FAQ: your questions about building works

A full-renovation company such as Aldeak, which runs the whole project for you. Aldeak is based in Libourne and works across Bordeaux Métropole and the wider region.

Yes, that is what "turnkey" means. At Aldeak, a works manager organises the tradespeople, the schedule and site supervision. You deal with a single person.

It depends on the floor area added and on your town. A small extension often only needs a prior declaration, a larger one a building permit. Aldeak checks the rules and handles the paperwork.

You can gain space upwards: a roof raise or a loft conversion. Aldeak first checks whether the structure and planning rules allow it. This feasibility study is free.

Often yes, if the headroom and the roof structure allow it, and if no rule of the town's local plan (PLU) prevents it. Aldeak checks these points before any quote. The feasibility study is free.

The price depends on the floor area, the condition and what is being redone: there is no reliable price without seeing the property. Aldeak offers a first online estimate in a few clicks at aldeak.fr/estimation. You can attach photos or plans.

Fill in Aldeak's online estimate: Marc, the virtual adviser, asks you a few multiple-choice questions. For large projects (heavy renovation, extension, roof raise), you get an answer within 48 hours.

With a turnkey company, you don't need to be on site. Aldeak coordinates the whole project and keeps you informed. The website is also available in English. Aldeak will give you site reporting tailored to your situation so you can follow progress remotely.

A full renovation often costs less overall, because the works are done in the right order: structure, networks, insulation, then finishes. Working room by room sometimes means undoing what has just been done. Aldeak can carry out a full or partial renovation.

Aldeak focuses on large projects, but won't leave your request unanswered. For small jobs, Aldeak refers you free of charge to partner tradespeople from its network.

Often yes, but you need to check that the land and the building allow this change of use. Aldeak studies the feasibility and then carries out the conversion.

Aldeak also renovates business premises: offices, shops and commercial premises. The works are coordinated by a single point of contact, just as for homeowners.

Yes. Aldeak works mainly in Gironde, and also in the Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Charente-Maritime.

Look at its completed projects, its experience and who will supervise your works day to day. Aldeak has more than 20 years of experience and shows before/after photos of its projects on its website. A works manager supervises every project.

The price depends mainly on the condition of the house and the level of finish chosen, much more than on its size. Structure, roof, damp, wiring and plumbing to be redone and the insulation target can double the budget. Only a site visit gives a reliable price: our online estimate tool gives a first idea, then the quote details every item.

Only as a very first idea. Two houses of the same size can have very different budgets depending on the condition of the structure, services and roof. A serious quote comes after a visit, a survey and, if needed, exploratory openings.

Describe your project in five minutes with Marc, our online adviser, on the "Get a works estimate" page. We call you back within 48 hours for priority projects, then visit the property. The feasibility study is free and without obligation.

A good quote describes each item: type of works, quantities, unit prices, product ranges or brands, VAT rate, timescales and payment terms. A contractor carrying out works covered by the ten-year guarantee must attach its insurance certificate: this is a legal requirement. Always compare quotes that describe the same works.

Studies (survey, structural study, energy audit), diagnostics, the development tax (taxe d'aménagement) when floor area is created, building damage insurance (dommages-ouvrage) and temporary housing if the house must be vacated. In a building whose permit predates 1 July 1997, an asbestos survey before works is mandatory. In older properties, also keep a contingency for surprises found during demolition.

We can refer you to partner financing solutions depending on your situation. For the energy part, public grants (MaPrimeRénov', energy bonuses, zero-rate eco-loan) must be planned from the start, as they come with conditions and a timetable.

An extension spreads the house into the garden and uses land; a roof raise adds a storey without touching the garden. An extension has its own foundations and is built next to the house, whereas a roof raise relies on the strength of the existing building and affects the whole house during the works. The choice depends on the plot, the structure and the local urban plan (PLU).

No. The foundations and walls must be able to carry the extra load, which a structural study checks, and the PLU must allow the planned height. Timber frame, which is lighter, is often chosen for a roof raise.

A prior declaration (déclaration préalable) is enough for 5 to 20 m² of new floor area, and up to 40 m² in an urban zone of a municipality covered by a PLU. Beyond that, you need a building permit. Note: in an urban zone, an extension of 20 to 40 m² that takes the total floor area above 150 m² requires a building permit prepared by an architect.

Yes if the project needs a building permit and the total floor area of the house exceeds 150 m² after the works. Below that, an architect is not mandatory, but careful design is still essential to join the existing house and the new part properly.

Yes, as soon as the enclosed and covered area created exceeds 5 m². In 2026, the flat-rate value is €892 per m² outside Île-de-France, multiplied by the municipal and departmental rates; a 50% allowance applies to the first 100 m² of a main residence. The works must be declared within 90 days of completion, in the "Gérer mes biens immobiliers" area of impots.gouv.fr.

