Phrasebook

Arrange a home maintenance visit in French: times and access

Agree a maintenance time slot, say when you are home and explain who will open the door. French phrases with replies, a confirmation message and a quiz.

In short

Give your availability, agree a day and a time window, then say who will open the door. Je serai sur place pour vous ouvrir means “I’ll be there to let you in”. Repeat the agreed details in a short message.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out

A resident letting a heating technician into an apartment.
The resident promises je serai sur place pour vous ouvrir. Illustration: Atelier
1

1. Explain the scheduling problem

Use vous throughout the call.

TechnicianJe peux passer mardi entre neuf et onze heures pour vérifier le chauffage.I can come on Tuesday between nine and eleven to check the heating.
YouMardi matin, je ne serai pas chez moi.I won’t be at home on Tuesday morning.
YouJe serai disponible à partir de quatorze heures.I’ll be available from two o’clock.À partir de gives the beginning of your availability.
YouY aurait-il un créneau l’après-midi ?Would there be an afternoon slot?
2

2. Agree a new day and window

TechnicianJe peux vous proposer jeudi entre quatorze et seize heures.I can offer Thursday between two and four.
YouOui, jeudi après-midi, ce créneau me convient.Yes, that slot on Thursday afternoon suits me.
YouJe serai sur place pour vous ouvrir.I’ll be there to let you in.
TechnicianTrès bien. Je vous appellerai à mon arrivée.Very good. I’ll call you when I arrive.
3

3. Give directions to your door

YouL’entrée se trouve dans la cour, à droite.The entrance is on the right in the courtyard.
TechnicianÀ quel étage êtes-vous ?Which floor are you on?
YouAu deuxième étage. Le nom sur l’interphone est Martin.On the second floor. The name on the intercom is Martin.
YouSi l’interphone ne fonctionne pas, appelez-moi.If the intercom isn’t working, call me.
4

4. Ask about the visit

YouCombien de temps faut-il prévoir pour la vérification ?How much time should I allow for the check?
YouFaut-il dégager l’espace autour du radiateur ?Should I clear the space around the radiator?
TechnicianOui, merci. La vérification devrait durer une demi-heure.Yes, thank you. The check should take half an hour.
YouPourriez-vous me confirmer le rendez-vous par message ?Could you confirm the appointment by message?

How do you arrange a repair visit in French?

Bonjour, je vous confirme le rendez-vous de jeudi, entre 14 h et 16 h, pour vérifier le chauffage. Je serai chez moi pour vous ouvrir. L’entrée est dans la cour, à droite, et mon appartement est au deuxième étage. Merci et à jeudi !

Hello, I’m confirming Thursday’s appointment, between 2 pm and 4 pm, to check the heating. I’ll be at home to let you in. The entrance is on the right in the courtyard, and my flat is on the second floor. Thank you and see you on Thursday!

Keep these time expressions distinct
FrenchMeaning
entre 14 h et 16 hA window between 2 pm and 4 pm.
à 14 hAt 2 pm.
à partir de 14 hFrom 2 pm onwards.
pendant une demi-heureFor half an hour.

In the call, Tuesday morning is the first offer. Thursday afternoon is the accepted appointment. The arrival window is two hours; the check itself should take half an hour. Devrait durer gives an expected duration. If the technician offers a new time, repeat the day as well as the hours.

Question 1No account needed
Which appointment is agreed?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Thursday, 2–4 pm.. The resident accepts jeudi entre quatorze et seize heures, a Thursday afternoon window.

Question 2No account needed
Who will let the technician in?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The resident.. Je serai sur place pour vous ouvrir says the resident will be there to open the door.

Question 3No account needed
Which phrase asks about the length of the check?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Combien de temps faut-il prévoir ?. Combien de temps asks about duration; à quelle heure asks about a clock time.