Renovating in Spain: what to look out for
Common property types in Spain
Along the Spanish coasts — from the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida to the Costa del Sol — you mainly find apartments, penthouses with terraces, townhouses, villas and bungalows. Many properties were built between the 1970s and 1990s or earlier, with dated wiring, single glazing and old bathrooms and kitchens. In the old centres of cities such as Valencia, Alicante and Málaga you also come across historic buildings, which call for extra care and sometimes stricter rules.
The coastal climate: damp, salt and sun
Almost the entire Spanish coast has a Mediterranean climate: warm, humid summers and mild winters. That means paying attention to damp and mould (good ventilation and waterproofing), to salt in the air (which attacks window frames, fittings and paintwork) and to heat. Good sun shading, heat insulation and air conditioning make the difference between a property you only use in spring and one that's comfortable all year round.
Apartments and the owners' association (comunidad)
Many buyers purchase an apartment. Work on shared walls, service shafts or the façade requires the approval of the comunidad de propietarios (the Spanish owners' association). There are also often rules on working hours and noise. We factor this in from the start, so you don't grind to a halt halfway through.
Services: electrics, pipework and air conditioning
In older Spanish properties the electrics are often out of date: too few circuits and no proper earthing. The same goes for water and waste pipes. During a complete renovation we replace all of this while the walls are open anyway. Air conditioning (cooling and heating) is almost standard in Spain; we build the units and pipework neatly into the design.
Historic buildings in the old town
If you buy an older building in a protected district, extra requirements often apply to the façade and appearance. That calls for coordination with the local council and sometimes an architect. We flag this in advance, so it doesn't come as a surprise.
Common mistakes
- Renovating without the right permit, leading to fines or a work stoppage.
- Choosing cheap local materials that can't cope with the coastal climate.
- Underestimating ventilation and waterproofing, so damp and mould return.
- Ignoring the comunidad rules when renovating an apartment.
- Not agreeing a fixed price from a distance, so the costs run over.
Related topics we cover: a Dutch-quality contractor in Spain, buying and renovating a property in Spain, and renovating an apartment in Spain. Our approach is set out under full home renovation; for investors, commercial renovation is also relevant. Questions? Get in touch.