Buy a house in Spain? Or build your own?: The pros and cons
The decision to buy a house in Spain is an exciting step towards transforming your lifestyle, but it’s not the only option for a new home in the sun. Buying a house in Spain is certainly very appealing, but you may be able to save money over the long-term and get a home that’s everythingContinue reading
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
Architects in Spain: what you need to know before you hire one
When hiring an architect in Spain, you need to do plenty of research to make sure the one you hired is the best for your project. If you’ve decided to build a house in Spain, you’ve probably worked out that things aren’t quite the same as in your native country and that hiring an architectContinue 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
