Frequently asked questions
The questions that come up before a first meeting. If yours is not here, write it — it will probably end up on this page.
Is an architect legally required?
In France, an architect is required for any planning application filed by a private individual above 150 m² of floor area. Below that, and for most flat refurbishments, it is not compulsory. Professional oversight still pays for itself as soon as several trades work at once: that is where delays and overruns are made.
Where do you work?
From Neuilly-sur-Seine, across Paris and Greater Paris. The limit is practical rather than administrative: I hold to one site visit a week, and beyond a certain distance that rhythm breaks. A project further out is not ruled out, but it is discussed first.
Can I keep my own contractors?
Yes. If you already work with firms you are happy with, they are invited to tender like the others, on the same documents and the same scope. The comparison stays readable, and the decision is yours.
How does it work in a building association?
That is the normal case in Paris. As soon as the works touch common parts, load-bearing walls, services or the external appearance, they go through the managing agent and sometimes to a vote at a general meeting. These filings are part of the engagement and are started early: their calendar cannot be caught up later.
What if the budget slips?
An overrun can be seen coming. Every site report states where the budget stands. When something unexpected appears — and older buildings hold surprises — you get it costed, with the options where there are any, before any additional work starts.
Do you design furniture too?
Yes, when nothing off the shelf suits the place. Pieces are made by French workshops — cabinetmakers, metalworkers, upholsterers — and can be commissioned independently of a refurbishment.
What should I have ready for the first visit?
Floor plans if you have them, the building association rules, the surveys from the sale file, and an idea of what you want to change. None of it is essential: a tape measure and a conversation are enough to start.
How quickly do you reply?
Within 48 hours for a first written reply. The visit is then arranged around your availability.