Quick reliable help at home

It puts you in contact with professionals you need in a home emergency, from plumbers and electricians to locksmiths, glaziers and experts in domestic appliances.

They have all been vetted by mesdepanneurs.fr (a subsidiary of energy giant Engie - formerly GDF Suez) and have signed a charter promising expertise, honesty and good service.

Ordering via the internet or phone allows a fast service.

A clear price-scale given in advance avoids nasty surprises that residents (already stressed) can face when presented with bills for emergency repairs.

On the site, you choose the kind of work and the nature of the problem. When you order, you are given a fixed price range and the amount of the top price is blocked against your bank card, as security.

You should then be contacted by a professional in no more than around 20 minutes.

Once they have visited and you have signed a devis (quote) and the work has been done, the amount on the devis is debited from your account.

If you choose not to sign and do not take up the quote, there is nothing to pay.

The service is likely to be more reliable than relying on “useful number” cards that are often left in letterboxes.

Despite appearances these are usually printed by tradespeople to promote themselves, and have not been vetted by the mairie or your syndic.