To ensure that you find the right tradesperson for your project, it is crucial to verify their registration with Chambre de Métiers or CMA. You can do this easily by searching their name or company on the INFOGREFFE website. This will provide you with essential information such as their business address, siret number, and their registered principal activity. If you require more in-depth information, you can download the KBIS of the company for a small fee of 4.86 euros. Additionally, if the tradesperson is a sole trader under the regime ‘Micro Entreprise’, you can obtain a copy of their INSEE document from CMA, which confirms their registration as a tradesperson in France.

It is recommended to inquire about the qualifications of your artisan and ask for their certification as proof, if necessary. It should be noted that not holding an RGE certificate does not necessarily mean that the artisan is incapable of working on your home. While larger companies typically hold this certification, smaller businesses or sole traders may choose not to pursue it due to the significant annual fee and audits required by official bodies like Qualibat. Additionally, an Expat artisan may have qualifications obtained in the UK, such as a City and Guilds in carpentry, which can indicate their level of skill.

When checking an artisan’s website for testimonials, it’s always a good idea to ask for contact information of previous clients. This will allow you to verify the authenticity of the comments made and ensure that they truly reflect the artisan’s professional abilities. Don’t be hesitant to ask for these details, as it’s a common practice in the industry and shows that you take their work seriously.

Verifying that your professional’s insurance policy is current is a crucial step in the process. Apart from ensuring professionalism and reliability, these policies offer coverage to you in the event of any damage on your premises. There are two mandatory policies that should be in place: 1. Professional liability insurance: This plan covers physical, material, or intangible loss caused by the work. 2. Ten-year guarantee: This policy covers specific jobs for ten years following the completion of the project. It’s essential to obtain a complete copy of the artisan’s “assurance decennale” to ensure that they are entirely covered for all aspects of the work being undertaken on your project. The complete document should contain a detailed list of every type of work they are insured to perform. If it’s not listed, they should not be doing it.

When hiring an artisan, it is important to ask for their insurance certificates and not allow them to proceed with the job before you have seen and obtained copies of them for your own records. Don’t accept any excuses or attempts to avoid providing this information.

It is crucial to give careful consideration to the quality of the estimate provided. A detailed, precise, and comprehensive estimate is vital to secure financial aid for renovations and avoid any unforeseen surprises. The estimate should include certain information about the company such as their name, social capital, Siret number, VAT identification number (if applicable), address, telephone number, and professional insurance policy number. According to the law, the devis must be in French and a reliable artisan will often provide a version with English annotations to ensure clarity about the proposed works. It is important to understand that a signed devis becomes a contractual document, so it is essential to review it thoroughly and ensure that nothing has been added or left off before signing.

To read more tips from our team on how to prepare for a French renovation project by visiting our News page