Chimney sweep: conditions of access and exercise in France

Verified 08 December 2025 - Entreprendre Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), General Directorate of Enterprises (DGE)

  • Regulated craft activity
  • EPA Code : 81.22Z / NACE European Code : 81.22
  • Social contributions : to be paid to theUrssaf: titleContent
  • Social security scheme: Social security for the self-employed (SSI) or General social security scheme, depending on the method of practice
  • Social protection: CPAM: titleContent (disease), Carsat: titleContent (retirement)

Definition

The chimney sweep is a building professional responsible for ensuring cleaning and maintenance of fume ducts (smoke or chimney ducts) and, more generally, ventilation and heating devices.

It is also competent to maintain many types of facilities, such as wood-burning stoves, stoves, incinerators, boilers, VMC: titleContent or any equipment running on gas, oil or fuel oil...

Chimney sweeps are sometimes referred to as chimney sweep, because its interventions may also consist in constructing the chimney ducts and ensuring their repairs.

He must ensure the proper functioning of these ducts. It performs the diagnosis in order to detect any risk. These risks may include, for example, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, heat loss, or air pollution.

It is a professional who must be in good physical condition. Its interventions can indeed take place in difficult conditions, on a roof, on a ladder, outdoors, or even in narrow exhaust ducts. It can also be impacted by bad weather conditions since its activity intensifies in autumn or winter, during periods of heating.

The chimney sweep operates in a strict regulatory environment, with many standards to meet because he is a technician responsible for the safety of his customers.

It also has a advisory role, in particular with regard to the maintenance of installations or the optimization of energy consumption.

Access

To practice in France, the chimney sweep must have the required qualifications. If these conditions are not filled, the practice of chimney sweep is illegal.

Practicing the profession without having the required qualifications is punishable by fine of €7,500. Illegal practice of the profession is also a criminal offense ofspoofing, punishable byone year in prison and €15,000 of a fine.

If the chimney sweep wishes to direct or manage a company, it must also comply with conditions of good repute. If they do not comply with these conditions, leading or managing a company is forbidden.

The rules on training and qualification depend on the nationality of the chimney sweep.

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French

To work in France, you must have a diploma or experience obtained in France or Europe.

French Diploma

To be able to practice chimney sweep in France, you must have obtained one of the following diplomas:

All these diplomas must attest to a qualification in the profession of chimney sweep.

EU or EEA Diploma

The French chimney sweep having obtained an EU or EEA diploma must ask the CMA: titleContent competent in the place of practice of a attestation of recognition of professional qualification.

This certificate allows recognition of the diploma obtained in theEuropean Union or in a State ofEuropean Economic Area (EEA).

The following supporting documents shall be communicated to the competent CMA:

  • Valid proof of identity
  • Proof(s) of diploma(s) in the original language with their translation
  • Documents attesting to professional experience (e.g. payslips)
  • Employment contract (if possible)
  • Sometimes a fee that varies depending on the relevant CMA.

Please note

Where the training received differs so-called “substantial” from the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the chimney sweep to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the chimney sweep.

At the end of the compensation measure, the CMA shall issue a certificate of professional qualification to the admitted chimney sweep.

3 years of professional experience in France or Europe

It is possible to practice the profession of chimney sweep in France if one justifies a professional experience of 3 years in the profession in France, in theEuropean Union or in a State ofEuropean Economic Area (EEA). This experience must have been acquired as the head of a company, self-employed or employee.

In this case, the person must obtain the issuance of a attestation of professional qualification by the competent Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) in the place of practice.

National of an EU or EEA State

The training and qualification conditions are different if the European national wishes to work in France permanently (freedom of establishment) or temporarily (freedom to provide services).

Permanent exercise (freedom of establishment in France)

To settle in France, the European national must prove a diploma or experience obtained in France or Europe.

