Getting estimates and building quotes for renovating your property in France

Finding Workers and Getting Quotes

Introduction : Making a list of artisans : Getting a quote : Accepting a quote : Payments and price changes

Before you start speaking to builders you must be absolutely clear yourself about the plans. Study them until you know every detail shown. As far as possible you should adhere to the plans in every detail.

Note - you should be familiar with SIRET numbers before appointing a French registered company - see HERE.

This isn't because I think the authorities will order your property to be demolished because a sink is in the wrong place. It is because as soon as you allow an informal change that can escalate into misunderstandings between the different workers involved, disputes, and uncontrollable increase in costs.

For example, assume that the plumber has a good idea about using a wider shower than you had planned, for the same price. Why not, you may think, and agree with him. As a minimum, you now need to tell the maçon (the drainage pipes may need moving before the concrete floor is built), the plasterer who is constructing internal walls (these will contain the water pipes), the electrician (rules about lights and electrical fittings being within a certain distance of a shower) and the tiler, all in writing and all with copies of the revised plans. There may be others to tell as well, this is just an example.

With the problems of language thrown in as well, it can very quickly become a project that is impossibly complicated.

So anyway, now you are ready with you pile of plans and a clear picture of how the finished project will look. Let the fun start - it is time to get the estimates (devis as they are known in French).  It is normal to get the estimates during the months that you are waiting for the planning permission to be approved - this will save a lot of time. See next page.