{"id":717,"date":"2024-05-17T08:48:56","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T07:48:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artisancentral.fr\/blog\/?p=717"},"modified":"2026-06-24T09:32:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:32:02","slug":"informative-and-essential-devis-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/informative-and-essential-devis-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Informative and Essential Devis Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong><strong>When you receive a devis in France, you&#8217;re not simply receiving a price. You&#8217;re receiving a legal document that may become a binding contract, define your rights, determine your insurance protection, and provide evidence should a dispute arise.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Receiving a professionally formatted devis for renovation or construction work on your French home is not just a formality; it\u2019s a crucial step in ensuring the legality and quality of the work. Once signed, a devis becomes a legally binding contract between the homeowner and the tradesperson, with very few exceptions for reneging on that agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through our work with homeowners and trades, we&#8217;ve found that there is often uncertainty around what a compliant devis should include, particularly amongst businesses unfamiliar with French construction regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong><em>A professional devis doesn&#8217;t stand alone. It should align with the business registration, declared activities and insurance that sit behind it.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Behind every professional devis sits a legal framework that ensures the work is carried out by a properly registered and appropriately insured business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is one reason we recently created the downloadable <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ReviewCheclist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Review Checklist<\/a> for homeowners in France and generated this informative and essential devis guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CHECK THE BUSINESS IDENTITY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before looking at the price, check that the business is properly registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A professional trade should be able to provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>their SIRET number;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>where applicable, a recent KBIS showing their registered activities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an Assurance D\u00e9cennale certificate covering the work they are quoting for.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These three documents should support each other. If one document says one thing and another says something different, don&#8217;t ignore it. Ask questions before signing the devis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If they don&#8217;t, ask why.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON THE DEVIS? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When a devis is issued, it should be accompanied by the appropriate assurance attestation. The checklist below has been sourced from the French government\u2019s website and provided in English to benefit our English-speaking audience. It\u2019s important to note that devis must be in French; English devis are not and will not be accepted in a court of law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;devis <strong>must include<\/strong>&nbsp;the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Date of writing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Company name and address \/ Legal status of the company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Client name<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Place of execution of the operation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is necessary to mention Insurance policy info: name of insurance company and policy number<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The exact nature of the work to be carried out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Detailed breakdown, in quantity and price, of each service and product necessary for the planned operation: name, unit price and designation of what it applies to (labour hours, linear meter or square meter) and the planned quantity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hourly labour rate&nbsp;including tax: TVA included: All taxes included<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Methods for counting the estimated time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If any: travel expenses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total amount to be paid&nbsp;excluding tax: Excl. TVA: Excluding taxes and&nbsp;tax included: TVA included: All taxes included with TVA rate. If TVA is not applicable devis should include: VAT not applicable, art. 293 B of the CGI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The validity period of the devis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indication on the devis: free or paid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost of the devis when paid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 copies to be produce: one for the customer and one for the business owner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WHY VALIDITY PERIODS MATTER?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A validity period \u2013 how long that devis is valid for &#8211;\u00a0 must be included. Geopolitical events around the world have knock-on effects on the supply of materials. \u00a0A price quoted one day may be completely different once a devis has been signed. Three months used to be the industry standard. COVID affected, and those 3 months were reduced to 30 days. Now we are seeing 14 days or even 7. That is how volatile material pricing has become. A shorter validity period isn&#8217;t about pressuring homeowners into making a quick decision. It&#8217;s about protecting both parties against unexpected changes in supplier pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WHAT HAPPENS IF A PRELIMINARY DEVIS IS NOT GIVEN TO THE CUSTOMER? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When the professional does not provide a devis to the client, he is exposed to an&nbsp;<strong>administrative fine<\/strong>&nbsp;of up to&nbsp;<strong>\u20ac3,000<\/strong>&nbsp;for a natural person (individual entrepreneur) and&nbsp;<strong>\u20ac15,000<\/strong>&nbsp;for a company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>IS THE DEVIS PAID OR FREE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In France, a devis may be free or chargeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For straightforward projects, many trades continue to provide quotations free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, larger or more technically complex projects may require detailed surveys, drawings, design work or extensive planning before a professional devis can be produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where a charge applies, it should always be made clear before any work is undertaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Transparency is the key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>IS THE DEVIS BINDING ON THE PROFESSIONAL AND THE CLIENT? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The devis is a contract offer which binds the professional once the client has accepted the devis.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The customer is only bound by the quote from the moment he signs it. This signature is considered an expression of his will. He must add the words \u201c&nbsp;<em>good for work<\/em>&nbsp;\u201d or \u201c&nbsp;<em>good for agreement<\/em>&nbsp;\u201d above his signature on the estimate.