Starting your renovation project in Spain: Step by step

As you continue your journey of renovating a house in Spain, this article serves as a helpful next phase, guiding you through a step-by-step process to achieve your new Spanish home. Full of tips on team assembly, budgeting, and supervising, this guide will help you envision all the steps you will need to consider along the way. By doing so, you are setting the stage for a renovation experience that is as smooth and as stress-free as possible.

1. Develop a Clear Vision

Start by having a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Whether it's restoring a historic villa or modernising an urban flat, your goals will guide every decision. Identify the right property that suits your renovation desires and budget. if you're restoring a classical property, research historical and regional design elements to stay in synch with the period and the area.

Also, consider energy efficiency and sustainability in your designs to lower future costs and ultimately the environmental impact. This will certainly help if you want to sell on in the future. The idea is to future-proof your property. Once you are set on an idea and have established a preliminary budget range, the next step is to start looking for your property project. Property sites like thinkSPAIN can greatly assist in sifting through potential properties based on your specifications.

2. Visualising the Potential

Sometimes it may be hard to look beyond the present dilapidated state of a property. Here, working with an experienced architect can be invaluable. They can not only help you visualise the renovated space but also provide preliminary cost estimates, enabling better financial planning. If your budget permits this, an architect can use 3D modelling software or virtual reality tools that offer a realistic vision of the final outcome, removing the guesswork from the project.

This also enables both you and your architect or builder to agree on a definitive result without misunderstandings. Another idea is to attend local open houses to see how similar properties have been transformed to get ideas. Always consider natural light, the property's orientation, and how your renovation can maximise it for both summer and winter. This is often overlooked and is extremely important.

3. Budgeting and Financial Planning

Create a detailed budget, considering not just the renovation costs but also additional expenses such as taxes, licences, and professional fees. Securing financing in advance, if needed, is crucial. It is always important to add a contingency of at least 10-20% to your budget to cover unexpected costs. Don't forget to look into local grants or subsidies for renovations from your local government or council, particularly if it involves energy-saving improvements. Your architect can assist you with this. If purchasing items from abroad, consider exchange rates and import taxes.

4. Assembling the Right Team

The success of your renovation largely depends on the team you assemble. Look for experienced architects, builders, and tradespeople familiar with the local regulations and procedures. Seeking recommendations from local expat communities can be a good starting point. Take the time to research and select a reputable company that offers both a fair price and solid guarantees of their work. Past client reviews can be a valuable resource in evaluating a company's reputation. Additionally, ensure that the company has all the necessary professionals you need for your project, as this will facilitate better coordination and efficiency.

5. Securing Licences and Permits

As discussed, navigate the local bureaucracy to secure the necessary permits before starting any work. The type and scope of your project will dictate the specific permits required. You will either need a licencia menor (minor works licence) or a licencia mayor (major works licence). Consulting with the local council and your chosen renovation company can provide further guidance on this matter. Consequences of not having a licence for minor works range from 600 to 1,000 euros in fines. For major works, the penalty for not having a licence can be up to 300,000 euros and may result in the demolition of the work.

Minor works usually don't require significant structural modifications and are simpler in nature, often not necessitating a technical project. Examples of minor works include repairs to parts of the home, changes to installations affecting the energy certificate, replacing doors or windows, and minor interior renovations that don't impact the building's structure. Minor licenses are generally required for surface-level work like replacing floor tiles, false ceilings, bathrooms, or windows, and for interior work like moving non-load-bearing walls.

Major works involve substantial technical and construction complexity and need plans to be reviewed and approved by the council.Examples of major works are renovations that change the functionality of a space, and the construction of new floors or extensions. Alterations to the building's structure, modification of common elements (like enclosing a balcony), and building rehabilitation in general are all considered major works.

6. Deciding when to start

Selecting the right time for your renovation is more important than it might seem. Aim for a period that minimises disruption to your daily life, and remember that certain times of the year might be more conducive to renovation activities. Also, consider the weather and how that can influence certain aspects of your renovation. Consider starting in early spring or autumn when temperatures are more moderate. It is also important to keep in mind local holidays and festivals when planning your timeline.

Many businesses shut down during these periods and labourers will expect to be paid a premium if they continue to work through them impacting either your budget or completion date. Festivities also affect parking and permissions for skips, meaning you might find yourself in a situation where materials cannot be unloaded and debris cannot be removed, stalling your project completely.

