Blog/Renovation scenarios: how Argile simulates the results
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July 5, 2026

5 min read

Renovation scenarios: Argile simulates your results

When a client is torn between several works options, you're the one who has to decide quickly, with concrete facts. By simulating several scenarios, you compare expected gains, budget and site priorities at a glance, without drowning in spreadsheets. That secures your quote and lets you move forward with a clear roadmap.

Contents

Why work on your renovation scenarios from the preliminary project stage in 2026

Clarifying the objectives: comfort, bills, DPE label and property value

Setting out several scenarios from the start aligns everyone on a clear trajectory. You link the works to concrete results. Lasting comfort, lower consumption, a better DPE label, and sometimes a stronger resale value. In 2026, clients compare quickly. A simple, costed, understandable scenario makes the difference.

Securing eligibility for the works: MaPrimeRénov', CEE and RGE requirements

Financial aid isn't decided at the end of the job. It's won from the preliminary project stage, by checking the technical criteria, the documents to prepare, and the right sequencing of measures. With a well-framed scenario, you avoid nasty surprises on MaPrimeRénov' and CEE. Secured aid, RGE requirements respected, and a cleaner file.

Saving time between first contact, technical visit and costing

A prepared scenario guides the technical visit. You know what to measure, what to photograph, and which blocking points to check. The result: fewer return visits, faster costing, and a renovation that moves forward. Faster quotes, without losing quality.

Building credible renovation scenarios: steps and points of attention on site

Recording the useful data without drowning in it: building, systems, usage and constraints

On site, aim for the essentials. A clean technical visit is worth more than 30 vague pieces of information. Note the walls (walls, floors, attics), the joinery, signs of moisture, air leaks. Record the systems (heating, DHW, ventilation), the emitters, the setpoints and 12 months of bills. Add the on-site constraints. Access, networks, space for an outdoor unit, co-ownership or heritage authority rules.

Prioritising the work packages: insulation, ventilation, heating, control

A solid scenario follows a logical order. First reduce needs with insulation and treatment of parasitic air inlets. Then secure air quality with suitable ventilation. Then choose or optimise the heating. Heat pump, boiler, biomass. Finish with control. Thermostats, balancing, heating curve. That's what keeps the promises on a day-to-day basis.

Avoiding common mistakes: thermal bridges, moisture, sizing and compatibilities

The sensitive points hide in the details. Thermal bridges at floors, load-bearing partitions, balconies. Risk of condensation if you insulate without managing moisture and air renewal. Oversized heating, or incompatible with radiators designed for high temperature. Also check the electrics, drainage, acoustics, and maintenance. A credible renovation is a chain with no weak link.

Simulating results: what an RGE tradesperson should compare between several scenarios

Comparing energy performance: consumption, estimated gains and DPE consistency

For a renovation, put the scenarios on the same starting line. Compare conventional consumption (kWhEP/m²/year), emissions (kgCO2/m²/year) and the target DPE class. Also check whether the stated gain matches the actual building and its usage. A jump of several classes without treating the envelope, ventilation and heating should raise a flag. Work with the same assumptions for surface area, setpoints and climate zone.

Comparing budgets: remaining cost, available aid and possible phasing

Don't just compare the total. Calculate the remaining cost after MaPrimeRénov' and CEE, then check the possible combinations with 5.5% VAT and the zero-interest eco-loan. A more expensive scenario can become easier to sell if the aid is better leveraged. Test realistic phasing, without losing eligibility or creating redundant works. To go further on combining aid schemes, rely on a clear grid by item and by scenario.

Comparing the site impact: duration, complexity, risks and client acceptability

A good scenario also shows on the job site. Estimate the duration, coordination between trades, access and protection of the occupants. List the classic interface risks, such as reinforced airtightness without suitable ventilation, or thermal bridges at junctions. Finally, confirm client acceptability, with nuisance, usage constraints and maintenance.

How Argile speeds up your renovation scenarios and simulation without cutting corners

Fast energy diagnosis and works scenarios in a few minutes: framing the client discussion

With Argile, you get a first reading of the home in a few minutes. You can compare several renovation options without drowning the client in assumptions. The result serves as a basis for discussion, with a clear order of magnitude and readable priorities, from the very first exchange. That first reading turns into a works plan when the relevant measures are suggested from the property's characteristics and the client's objective.

