The FRD Uncensored Newsletter
April 2026
Hoping to get some renovation work done before summer? Read on for some essential questions to ask your artisans. We also tell you how it is ‘on the ground’ right now (yes, increasing fuel prices are having an impact). There’s a glut of episodes from March to listen to - plus two new ones this month. And we’ve got some behind-the-scenes news to share. Buckle up, renovators - it’s a big one!
📢 The noisy bit! (what’s been happening on the podcast this month)
We’ve had a big ol’ moan and a big ol’ laugh this month, starting with Episode 15 - a Rants and Bants episode that covers everything from misguided Facebook comments about refusing to pay deposits to artisans, to Londoners who think renovating in France is just the same as it is in the UK (spoiler: it isn’t).
And, nobody’s Instagram feed is showing you this - but Rosie, Sue and Micala are! In Episode 16, we share our own living-on-site stories. Expect to come away knowing how to make living on site work - without getting burnt out, destroying your relationship, or going without a wash!
By the way…
The eagle-eyed (or eared) among you will have noticed that we’re now publishing every fortnight instead of weekly. Need more FRD Uncensored? Check the list below to see if there are any you missed in the bumper five-week month that was March! (Or, even better, contact us about sponsoring the show and we might be able to publish episodes more frequently again. That’s a genuine offer…)
Episode 14: Rants & bants (The one where we consider doing Bulgarian Reno Diaries)
Episode 13: Do you really need a project manager for your French renovation?
Episode 12: Rants & Bants! (The one where everyone’s an expert)
Episode 11: Women in reno in France (and why visibility matters more than ever)
Episode 10: Rants & Bants! (The one where the dream meets French paperwork)
What we’re seeing ‘on the ground’
Across our own projects and client consultations, a few patterns keep coming up:
Timelines are still being underestimated
Projects are rarely quick. Planning, permissions, ordering materials, and coordinating trades all take time, and delays can happen at multiple stages.Costs are continuing to rise
We’re seeing ongoing increases in fuel, and suppliers have already started warning of further price rises on materials. This has a direct impact on overall project costs, especially on longer renovations where prices can shift mid-project.Budgets are still being underestimated at purchase stage
For full renovations, we’re consistently seeing figures that surprise people once they get into the detail. These aren’t ‘worst case’ figures - it’s just the reality of doing things properly with qualified trades.
Ce n’est qu’un au revoir…
There’s been a big change behind the scenes this month, which will become apparent to you, dear listener, from Episode 17 (due out Tue 12th May) onwards. Our co-host, Micala, has taken the tough decision to step away from the podcast for now, due to other commitments. We’ve loved having her on French Reno Diaries and she’s been a big part of what it’s become. She’ll definitely be missed, but we’re comforted by the fact that we’ll still be be seeing her on the online French reno circuit - and, who knows, maybe she’ll be back on the show one day…
Sue returns - with tales a plenty (and muddy hands!)
Sue recently spent time in Kenya volunteering with the Nasio Trust - and she’s come back full of inspiration and admiration.
“It was a completely different pace of life and a real eye opener, working alongside local teams and being part of projects that make a genuine difference to families and the wider community.
“One of the hands on moments was helping to “smear” a house, a traditional process using mud to finish and protect the walls. It’s simple, physical work, but plays such an important role in creating safe, liveable homes.”
Needless to say, it’s an experience that’s stayed with her - and one she’ll no doubt share more about over the coming months. In the meantime, if you’d like to support the charity and the work they’re doing, you can donate via Sue’s JustGiving page 🫶
French Reno Hacks
Trade tip of the month: If you’re hoping to have work done before summer, don’t just ask “When can you start?”. Instead, ask:
Are materials available and what are the lead times?
Who is actually going to be on site and when?
What needs to happen before work can begin?
Because in most cases, it’s not the start date that delays a project - it’s everything that comes before it!
Good to know: If you’re buying a property to renovate in France, the purchase price is only part of the story. By the time you factor in notaire fees, surveys and reports, initial securing or safety works, and the first stage payments to trades, you may need access to funds much earlier than expected. We often see projects stall before they even begin, simply because the upfront costs weren’t fully planned for.
And finally…
We’ve got some cracking episodes coming up, featuring a strong mix of guests - from estate agents and interior designers through to business consultants and YouTubers who’ve documented their own renovation journeys. As well as quizzing them on everything they’ve experienced in the French reno world and extracting as much advice as possible, we’re inviting them all to join in with our Rants and Bants, which you’ll now find at the end of each episode. We’re also including a round-up of your comments and emails - keep an ear out if you’ve had something to say! 👂
Until next time, happy renovating!
Sue & Rosie
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