Spain House Build - Building Started
- Thread starter Martynt74
- Start date
I guess it's good and bad. I remember going into a cafe and they were just live streaming football from the internet lol.
Need a license bla bla for that here or you'll be shut down
I was surprised to see so many old cars too, whereas here they've all been scrapped or taxed off the road to make way for EVs.. anyway sorry to go off on a tangent.
Good luck to OP it will be great
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I guess it's good and bad. I remember going into a cafe and they were just live streaming football from the internet lol.
Need a license bla bla for that here or you'll be shut down
I was surprised to see so many old cars too, whereas here they've all been scrapped or taxed off the road to make way for EVs.. anyway sorry to go off on a tangent.
Good luck to OP it will be great
To be fair there's a fair few pubs in the UK which do the same. Just a risk people take. Although unsure of the rules here i guess. The old cars are cool. See so many old Peugeot 205's etc being driven around without the "retro/classic" feel you'd get in the UK. Just some old boy who's probably owned it from new.
Regs wise, they're definitely getting more up to speed recently. The document we had to submit to planning was ~400 pages long and detailed everything. I imagine a lot of us just don't see the ropey things which go on with UK buildings, but home build facebook groups where people are more invested are certainly full of similar issues we've had from a variety of countries.
Got a meeting onsite tomorrow with the project manager to discuss the electrics. A real problem just seems to be the project management for us, with things not being communicated. Also certainly not helped by constantly swapping building companies!
I think thats just because they don't have as much money over there and cars to most people are just a tool. They don't have the same status as they have over here. Its the same in most parts of Europe I have been. Battered little cars are still in action and the average age of peoples cars is probably 3-4 years older than the UK.
Yeah. That’s a factor too. It’s pretty common to buy a car on a 10yr finance plan which costs a fortune just to get monthlies low enough for people to afford but you end up paying huge amounts of interest.
My understanding is also there’s a weird stigma around buying used stuff. Although I think that’s changing.
As such used cars are a weird market without the flood of cheap 3yr old ex pcp cars. Again this is changing a little in the bigger cities.
It was cheaper for me to buy a brand new car due to EV grants than it was to buy a 2yr old one!
My understanding is also there’s a weird stigma around buying used stuff. Although I think that’s changing.
As such used cars are a weird market without the flood of cheap 3yr old ex pcp cars. Again this is changing a little in the bigger cities.
It was cheaper for me to buy a brand new car due to EV grants than it was to buy a 2yr old one!
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Decent meeting with the PM yesterday. He agreed he was baffled at some of the socket placements and all will be moved/aligned. We also need to move the fusebox as all cabling is currently being terminated behind where the fridge will be which isn't very convenient.
He's agreed to level a huge part of the plot which is a big win. We've asked previously and always been told it's a discussion for another day, but he's fully on board with how much needs doing. I've said he can take earth from the other side of the pool which helps us out too and should create a very even overall plot which is cool.
We also want to buy ~100m2 of additional floor tiles to extend for an outdoor kitchen in the future. Annoyingly i can get them online around €4/m2 cheaper than their supplier. Would've been nice to have the same batch, but i can't justify overpaying by that much. Upside is they're quite a natural design which has colour differences so this shouldn't be an issue.
Their supplier is also quoting €1200 to install the €370 Victron solar charger. Seems a huge labour cost, especially since he's on site anyway installing the rest of the solar system. I've just asked that they run the cable and i'll wire it up myself. The instructions for integrating into the Victron software platform seem pretty straight forward.
The main concern now is the kitchen. The design we agreed back in November which we thought was all finalised, turns out to be €5k over budget. We asked for a breakdown to adjust this and they've had no answers from the supplier. They've also mentioned another supplier who's not even given an initial design/quote yet after around 4 weeks. We're now into around 9 weeks till the supposed completion and it's hard to see how we can design/build/install a kitchen in that time, given it generally takes 2-3 visits to finalise the design.
We did visit another supplier ourselves which our landlords used and it seems pretty decent. That came in around €2k over budget and i'm ok with that given we're asking for a lot of drawers units which add a lot of cost. I've given them the quote but understandably they have less influence with a random shop. Not that they seem to have much with their main suppliers!
