Category: Construction

New Zealanders – or Kiwis – are well known for their can do attitude and optimistic approach to life. So when Grant and Joeline Norris and their family settled in south west France from their native land more than 25 years ago, they were determined to share this positive spirit amongst their new compatriots and French friends.

Making the impossible, possible is at the heart of what Kiwi Construction, the firm created by the couple after Grant finished playing rugby for Dax, offers to all its clients. Grant who is a qualified quantity surveyor and Joeline, a chartered accountant, have utilised their professional experience, know-how and understanding of the French culture and heritage to the benefit of their international clients.

The family have over the years successfully integrated into the community, with their children attending local schools and the whole family participating in social activities which characterise everyday life in the Landes. Their approach has been to marry their Anglophone culture with a deep appreciation and understanding of French values and approach. In particular, their experiences over the past two decades have helped shape their way of working by listening to the views of the older generations.

“There is always a way” is very much the Kiwi Construction philosophy – a determination to find a solution which works for the client and gets a job done successfully. This approach combines a focus on the customer and a respect for the traditions of their community, including the buildings and architecture which forms a key part of the region.

If you have a project which looks to be seemingly impossible – or you are seeking a fresh perspective – why not contact us? We love the challenge of all kinds of different renovation and construction projects, large or small.

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Kiwi Construction delivers professional expertise, exceptional customer service and quality construction to all its’ clients covering the Biarritz, the Pays Basque and Landes departments.

Contact:
Grant & Joeline Norris
+33 (0)5 58 55 35 22 / +33 (0)6 03 18 53 31
grant.norris@wanadoo.fr

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#renovation #France #artisans #buyingpropertyinfrance #landes #paysbasque #holidayhomes #bearn

Why is creating an effective use of space in your home so important?

We discuss that question often with our clients; we understand how crucial it is to plan the layout of their home to design the floor area as efficiently as possible. Whether the property is large or small, planning the allocation and positioning of the interior space is a key step for ensuring that your home is appropriate to your needs both now and in the future. 
Retaining the character of the property as part of a renovation project is an essential part of what we do, respecting the heritage of your home whilst also making it more comfortable for modern living. So, what are the main things you need to consider?

Food in the Pays Basque in South West France is a heavenly mix of Spanish and French cuisine: and increasingly other countries too. The region is famous for its tantalising sweet-hot peppers, an abundance of fresh seafood, hearty hams and other succulent meats, as well boasting an extensive choice of delicious cheeses. What is there not to love?

The legendary American Chef Julia Child once said, “Wine is meant to be with food – that’s the point of it.” And here in the Pays Basque, we have our fair share of superb wines from local vineyards; amongst these are the distinctive wines from Irouléguy (the smallest wine appellation in France) in the foothills of the Pyrenees, to the more widely known Madiran and Jurançon vintages.

There is so much to enjoy in Pays Basque dishes, both traditional and more modern.

On a typical Pays Basque menu you will generally find food steeped in tradition and flavour. Basque chorizo is one example; smoky and spicy, this tasty sausage has a vibrant red colour from the dried smoked Espelette peppers that are famous in the region. Let’s also not forget the celebrated Bayonne ham, a wide variety of duck dishes and cod prepared in a special Basque style sauce with peppers and flavoured with garlic.

Seafood is, without question, excellent; the superb Atlantic coastline is an ideal place to discover the best oysters in France as well as all kinds of fish and shellfish… accompanied by a chilled glass of rosé or white wine, perhaps?

As our taste buds change, the cuisine of the Pays Basque is also evolving to adapt original flavours and combinations. Many restaurants will include exciting new fusion recipes, prepared using ingredients from across the world and offering an additional dimension to French cooking; the aromatic and fragrant appeal of Thai food, elegant Japanese cuisine such as sushi and the spicier flavours of the orient, for example.
If you love good food or drink, you’ll love the Pays Basque.

Kiwi Construction delivers professional expertise, exceptional customer service and quality construction to all its’ clients covering the Biarritz, the Pays Basque and Landes departments.

Contact:
Grant & Joeline Norris
+33 (0)5 58 55 35 22 / +33 (0)6 03 18 53 31
grant.norris@wanadoo.fr
https://www.kiwiconstruction.fr/

#renovation #France #artisans #buyingpropertyinfrance #landes #paysbasque #basquecoast #cotebasque #jurancon #madiran #wine #food #cuisinepaysbasque

Photo credit: CARLOS MARTINEZ

Spécifiques au Sud de la Gironde et au Nord des Landes de Gascogne, les cercles font partie de l’histoire d’hier comme de la vie culturelle et sociale d’aujourd’hui.
On peut y parler gascon, écouter du rock, y voir une exposition, participer à un tournoi de belote ou de fléchettes ou simplement y boire un verre entre concitoyens… Les Cercles des villages des Landes font partie du patrimoine vivant, même si leurs statuts et leurs règlements ne sont plus ce qu’ils étaient vraiment autrefois.

De « cercles républicains » fondés en 1830 à « cafés associatifs » au 3e millénaire, ces lieux typiques remplissent une mission primordiale au sein des communes rurales. Bien moins nombreux qu’antan, ils sont au centre de toutes les attentions de la Fédération des cercles de Gascogne pour que perdure leur rôle rassembleur.

