English-speaking specialists for heating, cooling, solar and electrical work on the French Riviera
We connect you with contractors who work in English, quote properly in writing, and get the job done. For expats and second-home owners across the Cote d'Azur.
The problem
Finding a contractor who actually speaks English is harder than it looks
There are good heating and electrical contractors on the Cote d'Azur. But most of them don't speak much English, and the ones who do aren't always easy to find. Getting three comparable quotes in a language you understand, covering everything in writing, takes time you may not have.
British, American and German homeowners in the area regularly run into the same problems: quotes that don't itemise the work, contractors who disappear after the first visit, and subsidies they didn't know they were entitled to.
That's what we're here for.
How it worksWhat we cover
Home energy, insulation and renovation services on the Cote d'Azur
The Mediterranean climate changes how you think about heating and cooling. Heat pumps make more sense here than in northern Europe. Solar works harder. French electrical standards are their own world. And when the job is a new kitchen, a roof or a pool, the permits, taxes and guarantees are French too.
Heating
Most Riviera homes now heat with a heat pump, and the same unit cools in summer. The grants depend on the type: air-to-water qualifies for MaPrimeRénov' in a main home, a reversible split doesn't.
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Cooling & Ventilation
A split AC unit is the usual way to cool a room here: one unit outside, one on the wall. Getting the size right and picking a brand with local service matters more than most people expect.
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Solar
The Riviera gets more sun than almost anywhere in France, so panels earn their keep here. What matters is the roof survey, the grid declaration and an installer who still answers the phone for warranty work.
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Electrical
French wiring rules differ from UK and US norms, and many older Riviera houses need work before anything new goes in. A home EV charger over 3.7 kW legally needs an IRVE-qualified installer.
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Insulation & Windows
Most Riviera houses were built for summer. They lose heat through the roof, the single glazing and the uninsulated walls, and those are the three things that move a DPE rating. Roofing and facade work sit here too, because the permits and subsidies follow the same rules.
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Kitchens
On a home over two years old the fitting work is taxed at 10% and the appliances stay at 20%, so the devis should split them. Older Riviera kitchens often lack a separate circuit for the oven and hob; check the electrician's quote includes them.
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Bathrooms
The tiles are the visible part. What decides whether the shower leaks into the flat below is the waterproof layer underneath, and the ten-year guarantee covers it. In an apartment, work on shared pipes needs the other owners' approval first.
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Whole-house renovation
A full renovation brings every French rule in at once: an architect above 150 m², dommages-ouvrage insurance before work starts, and a signed devis that fixes price and scope. Plan the order of trades before the first quote.
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Outdoor & Pools
Pools, gardens, terraces and gates. A pool over 10 m² needs a planning declaration, a safety device that meets the French norm, and a tax declaration within 90 days of completion. Landscaping in the Alpes-Maritimes runs into summer watering restrictions and protected-tree rules.
Explore Outdoor & PoolsGet matched with vetted English-speaking installers in Nice, Antibes, Cannes and across the Cote d'Azur.
Get quotesSubsidies
Financial aid for home energy work in France
France has several schemes to help cover the cost of energy-efficiency improvements. The main one is MaPrimeRenov', a government grant. As a single measure it now covers mainly heat pumps; insulation and solar water heating are fundable only inside a whole-house renovation project. To access it, your contractor must be RGE certified.
There's also the CEE scheme (energy supplier credits) and a reduced TVA rate of 5.5% or 10% for qualifying renovations.
As a property owner in France, regardless of nationality, you're generally eligible. Amounts change regularly, so the best approach is to get quotes from RGE-certified contractors and ask them to factor in current subsidies.
MaPrimeRenov' explainedQuestions
What homeowners ask before requesting quotes
If your question isn't here, send it with your request and we'll answer it directly.
Not strictly. But getting accurate quotes, understanding what's included, and signing a proper devis (written quote) is much harder when there's a language barrier. Technical terms like groupe de sécurité, ballon thermodynamique or tableau électrique don't translate naturally. Contractors who work regularly with English-speaking clients tend to communicate more clearly and document the work better.
The main one is MaPrimeRénov', a government grant for energy-efficiency work. As a single measure it now covers mainly heat pumps; insulation and solar water heating are fundable only as part of a whole-house rénovation d'ampleur project. To access it, your contractor must hold RGE certification. There's also the CEE scheme (a credit from energy suppliers) and a reduced TVA rate of 5.5% or 10% for qualifying work. The amounts change, so it's worth checking current rates at the time you get your quotes.
Yes, as long as the property is in France and is your principal residence (résidence principale). MaPrimeRénov' is available to property owners regardless of nationality, but secondary homes don't qualify. The property's DPE (energy performance rating) affects how much you're eligible for.
The official register is the France Rénov' RGE directory at france-renov.gouv.fr/annuaire-rge. You can search by trade and postcode. That said, being on the register is a starting point, not a guarantee of quality. You also want a contractor with local experience, references you can check, and who will give you a proper written devis before starting any work.