Building work: finding the right people, devis and legal guarantees

Choosing who will carry out building or renovation work is one of the most important decisions you will make as a homeowner in France. The system, terminology and legal protections differ significantly from those in the United States, and misunderstandings can quickly become expensive.

Some Americans prefer to work with English-speaking contractors to avoid language barriers. This can be helpful, but fluency alone is not enough.

Anyone carrying out work in France must be properly registered, insured, and compliant with French building regulations. For energy-related renovations, they must also hold specific certifications if you want to qualify for government aid.

Local French contractors (artisans) often have strong ties to the area and good working relationships with local authorities.

Using local tradespeople can also help avoid neighborhood tensions, as construction activity is closely noticed in smaller towns and villages. What matters most is not nationality, but clarity: both sides must have a shared, written understanding of what is being done, when, and at what cost.

For small projects, homeowners sometimes coordinate work themselves. For larger renovations, especially structural work, it is often advisable to appoint a professional to manage the project. This may be:

• an entreprise générale, which takes overall responsibility and subcontracts trades; or
• a maître d’œuvre, who coordinates multiple contractors on your behalf.

Unless you have experience managing construction projects in France, this added cost can significantly reduce risk.