French Diploma

To be able to practice chimney sweep in France, you must have obtained one of the following diplomas:

All these diplomas must attest to a qualification in the profession of chimney sweep.

EU or EEA Diploma

To establish permanent residence in France, the chimney sweep national of a State of theEuropean Union or a State ofEuropean Economic Area (EEA) must ask the CMA: titleContent competent in the place of practice of a attestation of recognition of professional qualification.

If the profession is regulated in the State of origin, it is also possible to provide a certificate of competence or evidence of formal qualifications required for the pursuit of the activity of chimney sweep in an EU or EEA State.

If the profession of chimney sweep is not regulated in the State of origin, the practice of the profession must be justified full-time for one year or part-time for an equivalent period in the previous 10 years. This justification shall be accompanied either by a certificate of competence obtained from the CMA or by evidence of formal qualifications obtained in an EU or EEA Member State.

Within one month of receipt of the application, the CMA shall issue a receipt stating the date of receipt of the application.

In the event of an incomplete application, the CMA shall notify the chimney sweep of the list of missing documents within 15 days of its receipt.

In the absence of notification of the CMA's decision within 3 months of receipt of the complete application, recognition of the professional qualification or competences shall be deemed to have been acquired.

Please note

Where the training received differs so-called “substantial” from the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the chimney sweep to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the chimney sweep.

At the end of the compensation measure, the CMA shall issue a certificate of professional qualification to the admitted chimney sweep.

SOLVIT is particularly active in the recognition of professional qualifications.

The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:

  • The public administration of an EU country has not respected the rights that EU law confers on it as a citizen or company of another EU country.
  • A legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).

Submit a complaint to Solvit

After a period of 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution resolves the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
  • If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
3 years of professional experience in France or Europe

It is possible to practice the profession of chimney sweep in France if one justifies a professional experience of 3 years in the profession in France, in theEuropean Unionor in a State ofEuropean Economic Area (EEA). This experience must have been acquired as a company manager, self-employed or employee.

In this case, the person must obtain the issuance of a attestation of professional qualification by the competent Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) in the place of practice.

SOLVIT is particularly active in the recognition of professional qualifications.

The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:

  • The public administration of an EU country has not respected the rights that EU law confers on it as a citizen or company of another EU country.
  • A legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).

Submit a complaint to Solvit

After a period of 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution resolves the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
  • If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Temporary exercise (freedom to provide services)

In order to exercise on a temporary and occasional basis the profession of chimney sweep in France, it is necessary tobe established in one of the Member States of theEuropean Unionor theEuropean Economic Area (EEA).

However, if the profession of chimney sweep is not regulated in the State concerned, it must have been practiced for a period ofat least one full-time year in one or more EU or EEA Member States or during a equivalent part-time period during the 10 years preceding the service performed in France.

the chimney sweep must inform the competent CMA by written declaration that it wishes to practice this profession. If he cannot produce the documents requested under this declaration, he may ask the CMA to take an aptitude test to establish his professional qualification.

They can also obtain a certificate of professional qualification from the CMA.

Please note

Where the training received differs so-called “substantial” from the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the chimney sweep to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the chimney sweep.

At the end of the compensation measure, the CMA shall issue a certificate of professional qualification to the admitted chimney sweep.

Third-country national

To settle in France, a third-country national must prove a diploma or experience obtained in France or Europe.

French Diploma

To be able to practice chimney sweep in France, you must have obtained one of the following diplomas:

All these diplomas must attest to a qualification in the profession of chimney sweep.

EU or EEA Diploma

In order to establish himself permanently in France, the chimney sweep national of a third State must ask the CMA: titleContent competent in the place of practice of a attestation of recognition of professional qualification.

This certificate allows recognition of the diploma obtained in theEuropean Union or in a State ofEuropean Economic Area (EEA).

