Self build a house

Hi Mike

This is a route I am going down and the one obvious negative is the project management! You can hire it in, for about €10K and your builder may have one, but I recommend you get an independent! 

Of course you also get to specify certain must haves with your build, like damp proof and underfloor heating if you wanted it etc.

There is a huge cash benefit though with a self-build and that is the taxes are way less for self-build than purchase. 

Of course one of the biggest headaches is finding a good builder who get on with and you both understand each other. You have to remember as well they are a business not a charity and its all too easy to think "How much" when you get a price for something!

My advice to you would be to find an excellent lawyer. They can advise you a lot more and outline other things to consider.

I can personally recommend Antony Keeble of ASK Legal Services - ASK GESTIONES INTEGRALES S.L- Calle de las Navas, 26, Entlo. B, ALICANTE, 03001, EspañaTel: (0034) 966 182 713 or (0034) 664 468 378 

Hope it helps

Thank you very much for the positive response.

I have read that the usual Spanish builds lack basic damp course and decent insulation, that is my reasoning for going down this route, to ensure I get a warm in the winter and cooler in the summer dwelling,

again thanks

Michael.

Hi Mike

15 years ago I bought a ruin and went to see the Alcalde.  He said you cannot knock it down and rebuild so I told him it was only for reform - he told me to get on with it.  I did and in 3 months I had a new house, 200 sq metres.   Do not ask how...….  It has all the things that you miss with in a UK property that you now want.   

 Strangely, now that we are selling (downsizing) , UK buyers say that the house does not have much character.  The English seem to like rising damp, multi coloured tiles throughout the house, single glazing, no fly screens, no a/c or c/h, and a maze of rooms tacked on at random.  They call it ´character´!

You cannot win.

Best of luck

Richard

That is true Richard, most British buyers don't have the knowledge or understanding regarding build quality, take for example the some of the new houses being built by the large house building groups, they are very poor quality, doors that won't close properly, cracks and bad brickwork etc, but they still fall for it and buy before doing some basic research on the internet.

So Richard what is the new house you are downsizing to. Is it a new self build project again, if so good luck and all the best,

Mike T.

Hi Mike

No, the cost of an architect and Manager is about 45, 000 euros, not worth it for a small house, I will have to bite the bullet and get the best of Spanish design and workmanship that I can.  Also, all planning applications for new houses have to be approved by Valencia because of the rampant corruption, and that can take more than a year......

Good luck with your project.

Richard

45,000 for an architect and manager? Nahhhh....

10,000 for the architect and technical architect, potentially a further 10K for a project manager.

I agree about corruption, backhanders, who you know and the bureaucracy of it all