Often, yes. Creating floor area (the parts more than 1.80 m high) requires a prior declaration or a permit under the same thresholds as an extension, and adding roof windows changes the exterior appearance. You also need to check that the floor and the roof structure can take the new use.

Owner-occupiers, landlords and usufructuaries, for a home built at least 15 years ago and occupied as a main residence. The amount depends on household income, in four categories (very modest, modest, intermediate, higher), and on the project. The simulator on france-renov.gouv.fr and a free France Rénov' adviser check eligibility.

In 2026, the grant covers 80%, 60%, 45% or 10% of the works depending on income, up to €30,000 excl. VAT of works for a two-class gain on the energy rating and €40,000 excl. VAT for three classes or more. It is reserved for homes rated E, F or G and requires at least two insulation measures. In a house, the programme must neither install nor keep oil, gas or coal heating.

Yes, for a major renovation funded by MaPrimeRénov'. This approved adviser carries out the energy audit, helps define the works programme and follows the file; the service is partly funded depending on your income. A first meeting with a France Rénov' adviser is also mandatory before applying.

No. The MaPrimeRénov' application must be filed before the works start, and the energy bonus (CEE) offer must be accepted before signing the quote: signed afterwards, it is lost. Wait for the Anah's approval before starting the works.

On 15 October 2026, the government announced that air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps installed on their own would only be funded by the energy bonus (CEE) from 1 January 2027. As of 19 October 2026, this is only an announcement: the 2027 budget has not been voted. Until 31 December 2026, the MaPrimeRénov' flat-rate grant for an air-to-water heat pump remains €5,000, €4,000 or €3,000 depending on income.

It is an interest-free loan to finance energy renovation works, granted with no income conditions. It ranges from €7,000 for windows alone to €30,000 for three or more measures, and up to €50,000 over 20 years for a full renovation. It applies to main residences built more than two years ago, with RGE-certified contractors, and can be requested until 31 December 2027.

In a home completed more than two years ago: 5.5% for energy renovation works, 10% for other improvement and maintenance works, and 20% for works that increase the floor area by more than 10% or amount to rebuilding. Since 1 March 2025, the form to fill in has gone: the client certifies the conditions with a statement on the quote or invoice they sign.

Yes. MaPrimeRénov', energy bonuses and the zero-rate eco-loan require the funded works to be carried out by professionals with RGE certification ("reconnu garant de l'environnement") in the relevant field. Each company's certification can be checked in the official directory, via france-renov.gouv.fr.

Yes, MaPrimeAdapt' funds, for example, replacing a bath with a walk-in shower, a stairlift or wider doors. It covers 50% or 70% of the works depending on income, up to €22,000 excl. VAT, for people aged 70 and over, those aged 60 to 69 losing autonomy and people with disabilities, subject to income conditions.

It covers, for 10 years after handover, serious damage that undermines the strength of the building or makes it unfit for use: foundations, roof structure, water ingress, built-in equipment. Every professional builder must be insured for this liability before work starts. The guarantee still applies, through the insurer, even if the company has ceased trading.

Ask for the insurance certificate, which must be attached to quotes and invoices. Check that its validity period covers the start date of the works and that the insured activities match the planned works: only works declared to the insurer are covered.

Three legal guarantees start at handover: the one-year completion guarantee, which obliges the contractor to fix any reported defect; the two-year guarantee for removable equipment (shutters, taps, radiators); and the ten-year guarantee for serious damage.

Yes, for the client who has works covered by the ten-year guarantee carried out, such as a new build, an extension or structural work. It is taken out before work starts and quickly pays for repairs, without waiting to find out who is liable. However, no criminal penalty applies to an individual building for themselves or their family.

Report it to the contractor in writing, preferably by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, keeping photos and dates. For one year, the completion guarantee obliges it to repair; after that, removable equipment falls under the two-year guarantee and serious damage under the ten-year guarantee.

Yes. Aldeak renovates and refits offices, shops and commercial premises, up to large-scale works: compliance, accessibility, fire safety, networks, interior fit-out and finishes. A single point of contact coordinates every trade.

Often, yes. We organise the works by zones or phases, and schedule noisy works outside opening hours or in quiet periods. The schedule is drawn up with you and provided with the quote.

Generally allow 3 to 12 months depending on the size and complexity. Working in phases makes the works a little longer but avoids closing: the schedule agreed with you sets the duration.

Yes, works in an establishment open to the public (ERP) require a works authorisation covering accessibility and fire safety (cerfa no. 13824). It is processed within four months of a complete file. If the shopfront changes, a prior declaration must also be filed.

Yes if commercial activities occupy at least 1,000 m² of floor area in a building or on the same site. Energy consumption must then fall by 40% by 2030, 50% by 2040 and 60% by 2050 compared with a reference year, and be declared every year on the Ademe's OPERAT platform.