7. Overseeing the Renovation

Even if you hire a project manager, staying engaged with the process is essential. Regular site visits and meetings can ensure the project stays on track and within budget. Learn basic construction terms in Spanish to communicate effectively on site or employ an interpreter if your builder doesn't speak English. Take detailed notes during each site visit and keep a log of the progress and issues to be addressed. Share this in writing with the contractor after each visit and ensure they acknowledge the receipt of your feedback. Regularly check the quality of materials being delivered to ensure they meet the standards described in your contract.

8. Avoid Making Decisions as You Go

Spontaneous decisions or constant changes can derail your project. Ideally, all significant decisions should be made during the planning phase to prevent delays and added costs. If important decisions are necessary, understand their implications on both budget and schedule before you approve them with the contractor. A simple change may involve the hiring of more expensive equipment, and more highly skilled labourers impacting the budget.

9. Navigating Challenges

Patience is a virtue in the realm of house renovations. Unexpected issues are almost guaranteed to arise, so it's essential to remain calm and adaptable when faced with challenges. Be prepared, especially if renovating historic properties. Unexpected structural issues, delays in materials, or bureaucratic hurdles can all affect timelines and costs.

This is why you really need to have a buffer of 10-20% to cover the unexpected, perhaps more if the building is very old. You may find the condition of the plumbing in some areas needs to be replaced completely. Alternatively, there may be dangerous materials present such as asbestos or lead that need to be removed. Structural problems causing leaks or more serious issues like 'aluminosis' in cement joists, sometimes found in properties built between the 50's and 70's, will need to be resolved before you can move forward.

Often or not these problems only become visible once you start the renovations but you can look for evidence, especially with 'aluminosis'. Check the year the building was constructed, ask the seller directly, look for rust stains on the walls, or ask to conduct cement tests to know the exact construction material used.

It is also a good idea to develop a good relationship with your neighbours, as renovations can cause disruptions and you may need their support.

10. Trust the Professionals

While it's your vision that's being brought to life, it's wise to heed the advice of the professionals executing the project. They bring valuable experience and knowledge to the table, which can help avoid potential pitfalls. Participate in regular meetings with detailed minutes so that project goals and decisions are documented. Don't be afraid to press for explanations on technical points; a good professional will be willing to explain their decisions.

11. But, trust yourself too!

That said, being involved and asking questions throughout the process is crucial. If something doesn't sit right with you, don't hesitate to seek clarity or even a second opinion. It's vital that you feel comfortable and confident with every aspect of the renovation no matter what the professional says. Listen to your gut instincts. If a recommended material or design doesn't feel right, it's okay to ask for alternatives. Constant learning throughout the process is crucial; educating yourself about the basics can help you make more informed decisions.

For example, understanding the differences between the quality materials is fundamental, especially when considering soundproofing and insulation. Both of which tend to be of lower quality in Spain than in Northern Europe. For example, in Spain wastewater down pipes aren't normally soundproofed meaning you can hear a toilet being flushed or a bath being drained on the ground floor. To fix this later is practically impossible or simply not worth the cost.

Additionally, the standard level of insulation in construction is also much less than what a Northern European would be used to. What may be suggested as excellent insulation by Spanish standards may not reach the standard expected of a Northern European. Understand the basics of thermal efficiency and make sure your contractor understands what you expect. Don't be fooled by the warm climate. It is more important than you may think.

12. Finishing Touches and Follow-up

Once the major work is completed, focus on interior design and landscaping to bring your vision to life. After the project is finished, there may be additional inspections or paperwork to finalise. Compile a snagging list of all the small details that need to be corrected or fixed by the contractor. Make sure you have agreed to retain a percentage of the payment until this snagging list is signed off as completed.

Renovating a house in Spain presents a unique opportunity to breathe new life into a property with character and charm. While the process can be complex and sometimes challenging, the rewards of creating your dream home in this beautiful country can be immeasurable. By carefully considering the pros and cons, planning meticulously, and assembling the right team, your Spanish renovation adventure can be a fulfilling and successful endeavour.

Remember, the key to a successful renovation project lies in thorough preparation, understanding the local landscape, and embracing the journey with an open mind and heart. Why not start by searching for your ideal renovation project here on thinkSPAIN.