The following supporting documents shall be communicated to the competent CMA:

  • Valid proof of identity
  • Proof(s) of diploma(s) in the original language with their translation
  • Documents attesting to professional experience (e.g. payslips)
  • Employment contract (if possible)
  • Sometimes a fee that varies depending on the relevant CMA.

FYI  

Where the training received differs so-called “substantial” from the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the chimney sweep to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the chimney sweep.

At the end of the compensation measure, the CMA shall issue a certificate of professional qualification to the admitted chimney sweep.

Third State Diploma

In order to establish himself permanently in France, the chimney sweep national of a third State must ask the CMA: titleContent competent in the place of practice of a attestation of recognition of professional qualification.

The following supporting documents shall be communicated to the competent CMA:

  • Valid proof of identity
  • Proof(s) of diploma(s) in the original language with their translation
  • Documents attesting to professional experience (e.g. payslips)
  • Employment contract (if possible)
  • Sometimes a fee that varies depending on the relevant CMA.

FYI  

Where the training received differs so-called “substantial” from the qualifications and training required in France, the CMA may ask the chimney sweep to carry out a compensation measure. This may be an adaptation period or an aptitude test. The choice is left to the chimney sweep.

At the end of the compensation measure, the CMA shall issue a certificate of professional qualification to the admitted chimney sweep.

3 years of professional experience in France or Europe

It is possible to practice the profession of chimney sweep in France if one justifies a professional experience of 3 years in the profession in France, in theEuropean Union or in a State ofEuropean Economic Area (EEA). This experience must have been acquired as a company manager, self-employed or employee.

In this case, the person must obtain the issuance of a attestation of professional qualification by the competent Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) in the place of practice.

Conditions to be respected throughout the activity

If he wishes lead or manage a company, the craftsman must comply with the conditions of good repute. These conditions ensure that he has not been convicted.

It is impossible to lead or manage a company when the professional is in one of the following cases:

  • Prohibition to direct, administer or control, directly or indirectly, a commercial, craft, agricultural or legal company
  • Conviction to one additional penalty the prohibition of the pursuit of a professional or social activity for a crime or offense.

Control by the CMA

The Chamber of Trades and Crafts (CMA) can check whether the conditions of good repute are respected.

To perform this check, it can access the national register of prohibitions to manage.

Please note

The duty of good repute must be respected and can be monitored throughout the activity.

Exercise

We are dealing here with the obligations imposed on the entrepreneur and not directly on the employee.

The choice of a legal form (or legal status) of the company is a decisive step.

It determines how the company operates, but it also has implications for the tax system and social protection.

There are two main legal forms:

  • ₪(EI) : allows the holder to carry out his activity alone and in his own name. The Head of company and the one and the same person. Micro-company (or self-company) is one with a simplified tax and social regime.
  • Business : allows to carry out an activity in a legal entity distinct from the Head of company. It has the legal personality, i.e. it has its own legal existence (share capital, company name, registered office, etc.).

These two modes of exercise each have their own specific rules:

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- (including micro-entrepreneur)

The creation of an entity (EI) involves few formalities (no drafting of statutes, no constitution of share capital and partner, etc.) and allows to launch its activity quickly. The assets of the individual entrepreneur (IC), including the micro-entrepreneur, are automatically separated into professional and personal assets.

FYI  

For more information, please refer to the fact sheet on the separation of professional and personal assets.

Tax and social system of the classical

The individual entrepreneur is subject to income tax (IR), in the category corresponding to his activity (BIC: titleContent, NCB: titleContent , BA: titleContent..).

However, it is possible to opt for the actual tax regime or even for thebusiness tax (IS).

The individual entrepreneur is covered by the Social Security scheme for self-employed persons. He has the status of a self-employed person (TNS). It does not pay social contributions during at least 90 days which follow the start of its activity.

Our sheet on the social protection for traders and craftsmen details the contributions due and the arrangements for reporting and payment.

