Timeline

An office project timeline is built backwards.

The lease end date or move-in date is fixed; so are the processing and consultation periods. The timeline starts from there.

By Quentin Piepszownik, architectUpdated on

Topic
Timeline
Sources (in French)
4 official or professional texts and documents, cited at the end of the page
Checked on
9 October 2026

Time limits set by law

StepStandard time limit
Prior declaration (déclaration préalable) for works1 month processing
Building permit (other than for a single-family house)3 months processing
Project near a historic monument or in a listed heritage area (site patrimonial remarquable)time limit extended by one month
Building permit for an ERP (building open to the public)5 months processing
Works authorisation in an ERP (without a permit)4 months processing
Works council (CSE) consultation, in the absence of an agreement1 month; 2 months with an expert

These time limits run from receipt of a complete application. A request for additional documents pushes them back.

Planning backwards

  1. Target move-in date, notice period on the current lease.
  2. Move and installation.
  3. Works, then handover (réception) and clearing of snags (réserves).
  4. Contractor tender and signing of contracts.
  5. Processing of authorisations and works council consultation, in parallel where possible.
  6. Design and applications.
  7. Brief and choice of scenario.

The durations of design, tendering and works depend on the floor area, the condition of the existing premises and the scope: they are set in the engagement proposal, then kept to through site meetings.

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