Renovation & Design

Architecture, design,
execution.

Vetted artisans. Fixed-fee contracts. Regular photo reports while you are stateside. Interior architecture, 3D renderings, material sourcing, and project management, from concept board to move-in ready.

Renovating in France from the United States only works with disciplined reporting, and our process is built around that constraint. A clear concept upfront. Fixed-fee artisan contracts. Monthly invoicing transparency. Regular site visits, with photos in your inbox. You see what we see, on your time zone. And because major works reset a home’s energy rating, we plan around France’s 2026 DPE rules from the first concept.

The process

Five steps. One associé.

01
Weeks 1 to 4

Concept and moodboard

Site visit, measurements, copropriété rules review. We present two concept directions with a moodboard, material palette, and a 3D rendering of the key rooms.

02
Weeks 4 to 8

Plans and permits

Architect’s plans finalised. Permits filed (if applicable: copropriété, ABF for historic, urbanisme). Three artisan quotes per trade, vetted from our network.

03
Weeks 8 to 10

Contracts signed

Fixed-fee artisan contracts negotiated and signed. Timeline locked. Material orders placed. Décennale insurance verified on every artisan.

04
Months 3 to 10

Execution

Project manager regularly on site. Weekly photo report. Monthly invoicing with full artisan invoice transparency. You approve any change order above €500.

05
Reception

Final walk-through

Reception of works with 5% retainage held for one year against hidden defects. Furniture installed. Move-in ready.

What’s included

Everything in writing.

  • Site visit, measurements, and copropriété rules review
  • Two concept directions with moodboard and 3D rendering
  • Architect’s plans (TCE, Tous Corps d’État)
  • Permit filing (copropriété, ABF, urbanisme as required)
  • Three vetted artisan quotes per trade
  • Fixed-fee contract negotiation
  • Material sourcing and order management
  • Project manager regularly on site
  • Weekly photo report
  • Monthly invoicing with full artisan invoice transparency
  • Change order approval workflow (above €500 requires your sign-off)
  • Reception of works with 5% retainage held for one year
  • Furniture sourcing and installation (optional)
Pricing

Clear fees. No commissions.

Project management · an Ynspir service
8% to 12% of works

Ynspir’s fee, a percentage of the total renovation budget, disclosed before engagement. Lower end for straightforward renovations, upper end for full architectural redesign with bespoke joinery. Furniture sourcing is available as an add-on, on quotation.

Get a precise quote
FAQ

Common questions.

Don’t see yours? Email us directly.

How long does a typical renovation take?+
Around six to nine months for a full apartment renovation in Paris. Provence farmhouses run ten to fourteen months. Mountain chalets six to nine months. We give you a clear written timeline at contract signing.
What if there’s a delay?+
Penalty clauses can be negotiated into the artisan contracts, and applied against the artisan’s final invoice. The clause exists so the artisan keeps the timeline.
Can I bring my own architect?+
Yes. If you have an architect you trust (US or French), we coordinate. Most clients use our network for speed and on-site presence, but we are flexible.
What about insurance?+
Décennale insurance (10-year warranty on structural work) is mandatory in France and we verify it on every artisan before contract signing. For major works, we also advise on dommage-ouvrage insurance and can arrange it with you.
Related guide: Properties for sale in France
Next step

Submit your project.

It begins with a first conversation. You will receive a reply within 48 hours, with a clear and honest view of what we can do for your project.

Submit your project