{"podcast":{"title":"French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED","slug":"french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906","podcast_index_feed_id":7634906,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/feed.xml","website_url":"https://www.frenchrenodiaries.com/","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/20260109_120115_21a0b9125d00ac1693f1d50371b2ba34.png","author":"Rosie Ellis, Micala Wilkins and Sue Peake-Russell","episode_count":20,"summary":"French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED is your honest, no-fluff guide to renovating, restoring, and surviving property projects in France. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned renovator, or just dreaming of owning property in France, we provide real stories, insider tips, and actionable advice to help you avoid mistakes, save money, and navigate your renovation journey with confidence. From understanding French planning laws and insurance requirements to choosing the right people for the job when you haven't got the skills, time or qualifications to 'do it yourself', you'll find it here. And if you like hanging out with us, you can join us in between the 'meaty' shows for our 'rants and bants' episodes - where we get everything off our chests, no holds barred! Hosted by Rosie, Micala and Sue - three women who, along with their partners and husbands run trade-related businesses here in France and have completed a fair few renovation projects of their own - expect honest advice, plenty of laughs and a few WTF moments. Get more French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED! Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite listening app. Find downloadable guides based on each in-depth episode and sign up…","last_synced_at":"2026-06-16T18:21:01.137768+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906"},"episode":{"title":"Why budgets blow: The brutal truth about renovation costs in France","slug":"why-budgets-blow-the-brutal-truth-about-renovation-costs-in-france","published_at":"2026-01-13T06:07:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906/why-budgets-blow-the-brutal-truth-about-renovation-costs-in-france","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/2430526","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/362663/2430526/french-reno-diaries-uncensored/2026_01_05_11_46_46_b9fcea03-1f40-44de-958f-224931972df0.mp3","summary":"In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED , we tackle one of the biggest and most emotionally charged topics for anyone renovating in France: money. Specifically, why renovation budgets so often blow out, why DIY is not always the saving people think it is, and why French renovation costs feel so shocking if you arrive with UK (or other overseas) expectations. Resources & tools mentioned in this episode Artisan Central – pre-checked trades directory and homeowner resource covering devis, insurance and renovation planning Capeb – French construction trade association with an online directory of registered trades by region BricoCash – DIY and building materials retailer (mentioned in the context of lower-quality materials) Howdens France - the French version of UK kitchen suppliers, Howdens. Glossary (French terms used in this episode that might be new to you) Devis – a legally binding quote and contract between a homeowner and a trade Décennale / assurance décennale – mandatory ten-year insurance covering structural work TVA – French value-added tax applied to labour and materials Micro-entrepreneur (ME) – self-employed business status in France SIRET number – official business registration number Attestation d’assurance – proof of insurance coverage Cotisations – mandatory social charges paid by French businesses Mairie – local town hall Maison secondaire – second home ERP – regulations for buildings open to the public Notaire – public official handling property sales and legal transfer Connect: Facebook | Instagram Subscribe to the newsletter: https://frenchrenodiaries.substack.com/ Email: frenchrenodiaries@gmail.com Find out more about us and our French reno businesses: Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis) S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell) Paul Wilkins Elect…","meta_description":"In this episode of French Reno Diaries UNCENSORED , we tackle one of the biggest and most emotionally charged topics for anyone renovating in France: mone…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3100,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906/episodes/why-budgets-blow-the-brutal-truth-about-renovation-costs-in-france/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/french-reno-diaries-uncensored-7634906/why-budgets-blow-the-brutal-truth-about-renovation-costs-in-france.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}