How to Choose Your EV Charging Station Installer (IRVE) in 2026

Installing a home charging station or one for your business is a serious electrical project that involves your safety, your budget and your eligibility for subsidies. In 2026, the range of IRVE installers has expanded considerably, and they are not all equal. Here is an objective checklist to choose the right professional — no jargon, starting from the criteria that truly matter.

Why choosing the right installer is decisive

People sometimes think of installing a charging station as a simple plug-in job. That's a mistake. A charging station delivers high power over many hours, on a dedicated circuit, with specific protections. A poorly done installation is a real risk to property and people, and an installation that may fail regulatory inspections.

The choice of installer affects three dimensions at once:

• Safety. A dedicated circuit, a suitable circuit breaker, residual current protection and a verified earth connection cannot be improvised. This is the core of a qualified installer's job.
• Compliance. Beyond a certain power threshold, regulations require a specific certification and, in some cases, procedures with the Consuel and Enedis. A serious professional knows them inside out.
• Subsidies. Several support schemes (the ADVENIR grant, reduced VAT under certain conditions) are conditional on using a certified installer. Choosing the wrong provider can mean losing access to subsidies.

In other words, the "right" installer isn't just the one who fits the charging station: it's the one who makes it safe, brings it into compliance and optimises the cost of your project. Here are the criteria to recognise them.

Criterion 1 — QUALIFELEC IRVE qualification

This is the first filter, and it's non-negotiable. In France, installing a charging station with a power output above 3.7 kW must be carried out by a professional holding an IRVE qualification (Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles). This requirement is written into the regulations — not a sales pitch.

Why this qualification is mandatory

The IRVE qualification certifies that the company has been trained and assessed specifically on installing charging stations: sizing, electrical protections, commissioning, and station communication. It is issued by recognised bodies, including QUALIFELEC, and is subject to periodic renewal.

In practice, this qualification is also the condition for accessing the ADVENIR grant and, more broadly, the guarantee that your installation will be compliant. A charging station above 3.7 kW fitted by a non-certified installer exposes you to a compliance failure — and to the loss of the associated subsidies.

Before any other check, ask to see the company's valid IRVE certificate. A serious installer provides it without hesitation. Volticom is certified QUALIFELEC IRVE, as required by regulations above 3.7 kW.

Criterion 2 — Insurance: ten-year liability and professional liability

A technical qualification is not enough: the company must also be properly insured. This is what protects you in the event of faulty work or damage.

Two types of insurance should be checked:

• The AXA insurance. It covers damage that could compromise the soundness of the installation or make it unfit for use, for ten years after the works are completed. For a fixed electrical installation such as a charging station, this is an essential guarantee.
• Professional civil liability insurance (RC Pro). It covers damage caused to third parties in the course of the work.

Always ask for an up-to-date insurance certificate, made out in the company's name and dated. A provider who sidesteps the question or can't produce one is a warning sign. For its part, Volticom holds AXA insurance and professional liability cover taken out with AXA, with supporting documents.

Criterion 3 — A real warranty and after-sales service

Installation is only the beginning: a charging station lives for several years and may need adjusting, updating or servicing. The question to ask is simple: what happens after the installation?

What to check

• The duration and scope of the warranty. Distinguish the equipment warranty (often provided by the manufacturer) from the installation warranty. Have them specify what is covered, and for how long.
• The availability of after-sales service. A contact you can reach, stated response times, a clear procedure in case of a breakdown. A warranty on paper is only worth anything if someone answers when you call.

A long warranty commitment is also a sign of confidence: a company built to last has every interest in getting it right the first time. Volticom offers a decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate on its installations, with follow-up handled directly by the company.

Criterion 4 — In-house technicians or subcontracting?

This is an often-overlooked criterion, yet a telling one. Behind the same commercial offer, two very different models can coexist: the company that works with its own in-house technicians, and the one that subcontracts the installation to external contractors.

Why this matters:

• Quality control. In-house technicians are trained in the company's methods, follow the same standards and are identifiable. The chain of responsibility is clear.
• Long-term follow-up. In the event of after-sales service, the team that fitted the charging station is the same one that can come back. With subcontracting, that link often weakens.
• A consistent point of contact. You deal with a single entity, from quote to commissioning.

This doesn't mean all subcontracting is bad, but it deserves to be clarified up front. Ask the question directly: "Who actually carries out the installation?" At Volticom, the work is carried out by in-house technicians, and local IRVE-qualified partner installers.

Criterion 5 — A fixed, transparent and complete quote

A good quote is detailed and binding. Be wary of vague estimates that turn into extra costs once the work has started.

What a serious quote should include

• The breakdown of equipment (charging station model, power output, smart-control options) and labour.
• The nature of the electrical work: the length of the dedicated circuit, the protections, any panel work.
• The administrative procedures included, in particular Consuel compliance certification when required and, where applicable, the dealings with Enedis.
• A complete, itemised quote. A detailed quote protects you: every line of the scope is priced before the work starts, and any change of scope is repriced in writing.

Compare quotes "on an equal-scope basis": a cheaper offer that excludes the Consuel, part of the wiring or the commissioning isn't really cheaper. Volticom provides a detailed quote, which sets out the services and includes the necessary procedures.

