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 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. We cover all of it.
Heating
Most properties on the Riviera now run heat pumps rather than gas. A well-sized system handles both heating in winter and cooling in summer from the same unit, which matters here where both seasons are real. The economics stack up well in the Mediterranean climate, particularly once subsidies are factored in.
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Cooling & Ventilation
A split AC system is the standard way to cool a room on the Côte d'Azur: one outdoor unit, one indoor wall unit, connected through the wall. Getting the capacity right and choosing a brand with a decent local service network makes a bigger difference than most people expect.
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Solar
The Riviera gets more sun than almost anywhere else in France, so the economics of solar work well here. What takes care is the installation: roof orientation, the right inverter setup, the grid connection declaration, and picking an installer who will still answer the phone for warranty work.
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Electrical
French electrical standards are not the same as UK or US norms, and many older properties on the Côte d'Azur have wiring that needs bringing up to current standards before anything new is added. Finding an electrician who can explain what needs doing and why, in plain English, is harder than it sounds.
Learn moreGet 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 for qualifying work including heat pumps, insulation and solar water heating. 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
Things people ask before getting in touch
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 including heat pumps, insulation and solar water heating. 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 primary or secondary residence. MaPrimeRénov' is available to property owners regardless of nationality. The property's DPE (energy performance rating) affects how much you're eligible for.
The official register is at qualirenovation.fr — 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.
Ready to get quotes from English-speaking specialists on the Côte d'Azur?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with vetted, English-speaking tradespeople in Nice, Antibes, Cannes and across the Côte d'Azur.