Renovating a house in Spain

Renovating a house in Spain -
some pointers

The cost of repairs varies from builder to builder but the following examples may help for budgeting purposes. Most work is quoted for by the m2, making total cost calculations simple.

Installing a ground level concrete floor 10cm thick	2500pts (Ł9.26) m2
Installing an upper level concrete floor 6cm thick	2200pts (Ł8.15) m2
Floor tiling	2000pts (Ł7.41) m2
Plastering	1300pts (Ł4.81) m2
Re-roofing with concrete beams & ceramic roof tiles	9400pts (Ł34.81) m2

These are 1999 prices and are a guide only. They do not include the Spanish equivalent of VAT @ 7%.

House wiring for sockets is done on radial circuits, not ring circuits as in the UK. We've heard of new wiring installations based upon ring circuits being condemned by the authorities on inspection. It isn't very likely that they'll inspect your wiring but it could be an expensive error if they do! Don't fit 3-pin, UK style sockets (or sockets from any other country for that matter) either. It may seem a good idea for your electrical equipment from the UK, but if you decide to sell your house they'll all be to change - what Spaniard wants a house with UK sockets?

When having a roof fitted make sure it has a good size overhang from the walls. Spanish houses don't use guttering, and although it doesn't rain very often (which is why we all want to live there, right?), when it does it pours! A good overhang will keep all that water pouring off your roof well away from your walls.

Any major work carried out on external walls should be done using good quality ceramic blocks. Although much more expensive than solid concrete blocks they offer good thermal insulation. Solid concrete blocks let the heat in during summer and out during the winter. Remember that Spanish houses are built with solid walls, i.e. no cavity to provide the necessary insulation.

Back to house wiring again. In Spain they use individual, sheathed cables for Live, Neutral and Earth, not the standard "twin and earth" that we use in the UK. These cables are then run through plastic conduit to their various destinations.

Costs for demolition work - 4425 pts per hour for the hire of a JCB and driver, 6315 per hour for a lorry to take away and dispose of the rubble ( 2001 prices - all figures approximate).

Here's a few building material prices for you:

20cm thick ceramic blocks	88 pts (Ł0.35) each
Concrete blocks for roofing	60 pts (Ł0.24) each
Roof tiles	from 36 pts (Ł0.14) each
Bag of cement	600 pts (Ł2.40) each
Very large bag of sand (not sure how big) for mortar	12500 pts (Ł50.00) each

Prices are approximate and do vary; it pays to shop around and negotiate prices for larger quantities.

Before carrying out any major renovations or building a new house you'll need the services of an architect, to obtain the required permits, etc. Shop around for prices as they vary quite a lot! We recently heard of someone paying around Ł10,000 and they still don't have a set of plans to work with. We've been quoted prices from Ł600 - Ł1500 for a small house. We also heard of someone who didn't bother with an architect and started to build his new house. The authorities found out and put a stop to the work. Four years on and they are still waiting for the required permits!

To be continued.................

Do you have any renovation tips regarding Spanish property? Email them to us and we'll include them in this section of the site.