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Quotes from builders

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:16am
4 replies94 views3 members subscribed
Karol1112

Karol1112

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Hi, I’m looking to get some quotes from builders before I come over in late August/ early September. I am buying a small bungalow in La Siesta and have a list of jobs/alterations I would like done. So not to waste anyone’s time I want a rough idea of which jobs I can afford to get done then or otherwise wait to get them done in the future. I know to get a exact quote they have to see the property but surly if they know what type of property it is and have done this type of work before it shouldn’t be that difficult ie roof terrace, internal wall taken down etc ? And I know you have to get planning permission. So if anyone knows of reliable builders that do this type of work in that area I would be grateful for there contact details, thank you.

Jan

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:04am

Jan

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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:04am

Personally I would wait until you get there and speak to your neighbours to see if any have had the work or similar work that you want to do. 

Most people are happy to recommend builders if they are pleased with the work and may even offer to show you what they have had done.

It's good to get an idea of price, like you are doing, but be aware that building companies or any 'Bob the builder' will all try to contact you on here to entice you to use them and I would never use anyone who hasn't come well recommended from a trusted source. Some non reputable builders have been known to say they are getting licenses for the work and finish the job without getting them, so always check with the town hall that your license has been applied for.

It's always best to get about 3 quotes from reputable builders but you probably know that

I wrote this reply on a similar question and thought it may be helpful to repeat on here :

"This is always a difficult question to get an honest answer to, as you will get replies, but a good number of those will or could be the builders recommending themselves.

 Be careful of private messages that may be sent to you and if you are not sure about any 'recommendation' Google them and look for their website and/or other recommendation's on the Internet. Make sure they are legally registered and insured to work in Spain as well.

If you find a builder that seems OK , you can also ask on here, as a separate question,  if anyone has used them.

As you  probably know, it's never a good idea to pay money up front.

 After you get a quote and have done all the checks and have agreed to let them start,  you could (and should) only pay in stages of work as it's done (or at the end as work is finished depending on the size of the job)  - A good reputable builder would do this anyway. 

We had building work done in the UK last year and we paid nothing until the work had started and then only paid in stages. All building regulations and plans were sorted by the builder and we had proof that these were submitted. The problem in Spain appears to be that some 'not so good' builders say they will submit the plans or will apply for the permissions and never do and because it's in Spain we don't always check until it's too late..this happened to us years ago when we had some walls built up and it wasn't until the builders had gone we found the permissions were not even applied for, even though the builder took all our details saying he was sorting it with the town hall for us. He sounded so plausible! 

It's easy to check with the town hall (and  your community rules if relevant) yourself to see what is needed...we didn't know that at the time".

Good luck with finding a good reputable  builder - They are out there but just be wary of the smooth talking devils. 

Karol1112

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:33am

Karol1112

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Posts: 207

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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:33am

Thank you Jan, good advice, it’s difficult when you are over there for short bursts of time . And like I said if they have already done the work on similar/same properties it shouldn’t be difficult to give a rough quote. And will definitely do research on any recommended x

Ada

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 4:58pm

Ada

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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 4:58pm

Jan wrote on Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:04am:

Personally I would wait until you get there and speak to your neighbours to see if any have had the work or similar work that you want to do. 

Most people are happy to recommend builders if they are pleased with the work and may even offer to show you what they have had done.

It's good to get an idea of price, like you are doing, but be aware that building companies or any 'Bob the builder' will all try to contact you on here to entice you to use them and I would never use anyone who hasn't come well recommended from a trusted source. Some non reputable builders have been known to say they are getting licenses for the work and finish the job without getting them, so always check with the town hall that your license has been applied for.

It's always best to get about 3 quotes from reputable builders but you probably know that

I wrote this reply on a similar question and thought it may be helpful to repeat on here :

"This is always a difficult question to get an honest answer to, as you will get replies, but a good number of those will or could be the builders recommending themselves.

 Be careful of private messages that may be sent to you and if you are not sure about any 'recommendation' Google them and look for their website and/or other recommendation's on the Internet. Make sure they are legally registered and insured to work in Spain as well.

If you find a builder that seems OK , you can also ask on here, as a separate question,  if anyone has used them.

As you  probably know, it's never a good idea to pay money up front.

 After you get a quote and have done all the checks and have agreed to let them start,  you could (and should) only pay in stages of work as it's done (or at the end as work is finished depending on the size of the job)  - A good reputable builder would do this anyway. 

We had building work done in the UK last year and we paid nothing until the work had started and then only paid in stages. All building regulations and plans were sorted by the builder and we had proof that these were submitted. The problem in Spain appears to be that some 'not so good' builders say they will submit the plans or will apply for the permissions and never do and because it's in Spain we don't always check until it's too late..this happened to us years ago when we had some walls built up and it wasn't until the builders had gone we found the permissions were not even applied for, even though the builder took all our details saying he was sorting it with the town hall for us. He sounded so plausible! 

It's easy to check with the town hall (and  your community rules if relevant) yourself to see what is needed...we didn't know that at the time".

Good luck with finding a good reputable  builder - They are out there but just be wary of the smooth talking devils. 

Hi Jan

A bit harsh on the reputable builders like Don Aluminio Builders who sort out all the planning permissions, architects etc and come highly recommended on your forums!   But good advice otherwise.

Don't just search the forums Google them they have hundreds of great recommendations.

Jan

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 5:09pm

Jan

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Helpful member

Posts: 1135

495 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 17 Jan 2015

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 5:09pm

I was actually going to recommend Don Aluminio as they get loads of recommendations on our Quesada forum but wrote the above while very busy.

Here's the details

Don Aluminio building and reformation.

Telephone number


Rob 642325054

Email


[email protected]

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