Workshops: repairs

The quote for a watch repair: what the law says in France and Belgium

Many workshops hand over a quote before working. Is it an obligation? This guide sets out what French and Belgian law say, as read on 10 November 2026, and says what it could not read.

In France

The Consumer Code requires every service provider to inform the consumer of the prices and of the particular conditions of performing the services, by orders (article L. 112-1). When the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, because of the nature of the service, the professional provides the method of calculation of the price and all other possible costs (article L. 112-3).

The order of 3 December 1987 states that any information on the prices of products or services shows the total sum, taxes included, that will actually be paid, in euros (article 1). The price of every service is displayed where the service is offered to the public, on a single document listing the services and their price (article 13). For a service requested at a distance, the price is stated precisely, by any means that provides proof, before the contract is concluded (article 14).

In the texts read, none says that a quote must be handed over before repairing a watch. An order of 24 January 2017 deals with the advertising of prices for breakdown, repair and maintenance services; its title concerns the building sector and home equipment, and its content was not read.

In Belgium

In the articles read, the Code of economic law provides no general obligation to hand over a quote to repair a watch. It does give several rules on informing the client.

If the price is not set in advance, the business communicates, at the client's request, the price, or the method of calculation of the price that lets the client check it, or a sufficiently detailed quote (article III.76).
The King may determine in which cases and under which conditions a prior quote must be delivered to a consumer who asks for one (article VI.7, 3°). That is an empowerment, not an obligation. An order made on that basis could not be searched: to be confirmed.
A business offering homogeneous services states their price in writing, legibly, visibly and unambiguously (article VI.3, § 2). A made-to-measure repair is not, at first sight, a homogeneous service; the text does not settle it.
The price stated is the total price the consumer must pay, taxes included (article VI.4).
On the consumer's request, a service business delivers a supporting document at no charge. The obligation falls if the price has been communicated or if a quote or an invoice with the required mentions is delivered (article VI.89). The consumer pays only once the requested document is delivered (article VI.90).
An order form is required when the service is deferred and a deposit is paid (article VI.88).

What the texts do not say

The period of validity of a quote is set by none of the articles read. The mentions the Belgian supporting document must carry are set by a royal decree that was not read. The rules on deposits, on the guarantee after repair and on general conditions are not covered here.

What the file gains by keeping

It is not an obligation written in these texts, but it avoids disputes: the date, the description of the watch, the work planned, the price including taxes, and the trace of the client's agreement before the work.

What Provena Studio does

Studio links the quote to the watch's file and numbers it. Its acceptance opens the work; without an accepted quote, a reason must be noted. The client can accept and sign the quote online from their tracking link.

What Provena Studio does for a workshop

The texts

Official texts read on 10 November 2026.

Provena Studio

Provena Studio is the working tool of watch workshops and watch dealers: repairs from reception to handover, stock, purchases and consignment.

Request a demo. The request goes out by e-mail: we answer ourselves to arrange a meeting.

Written from field feedback and the official texts; it is not legal advice. It is a translation of the French guide. Published on 10 November 2026. Lire en français