Mandatory information on a French building quote: the 2026 checklist

This article covers French regulation. It is written for tradespeople operating in France; rules differ in other countries.

A poorly written quote starts a job on a misunderstanding — and leaves you in a weak position if a dispute follows. In the French building trade, a quote (devis) is not a simple commercial formality: it is a regulated document that binds you from the moment the client signs.

This article is informative and is not legal advice. When in doubt, contact your trade body or a lawyer.

Is a quote always required?

For breakdown, repair and maintenance work in the building sector, a written quote must be given to the client before work starts (order of 24 January 2017). There is no minimum amount: even a small job is covered.

For other work, the quote remains the only serious way to fix the scope, the price and the timeline. A quote that is dated, signed and marked « bon pour accord » protects the tradesperson as much as the client.

Failing to provide proper pre-contract information can lead to an administrative fine of up to €3,000 for an individual and €15,000 for a company.

The checklist

1. Your company details

• Trading name or owner's name
• Legal form
• Registered address, phone, email
• SIRET number
• Intra-EU VAT number, if you are VAT registered

2. Client details

• Private client: name, address, phone
• Business client: company name, contact details, VAT number
• The site address if it differs from the billing address

3. Details about the document

• The word « devis » clearly shown
• Issue date and a reference number
• The validity period of the offer (30, 60 or 90 days for example)
• Whether the quote is free or chargeable, and its price if chargeable
• Space for the handwritten line « Devis reçu avant l'exécution des travaux, bon pour accord », dated and signed

4. The work itself

• Start date and estimated duration
• An itemised breakdown of each service and product, with quantity and unit price
• Labour cost (hourly rate or fixed price) and travel costs
• Net total, VAT per applicable rate, gross total

5. Payment and cancellation

• Payment method and terms (deposit, instalments, accepted means)
• Warranty and after-sales terms
• The cooling-off period where it applies, notably for doorstep selling

6. Ten-year insurance

For work covered by the French garantie décennale, state your insurer, the policy number and the geographic area covered. More and more clients check this before signing.

Which VAT rate applies?

Rate	Work concerned	Main condition
20%	New build, non-eligible work	Default rate
10%	Renovation, improvement, maintenance of a dwelling	Dwelling completed more than 2 years ago
5.5%	Energy renovation (insulation, efficient heating…)	Dwelling completed more than 2 years ago

To apply a reduced rate, the client must certify that the dwelling meets the conditions. Keep that certificate.

Our French building VAT calculator settles it in a few questions.

From quote to invoice: what changes in 2026

• 1 September 2026: every company must be able to receive invoices in electronic format.
• 1 September 2027: small and medium companies must also issue them.

A PDF sent by email between businesses will no longer be enough: a structured format such as Factur-X will be required, transmitted through an approved platform.

Check where you stand on e-invoicing

The four costliest mistakes

1. Leaving out the approval line — without it, the client's agreement is hard to prove.
2. Being vague about the work — itemise instead of quoting a single lump sum.
3. Using the wrong VAT rate — this exposes you to a tax adjustment.
4. Forgetting the validity period — without an expiry date, your price binds you indefinitely.

A compliant quote in minutes

With Aidifis, the mandatory details are already in the template: company identity, multi-rate VAT, ten-year insurance, validity period and signature block. You pick your line items from a priced work library, and a signed quote becomes a compliant invoice in one click.

Start for free

FAQ

Is a quote required for a small repair?

Yes. For breakdown, repair and maintenance work in the building sector, a written quote must be given before work starts, with no minimum amount.

How long is a quote valid?

The tradesperson sets the period freely, but it must appear on the quote. Common periods are 30, 60 or 90 days.

Who fills in the reduced-VAT certificate?

The client certifies that the dwelling meets the conditions. The tradesperson keeps the document as evidence.

Does a signed quote count as a contract?

Dated, signed and marked « bon pour accord » by the client, the quote binds both parties on scope, price and conditions.