Do I have to sign a quote or a contract before making works in my home?
Verified 16 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
You plan to hire a professional to carry out works in your home (renovation, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair...).) In general, a quote or contract must formalize your agreement. We take stock of the regulations that vary depending on whether a quote or a contract is signed with a company.
Quote signed with a company
The quote is a contract offer. It commits the parties (you and the contractor) as soon as it has been accepted.
The estimate contains an estimated but detailed description of all the services to be performed.
It allows you to check in detail the quality, the quantity of materials needed for the ordered works, the necessary labor, as well as the price charged by the professionals solicited.
The quote is mandatory for breakdown, repair and maintenance services on the following works:
- Masonry
- Fumisterie (chimney and heater maintenance) and climate engineering (ventilation, air conditioning, heating) including renewable energy
- Sweeping
- Insulation
- Carpentry (including maintenance of garage doors, automatic garage doors and electric gates)
- Locksmithing (including door closer replacement)
- Roofing, roofing (including application of water repellent and defoaming)
- Waterproofing (including repairing deck seals, maintaining decks, and research and repair)
- Plumbing, sanitary
- Plaster
- Painting
- Glazing
- Mirror work
- Wall and floor coverings of all materials
- Electricity
- Stormwater drainage, cleaning of sewage pipes
- Cleaning and unclogging pipes
- Maintenance and repair of alarm and remote monitoring systems
- Maintenance and repair of private elevator platforms (lift, elevator)
- Benefits of rodent control and disinsectization
- Garbage disposal maintenance and disinfection
- Maintenance of fire extinguishers.
The delivery of a quote is also mandatory for the operations of replacement or addition of parts, elements or appliances, following the implementation of these services.
When the professional does not give the customer a quote, he is exposed to a administrative fine up to €3,000 for a natural person (individual contractor) and €15,000 for a business.
The quote is usually free of charge. But, the company can charge you if it requires, for example, a trip or a particular study. Before making the quote, the company must inform you of its paid or free nature.
The quote must include the following information:
- Date of writing
- Name and address of the company
- Customer Name
- Place where the operation is carried out
- Exact nature of repairs to be carried out
- Detailed breakdown of each service in quantity and unit price
- Hourly labor rate TTC: titleContent
- How to count the estimated time
- Travel expenses
- Overall amount payable HT: titleContent and TTC: titleContent with rate of TVA: titleContent
- Duration of validity of the offer
- Indication of the free or paid nature of the quote
- Cost of the quote when it is paid.
Warning
If your works (building, renovation or demolition) produce waste, the estimate must specify how they are removed and processed. It also tells you the cost of this management.
Warning
If your works (building, renovation or demolition) produce waste, the estimate must specify how they are removed and processed. It also tells you the cost of this management.
The quotation becomes a contract as soon as it is signed by the two parties.
You are committed as soon as you sign the quote by adding the words « good for works » or « good for agreement » above your signature.
The professional is engaged as soon as you have accepted the quote by signing it.
Each signatory of the quotation must receive an original dated and signed by both parties.
FYI
Before making the works, the company must ask you if you want to recover the parts, items or devices that will be replaced. Your choice must be made in writing and signed. Your signature is preceded by the words « Read and Approved ».
If you have signed the quote on site (in the offices of the company), you can not retract.
If you have signed the quote remote or following a door-to-door canvassing, you can withdraw in a deadline of 14 calendar days.
The deadline starts the day after the quote is signed. If it ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday or unemployed, it shall be extended until 1er business day next.
You must send your withdrawal by letter RAR: titleContent to the contractor. You have no need to explain.
Warning
This period does not apply to works and repairs emergency (example: water leak).
The estimate may provide for the payment of a down payment ordeposit.
THEdown payment represents the 1er payment of a firm and definitive commitment by the two parties. If you no longer want to make the works you lose your entire deposit and the company can claim you damages and interest. If the company disengages, it must return the deposit to you and you can claim damages.