Des lieux en vie

Nés dans la première moitié du XIXe siècle à l’initiative de notables réunis autour d’idées communes (le plus souvent politiques), les cercles reflètent les affinités de leurs membres avec des appellations éloquentes : de l’Union, Républicain, des Démocrates, des Citoyens, Ouvrier, des Travailleurs, de la Concorde, de la Paix, de la Fraternité, de l’Avenir, etc. Leur existence est légalisée avec la Loi de 1901 sur les associations mais leurs principes restent pendant quelques décennies inchangées…

Pas de membres mineurs, pas de femmes (par ordre du Préfet !) et des lieux strictement réservés aux hommes qui y viennent deviser, s’informer, boire du vin… Depuis, les mutations de la société ont inscrit les Cercles dans l’ouverture. D’ailleurs, les institutions départementales et régionales travaillent même sur leur pérennisation au travers de pistes articulées autour de l’animation, de promotion des productions locales, voire d’informations touristiques.

Avec 25 ans d’expérience et de savoir-faire mis au service de ses clients, l’entreprise générale de bâtiment Kiwi Construction cultive de grandes valeurs éthiques : honnêteté, intégrité et professionnalisme. Grâce à une équipe d’experts et à l’utilisation de matériaux de qualité ainsi que des dernières technologies, Kiwi réalise tous les projets de rénovation et de construction, quel que soit leur dimension. Sa devise ? « Rendre l’impossible possible » ! Contact : Kiwi Construction – 460 chemin de Pedoucasse, 40360 Tilh. Tél. 05 58 55 35 22. www.kiwi-maconnerie.com

The sun is shining against a bright blue sky, the temperature is lovely and hot – perfect conditions for a dip in the cool, blue water of your own swimming pool. If you are looking to build a pool for your home, or maybe you are seeking to renovate an existing one, below are a few things to think about.

We have years of experience in building pools and we will be delighted to help you consider all the different issues required to ensure that the final result will look and feel fantastic. The addition of a swimming pool will generally increase the value of a property so it can be a good long-term investment.

Firstly, what type of pool would you like? The choices are many… do you prefer an outdoor pool or an indoor pool where you can enjoy a swim whatever the weather; a pool house, spa facilities, hot tubs… not forgetting terracing, covers to reduce evaporation and security fencing. With water being a precious supply, it’s also worth thinking about recycling water for your pool, reducing the impact on the environment and your bills by installing a below the ground reservoir which will collect rainwater for use during the long summer months.
Finally it’s also important to factor in the necessary time for planning permission. For example, a swimming pool sized between 10m²- 60m² will require a Déclaration Préalable which can take around one month to be approved, plus you will need to allow some time for preparing the documentation.

We hope that this has given you some ideas on the things to consider when planning a pool project for your home in France.

Kiwi Construction delivers professional expertise, exceptional customer service and quality construction to all its’ clients covering the Biarritz, the Pays Basque and Landes departments.

When it comes to renovating your property in France, applying a great finishing touch will give your project a ‘wow factor’, impressing both family and friends. Once the plumbing, electrics, joinery and other work is complete, this is the time to start looking forward to completing the remaining work for your fully renovated French home. And with our 25 years’ experience in France we will ensure that the investment you make will deliver great results.

Renovating an older property in France can have a number of benefits. It can restore a building that has become derelict or is in extremely poor condition; perhaps improve the overall living environment or result in a home that is more thermally efficient. Whatever the objective of your renovation project – and perhaps it is all of these – it’s important to consider a number of factors and plan accordingly, including the re-design, materials and of course your budget.

Energy efficiency is crucial in many ways. Even in south-west France, during the winter months the weather can be cold at times which means that without good levels of insulation, you could lose a considerable amount of heat. This will result in potentially higher energy bills than is necessary – and a colder house.

Ensuring that the roof structure is sound, structurally robust and water-tight should be one of your first priorities. We have 25 years’ experience in constructing, renovating and repairing all manner of different roof types and we are able to advise you on the best and most appropriate form of insulation. We use insulation called “Super 12” which has the highest energy rating and is often used in older roof structures; it’s ideal when you want to retain an older aspect of a roof truss, for example. We only use insulation and other materials that are fully compliant with French regulations.

It’s also important to think about the efficiency of any boiler, central heating system or wood burner to ensure that they are well-maintained, appropriate to the size of your property and remain fit for use.

You may also not be aware that there are some financial incentives available to permanent French residents with regard to energy efficiency. This includes being able to offset some of your income tax liability against the cost of materials and equipment and a reduced level of TVA. To find out more concerning eligibility, we recommend you discuss this with a qualified French-based accountancy firm.

Warmer weather may now be on its’ way – but springtime is the perfect time to plan ahead and ensure that your home is warm and thermally efficient for next winter.

Kiwi Construction delivers professional expertise, exceptional customer service and quality construction to all its’ clients covering the Biarritz, the Pays Basque and Landes departments.

Contact:
Grant & Joeline Norris
+33 (0)5 58 55 35 22 / +33 (0)6 03 15 53 31
grant.norris@wanadoo.fr
https://www.kiwiconstruction.fr/

#renovation #France #artisans#buyingpropertyinfrance #landes #paysbasque#energyefficiency

When you find the French property of your dreams, but realise that the stone work is looking tired and not making the most of its’ beautiful features then we can help.

Original stonework is an important feature of many properties across France and is often one of the reasons we fall in love with a house. Restoring it to its former glory is not as difficult as you may think, as we have an experienced team of qualified masons who can restore or build with the following materials: brick, building stones (including marble, granite and travertine), limestone, cast stone, concrete blocks, glass blocks and cob. They use only the best materials and with our extensive knowledge of the local area, we can ensure that the newly renovated property reflects the heritage of the region and will be somewhere which you will enjoy living in. In the photos you can see how one of our current projects is progressing and is near to completion.