Avoiding problems and checking credentials

France has excellent craftsmen, but, as anywhere, there are unreliable operators. The best protections are due diligence and paperwork.

Before agreeing to any work, you should:

• verify that the business is legally registered and has a SIRET number (checkable on infogreffe.fr);
• ask to see the contractor’s carte professionnelle, issued by the Chambre de Métiers et de l’Artisanat;
• confirm that they hold assurance décennale, a mandatory 10-year insurance covering major defects;
• ensure insurance certificates are current and match the type of work being done.

Avoid anyone proposing to work ‘off the books’. Undeclared work is illegal and leaves you without legal recourse if something goes wrong.

For energy-efficiency work, access to tax credits and zero-interest loans requires contractors to be accredited under the RGE (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement) scheme. This certification also provides some quality assurance, as work may be subject to independent checks.

Where possible, ask for references and visit completed projects. You should also agree, in writing, on a target completion date and penalties for delays, and hold regular site meetings to track progress and resolve issues early.

Failure to meet French standards can lead to refusal of a certificat d’habitabilité, which may be required for insurance, resale, or administrative purposes.