Old Town house refurbishment

Hi Kaska,

Welcome to the forum and best wishes for your purchase in Altea.

Planning regulations in Spain are strict, with permission being needed for almost everything.  However, the requirement for building licences - "Obras Mayores" (Major Works) and "Obras Menores" (Minor Works) - can vary slightly from one town hall to another.  For example, if you're changing the location of windows, you will definitely need planning permission, but if you're simply changing the frames in an existing window location, you may only need a Minor Works licence.  Similarly, if your builder is repairing an existing roof, no permission is likely to be required, but if you're adding to, or changing, the roofline, you will need permission.  

I would caveat this general advice by saying that, as your property is located in the old town, the requirements may be stricter.  It would be wise to visit your town hall and ask their architect.  Don't take advice from your builder - they often ignore the regulations, because they don't pay the fines!

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi, 

In Altea we have two protocols for applying for the Obras Mayores and Obras Menores. If you are doing the work yourself you simply need to go to the town hall and apply, there will be a fee according to the value of the works carried out. If you have a builder to do the work they are usauly responsible for arranging the Obras. 

The only issue we had was it took us 4 months to get the Obras, by that time I had finished the work.

Hope this helps

Jeff  

Thanks very helpful! Many thanks!!

Hi Jeff, thanks so much for your message. Does it mean that I can start the work and wait for the approval on minor work? I am not changing anything to the façade so I don't think I need the proper project and Obras Mayores. Is that right?

Hi,

I would advise against doing any work until you have the licence, especially in the old town as there will always be someone who will complain. My advice is to start the application as soon as possible because sometimes Spanish admin can take far longer than it should. 

Since my first minor works refurbishment I had other work done but used a local builder who took care of obtaining the license and they seemed to have no problems speeding up the application process.

Best regards

Jeff 

Hi Jeff,

I am following up on our last little chat we had here, hope you are still here?

Are you able to recommend a builder or refurbishment company for the works in Altea?

Thanks

Kate

Hi Kate, Yes still here, we have no where else we want to be.

The builder I used was a Dutch guy who was okay but their craftsmanship was not the best.

Friends of ours who had a major refurbishment work carried out on their ático  property in the street where the fruit market is, used a local guy and his team who are very good. A "can do" attitude, trustworthy and he is very well connected with the local officials.

His name is José Serrat +34 679 400 694.

We have used his electrician and plumber and found them to be professional and trustworthy.   

I do hope this helps.

Best regards

Jeff