New kitchen, bathroom, windows, pool or an extension: many buyers renovate after purchase. In France things work a little differently. With these basics you'll avoid the typical mistakes.
Finding the right tradesperson
- Recommendations are the best route on the Côte d'Azur. Ask neighbours, the syndic or us. Good tradespeople are often booked months ahead
- Check the company's SIRET number on annuaire-entreprises.data.gouv.fr to see whether it exists and since when
- Ask for the current year's insurance certificate (attestation d'assurance décennale). It is mandatory for building work
- For state grants for energy renovation, the contractor must hold the RGE label. The MaPrimeRénov' grant, however, only applies to main residences
The devis – the quote
- Get at least two or three quotes
- A good devis lists works, materials, quantities, prices, VAT, duration and payment terms in detail
- With your signature and the words “bon pour accord”, the devis becomes a contract
- Deposit (acompte): 30% is usual, the rest according to progress. Be wary of demands for large advance payments
- VAT: renovation of homes more than two years old is charged at 10% instead of 20%, energy-saving works at 5.5%
Do I need permission?
- Inside (kitchen, bathroom, floors): usually no permit needed. In a flat, however, the owners' meeting must approve if pipes, load-bearing walls or common parts are affected
- Outside (windows, façade colour, air conditioning, pools of 10 to 100 m², small extensions): déclaration préalable at the mairie. Processing usually takes one month
- Larger extensions or new buildings: permis de construire
- Near listed monuments, the Architecte des Bâtiments de France must also approve, which extends the timeline and restricts materials and colours
- What is allowed is set by the municipality's PLU (local zoning plan). We are happy to check it before you buy if you have plans
Handover and guarantees
At the end comes the réception des travaux, the formal handover with minutes. Record any defects in writing as “réserves”. The statutory guarantees run from this date:
- Garantie de parfait achèvement – 1 year: the contractor must fix all defects reported at handover or within the first year
- Garantie biennale – 2 years: for fittings such as radiators, doors or taps
- Garantie décennale – 10 years: for damage affecting the structure or making the building uninhabitable
For larger building projects, the owner must also take out assurance dommages-ouvrage. It pays out quickly, without first having to establish who is at fault.
Tips from experience
- In August, almost everything stops. Plan projects before or after
- Ask for regular progress photos if you are not on site, or appoint a project manager (maître d'œuvre)
- Keep all invoices – they reduce your tax when you sell (see Capital gains on sale)
We are happy to put you in touch with proven tradespeople and architects from our network. More on our About page.
All information without guarantee, as of November 2026. It is for general guidance only and does not replace legal or tax advice.