The deposit are part of the amount you pay in advance. You or the professional can waive the contract. If you cancel your commitment, you lose the deposit paid. If the company cancels its commitment, it must reimburse you twice the deposit received.
FYI
The quote specifies whether it is a deposit or a deposit. If nothing is indicated on the quotation, the amount paid is considered as a deposit.
1Send registered letter to contractor
If you notice defects or defects, you must send the company a letter RAR: titleContent .
The letter RAR: titleContent shall include the following information:
- Purpose of your request
- Your contact details
- Customer number and order number.
You can find the company's customer service address on its website, on the contract or in the general terms and conditions (CGV).
Keep a duplicate the letter with the acknowledgement of receipt. If it comes back to you, keep it closed. You will have dated proof of the shipment if you need to initiate legal proceedings.
2Use a mediator or conciliator
In case of dispute, you have the possibility to refer the matter to a consumer ombudsman or one conciliator of justice. This is 2 friendly and free procedures.
Who shall I contact
3Ask the DGCCRF about your rights
It is also possible to contact DGCCRF: titleContent.
Who shall I contact
Are you having a problem following a purchase? Do you have a question about a point of law before buying or ordering?
You can get an answer from an agent of the DGCCRF: titleContent by calling the 0809,540,550.
Opening hours of the service:
Number not overtaxed
- Monday and Tuesday: from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.15pm to 5.15pm
- Wednesday: 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm
- Thursday: from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Friday: from 8:30 am to 4 pm
You can also use the SignalConso online platform which makes it possible in particular to report a problem encountered. Depending on the nature of the dispute, you can receive advice on the steps to take and obtain information about your rights as a consumer.
4Bringing the matter before the court
If you are unable to resolve the dispute, you may refer the matter to the court.
It is mandatory to resort to an amicable resolution method (conciliation or mediation) before referring a dispute to the court for payment of an amount less than or equal to €5,000.
Contract signed with a company
The contract company defines the obligations of the contractor and yours.
The Contractor makes the following commitments:
- Carry out the work or service correctly
- Keep the work in perfect condition until delivery
- Deliver the work within the time limit stipulated in the contract.
You agree to receive the work or service and to pay the price determined in the contract.
One written contract is not mandatory, but it is strongly advised, as it can serve as evidence in case of dispute. However, the signing of a quotation is mandatory for repair, repair and maintenance services for the following works:
- Masonry
- Fumisterie (chimney and heater maintenance) and climate engineering (ventilation, air conditioning, heating) including renewable energy
- Sweeping
- Insulation
- Carpentry (including maintenance of garage doors, automatic garage doors and electric gates)
- Locksmithing (including door closer replacement)
- Roofing, roofing (including application of water repellent and defoaming)
- Waterproofing (including repairing deck seals, maintaining decks, and research and repair)
- Plumbing, sanitary
- Plaster
- Painting
- Glazing
- Mirror work
- Wall and floor coverings of all materials
- Electricity
- Stormwater drainage, cleaning of sewage pipes
- Cleaning and unclogging pipes
- Maintenance and repair of alarm and remote monitoring systems
- Maintenance and repair of private elevator platforms (lift, elevator)
- Benefits of rodent control and disinsectization
- Garbage disposal maintenance and disinfection
- Maintenance of fire extinguishers.
Warning
The quotation becomes a contract as soon as it is signed by the two parties (the contractor and yourself).
The company contract is not specifically regulated. The co-contractors shall be free to determine its content and form.
However, the contract must contain the following information:
- Contact details of contracting authority
- Legal notice of the company (Siren, mention RCS: titleContent followed by the city where the registry office is located where the company is registered or mentioned: titleContent and the group of numbers designating the chamber of trades and crafts, the place of its head office...).
- Ten-yearly liability insurance of the contractor for works relating to the structural work
- Descriptive plans and specifications of works
- Cost of labor and labor
- Schedule of payments (it is recommended that a retention of security of 5% for carrying out the works concerning any defects found during the receipt of work)
- Method of payment, price revision and overall and final price
- Materials
- Rental of machinery
- Start and end date of works
- Conditions for the control and supervision of the structure
- Possible penalties.