AI-based feasibility analysis and technical-visit support: clearing constraints before quoting

Argile highlights the points that often cause blockages. Technical constraints, consistency between packages, questions to check on site. You arrive at the visit with a short, useful checklist. You secure the project before costing it.

Preliminary costing and quotes with aid calculation: turning the simulation into a clear offer

Once the scenario is chosen, Argile helps you turn it into something concrete. Preliminary costing, structured quote, and integration of available aid such as MaPrimeRénov' and CEE. You present a clear, consistent offer, ready to sign. The offer becomes readable when the grants, the incentives and the monthly payments are built into the pricing before signature.

Turning the simulation into a signed quote: presenting your renovation scenarios convincingly

Presenting 2 to 3 readable scenarios: "essential", "balanced", "comprehensive renovation"

Instead of a single costing, offer three clear paths. The "essential" one secures urgent matters: ventilation, cold spots, adjustments. The "balanced" one optimises the envelope and the heating system. The "comprehensive renovation" one aligns insulation, airtightness and equipment to aim for a class jump. Each scenario fits on one page, with an estimated remaining cost and expected gains.

Justifying the choices with simple evidence: photos, checkpoints, simulation assumptions

Show what you saw. Dated photos, measurements, thermal bridge identification, condition of the old boiler. Note your assumptions, insulated surface, target resistance, setpoint temperatures, usage. Simple evidence is worth more than a long speech. The client understands the logic and the priority of the works.

Anticipating client questions: budget, comfort, phased works and the 2026 timeline

Prepare answers on budget, aid, and the order of the packages. Propose realistic phasing in 2026, with milestones, a technical visit, checking the aid conditions before starting, then planning. Announce a short, credible timeline, and leave the client with a simple decision.

Key figures

< 2 s

Calculation time

5 to 15

Scenarios per home

cost, DPE gain, GHG

Optimisation criteria

Frequently asked questions

Ask right away for 12 months of energy bills, the specifications of the existing equipment (heating, DHW, ventilation) and the accessible surfaces/thicknesses needed to justify the performance levels. For financial aid, the quote must be signed after approval (notably for MaPrimeRénov') and your works must meet the technical criteria (thermal resistances, COP/ETAS, ventilation). Also plan to attach the RGE certificate and manufacturer data sheets to the file.

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Louis Meneteau

Louis is CPO of Argile. An engineer by training, he spent four years validating calculation software in systems engineering, then three years in software product. He turns the installer's daily reality into product workflows: technical survey, sizing, quotes and subsidy files. His articles describe field gestures rather than principles, because he watches them on site before specifying them.

Further reading

Camille Martin

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Works plan

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Financing

Whole-house retrofit

Generate the quote

Works

Financing

Cost of works and grants

Total cost of works

4 jobs

INSULATION

External wall insulation

18 400,00 €

Windows

3 260,00 €

HEATING AND HOT WATER

Air-to-water heat pump

14 900,00 €

Heat-recovery ventilation

1 840,00 €

Total amount

38 400 €

Grants

3 grants

MaPrimeRénov’

9 200,00 €

Energy saving certificates

3 480,00 €

Regional grant

1 520,00 €

Add a grant

Total grants

− 14 200 €

Remaining cost

Cost of works

38 400 €

Grants deducted

− 14 200 €

Grants land once the works are done: the financing plan covers the advance.

Remaining cost

24 200 €

Financing plan

How the works are paid for before the grants land at the end of the site

Loans

1 loan

Prêt Ecair

24 200 € · 15 ans · 3,4 %

Instalment

212 €

Ecair

Empruntis

Sofinco

Total borrowed

24 200 €

Advances on the grants

3 grants

The grants are advanced to the customer so they do not wait for the end of the works.

MaPrimeRénov’

9 200,00 €

Energy saving certificates

3 480,00 €

Regional grant

1 520,00 €

Total advanced

14 200 €

Personal contribution

No contribution asked on this project

Total contributed

0 €

With argile

The out-of-pocket cost, announced without nasty surprises

Public grants, energy-saving certificate bonuses and financing built into the pricing: the customer sees the real cost of their project, what is left to pay and their monthly instalments before signing.

With argile

The right works, suggested by AI as soon as you qualify

From the home's characteristics and the customer's goals, Argile suggests the most relevant renovation jobs.

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