Criterion 6 — Support with subsidies

Support schemes for installation do exist, but they require putting together an application and meeting precise eligibility conditions. A good installer doesn't just fit the charging station: they point you towards the subsidies you're entitled to and put together the corresponding applications.

Two schemes to know about, without quoting amounts — which change and depend on your situation:

• The ADVENIR grant, a support programme for installing charging stations, conditional in particular on using an IRVE-certified installer. Volticom is an ADVENIR partner.
• The reduced 5.5% VAT rate, applicable under certain conditions to the supply and fitting of a charging station in a home, which directly lowers the cost of the installation.

Since the conditions, ceilings and amounts change regularly, have your eligibility checked at the time of your project. An installer partnered with the right programmes saves you time and secures the granting of subsidies.

The pitfalls to avoid

A few signals should put you on alert when comparing offers:

• A vague or incomplete quote. No breakdown of the equipment, the work or the procedures: that's the door wide open to extra costs.
• The absence of IRVE certification for a charging station above 3.7 kW. That's a deal-breaker, both for compliance and for subsidies.
• No up-to-date insurance certificate for ten-year liability or professional liability, or a refusal to produce one.
• An excessive deposit requested before any work begins. A reasonable deposit is normal; a very large share of the total paid in advance is a sign to be cautious.
• An abnormally low price. It often hides excluded services (Consuel, commissioning, the actual wiring) or uncertain installation quality.
• No prior site visit or survey. A serious quote is based on an assessment of your existing installation, not on a blind estimate.

FAQ: choosing your IRVE installer

Is IRVE certification really mandatory?

Yes, for any charging station with a power output above 3.7 kW, regulations require using an installer holding the IRVE qualification. This certification is also the condition for accessing the ADVENIR grant.

How can you check that an installer is reputable?

Ask for three documents: the valid IRVE certificate, up-to-date AXA insurance and professional liability (RC Pro) certificates, and a fixed, detailed quote. A reliable professional provides them without difficulty.

Should you be wary of a very cheap quote?

A price well below the others often excludes essential services (Consuel compliance certification, commissioning, full wiring). Always compare quotes on an equal-scope basis before deciding.

Does the installer handle the administrative procedures?

A good installer includes the necessary procedures — in particular Consuel compliance certification and, where applicable, the dealings with Enedis — and supports you in putting together the subsidy applications.

How much does it cost to install a home charging station?

The price depends on your electrical installation, the power output you choose (7.4, 11 or 22 kW) and the length of the dedicated circuit: it is therefore always set on a quote basis. Volticom prices your project free of charge, with no obligation, with a detailed quote delivered within 48 hours, across France — the amount quoted is the amount you pay, and we check your eligibility for the ADVENIR grant along the way, under the ADVENIR scheme (subject to its rules).

Can I install my charging station myself?

No: above 3.7 kW, regulations require an installer holding the IRVE qualification, and a DIY installation makes you lose access to subsidies as well as any cover in the event of damage. A charging station delivers high power for hours on a dedicated circuit, with a 30 mA Type B circuit breaker and NF C 15-100 compliance: this is the core of a professional's job. Volticom, qualified QUALIFELEC IRVE, makes the whole thing safe and stands behind its decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate.

What is the timeframe between the quote and the installation of the charging station?

The detailed quote is delivered within 48 hours after the survey of your installation, across France, then the installation itself is generally carried out within a timeframe confirmed after the site assessment. Once the charging station is fitted and commissioned, you benefit from after-sales service that intervenes if needed, handled directly by our in-house technicians.

Does Volticom operate everywhere in France?

Yes: from our head office in Paris, we cover the whole country thanks to a network of IRVE-certified partner installers, who apply the same standards of quality and compliance. Wherever you are, you benefit from the same free detailed quote within 48 hours, across France and the same decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate.

What happens if my charging station breaks down after installation?

Your installation is covered by a decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate, and our after-sales service intervenes for an adjustment, an update or a repair. Our professional liability insurance is taken out with AXA, with supporting documents: you are protected over time, without having to chase after a subcontractor.

Can a charging station manage several vehicles or re-bill the charging?

Yes: our connected charging stations (OCPP protocol) allow load shedding and dynamic power management to distribute the load without tripping your installation, as well as re-billing per kWh, useful in co-ownership properties or businesses. Specify your use when requesting a quote: we size the right solution and price it for you free of charge within 48 hours, across France.

Request a free detailed quote from Volticom

Choosing your charging station installer is above all about checking objective criteria: QUALIFELEC IRVE qualification, ten-year and professional liability insurance, a real warranty and after-sales service, in-house technicians and local IRVE-qualified partners, a detailed quote and support with subsidies. Volticom, an IRVE installer based in Paris, ticks these boxes: QUALIFELEC IRVE qualified, an ADVENIR partner, with AXA insurance and AXA professional liability cover, a decennial liability insurance policy with AXA, subject to the declared activities, limits and terms of the current insurance certificate, in-house technicians and local IRVE-qualified partner installers and a detailed quote. To compare with full clarity and find out the real cost of your project, request your free detailed quote: we study your installation, your needs and the subsidies you're entitled to.