Hi my wife and I are moving to La Marina Urb at the end of January from Villa Martin and are looking for some general information

Ray has hit the nail on the head, not just on the Urbanisation but all over the Costa Blanca there are lots of cowboy builders or "tradesmen", look for references or proof of the standard of work carried out on previous jobs, get two or three headed quotes and receipts for everything and most important DO NOT pay large sums upfront.

Not just Brits but all other nationalities too including Spanish.  In my early years here I had work done and regretted it, i.e. paint that flaked off with the first rain.  I get lots of men ringing doorbell and offering all types of work and I always say sorry, I am only the cleaner.  They then leave me alone.

For the pool, there's really only one choice if you want the job done properly by a fully legal company:

https://www.johnsprofessionalpoolcare.es/

Ok thanks for the all the info I'm very grateful and will look around  

I wholeheartedly endorse Jim’s recommendation for John,for your pool care needs.

The furniture shop at the top corner of the urb - Muebles Mariola - are friendly, helpful and efficient, and in my experience, no dearer than the range of furniture shops between Dolores and Almoradí as mentioned above. If they have the item in stock, they will deliver it immediately. I once went in there and ordered a mattress, and when I arrived home 20 minutes later, it was already on the bed! And if anything needs assembling, they do it in your house, free of charge. I highly recommend them.

I also endorse what Jim & Yorkshire Lass have said about John for looking after the pool. He is NOT a graduate from the Gatwick/Manchester Airport schools of painters and pool men, he learnt his trade working with experienced people!

Fibre optic is provided to some, but not all, parts of the urb by Telecable, who have an office on the roundabout, just along from the police station. I have noticed a lot of complaints on Facebook regarding stability issues with them, and of their service failing altogether, sometimes for quite a long period, although other folk are luckier and seem to be happy with what they are getting for what they are paying.

Geoff.

Geoff's being modest when he says John learned from experienced people, as it was actually Geoff who taught him.

I'm blushing Jim!

For kitchen fitting, I would highly recommend Simon at "The Kitchen Shop", just down the road opposite the medical centre/police station (so behind Supa Valu supermarket). He has done a lot of work for me, and I am very pleased with it all and with his prices.

www.thekitchenshop.es

Geoff.

Hi thanks again for all the info

John