Work of art-isan

There’s an art to finding a good artisan in France, as Rosie Ellis explains, and ways to ensure they’re qualified to do the work you’ve hired them to do

- Rosie Ellis

The contract has been signed and you’ve got a moving date. At last, your French property renovation project can begin! All you need now is a good artisan or two, to help you get the work done and ‘la belle vie’ can get underway.

Not so fast! There are plenty of good artisans (aka tradespeople) in France. But demand is outstripping supply at the moment, with many of them busy handling a backlog of work caused by lockdown and serving the needs of a flurry of British customers arriving in France ahead of the Brexit deadline.

In a situation like this, it can be tempting to go with the first person who’s available, but if that person turns out to be anything less than what they say they are – whether it’s a well-meaning handyman who’s not adequately covered to carry out the work you need him for, or the dreaded rogue trader – you stand to risk losing everything you’ve invested.

Instead, take time to read (and apply!) the advice below, and you’ll be well on your way to the good life…

PROOF’S IN THE PAPERWORK

There are some key documents that you can and should ask to see when you first make contact with an artisan, which will tell you if they’re properly registered and insured to do the work you want to hire them for. If he or she can provide you with this information, you’re probably onto a good thing. If not, you might as well stop right there.