Simplified micro-company regime

The scheme of micro-entrepreneur is a very simplified social and tax system. It is applicable when the turnover HT: titleContent does not exceed certain thresholds: for example €188,700 in the case of an activity of selling goods, or €77,700 for the provision of services

The simplified scheme applies automatically for the year of establishment (N) and the following year (N+1) provided that these thresholds are met.

Furthermore, the micro-company is subjected to the exemption from VAT : i.e. the entrepreneur does not declare VAT on the services or sales he makes and cannot deduct it either.

As regards the taxation of income, micro-company is imposed on theIR: titleContent, in the category corresponding to its activity: micro BIC: titleContent, microphone NCB: titleContent , microphone BA: titleContent..). The tax due is calculated taking into account a flat-rate abatement on turnover for business expenses which varies according to the activity carried out (for an activity of selling goods: the allowance corresponds for example to 71% turnover).

For more details on tax allowances, you can consult the sheet on the tax regime for micro-entrepreneurs.

Finally, the entrepreneur pays social security contributions only if he generates turnover.

FYI  

Our fact sheet on the₪(EI) specifies all operating rules.

Business

The business is a legal entity that has a legal personality, i.e. it has its own legal existence (share capital, company name, registered office, etc.). It can sign a commercial lease, hire employees and has a separate estate from that of its partners. It is represented by an officer (a manager or a president) who carries out the activity.

The interest of create a business is to limit the liability of the professional and his associates to the contributions made when the business was set up. It thus makes it possible to protect the personal heritage of each individual.

The trader may engage in a commercial and/or craft activity alone (creating a EURL or a SASU) or byassociating with other persons (SARL, SAS, SAetc.). The creation of a business requires the completion of various formalities such as the drafting of statutes, the deposit of a share capital which can be costly. In addition, the business must comply with various accounting obligations (keeping and filing of annual accounts, convening of shareholders at general meetings (AGMs), holding AGMs for any modification of the statutes of the business, etc.).

Tax system

The profits made by the business are in principle subject tobusiness tax (IS). For certain types of businesses, partners can opt for income tax (IR). In this case, the benefits are reported as BIC: titleContent in the income tax return.

Social protection

The social protection of the business manager varies according to the type of business chosen. The manager of a EURL or a SARL (if he is a majority) is considered a self-employed person and must contribute to the Urssaf on income from self-employment or on a minimum annual basis.

The manager of a SAS, SASU, SARL (minority or egalitarian) is considered as a salaried assimilated worker. It is part of the general social security system. He has a social protection very close to that of an employee. If he does not pay himself wages, he does not have to pay social security contributions.

To make the right choice, it is therefore essential to take into account many factors:

  • Exercise of the activity alone or with several partners (in business )
  • Tax regime for the taxation of profits
  • Social protection scheme according to the envisaged legal form.

To help you choose the legal form that best suits your situation, Urssaf offers the following simulator:

Find the right legal status (form) and compare the cost of social contributions

Report activity

The trader must register the company. This procedure must be carried out online on the website of the companies' Formalities Window:

Window of company formalities

The trader must apply for registration within one month of the declared start date of the activity and no later than 15 days after the start date of the activity. The effect of this formality is to give the company legal status.

This declaration makes it possible to inform all the organizations concerned by the launch of the activity (INSEE, social organizations, Urssaf, public finance center, etc.).

As soon as the application for registration is accepted, INSEE allocates:

  • A number Siren : it is a unique identification number of the 9-digit company 
  • A number Siret : it's thegeographical identifier of each of the establishments from the company, it is therefore possible to have several. This number consists of the Siren and a NIC (Internal Ranking Number).

When registering the company, INSEE also assigns the professional its code EPA: titleContent.

When the professional's spouse decides to work in the company, he must provide a sworn certificate specifying his status in the company:

When the spouse (married, partner of Civil partnerships: titleContent or cohabiting partner) of the head of company professional activity regular in the company, he must opt for one of the following statuses: collaborating spouse, salaried spouse, associate spouse. The choice of a status makes it possible to guarantee her rights, in particular to retirement.

