Assurance décennale: the artisan's guide
The assurance décennale (ten-year liability insurance, also known as the garantie décennale) is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — obligations in the building trade. It protects you, protects your client, and going without it can be very costly. Here are the essentials, jargon-free.
What is the garantie décennale?
It is an insurance that covers, for 10 years after the works are accepted (réception des travaux), serious damage that:
- compromises the structural soundness of the works, or
- makes them unfit for their purpose (impossible to use normally).
Examples: structural cracks, leaks making a space uninhabitable, collapse, a major waterproofing defect.
Who is concerned?
All building-trade professionals who carry out construction or renovation works affecting the structure: bricklayers, roofers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc. Including auto-entrepreneurs. The insurance must be taken out before the works begin.
Why it is mandatory (and risky to skip)
The obligation stems from the law. Not being insured exposes you to heavy penalties (a fine of up to several tens of thousands of euros, and even a prison sentence depending on the legislation) — and above all, in the event of a claim, to having to pay for the repairs yourself, which can exceed the price of the job.
⚠️ Check the amounts and legislation in force: they may change. If in doubt, contact your insurer.
The décennale and your quotes
It is a mandatory mention: your quotes (and invoices) must state
- your insurer's details, and
- the geographical coverage of the policy.
A well-informed client checks this mention before signing. Its absence is a negative signal — and a non-compliance.
How much does it cost?
The price depends on your trade, your turnover, your experience and the techniques used. Higher-risk activities (structural work, roofing) cost more than finishing activities. Ask for several insurance quotes and check the exclusions.
Best practices
- ✅ Take it out before the first job concerned.
- ✅ Declare all of your actual activities (an undeclared activity is not covered).
- ✅ Carry over the insurance mention on every quote and invoice.
- ✅ Keep your certificate up to date and provide it on request.
Save time on compliance
Manually carrying over your legal mentions onto every document is a source of oversights. With Zoplee, your insurance details, your SIRET and the mandatory mentions are integrated automatically into every quote and invoice — you describe the job, and the compliant document goes out in 30 seconds.
FAQ
Is the auto-entrepreneur concerned? Yes. The décennale is mandatory whatever the status, as soon as you carry out construction works.
When to take it out? Before the works start — not after.
What's the risk without décennale? Financial and criminal penalties, and personally covering the repairs in the event of a claim.
Does it have to appear on the quote? Yes: insurer + geographical coverage are mandatory mentions.
Related articles (coming soon): How to write a construction quote · Mandatory mentions · Auto-entrepreneur in construction.