Replies

1. 
   cliffp | Jan 08, 1999 09:44am | #1

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   Dag!

   The last time I was there I was in Zeeland (Middleburg). Much to the amusement of the relatives we were staying with, I asked that we stop op de winkel at a couple of hardware stores/building centers. While a long way from a Home Depot, in size, these winkels had a pretty good selection of materials and tools. I expect you'll be able to get (most) anything you want at Alice's restaurant...(oops, wrong song).

   One thing--it may pay to check as to whether a permit is needed. For instance, when I was there (10 years ago), you had to get a permit to do exterior painting. And you had to remove all the old finish (to bare wood) before repainting.
   I think the attitude there is pretty different about not getting a permit (the trade guilds are still a real force). You probably won't have your neighbors informing on you (as in Switzerland), but if you generate any debris, it will attract notice. Not to mention that you might have to dispose separately from the household trash. Unless you bring it back in your luggage...

   I was suprised to see that so much do-it-yourself stuff (materials, tools, and info) was available.

   Enjoy! There is hardly a more vriendelijk people around. Need an electricien?

   Goede reis en het beste!

   (And I don't know how to say "three tripper" in Nederlands...)

   Tot ziens,

   Cliff

2. 
   Guest_ | Jan 09, 1999 03:15am | #2

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   Helped a friend remodel in Den Hague, he get could most anything locally, but not as self service as at Home Depot. Watch out if you in a historical district. You'll be scrutinized more and not allowed to change the outside look of the building. We were tossing bricks and debris into a dumpster and some old guy came by and offered 10 guilders for the metal scrap - gutters and lead pipe. I'm sure he resold them for 50, but we were just throwing it out and it nice to see it recycled. This was before the US recycled anything more then aluminum cans. -David

3. 
   dan_seelig | Jan 09, 1999 03:15am | #3

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   Does anybody have any experience working in the Netherlands?I am going over next week to help a friend renovate their bathroom and I wanted to know a few things such as...Do they have wonderboard or cementboard?How about thinset?Any other comments will be okay too.Dank u wel voor jouw hulpen. Met vriendelijke groeten,Dan