Article

VEFA on the French Riviera: Delays, Hidden Defects, Construction Faults

25 September 2026

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Practical guide • July 2026 • Cassini Expertise, Building Expert PACA

On forums, off-plan (VEFA) buyers on the French Riviera keep asking the same questions: delivery delays, construction faults, non-compliant floor areas, cracks. Here are the most common issues, construction faults, and the role of the building expert.

Delivery delays: what can the expert do?

Cassini Expertise – independent building expertise

On the French Riviera (Nice, Marseille, Cannes, Antibes), construction site delays are common with off-plan purchases. The building expert steps in to: assess actual site progress, evaluate the technical causes of delay (ground conditions, weather, subcontractor failures), and assist the buyer at handover to check compliance.

Hidden defects and construction faults in VEFA

The most common issues on the French Riviera:

Closing out reservations: a key moment

At handover, the expert helps the buyer draft a detailed reservations report (with photos and measurements), tracks the developer’s resolution of those reservations, and estimates the cost of any work that is missing or poorly done.

Court-ordered expert assessment

If the developer fails to respond or disputes the defects, the court-appointed expert can order test borings, waterproofing tests and acoustic measurements. Their report carries weight before the judge.

Questions from the forums

“My developer in Nice is 6 months behind schedule”: penalties apply (1/3000th of the price per day). Have the delay formally recorded by an expert.

“I have cracks 2 years after delivery”: the 10-year structural warranty (decennale) runs for 10 years. An expert determines whether the structural soundness is compromised.

“The Carrez floor area doesn’t match the contract”: if the discrepancy exceeds 5%, you’re entitled to a proportional price reduction. A surveying expert measures it precisely.

Cassini Expertise operates across the Alpes-Maritimes and Var for all VEFA disputes: amicable or court-ordered expert assessment. Contact us for a diagnosis.

Are you a lawyer or party to a court-ordered expert assessment? Cassini Expertise supports you in drafting expert submissions (dires d’expert), attending joint inspection meetings, and making use of the final report. Discover our support service →

📅 Updated 08/07/2026 – By Cassini Expertise, independent building expert serving 06 & 83. Free quote: 04 22 46 06 04.

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Frequently asked questions

VEFA delivery delay compensation?

In a VEFA purchase, if the property is delivered more than 30 days late, the buyer can claim late-delivery penalties, typically set at 1/3000th of the price per day of delay, barring force majeure. This compensation applies automatically once the deadline is exceeded, without prejudice to a separate damages claim.

Hidden defects in VEFA – recourse against the developer?

Yes, a VEFA buyer benefits from the 10-year structural warranty (decennale) covering damage affecting structural soundness or making the home unfit for its purpose, and from the one-year completion warranty for all defects reported at handover. For hidden defects not visible at handover, a claim can be brought within 2 years of discovery, but it’s essential to notify the seller by registered letter.

VEFA construction defects – can I refuse handover?

At handover, you can refuse to sign if major defects are found, but the refusal must be justified and formally notified. In case of disagreement, a court-ordered expert assessment can be requested. It’s advisable to list every defect on the handover report, even if you sign with reservations, in order to preserve your rights.

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Survey carried out by Frédéric Faucouneau, independent building expert – Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes (06), Var (83), Bouches-du-Rhône (13). Find out more

📅 Last updated 06/11/2026 - Cassini Expertise, independent building expert – departments 06, 83 and 13.