When registering the company, the Head of company declares the status chosen by the spouse on the website of the company formalities desk by providing the following document:

Certificate on the honor of the spouse (married, past or common-law) of a businessman, craftsman or liberal company manager (choice of status)

For more information on the status of the spouse, please refer to the fact sheet on the spouse of the head of company.

FYI  

If no status has been declared, the spouse is deemed to have opted for the status of salaried spouse.

Declaration of non-conviction

When registering his activity, the trader must provide a declaration on honor of non-conviction.

By this declaration, he attests that he has not been the subject of any criminal, civil or administrative sanction prohibiting him from setting up and managing a company.

One template declaration of non-conviction and parentage is available:

Declaration of non-conviction and filiation for registration in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS) and the National Register of companies (RNE)

Contributions called by theUrssaf: titleContent depend on the structure of the business and the legal status of the manager.

To know all the rules concerning the social system of the manager, it is possible to consult the sheet relating to the Social protection of the business manager.

The trader who carries out his activity in his own name ({circumflex over (X)}) or as majority manager of a business (such as a EURL or a SARL), is affiliated to the Social security for self-employed persons (SSI), the compulsory scheme for self-employed persons.

The professional must pay social contributions to the Urssaf from the beginning of his activity.

However, in practice, no contributions or social contributions are required during the first 90 days which follow the launch of its activity.

Since the income is not yet known at the start of the activity, the contributions are first calculated on a flat-rate basis for the first 2 years (at the same rates as those applicable during the course of business). They are then adjusted and regularized according to the actual revenues of the fiscal year.

Contributions must be paid online in one of the following ways:

  • Either every month : payment is made on the 5th or 20th of each month, by direct debit.
  • Either every quarter : payment is made by direct debit, telepayment or credit card on 5 February, 5 May, 5 August and 5 November.

When he carries out his activity within the framework of a business and holds management functions that give him the status of employee assimilated (president or paid CEO of SAS for example), the professional reports to the general social security system.

His social security contributions are identical to those of an executive employee, and he enjoys equivalent social protection, with the exception of unemployment insurance (optional unemployment insurance is however possible).

The chimney sweep has the obligation to subscribe before the work is carried out a ten-year liability insurance, also called ten-year warranty manufacturers, regardless of the form in which he practices his profession (individual entrepreneur, SARL, SAS, etc.).

This insurance guarantees the repair of damage occurring within 10 years following receipt of work.

FYI  

The professional employee is covered by the ten-year guarantee subscribed by his employer.

Damage covered

It covers damage and defects that cannot be detected when receiving work. It must be damage that compromises the strength of the work, or rendering its cannot be used, such as, for example, a dimensioning error or a defect in insulation of the flue gas discharge ducts.

Penalties

Failure to subscribe to a ten-year guarantee may expose the trader to heavy risks sanctions : it may be a criminal sanction, since the craftsman incurs up to €75,000 a fine and six months in prison. It also incurs a civil penalty, such as the obligation to make good the damage at its own expense, or to pay damages and interest.

Warning  

The trader has the obligation to attach to his quotes or invoices decennial liability insurance certificate. This certificate must include all the mandatory particulars.

For more details on the ten-year warranty, you can consult our following page: Ten-year manufacturer's warranty.

The chimney sweep must take out insurance to cover its Professional Civil Liability (CPR) as part of its interventions. He must take out this insurance before the opening of 1er worksite.

This insurance covers the following damages:

  • Bodily (e.g. carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper smoke evacuation)
  • Hardware (e.g. damage to a piece of furniture when maintaining a fireplace)
  • Intangible (e.g. loss of turnover to the customer due to a delay in the execution of the work).

Please note

THEemployer is responsible of all the damage that its employees could cause. Such damages include all bodily, material and non-material damage that may be caused to a third party during working time and at the place of practice. CPR insurance covers these risks.

