Estimates must be realistic

An architect engaged to oversee renovation work in a home as a maître d’oeuvre must provide an accurate estimate of the cost, France’s top appeal court has confirmed.

Connexion journalist
Published Modified

One architect was obliged by the Montpellier appeal court to compensate clients after the €813,464 bill for renovation works in their house far exceeded the initial €458,042 estimate (both before VAT).

He then lost a further appeal to the Cour de Cassation and was told to pay the clients’ additional €3,000 costs.

The court said that an estimate should be accurate, though a variation of up to 10% was admissible.

The compensation payment was not for the full amount, due to luxurious additional items the homeowners asked for during the works.

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