I recently finished the reforma of an old house on the outskirts of Barcelona. My wallet took a huge hit, but I’ve learned a lot from the pitfalls. I’ve seen many people on the forums asking about villa renovation costs in Spain, so I decided to start a thread to share my bills and some insights. I hope this helps! This is purely based on my personal experience, so take it as a reference.
Core Expenses: Permits and Design
In Spain, the first step for a proper renovation is not finding a contractor, but hiring an architect. This is especially true if your project involves structural changes, exterior walls, or extensions. An architect must draw up the plans, which are then submitted to the city hall (Ayuntamiento) to apply for a building permit. This cost is unavoidable. Skipping it results in illegal construction, which will cause major problems if you ever decide to sell the house. Don’t even think about skipping this step
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Cost Reference for Major Projects
Every home is different, so I’m listing a general cost range to give you an idea. My house is about 150 square meters, and we did a complete gut renovation.
| Project | Cost Range |
|---|
| Full Kitchen Renovation | 8,000€ - 20,000€ |
| Bathroom Renovation | 3,000€ - 7,000€ |
| Full Window Replacement | 5,000€ - 15,000€ |
| Flooring Installation | 40€ - 90€ / m² |
| Whole House Painting | 2,000€ - 5,000€ |
| Electrical & Plumbing Overhaul | 4,000€ - 10,000€ |
Materials and labor make up the bulk of the renovation costs. Typically, labor can account for 40%-60% of the total expense. Labor in Spain is very expensive, and prices vary significantly between autonomous communities. For example, Madrid and Barcelona are more expensive than the southern region of Andalusia. When it comes to selecting materials, you really get what you pay for. The prices for things like flooring, tiles, and cabinets can vary several times over. My advice is to never skimp on concealed works like electrical and plumbing, but you can be more flexible with decorative materials depending on your budget.
Finally, here are a few tips to avoid pitfalls: always get quotes from multiple companies—at least three; sign a detailed contract that clearly specifies the timeline, payment schedule, and the brands and models of materials to be used; this contract is key to managing your Spanish villa costs
; don’t pay the full amount upfront, it’s best to pay in installments based on project milestones. I hope everyone’s renovation journey goes smoothly! How much did your renovation cost? Feel free to reply below to discuss and share your experiences!
