Practical guides

Checking a quote, vetting a contractor, understanding deposits and 2026 prices: our advice for signing with full knowledge of the facts.

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Why ECV? Because a quote should never ruin a life.

Behind a renovation quote, there's often a life-changing project financed by a loan. ECV was created to prevent an unfinished building project from turning into a financial disaster.

Checking a quote

Checking a quote

How to check a quote for building work

Total, quantities, units, materials, VAT, payment schedule: the points to check in a quote before you sign. A practical guide to understanding what's included... and what isn't.

Checking a quote

Is this quote correct?

A quote can be correct without being the cheapest, and look very professional while still containing inconsistencies. Here are the checks that will help you form a reliable opinion.

Checking a quote

How do you know if a quote for building work is too expensive?

A €25,000 quote can be perfectly justified, while an €18,000 one could be far too expensive. Here's how to judge a price beyond the total amount, with benchmarks for 2026.

Checking a quote

How to Compare Two Quotes for Building Work

€28,500 versus €36,900: the choice seems obvious, but the two companies may not be selling the same thing. The method for comparing the content, not just the total.

Vetting the contractor

Vetting the contractor

How to tell if a tradesperson is reliable

Google reviews, price, and years of experience don't guarantee quality work on their own. Here are the concrete signs that set a reliable tradesperson apart.

Vetting the contractor

How to check a contractor or tradesperson before you sign?

A smart-looking van and fifty positive reviews say nothing about a company's financial health. Here are the checks to carry out, country by country, before paying a deposit.

Vetting the contractor

How to check a builder's insurance?

'Don't worry, I'm insured.' Insured for what, by whom, and for how much? How to check a builder's actual cover before you sign.

Vetting the contractor

How to check if a company really exists

A logo, a website and a VAT number prove nothing. Here are the official registers to consult in each country to make sure a company genuinely exists.

Vetting the contractor

Construction company in financial trouble: how can you tell?

Does the company have the financial means to finish your project? The warning signs and public sources you can use to check before paying a deposit.

Vetting the contractor

Construction scams, fraud and poor workmanship: how to avoid them in 2026?

Down payment taken and contractor disappears, fake certifications, botched jobs, false grant promises: the most common schemes in Europe and the simple checks that can protect you.

Deposits, contracts & insurance

Deposits, contracts & insurance

A 30%, 40% or 50% down payment: is this normal?

Your contractor is asking for a large down payment before starting work. What's common, what's legal and what's wise, depending on the country and the type of project.

Deposits, contracts & insurance

How much of a down payment should you make for construction work?

10%, 20%, 30%? There is no universal percentage in Europe. A look at the customs and rules by country, and how to limit your risk when making a down payment.

Deposits, contracts & insurance

Is a signed quote binding?

You've signed a quote and are wondering if you can still cancel. The right of withdrawal, doorstep selling, down payments and deposits: the rules that matter, country by country.

Deposits, contracts & insurance

Is there an insurance policy that guarantees the successful completion of a building project?

Bankruptcy, abandoned sites, budget overruns, poor workmanship: which insurance policies and guarantees truly protect the client, and what they don't cover.

2026 prices by type of work

2026 prices by type of work

Construction costs per m² in 2026: what's the real cost of your project in Europe?

The price per m² is a good way to spot an unusual quote, as long as you compare like with like. Here are the 2026 price ranges by project type and country.

2026 prices by type of work

New roof: what's a fair price?

From €100 to €300/m² including installation, depending on the material, and much more with insulation. How to read a roofing quote and understand what a price per m² really includes.

2026 prices by type of work

New windows: what price and quality in 2026?

Two quotes for '12 triple-glazed uPVC windows' can differ by several thousand euros. Material, profile, glazing, U-values, installation: here's what you need to compare.

2026 prices by type of work

Air Conditioning: What's a Fair Price?

Air conditioning is becoming standard equipment in European homes. 2026 prices, quality of installation, sizing, and how to spot fake specialists.

2026 prices by type of work

Electrical Quotes: How to Know if the Price is Fair?

Two electrical quotes for the same work can vary wildly in price. Here's what makes up the cost of an installation and what a proper quote must include.

2026 prices by type of work

Photovoltaic Quote: What to Check Before You Sign?

The difference between a correctly sized system and an overpriced offer can be huge. Capacity, equipment, warranties, and promised output: here are the key points to check.