Is it worth buying a house and doing home renovations in Spain?

Table of Contents
People have different motives for buying and home renovations in Spain. Sometimes the goal is to make a holiday home or even a second home. Some opt to renovate in order to rent or eventually sell property in Spain.
In case you’re not sure whether renovating is even worth it for you, there are several things you should consider. Just like building from scratch, there are lots of things you need to plan out and pay for.
To sum it up, here are some pros and cons to renovating a house in Spain:
Pros:
It can be significantly cheaper than building from scratch or buying new
It’s a much more creative project versus simply buying and decorating
Renovating is more sustainable than other options
Cons:
Existing structures can limit changes
Longer waiting times depending on permits
Dealing with the paperwork in another language
What to consider when renovating a house in Spain?

Doing home renovations is challenging even in the UK, let alone in a foreign country. Things likely won’t go smoothly the entire time and you might have some problems with permits or not keeping up with your schedule.
it’s important that you ask yourself whether this is something you’re ready to go through with, all potential pitfalls included. If you think you can do it, here are some important things to consider to make your Spanish renovation easier:
- Is it a protected or listed building?
- How does Spanish planning permission work?
- How do property evaluations in Spain work?
- Do you have a renovation schedule in place?
- How to hire contractors for home renovations in Spain
- Do you have the right insurance?
- Do you have a contingency plan in place?
- Are there fees and tax considerations for renovating a house in Spain?
- Should you carry out a Spanish house renovation yourself?
- What do you do if something goes wrong?
Top 10 Things To Consider For Home Renovations Quesada –
- Is it a protected or listed building?
A protected property in Spain is known as Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). If you buy it, this might include additional obligations and rules for you, even regarding renovations.
Buyers should consult with the Association of Land and Mercantile Registrars of Spain to get information on the legal requirements associated with the property. You could also contact the Ministry of Culture and the regional authorities.
- How does Spanish planning permission work?
The process usually involves hiring an architect and having them create a project. You then apply for planning permission from the town hall for your home renovations and wait for project approval. After this, you can apply for a building permit (licencia de obra). - How do property evaluations in Spain work?
Property assessments in Spain are conducted by a valuation company or an independent professional called tasador de viviendas or tasador de propiedades. These experts usually have degrees in architecture, technical architecture, engineering or technical engineering. - Do you have a renovation schedule in place?
Creating a detailed renovation schedule is very important in order for it to be successful. Here’s a rough order in which to tackle your renovation tasks in:
- Stripping out the interiors
- Structural work
- Plumbing, heating and electrical wiring work
- Insulation (if necessary)
- Flooring and plastering
- Bathroom and kitchen fit outs
- Painting
- Decoration, interior design and final touches
- How to hire contractors for home renovations in Spain?
One of the best ways to find reputable contractors and construction workers is through certain professional organisations. One of them is the Spanish Association of Builders and Promoters (Asociación de Constructores y Promotores de España). This organisation represents construction companies in Spain. - Do you have the right insurance?
You should get comprehensive construction insurance (Seguro de Todo Riesgo de la Construcción). It protects you against all damages that may occur accidentally when renovating a house. This includes theft, environmental factors, design errors, demolition removal costs etc. - Do you have a contingency plan in place?
Even if you create a perfect renovation schedule, some unforeseeable things can delay it, from the weather to sourcing materials.
That’s why you should always have a backup plan. For example, consider change orders or amendments to the original contract.
- Are there fees and tax considerations for renovating a house in Spain?
The main fees you’ll have are necessary building permits. Since your pounds will be automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate to euros for low fees*.
You’ll also need to pay a Construction, installation and works tax (Impuesto sobre Construcciones, Instalaciones y Obras). The tax rate depends on the municipality, but it doesn’t exceed 4% of the cost of the refurbishment.
You can get a VAT reduction to 10% by refurbishing a property primarily intended for housing. The renovation must be completed at least two years after the start of the renovation.6
Learn more about the tax implications of buying property abroad.
- Should you carry out a Spanish house renovation yourself?
It can be tempting to save on labour costs but if you can, it’s better to hire professionals to help you with renovating a house in Spain. This will ensure all the work meets legal requirements and you have the appropriate permits. - What do you do if something goes wrong?
In case you encounter a problem, make sure you seek independent legal advice immediately. Keep in mind that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can’t directly get involved in private legal issues abroad. However, they could give you a list of translators and English-speaking lawyers.