When employing construction workers, the employer has the obligation to request for each of them the “card”  BTP: titleContent ” as soon as they are hired.

It is an individual and secure card that reliably identifies any employee who works on a site.

The order of the BTP card is made only by internet and requires the creation of an account:

Professional identification card BTP

At the time of the order, the employer pays a flat fee of €9.80.

Any breach by the employer of the obligation to have a BTP card is liable to a fine of €4,000 maximum per employee.

In case of recidivism within 2 years, the fine can go up to €8,000.

For more information, you can consult our fact sheet on the BTP card.

The craftsman can sometimes work in an environment including electrical installations.

The possession of an electrical authorization is mandatory for employees carrying out operations in contact with electrical installations or in their vicinity.

The employer must verify that the employee has prior training that includes a theoretical part and a practical part. The employer then issues the electrical authorization to its employees. At the same time, it provides each employee with a prescription book including electrical safety standards and instructions.

This acknowledges that the employee can carry out his duties safely with regard to the electrical risk.

Please note

The craftsman worker independent is not subject to the obligation to obtain an electrical authorization. However, they must have a level of knowledge of the risks equivalent to that of an authorized employee and be able to prove it.

If he so wishes, the contracting authority or the client may request a training certificate.

When the activity is carried out on a building and civil engineering site, the professional must also comply with specific prevention and protection measures in relation to the electrical risk. Non-compliance with these measures is sanctioned a fine of €4,500 (natural persons) or €22,500 (legal persons).

The chimney sweep profession, like other construction trades, involves risks (working at height, contact with toxic fumes or dust) that can lead to serious or fatal accidents.

The contractor must therefore put in place special security measures (checking equipment, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), cutting off power, etc.).

If employing employees, the chimney sweep must also ensure their safety by implementing the following measures:

  • Organize occupational risk prevention, information and training activities
  • Assess risks in the company and develop the Single Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP)
  • Provide them with appropriate equipment (PPE, compliant equipment)
  • Establish a secure work organization.

Failure to comply with these obligations may result in administrative, civil or criminal penalties. For more information, you can visit our page: Occupational health and safety: obligations of the employer.

To go further, it is possible to consult the INRS fact sheets on the prevention in the construction sector and Ameli's tools for professionals in the construction sector.

If they decide to hire, the contractor reaches a stage in the life of their company because they become an employer. This status commits it to a legal framework, with formalities to be respected and obligations to be assumed.

Here are the main steps and actions to anticipate.

  • Declaration of employment

Before taking up any post, the employer must declare the employee. This declaration is made by means of the pre-employment declaration (DPAE) and must be made no earlier than 8 days before hiring and no later than the day of taking up the position.

It allows toinform social organizations the arrival of an employee andopen its rights social protection.

Pre-employment declaration (PRE-EMPLOYMENT DECLARATION)

  • Establishment of an employment contract and communication on essential information of the employment relationship

In order to formalize the employment relationship, the employer must provide the employee with a employment contract.

This contract can be of indefinite duration (CDI) or fixed term (CDD).

The employer must provide the employee with one or more written documents containing the main information relating to the employment relationship. The deadline for communication varies according to the nature of the information.

To learn more about the nature of the information and the deadlines for communication, consult this pageon the website of the digital labor code.

  • Entry of the employee in the single staff register

Each newly hired employee must be registered on the single register of staff.

The maintenance of this register is mandatory from the first employee hired.

This document details thehistory of entries and exits employees in the company.

  • Affiliation of the employee to the supplementary pension fund

The employer is obliged to join its employees in the supplementary pension schemes of theAgirc-Arrco: titleContent.

This affiliation is made by the single and dematerialized transmission of the registered company declaration (DSN) to all the bodies which manage the social protection of employees.

