Sign a site reception report online
Formal record of work reception signed between the project owner and the contractor (with or without reservations), with the same legal value as a paper PV. Compliant with art. 1792-6 of the Civil Code — reception is the act by which the project owner declares acceptance of the work with or without reservations. Starting point of legal guarantees: ten-year warranty (art. 1792), two-year warranty (art. 1792-3), proper completion 1 year. Advanced signature recommended, 10-year archiving included.
- Legal framework
- Art. 1792-6 Civil Code
- Signature level
- eIDAS AES recommended
- Legal archiving
- 10 years included
What is a site reception report?
Work reception (art. 1792-6 Civil Code) is the legal act by which the project owner declares acceptance of the work with or without reservations. It is a CRITICAL legal point: it marks the transfer of custody of the work from the contractor to the project owner, and triggers THREE legal guarantee periods: (1) guarantee of proper completion (1 year, art. 1792-6 al. 2) covering ALL defects reserved at reception or appearing within the year, (2) two-year guarantee of proper functioning (2 years, art. 1792-3) on detachable equipment elements, (3) ten-year warranty (10 years, art. 1792) for damage compromising the structural integrity of the work or rendering it unfit for its intended purpose. Reception may be express (signed PV) or tacit (taking possession + full payment). Advanced electronic signature + Certyneo''s qualified timestamp make it possible to fix indisputably the date of reception — critical for calculating guarantee periods.
Why sign electronically?
Traceable starting point of guarantees
Art. 1792-6 sets reception as the starting point for 3 legal guarantees (ten-year warranty 10 years, two-year warranty 2 years, proper completion 1 year). Advanced electronic signature + Certyneo''s qualified timestamp indisputably fix the date of reception — a critical element in case of dispute 10 years later over expiration of guarantees.
Reservations listed and signed
The PV may include reservations regarding apparent defects at the time of reception — these reservations remain within the scope of the guarantee of proper completion (1 year). Certyneo allows you to list reservations in the signed PV, with possible attached photos. Common audit trail for PO + contractor.
Multi-party signature (PO + contractor)
The PV is signed by the project owner (or their representative: architect, project manager, syndic in condominium) and the contractor. For contracts with multiple contractors, signature by each contractor on their lot. Certyneo manages sequential or parallel signature of multiple signatories.
10-year archiving + ten-year enforceability
The signed report is the central element of any decennial liability dispute. Certyneo automatically archives the report + eIDAS audit trail for 10 years (duration of the decennial warranty). Accessible with one click for any warranty claim or judicial expertise.
4-step procedure
From preparation to legal archiving, in less than 5 minutes.
1. Prepare the site acceptance report
Upload your report or use a template compliant with art. 1792-6. Mandatory mentions: identification of parties (client + contractor), designation of the work / site, date of acceptance, mention "with or without reservations", detailed list of reservations if any, signatures.
2. Invite the signatories
Client + contractor (and architect / project manager if present). Each receives a secure personalized link by email with SMS OTP on their own number. Also possible during site visit via in-person signature on smartphone.
3. Advanced signature (AES)
Advanced signature required given the stakes of the 10-year decennial warranty that begins. SMS OTP verification, unique certificate, qualified timestamp — acceptance date is indisputable.
4. Warranty startup + 10-year archiving
At the final signature, the 3 legal warranties begin. The finalized report + audit trail are automatically archived for 10 years. Accessible for any warranty claim or judicial expertise.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a site acceptance report be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction. Art. 1792-6 Civil Code requires a written document but does not prescribe any particular form. Art. 1366 Civil Code recognizes electronic writing with the same probative force. Certyneo''s advanced signature meets evidentiary requirements.
- Can acceptance be tacit?
- Yes — case law (Cass. civ. 3rd) admits tacit acceptance when the client takes possession of the work AND pays the balance of the contract, thus demonstrating an unequivocal willingness to accept the work. But it''s risky: the date of tacit acceptance is uncertain, which complicates the calculation of warranty periods. It''s better to have an expressly signed report.
- What to do if there are reservations at acceptance?
- The report lists the reservations with precision (nature of defect, location, deadline for remedy). The contractor has 1 year to remedy the reservations under the warranty of satisfactory completion (art. 1792-6 para. 2). The remedy of reservations is itself formalized by a signed report ("reservation remedy report") — Certyneo allows you to sign it like the initial report.
- What is the starting point for the decennial warranty?
- The date of acceptance (art. 1792). If acceptance occurred on March 15, 2026, the decennial warranty runs until March 15, 2036 inclusive. Critical: without a signed report, the date of acceptance is contestable and may be advanced by the contractor (favoring the expiration of warranties). Hence the importance of a signed report with qualified timestamp.
- What level of signature for an acceptance report?
- Advanced signature (AES) recommended given the stakes of 10 years of warranties. It provides a presumption of reliability (art. 1367 Civil Code) that can be invoked against the court in case of decennial dispute. SES is insufficient for this type of document.
- How long must the report be kept?
- 10 years minimum from the date of acceptance (duration of the decennial warranty). Certyneo automatically archives the report + eIDAS audit trail + any reservation remedy reports for this period. Accessible for any warranty claim.
- Can acceptance be pronounced by only one of the co-owners (co-ownership, undivided ownership)?
- No — acceptance binds the entire co-ownership or undivided ownership. For a co-ownership, the syndic or delegated client signs on behalf of the syndicate. For undivided ownership, all co-owners (or a common representative) sign. Certyneo manages this multi-signatory configuration.
- Is an electronically signed report enforceable in judicial expertise?
- Yes — French case law unanimously recognizes eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures. Certyneo''s audit trail is enforceable against the judicial expert and the court — it proves the date of acceptance (starting point of warranties), any reservations, and the identity of signatories.
Also read
Secure your next site acceptance
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card required. Compliant with Civil Code and eIDAS. Timestamped acceptance date and 10-year archiving included.