Article

The Contractor Is Doing Poor Work: What Should You Do?

10 August 2026

See a real case. Workmanship defects survey – Mandelieu : new-build and renovation defects.

You look at the site and something feels wrong

You walk past the site every day, and each time, some detail worries you a little more. The walls aren’t straight, the finishes are sloppy, there are marks, chips, rough cuts. You mention it to the contractor and he tells you it’s “normal”, that “it won’t show once it’s painted”, or worse, he gets irritated and tells you you’re being too demanding. You’re not a professional, so you start doubting yourself: is it really badly done, or do you just not know enough about it?

This kind of situation puts enormous pressure on you. The site is moving forward, the contractor has already been paid a large part of the fee, and you have to decide quickly: let him carry on, stop him, demand rework? Every day that goes by, the unease builds up around elements that will soon be hidden by the next layer of finishes.

Why this happens: the most common technical causes

Behind an impression of “poor workmanship” there is almost always a precise technical cause. Inadequate surface preparation, for example, explains the majority of the plumb, flatness or adhesion defects observed later. A contractor juggling several sites at once will sometimes skip control steps: checking with a level, allowing proper drying time between coats, adjusting the substrate before installation.

There are also cases where the contractor simply doesn’t have the skills for the trade in question: he does “a bit of everything” when certain work (tiling, plastering, joinery) requires genuine technical expertise. Finally, some defects stem from poor planning upstream, often linked to a vague quote that didn’t specify the standards or materials to be used.

What you can do right now

The first thing to do is to avoid breaking, covering or aggressively cleaning anything: every trace is evidence. Then:

Take dated photos of every defect, from several angles and with a reference object for scale.
Keep a written record of your exchanges with the contractor (texts, emails) rather than relying on verbal conversations.
Don’t pay any new invoice until you have a clear technical opinion on the situation.
Don’t let the contractor “cover up” disputed areas before they’ve been documented.
Have an independent professional carry out a joint site survey, to establish objectively what genuinely amounts to defective work.

This last step changes everything: it turns an impression (“I think this is badly done”) into a documented technical fact, one that can be relied upon against the contractor, an insurer or a court if needed.

How an independent expert helps you

Le cabinet, building expert in Antibes, steps in at precisely this critical moment in a project. With 15 years of experience in public works and project management, he knows the industry standards for every trade and can tell the difference between a minor cosmetic flaw and a structural defect that engages the contractor’s liability.

On site, he uses professional Trotec measuring equipment: a crack meter to objectively track how a crack is evolving, a thermal imaging camera to detect thermal bridges or insulation defects invisible to the naked eye, and a moisture meter to check for abnormal humidity levels in a partition wall or screed. These measurements support a clear written report that precisely documents each defect found.

An essential point: Cassini Expertise sells no materials, carries out no works, and works with no particular contractor. This complete independence guarantees that the report produced defends your interests alone, with no possible conflict of interest. It’s this neutrality that gives the document real weight in a negotiation or dispute.

The expert doesn’t just record what he sees: he explains what’s normal, what isn’t, and what you can reasonably demand from the contractor in terms of rework. You come away with a clear picture of the situation, instead of lingering doubt.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stop the work if I notice defects?
Not necessarily right away, but disputed areas must not be covered up before they’ve been recorded. A temporary pause, just long enough for a survey, is often the wisest approach.

Can the contractor hold it against me for bringing in an expert?
No, it’s your right as the property owner. A serious contractor has nothing to fear from an objective survey if his work complies with industry standards.

Can the expert report be used in court?
Yes, an independent expert’s report, backed by measurements and photographs, is solid evidence in an amicable settlement or legal proceedings.

How long does it take to get a report?
The timeframe depends on how complex the site is, but a visit can generally be arranged quickly, based on a free quote provided beforehand.

Contact Cassini Expertise

If you have doubts about the quality of work in progress, don’t wait until the defects are covered up. Call us on 04 22 46 06 04 or use the /contact/ page for a free quote and a prompt visit across Antibes and the surrounding area (06, 83 and 13).

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