&nbsp; &#8220;<em>bon pour travaux<\/em>&#8221; ou &#8220;<em>bon pour accord<\/em>&#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the client has not signed the estimate but has paid part of the remuneration to the professional, this payment may bind the client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is necessary to determine whether the money paid is a deposit &#8216;<strong>acompte<\/strong>&#8216; or a partial payment of an amount due in advance, &#8216;<strong>arrhes<\/strong>&#8216;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If it is a deposit &#8216;<strong>acompte<\/strong>&#8216;, then the devis binds the consumer and the professional. If one of the two wishes to withdraw from their commitment, they will have to pay damages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it is a deposit &#8216;<strong>arrhes<\/strong>&#8216;, then the consumer can reconsider his decision. On the other hand, he risks losing this money. The professional can also decide to renounce his commitment; in this case, the doubled money paid must be returned to the consumer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DEVIS MUST ALSO SHOW INFORMATION RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>estimation of the total quantity of waste generated on the construction site;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>management and removal arrangements;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the drop-off point(s) where you plan to drop them off;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the estimation of the associated costs linked to the treatment of this waste, including handling and transport.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WHY PROFESSIONAL PAPERWORK MATTERS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For homeowners, a detailed devis is one of the earliest indicators of how professionally a business operates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the homeowner, receiving a professional, itemised devis is the primary signal that they have selected a <strong>low-risk, high-reliability partner<\/strong>. Most homeowners approach renovations with an inherent sense of anxiety, fear of cost overruns, shoddy workmanship, or the tradesperson disappearing mid-job. A clear, exhaustive <em>devis<\/em> provides immediate relief by replacing that vague anxiety with concrete, documented expectations. It tells the homeowner that the tradesperson is organised enough to have thought through the entire lifecycle of the project, which builds immediate, deep-seated confidence that the work will be executed with the same level of care and foresight. Beyond the initial trust, this paperwork empowers the homeowner to become an active, informed participant in their own project. When a <em>devis<\/em> clearly breaks down materials, labour, and timelines, it provides the homeowner with a &#8220;roadmap&#8221; they can actually understand. This transparency eliminates the &#8220;black box&#8221; of construction, allowing them to feel in control of their budget and expectations. If a problem arises, they know exactly what they are paying for, which transforms the transaction from a stressful leap of faith into a professional collaboration. Ultimately, it allows the homeowner to view the tradesperson as a skilled professional rather than a service provider, making them far more likely to recommend that tradesperson to others and to entrust them with future projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information about devis and sources, please see the links in Additional Reading at the bottom of this article<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"579\" src=\"https:\/\/artisancentral.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/visual-to-include-in-devis-blog-1024x579.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/visual-to-include-in-devis-blog-1024x579.png 1024w, https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/visual-to-include-in-devis-blog-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/visual-to-include-in-devis-blog-768x434.png 768w, https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/visual-to-include-in-devis-blog-1536x868.png 1536w, https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/visual-to-include-in-devis-blog.png 1550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you receive a devis that does not include any of the &#8216;legales&#8217; mentioned above, it might be prudent to eliminate it from your review process. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you receive a professionally presented devis but no mention of their ten-year guarantee [ideally, this should accompany the devis, but it is not always the case], ask to see the attestation so that you can see that the work quoted for is appropriately covered.&nbsp; You have every right to remind them of their legal obligation to provide you with their ten-year guarantee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, a devis becomes a legally binding contract once it has been signed with the words &#8220;bon pour travaux&#8221; or &#8220;bon pour accord.&#8221; Until then, feel free to explore multiple devis options. As the homeowner investing in your French home, expect professionalism and quality craftsmanship from the outset of your inquiry to the project&#8217;s completion. Work with tradespeople who demonstrate a serious commitment to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This is why we only promote pre-checked tradespeople who are happy to share their registration and insurance details with us like they would present them to their customers. Potential customers can confidently contact our members, knowing we have already completed the review checklist.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before signing a devis, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Is the business properly registered?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Does the KBIS match the work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Does the insurance cover the quoted activity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Is the paperwork detailed and professional?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Are the terms clear?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Has everything been explained?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the answer is yes&#8230; you&#8217;re far more likely to be dealing with a professional business that takes its responsibilities seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A professional devis is far more than a price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It reflects the standards, compliance and professionalism of the business behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the registration, insurance, paperwork and communication all align, homeowners gain confidence that they&#8217;re working with a business that takes its responsibilities seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Artisan Central, that&#8217;s exactly what we look for before welcoming any trade into our directory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because trust doesn&#8217;t begin when the work starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It begins with the paperwork.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional reading:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.habitatpresto.com\/pro\/conseils\/administratif-fiscalite\/devis-mentions-obligatoires\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.habitatpresto.com\/pro\/conseils\/administratif-fiscalite\/devis-mentions-obligatoires<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/entreprendre.service-public.fr\/vosdroits\/F31144\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/entreprendre.service-public.fr\/vosdroits\/F31144<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Homeowners across France are searching for trustworthy tradespeople they can rely on. And guess what? They&#8217;re looking for them right here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.artisancentral.fr\/members\/benefits.fees.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Join<\/a> our pre-checked directory and let your reputation speak for itself! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Artisan Central has created content. If you have any questions, please contact us <a href=\"mailto:admin@artisancentral.fr\">admin@artisancentral.fr<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article was written in 2024 and updated in June 2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you receive a devis in France, you&#8217;re not simply receiving a price. You&#8217;re receiving a legal document that may become a binding contract, define your rights, determine your insurance protection, and provide evidence should a dispute arise. Receiving a professionally formatted devis for renovation or construction work on your French home is not just [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice","category-renovations","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=717"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":805,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717\/revisions\/805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artisan-central.fr\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}