Have you signed the accommodation of your dreams? You will then enter the round of work and quote requests to carry them out. Please note, this piece of paper should not be taken lightly even if, before being signed by the client, it above all commits the craftsman to maintaining the conditions indicated and remains a contract proposal. Once signed, it acts as a real contract and binds the two parties concerned: the professional and the client.
Before checking strategic points, already check that the quote in question includes the mandatory information such as the contact details of the company or entrepreneur, its status and legal form (SARL, EIRL, etc.), its SIREN or SIRET number of the company, VAT identification (if the professional is subject to it) and the quote number.
The automatic indexation clause
On a quote for work, this price revision or indexation clause allows the issuing company to take into account theevolution of economic conditions for raw materials or the price of its suppliers. If it is not there, the professional must maintain its price during the validity period of the quote.
If it is worded, it takes into account indexing on public and verifiable indices such as the BT index for general construction companies or the FFB index by trade (masonry, electricity, carpentry, plumbing, etc.). The most important point is that the calculation can be verified because a sentence stipulating “revisable price in the event of an increase in materials” has no legal value.
The non-refundable deposit
Although paying a deposit is rather a common practice, it is not obligatory. The deposit becomes a firm and definitive commitment for both parties, that is to say that the company or the craftsman obliges to deliver the site and you undertake to have them do the work.
Please note that it is mandatory to issue an invoice for a deposit paid in accordance with article 289 of the General Tax Code. If you change your mind once this deposit has been paid, you will lose the money. If it is the company that withdraws, it will have to reimburse you. Please note, both parties are entitled to claim damages from the other in return.
The non-contractualized deadline
If a quote always has a lifespan, the craftsman or company must be constrained with regard to the duration of work by mentioning a date, a period (2nd quarter for example) or a deadline as part of its pre-contractual information obligation.
Good to know: if nothing is specified, the professional must comply within 30 days, in theory. Worse, if he constantly postpones the start date of the work, he must be given notice, in writing, so that he carries out the service within a reasonable additional period of time. If the work is not done, terminate the contract and demand reimbursement of the deposit paid.
The absence of late penalties
If there is no mention of late penalties on the quote, ask for them to be stipulated, next to the delivery date. It is a legal process which ensures and secures the delivery date of a project to avoid false advertising. In fact, they apply as soon as the delay exceeds 30 days from the scheduled date, with some exceptions. On the contracts, mention may be made of the insurance company which will have to pay these famous penalties.
The ten-year guarantee
Not only must the professional be able to provide a certificate of ten-year guarantee but he must also indicate on his quotes and invoices the mention of the professional insurance including the number of the insurance contract and the geographical coverage of the guarantee.
As a reminder, this guarantee commits companies to repairing damage occurring for 10 years and concerns entrepreneurs, developers, land developers, project managers, architects, technicians, design offices, engineers, craftsmen and self-employed people.