Each signatory of the company contract must receive an original dated and signed by both parties.
The contract may also be written in electronic form if the addressee has accepted the use of this means. In this case, it is concluded when you have had the opportunity to check the details of your order and its total price. You can also correct any errors before confirming the order.
FYI
A quote can be prepared by the contractor and presented to you for approval before the company contract is signed. The estimate can thus be appended to the contract.
If you have signed the contract on the spot (in the offices of the company), you can not retract.
If you signed the distance contract or following a door-to-door canvassing, you can withdraw in a deadline of 14 calendar days.
The deadline starts the day after the contract is signed. If it ends on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday or unemployed, it shall be extended until 1er business day next.
You must send your withdrawal by letter RAR: titleContent to the contractor. You have no need to explain.
The contract may provide for the payment of a down payment ordeposit.
THEdown payment represents the 1er payment of a firm and definitive commitment by the two parties. If you no longer want to make the works you lose your entire deposit and the company can claim you damages and interest. If the company disengages, it must return the deposit to you and you can claim damages.
The deposit are part of the amount you pay in advance. You or the professional can waive the contract. If you cancel your commitment, you lose the deposit paid. If the company cancels its commitment, it must reimburse you twice the deposit received.
FYI
The contract specifies whether it is a deposit or a down payment. If nothing is indicated on the quotation, the amount paid is considered as a deposit.
1Send registered letter to contractor
If you notice defects or defects, you must send the company a letter RAR: titleContent .
The letter RAR: titleContent shall include the following information:
- Purpose of your request
- Your contact details
- Customer number and order number.
You can find the company's customer service address on its website, on the contract or in the general terms and conditions (CGV).
Keep a duplicate the letter with the acknowledgement of receipt. If it comes back to you, keep it closed. You will have dated proof of the shipment if you need to initiate legal proceedings.
2Use a mediator or conciliator
In case of dispute, you have the possibility to refer the matter to a consumer ombudsman or one conciliator of justice. This is 2 friendly and free procedures.
Who shall I contact
3Ask the DGCCRF about your rights
It is also possible to contact DGCCRF: titleContent.
Who shall I contact
Are you having a problem following a purchase? Do you have a question about a point of law before buying or ordering?
You can get an answer from an agent of the DGCCRF: titleContent by calling the 0809,540,550.
Opening hours of the service:
Number not overtaxed
- Monday and Tuesday: from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.15pm to 5.15pm
- Wednesday: 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm
- Thursday: from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Friday: from 8:30 am to 4 pm
You can also use the SignalConso online platform which makes it possible in particular to report a problem encountered. Depending on the nature of the dispute, you can receive advice on the steps to be taken and obtain information about your rights as a consumer.
4Bringing the matter before the court
If you are unable to resolve the dispute, you may refer the matter to the court.
It is mandatory to resort to an amicable resolution method (conciliation or mediation) before referring a dispute to the court for payment of an amount less than or equal to €5,000.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For a question about housing
Departmental Agency for Housing Information (Adil)For a question about your rights as a consumer
If you wish to report a difficulty encountered with a merchant
On the internet
You can use the site Conso Signal.
The DGCCRF and the merchant concerned will be informed of your approach.
By phone
0809,540,550
Number not overtaxed
Opening hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: from 8.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.15pm to 5.15pm
- Wednesday: 1:15 pm to 5:15 pm
- Thursday: from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
- Friday: from 8:30 am to 4 pm
By post
DGCCRF - ReplyConso - BP 60 - 34935 Montpellier Cedex 9
Definition of the contract
Freedom of contract
Contract concluded electronically
Number of copies of the contract
Company contract for works
Online service
FAQ
Service Public
Service Public
Service Public
National Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC)
National Institute of Consumer Affairs (INC)
French general directorate for fair trading, consumer affairs and fraud control (DGCCRF)
