often.
Major chains such as Leroy Merlin offer tool hire schemes, with both businesses and individuals renting tools. Bricoliv.
If you know someone in your neighborhood who does DIY, they may be able to lend you their tools.
Can I bring tools from the UK to France?
Bringing in tools from the UK – that is. If you are coming from outside the EU, there may be problems with customs.
Firstly, if you take your children to another home and leave them there permanently, French VAT will theoretically be charged at 20% of their value, possibly varying depending on the category. Additional customs duties may be payable. of the item.
Readers' experiences with this vary, but the wording of the law requires that goods be declared when passing through French customs. If it is determined to be old and worn out, the appraised value may not be as high.
Items brought in for less than three years and then withdrawn are exempt from VAT and customs duties. However, in theory you would have to fill out a few things to get this. french paperwork. Britain also has its own form of “''.Return'To avoid tax on items brought back.
There is another process called. Carne ATAHowever, this is more likely to apply to professionals who bring the necessary tools for the job.