Architects | Builders
Josephine Quintero reports
If you want to be far from the madding crowd, you
can buy a plot of land (parcela) and have an individual architect-designed
house
built to your own design and specifications or to a standard design
provided by a builder. However, building a home in Andalucía
isn't recommended for the timid. Spanish red tape and the eccentric
ways of doing business in Spain can make building your own home
a nightmare and it's fraught with problems.
The cost of land varies considerably depending on the area, e.g.
from 30 - 120 Euro per square metre. Building costs range from
around 300 to 700 Euro per square metre in resort areas, depending
on the quality and location. The cost of land and labour have fallen
considerably in recent years in many areas and it's possible to
buy a plot of land and build a bigger and better villa for less
than the cost of a secondhand property. You can not only design
your own home but can ensure that the quality of materials and
workmanship are first class.
When planning to build your own home, take into
account all the associated costs including the cost of extended
services such as
water, electricity and telephone to the property. Note that most
quotes are estimates only and that the cost can escalate wildly
due to contract clauses and changes made during building work.
If you want a home built in Andalucía exactly to your own
specifications, you will need to personally supervise it every
step of the way or better still employ a technical architect or
engineer to do it for you.
You must take the same care when buying land as
you would when buying a property. The most important point when
buying land is
to ensure that it has been approved for building (land classified
as a finca urbana can usually be built on). In the past, it was
accepted practice to build without obtaining the necessary licence
in advance. A fine would subsequently be imposed which was a relatively
low sum. This situation has changed and fines these days can run
into several million pesetas. There is also a possibility of the
authorities embargoing the property or even knocking it down, so
this risk is definitely not worth taking. Ensure also that the
plot is large enough for the house you plan to build. Check also
that it's suitable for building as it may be too steep or require
prohibitively expensive foundations. Always obtain confirmation
in writing from the local town hall that land can be built on and
approval for road access. Discuss your requirements with a surveyor
or architect and your legal advisor before signing a contract or
paying any money. Some companies offer a building surveying service
for around ten per cent of the building price.
Foreign architects from EU countries can now work
in Spain and there are a number operating in the main resort
areas of Andalucía.
Note that if planning permission is flawed, you may find that you're
responsible for improving roads, adding pavements, street lighting,
electricity installations and sewage disposal. Spanish law requires
a builder to guarantee his work for 10 years following construction
and an architect is also responsible for 10 years for defects due
to instructions given to the builder or problems relating to a
plot of land, eg. subsidence. However, if you do have problems
you must usually be extremely patient and persistent to obtain
satisfaction.
Your best insurance when building a property is the reputation
of the builder. There are many excellent builders in Spain who
will build an individually designed house on your plot of land,
or will sell you a plot and build a house chosen from a range of
standard designs.
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Johnson & Wilkey Asociados, Architects