To avoid having an unpleasant surprise on the bill, be careful when you call on a home convenience store. - IStock / City Presse

It is often in an emergency that you have to call a repairman, to open a door for which you have lost the keys or to put an end to a water leak transforming the kitchen into a swimming pool. In these times of stress, many individuals tend to grab the first flyer to find a professional. Which may be a mistake.

Home repair services can indeed give rise to abuses, as regularly denounced by the surveys of the Fraud Repression. To protect consumers, the state provides caution.

Have a contact book

In general, you should always be wary of advertising leaflets placed in mailboxes. Better to build up in advance a list of good professionals recommended by your relatives or by professional federations.

The online directories of the French Building Federation (FFB) and the Confederation of Handicrafts and Small Building Companies (Capeb) guarantee, for example, the reliability of the repairers listed. Do not hesitate to request contacts from your insurance.

Never rush

The secret to avoiding scams is to always take your time. Start by cutting the problem water, gas or electricity circuit, in order to place yourself in safety and then be able to contact the necessary repairer.

Before any intervention, consult the rates of the company and request a detailed estimate in writing strictly limited to emergency work. Ideally, it is best to consult at least two professionals. Note that the service provider must also give you a copy of the contract before intervening, as well as an invoice, after having performed the service, for any breakdown of more than 25 euros including tax.

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