How do I check a builder’s insurance in France?

Ask the provider for a certificate of assurance décennale and current civil liability insurance. Verify the document name and the insurer, and note the coverage period. If you have doubts, request written confirmation or check with the insurer directly.

Do I need a written quote before work starts?

Yes. For any work beyond simple small tasks, request a detailed written devis showing scope, materials, timings and the payment schedule. A signed devis reduces misunderstandings and is the basis for the final invoice.

Who applies for permits for an extension or major renovation?

Responsibility for permits should be agreed before work starts. Sometimes the homeowner applies via the mairie, sometimes the professional handles the application. Always confirm who will submit documents and how permit timelines affect the schedule.

What should a final invoice include?

A final facture should identify the business, show the work performed, list materials and labour costs, and include payment details. It should also reference any agreed warranties or guarantees.

Can I use a marketplace to get multiple offers?

Yes. Posting a task in a local marketplace lets several providers see the brief and make offers. Use the offers to compare scope, timings and the details included in each written devis.

Finding and hiring builders and renovators across France

Updated October 21, 2026

How people search and check providers

Finding a builder or renovator in France often starts with recommendations from friends, family or neighbours. Local search engines, trade directories and online marketplaces are also common. When you have a short list, typical checks include looking for recent photos of similar work, asking for references, and verifying business details such as a SIRET number or registration with relevant trade bodies.

A quick call or site visit is useful to assess communication and language. If you do not speak French, ask whether the provider or a contact person speaks your language. Many professionals handle simple exchanges in English in larger towns, but French is the working language on site in most places.

Ask for recent photos of completed jobs and contactable references
Check the provider’s business identity - request a SIRET or registration detail
Meet on site to discuss access, materials and any constraints

What to ask before you agree

Before agreeing to a job, make sure you have a detailed written quote - a devis - that describes the scope of work, materials, timings, payment schedule and who does what if subcontractors are used. Clarify whether the quoted price is fixed or likely to change if unforeseen issues appear.

Ask specifically about insurances, warranties and who is responsible for obtaining permits. Confirm whether the provider will handle deliveries, waste removal and any safety measures during work. If the project affects shared structures or party walls, check whether neighbours need to be informed.

Request a written devis with itemised materials and labour
Confirm insurance cover and written guarantees
Agree a realistic timeline and payment schedule

Qualifications and registrations to check in France

Some qualifications and registrations are commonly used to check a professional’s status. Ask for proof of registration with the relevant authority - for artisans this can include registration with the Chambre de Métiers et de l'Artisanat or an entry in the national business register identified by a SIRET. Request copies of professional certificates if specific trades are required.

For certain work, a 10-year liability insurance - assurance décennale - is widely used and expected. This insurance covers major defects on structural and certain renovation works for ten years following completion. If you plan energy-efficiency upgrades, check whether the provider holds an RGE qualification - Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement - which is commonly requested for eligibility to some support schemes.

Ask for SIRET or registration documents
Request proof of assurance décennale and current liability insurance
Check for RGE qualification if you plan insulation or heating upgrades

Permits, timing and seasonality

Major structural changes or extensions may require a permit or a déclaration préalable. Permit rules and timings vary by commune, so check with your local mairie whether your project needs formal approval and who is responsible for applying. Allow extra time for permit applications and any neighbour consultations.

Renovation work in France tends to be busiest in spring and summer. If you have a tight deadline, start enquiries early and expect longer lead times for trades and materials during peak months. Indoor work can continue in cooler months, but external work is often scheduled to avoid winter weather.

Check with your mairie about permits and processing times
Plan around a busier spring and summer season
Build buffer time into the project schedule for delays

How quotes and payments are normally handled

A clear written quote - devis - is the basis for most agreements. It should list materials, labour, unit costs and the total. Providers commonly ask for a deposit before work starts and interim payments for larger projects, with a final invoice on completion. Agree the payment schedule in writing and keep copies of invoices.

Payment methods vary. Bank transfer is common, and many professionals accept cards, cheques or platform payments. If you use a marketplace or platform where card payments are routed, those payments are typically paid out to the provider’s bank account through a payment processor. Keep records of all payments and request a detailed facture (invoice) at the end of the job.

Get an itemised devis and sign it before work starts
Agree and record the deposit and payment schedule
Keep all invoices and proof of payment

How a Websta profile helps you compare providers

A Websta profile presents a provider’s services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking in a single page that looks like a small website. The marketplace lets people nearby find providers by service and place and post a task for providers to make offers on. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider’s own bank account through Stripe; the provider sets the prices.

Use profiles to compare practical details quickly - services offered, recent photos, stated availability and contact options. A clear profile can make it easier to shortlist providers to contact for a site visit and a written devis. If a profile is derived from public business data, look for notices about claiming or removing the page and verify the business information directly with the provider.

Compare services, photos and contact options on one page
Post a task in the marketplace to invite offers from nearby providers
Verify any business details shown on a profile with official documents

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a builder’s insurance in France?: Ask the provider for a certificate of assurance décennale and current civil liability insurance. Verify the document name and the insurer, and note the coverage period. If you have doubts, request written confirmation or check with the insurer directly.
Do I need a written quote before work starts?: Yes. For any work beyond simple small tasks, request a detailed written devis showing scope, materials, timings and the payment schedule. A signed devis reduces misunderstandings and is the basis for the final invoice.
Who applies for permits for an extension or major renovation?: Responsibility for permits should be agreed before work starts. Sometimes the homeowner applies via the mairie, sometimes the professional handles the application. Always confirm who will submit documents and how permit timelines affect the schedule.
What should a final invoice include?: A final facture should identify the business, show the work performed, list materials and labour costs, and include payment details. It should also reference any agreed warranties or guarantees.
Can I use a marketplace to get multiple offers?: Yes. Posting a task in a local marketplace lets several providers see the brief and make offers. Use the offers to compare scope, timings and the details included in each written devis.

About the numbers

Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.

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