  • Ensuring safety and health at work

Within 3 months of taking up his post, any newly recruited employee must benefit from a information and prevention visit organized by the employer and carried out by one of the occupational medicine.

Please note

In some cases, this visit must be carried out before the employee is assigned to his or her workstation. We are talking aboutmedical examination for suitability for employment.

If the employee has already received an information and prevention visit within five years or, within the three years preceding their hiring, for employees who benefit from an adapted individual monitoring of their health status (night workers, young people under 18 years of age, etc.), the organization of a new visit is not necessary if the employee is required to hold an identical job with equivalent exposure risks.

The employer must also ensure a safe working environment and prevent occupational risks.

For this, it must in particular inform and train the employee in safety, and update the single occupational risk assessment document (DUERP).

  • Compliance with applicable collective agreement

The employer must apply the collective agreement which includes the principal activity carried out by the company. The title of the collective agreement must appear on the pay slip.

Please note

The Labor Code lays down the general rules applicable to employment relations between employers and employees. Conventions and agreements, negotiated by the social partners, complement this legal framework.

A chimney sweep operates in the Building and Public Works (BTP) sector.

The company must therefore implement the collective agreement corresponding to this sector:

A simulator allows to search for the collective agreement with the company's name or Siret number :

Finding your collective agreement

Please note

For personalized answers on different topics (wages, working time, leave and rest, etc.) depending on the collective agreement, consult the Digital Labor Code site.

The work and interventions of the professional are subject to the obligation to establish a advance quotation.

This quote includes a list of mandatory information to be communicated to the customer.

The quote must include the following information:

  • Date of writing
  • Name and address of the company
  • Customer Name
  • Place of execution of the operation
  • Exact nature of the intervention to be carried out
  • Detailed account, in quantity and price, of each service and product required for the planned operation: name, unit price and description of what it applies to (labor hours, linear meter or square meter) and the planned quantity
  • Hourly labor rate TTC: titleContent
  • Modalities for counting estimated time
  • If any: travel expenses
  • Overall amount payable HT: titleContent and TTC: titleContent with VAT rate
  • Duration of validity of the offer
  • Indication on the quote: free or paid
  • Cost of the quote when it is paid
  • When it is mandatory, the ten-year guarantee (contact details of the insurer and geographical coverage area of the insurance)
  • Procedures for the removal and management of the waste generated by the work and the associated costs.

When the trader 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.

For en learn more, you can consult our following page: Mandatory Quote: Activities Involved.

FYI  

The VAT rate may vary depending on the nature of the work carried out. In particular, this rate may be reduced when upgrading works are carried out in residential premises.

For more information, it is possible to consult our fact sheet on the VAT rate for renovation work on a dwelling.

The trader is required to provide a supporting document to his client: note in the case of an individual, or invoice in the context of a transaction with another professional (for example when purchasing equipment).

Individual

The nature of the transaction with a particular customer determines the obligations of the trader: a note is required in certain cases, when it is a provision of services, while no document is imposed for a sale of goods, unless requested by the customer or specific cases.

Provision of services

The professional has the obligation to submit a note at particular customer for whom he performs a service in the following 2 cases:

  • When the amount of the note is greater than €25
  • When the note amount is less than €25, but that the customer so requests

The amount is communicated all taxes included (VAT included).

This note shall be drawn up in 2 copies, the original being delivered to the customer.

The note shall contain the following information:

  • Date
  • Identity of the trader:
    • If the company is an individual contractor: name and surname of the individual contractor followed by the name ‘Individual contractor’ or ‘EI’
    • If the company is a business: name of the business and surname and first name of the professional providing the service
    • Siren Number
    • Address of the company or registered office
    • Mention of the legal form (EURL, SARL, SA, SNC, SAS, etc.) and the amount of the share capital
  • Customer name and address
  • Detailed breakdown of each service, i.e. the price of the parts or the quantity of products used
  • Name of the parts used (new, used, etc.)
  • Total amount to be paid excluding VAT and VAT.

