What does it really take to build your dream home in Spain?
When we bought our Spanish house in 2016, we thought we'd found paradise. A wreck of a house, yes… but with spectacular views across the Mediterranean to Morocco. What could possibly go wrong?
Quite a lot, as it turned out.
There was no electricity, no proper drainage and the house had actually moved more than two centimetres after the Spanish authorities cut into the mountainside for a new road. We had no idea about Spanish building licences, the difference between obra menor and obra mayor, planning permission, architects, structural engineers or just how complicated building a house in Spain could become.
In this episode of Spanish Practices, I take you through our very real experience of renovating and extending a property on the Costa Tropical — from the €10,000-plus electricity saga and a 75-metre trench, to new drainage, extra bedrooms, an infinity pool, terraces, a hot tub, outdoor kitchen and the latest project: adding two more bedrooms to the house.
We'll look at the true costs of building in Spain, Spanish planning permission, building licences, architects, taxes, waste fees, urbanisation rules and why you absolutely need to check whether the land you're buying can legally be built on.
I'll also explain why finding good builders, electricians, plumbers and other skilled tradespeople can be such a challenge in Spain, and how traditional Spanish construction differs from building methods commonly used in Britain and the United States.
Building your dream home in Spain can be complicated, expensive and painfully slow — but when the work is finally finished, the Mediterranean is outside your window and the sun is shining, it can also be absolutely worth it.
If you're thinking about buying, renovating, extending or building a home in Spain, this is the reality check you probably need before you start.
Spanish Practices – Real Life, Real Spain.
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