#5 Why insurance IS worth the paper it's written on (despite what you're being told on Facebook)
Episode 5, Season 1
Listen & Read
You can listen to this episode below, and read the companion blog with tips, checklists, and resources a little further down.
If you prefer using another podcast app, you can also find us on:
Apple Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music | Deezer | RSS.com
The blog
What is decennial insurance in France (and why does it matter for your renovation?)
If you’re renovating a property in France – whether it’s a farmhouse, stone house, barn conversion or full renovation project – you will quickly hear the phrase assurance décennale. It sounds dry, but it’s one of the most important protections you have as a homeowner.
As Rosie puts it in this episode: “It’s basically a 10‑year builders’ warranty in France – and it’s the law.” Every qualified artisan working on structural or permanent elements of your home must have it in place before they start work.
Who should have ‘assurance décennale’?
In short: almost everyone involved in construction or renovation works. That includes masons, roofers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, plasterers, tilers and heating installers.
Sue explains it clearly: “Whether you’re self‑employed or a company, subscribing to decennial insurance is a legal obligation. If you’re caught without it, the fines are huge.”
This is where many renovation projects go wrong – homeowners assume someone is insured, without ever checking.
What does decennial insurance actually cover?
One of the biggest myths we tackle is that decennial is just a single, vague 10‑year guarantee. In reality, there are three key layers of protection:
The one‑year guarantee (garantie de parfait achèvement) – covers defects or faults discovered after sign‑off.
The two‑year guarantee (garantie biennale) – covers installed equipment such as heating systems, plumbing and fixtures.
The ten‑year guarantee (garantie décennale) – covers major structural issues affecting the solidity of the building.
As Micala points out: “The guarantee only starts from the date you sign off the work – that moment is absolutely crucial.”
Why signing off the work properly matters
The réception de travaux (formal sign‑off) is often skipped – and that’s a costly mistake. Without it, your guarantees may never activate, or may default to the date of final payment instead.
Withholding payment as leverage is another common error. As Rosie warns: “If you haven’t paid and signed off, you’re not insured – and that does not work in your favour.”
What happens if a builder has no insurance — or abandons the site?
These are two different situations, and they’re often confused.
If work is carried out without valid decennial insurance:
There is no 10-year protection for the work
Any future defects fall back on you, the homeowner
If you sell within ten years, you could be personally liable for problems linked to that work
Your only recourse is through civil action against the builder — which is often slow, costly, and uncertain
As Rosie explains in the episode:
“If the work isn’t insured, there’s no safety net. Decennial simply doesn’t exist in that case.”
This is why verifying insurance before work starts is critical — you can’t fix this afterwards.
If a builder abandons the site or doesn’t finish the work
Decennial insurance does not cover unfinished or abandoned work, even if the builder was insured. In these cases:
The issue is contractual, not insurance-based
You must follow formal steps under civil law
This usually involves registered letters (lettres recommandées), formal notices, and potentially tribunal action
As Sue puts it:
“People think decennial will save them in every situation — it won’t. It only applies once work is completed and signed off.”
What is assurance dommage‑ouvrage – and do homeowners need it?
For major renovations, extensions or new builds, homeowners may also be legally required to take out assurance dommage‑ouvrage. This insurance works alongside decennial and pays out quickly if something goes wrong, while insurers argue liability behind the scenes.
As Sue explains: “It removes the stress for the homeowner – the insurance pays first, then fights it out later.”
Common excuses to watch out for
We’ve heard them all:
“I’ve never needed insurance before.”
“It’s too expensive.”
“I’m a micro‑entrepreneur – it doesn’t apply to me.”
“I only work with friends I trust.”
Rosie’s response is simple: “None of those excuses help the client if something goes wrong.”
Will decennial insurance matter when you sell your house?
Absolutely. Any insured work stays with the property, not the person who carried it out. If you sell within ten years, those guarantees protect the next owner.
If work was done without insurance, you could remain personally liable. As Micala points out: “That’s when things can get very messy.”
Renovating in France: your decennial insurance checklist
Before any work starts:
Ask for the full insurance attestation, not just a summary page
Check the dates – insurance must be valid before work begins
Confirm the artisan is insured for the exact type of work they’re doing
Ensure decennial details appear on the devis and facture
Re‑check insurance if works last many months - is it still up to date?
Keep all paperwork – devis, factures, attestations
As we repeat throughout the episode: verify, verify, verify.
Final thoughts
Decennial insurance isn’t about bureaucracy – it’s about protecting your home, your money and your future resale. Or as we say in the episode: “It really IS worth the paper it’s written on – especially for the client.”