In the event that there is a public institution (LES), the conditions for issuing the note must be reminded to customers by a legible display at the place where payment for the service is made.

Notes should be kept for 2 years.

Sale of goods

The issuance of a note is not mandatory for sales of goods to individuals, except in the following cases:

  • At the customer's request
  • For distance sales
  • For intra-Community supplies exempt from VAT

Apart from these cases, the seller usually gives a receipt to the buyer.

Please note

Since 1er august 2023, thesystematic printing of the receipt is forbidden, except in exceptional cases. However, printing a ticket at the customer's request is permitted.

Professional

The professional has theobligation to submit an invoice in the case of a transaction (provision of services or sale of goods) with a other professional (e.g. when purchasing equipment).

Each invoice must bear the following statements :

  • Identity of the parties
    • Full name of seller (or supplier) and customer (or company name)
    • Legal form (SARL, SAS or other forms) with mention of the share capital if applicable
    • Address of the seller's and customer's registered office or billing address if different
    • Registration number at RNE: titleContent (e.g. SIREN number) or Urssaf registration
    • Individual VAT identification number of the seller (or supplier). This statement is mandatory on all invoices, whether they correspond to transactions carried out in France, intra-Community or export
  • Invoice Information
    • Unique invoice number based on a chronological and continuous sequence. Nevertheless, the trader may establish a separate serial numbering where justified by the conditions for carrying out his business (for example, the existence of several categories of customers for which the billing rules are not identical)
    • Date of issue or issue of the invoice when transmitted electronically
    • Purchase order number when issued by the buyer
    • Date of completion of the sale, provision of services or payment of the deposit where this date is different from the date of issue or issue of the invoice
  • Transaction Details
    • Precise description of goods or services
    • Quantity, unit price HT: titleContent, applicable VAT rate or, where applicable, the benefit of an exemption
    • Total amount HT: titleContent, VAT amount, amount TTC: titleContent
    • Any rebates, discounts, rebates or discounts acquired and quantifiable during the transaction and directly related to this transaction
  • Specific tax information
    • If the seller is subject to the VAT exemption scheme: " VAT not applicable, Art. 293 B of the General Tax Code »
    • If the purchaser or the customer is liable for VAT: " Self-liquidation »
  • Terms of payment
    • Payment due date
      Conditions ofdiscount : if the trader does not grant a discount, he must inform the customer on the invoice by a formula of the type: "We do not grant a discount in case of prepayment"
    • Rate of penalties payable on the day following the payment date mentioned on the invoice if the debtor has not paid his debt
    • Mention of the flat-rate compensation of 40 € for recovery costs, in case of late payment
  • The amount of tax payable and, by tax rate, the total excluding taxes and the corresponding tax. If the taxable person is required to charge VAT other than French VAT, the taxable person must make it very clear that it is the tax of a particular foreigners country
  • Where applicable, reference to the relevant provision of the CGI or the corresponding provision of the Sixth VAT Directive of 28 November 2006 or any other indication that the transaction benefits from an exemption measure, a reverse charge scheme or the profit margin scheme

Each invoice must be written in 2 copies (one for each of the professionals) and kept 10 years.

For more details, you can consult our following page: All about billing.

Professionals involved in the construction sector are concerned by the Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for construction products and materials in the construction sector (BMP), as waste holder or possibly as a marketer (if the company manufactures, imports or markets under its brand building products or materials).

As such, they can benefit from taking back their waste in storage or at a collection point.

They also have the obligation to:

  • Sort at source such waste, respecting the regulatory sorting flows : wood, metals, plaster, plastic, glass, mineral fraction, etc.
  • Bring the sorted waste in the appropriate take-back points (professional waste disposal sites, take-back platforms set up by eco-organizations)
  • Contribute to a approved eco-organization and comply with the other obligations of the PWR sector of construction products and materials in the building sector (BMP).

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