How to choose a craftsman?

It is not always easy to find

to whom to entrust your project.

Here are some tips for choosing a trusted craftsman.

How to find a good craftsman?

Your search will be different depending on the type of work to be done.

If, for example, you have just bought a house and there is a lot of work to be done, consider contacting a general building company which has all the trades within it and will have a global vision of the project.

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On the other hand, if you need a specific craftsman to carry out your work (mason, painter, plumber, electrician, roofer, carpenter, tiler, etc.), here are some tips for making your choice.

• Find a craftsman by word of mouth

Ask those around you, your family or your network if they know of a quality craftsman for carrying out interior fittings work (structural work, renovation, thermal insulation work, painting work, air conditioning, masonry work, etc.).

This is the most effective technique to ensure that you call on a professional who works conscientiously.

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Talk about your renovation project around you: your friends could also advise against certain building tradesmen due to problems encountered, saving you from experiencing the same disappointment.

If you're buying a property, ask the real estate agent if they have a qualified tradesman to recommend.

• Use a platform specialized in works

There are several sites for connecting craftsmen and individuals to find a building professional or qualified craftsmen:

• Works.com

• Quotas

• The work house

• HabitatPresto

On these sites, you are asked to describe your project in detail, then you are quickly put in contact with several professionals in your region who undertake to carry out your work project according to your budget according to a quality charter.

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• Find a craftsman online

Online research is also a possibility.

Our advice

Don't just look at the builder's website.

Also consult the opinions of its former customers and its social networks, which are often instructive.

4 pitfalls to avoid

Finding a craftsman to do the work is not always easy.

What are the points to check before signing?

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• Do not inquire about the preselected company

Ask your contractor for references to see how they work and their level of finish.

If he has no photos to show you or projects to tell you about, beware (unless he has just created his company of course).

Before you decide, consider looking for information on the companies that interest you:

• The type of company: Is it declared (look for its siret number).

  Is it a micro-entrepreneur, an LLC, etc.?

  ?

• How old is it?

  Find the year of creation of the company (available on infogreffe.fr or societe.com)

• The qualifications of the company: Does it have RGE certification (recognized guarantor of the environment)?

• Does it have a 10 year, current year warranty?

  The invoice date must be within the year of the ten-year guarantee to be valid for 10 years (even if the craftsman goes out of business before the end of 10 years, the insurance then takes over here) .

• Does it have labels that guarantee its technical know-how?

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Building professionals or labeled craft companies (Qualit'Enr, Qualibat RGE, etc.) are a safe bet.

Does he have professional liability coverage?

A delivery time guarantee?

Do not hesitate to ask the question.

Also consider calling on the Chamber of Trades.

• Only get one quote

Don't hesitate to ask for several quotes (at least three work quotes) to get an idea of ​​the median market price and find the right compromise.

The quote must be detailed, item by item, to enable you to compare prices.

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Meeting several professionals also allows you to compare the opinion and advice given by each craftsman, to find the one who will be able to adapt to your project.

Some will be more forceful than others, will question certain ideas to optimize the potential of your property and find adequate solutions.

On the other hand, if the professional asks no questions and takes no action, be careful.

• Pay all the work when the quote is signed

It is essential that the contractor or craftsman offers you an invoicing schedule.

As a general rule, it is customary to pay:

• 30% upon signature of the quote,

• 40% under construction,

• 30% upon receipt of the site, once the work has been completed and you have checked that the finishes have been carried out according to the rules of the trade.

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Do not accept any quote where you are asked to pay 100% upon signing.