Can You Have Separate Suppliers Independent of the Main Contractor?
We recently had a client suggest that an element of the build was provided by a separate supplier independent of the main contractor. He was quite reasonably trying to save money. He had a price from the separate supplier to do one thing. He knew that if the supplier became a subcontractor, then the mainContinue reading
Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and the European Directive
Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. The single biggest thing you can do to reduce climate change apart from stopping flying (which you won’t do anyway) is improve the energy efficiency of your building. The great thing is that energy efficient buildings are alsoContinue reading
Do you need a project manager when you are building a house in Spain?
The short answer is no you don’t. What you need is an architectural practice that offers a wrap-around service. Let me explain………. When I say you don’t need a project manager what I mean is you don’t need someone who sits above the architect and the professional team coordinating and communicating. This is because inContinue reading
Architect’s Responsibilities, Guarantees, and Warranties in Spain
What are the responsibilities of an architect in Spain? Let me kick off with the obvious and then move on to what you probably really want to know which is what kind of guarantees and protection you get when you build a house in Spain. The architect is responsible for ensuring, that the building compliesContinue reading
Eco Vida Homes Ethical Code of Practice
Eco Vida Homes is a “company of Chartered Surveyors” by way of the fact the John Wolfendale is a qualified RICS member. We are also architects, technical architects, and a contractor. John still carries out valuations and building surveys to RICS standards as an independent professional. Eco Vida Homes is therefore regulated ethically by theContinue reading
How to Write an Architect’s Brief for Marbella Spain
Remember Mr Spock from Star Trek? He was able to exchange minds with someone so that both he and they had a complete understanding of what is happening in each other’s mind: a mind meld. Having melded they join forces to defeat the common enemy. Mr Spock would have made a good architect because whatContinue reading
How Much VAT or Transfer Tax do you pay when buying building plots in Spain?
It’s more correctly called the ITP (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales). Often people say VAT (IVA in Spanish) interchangeably. In most cases it will be 8% and this is paid by the buyer. This is where the seller is a private individual not a professional developer and the price is under 400,000€. If the price paidContinue reading
A Guide to Renovating a Home in Spain
There are three areas that you should research and be happy about before you buy your renovation project: legal constraints, financial constraints, and physical constraints. If you contact us before you buy we will go with you to inspect your project and produce a written report so you are making an informed decision before youContinue reading