Plus side is that upon measuring and due to the change of brick. We seem to have gained around 15cm in the width of the large kitchen room
Downside is that i seem to have got carried away with the car purchase more than i thought, and some of the grants take longer than i'd originally been told. I pretty much shifted our final ~€7k into the car on the understanding i'd have got it back, however Spanish governments being Spanish. They've still not opened applications despite them agreeing it's backdated to Jan 1st . This is potentially going to cause issues with being able to buy/do other things ourself over the next 2 months as cashflow is taking a huge hit from having mortgage and rent payments. It's factored into the final build price but i'm not seeing that until completion.
He's agreed to level a huge part of the plot which is a big win. We've asked previously and always been told it's a discussion for another day, but he's fully on board with how much needs doing. I've said he can take earth from the other side of the pool which helps us out too and should create a very even overall plot which is cool.
We also want to buy ~100m2 of additional floor tiles to extend for an outdoor kitchen in the future. Annoyingly i can get them online around €4/m2 cheaper than their supplier. Would've been nice to have the same batch, but i can't justify overpaying by that much. Upside is they're quite a natural design which has colour differences so this shouldn't be an issue.
Their supplier is also quoting €1200 to install the €370 Victron solar charger. Seems a huge labour cost, especially since he's on site anyway installing the rest of the solar system. I've just asked that they run the cable and i'll wire it up myself. The instructions for integrating into the Victron software platform seem pretty straight forward.
The main concern now is the kitchen. The design we agreed back in November which we thought was all finalised, turns out to be €5k over budget. We asked for a breakdown to adjust this and they've had no answers from the supplier. They've also mentioned another supplier who's not even given an initial design/quote yet after around 4 weeks. We're now into around 9 weeks till the supposed completion and it's hard to see how we can design/build/install a kitchen in that time, given it generally takes 2-3 visits to finalise the design.
We did visit another supplier ourselves which our landlords used and it seems pretty decent. That came in around €2k over budget and i'm ok with that given we're asking for a lot of drawers units which add a lot of cost. I've given them the quote but understandably they have less influence with a random shop. Not that they seem to have much with their main suppliers!
Plus side is that upon measuring and due to the change of brick. We seem to have gained around 15cm in the width of the large kitchen room
Downside is that i seem to have got carried away with the car purchase more than i thought, and some of the grants take longer than i'd originally been told. I pretty much shifted our final ~€7k into the car on the understanding i'd have got it back, however Spanish governments being Spanish. They've still not opened applications despite them agreeing it's backdated to Jan 1st . This is potentially going to cause issues with being able to buy/do other things ourself over the next 2 months as cashflow is taking a huge hit from having mortgage and rent payments. It's factored into the final build price but i'm not seeing that until completion.
Not much to update from the last post, but i was there at the weekend and finished sorting out the irrigation on a timer so at least that's one less thing to worry about. We did buy 10 Yuccas which i left in the car for 24hrs and the leaves have all burnt. Hopefully the plants overall are ok!
Seems these were taken using a potato! Red Robins/Photanias. Annoying as we didn't want to buy this size as they were ~€14 each, but the cheaper ones at €5.50 each were tiny. The guy at the garden centre had to order them from someone else and pretty much said that they weren't worth €5.50 and if i only wanted that price it'd be better waiting a few months or looking elsewhere.
Last week the builders were doing this concrete around the house. In some areas, this is the only tiling around the house. Then it switches to gravel. Although not around the pool. That'll all be tiled. Guess who managed to not pay attention and step backwards into wet cement
Seems these were taken using a potato! Red Robins/Photanias. Annoying as we didn't want to buy this size as they were ~€14 each, but the cheaper ones at €5.50 each were tiny. The guy at the garden centre had to order them from someone else and pretty much said that they weren't worth €5.50 and if i only wanted that price it'd be better waiting a few months or looking elsewhere.
Last week the builders were doing this concrete around the house. In some areas, this is the only tiling around the house. Then it switches to gravel. Although not around the pool. That'll all be tiled. Guess who managed to not pay attention and step backwards into wet cement
One big disappointment for us is that despite asking for a specific door over a year ago, from a catalogue the developer showed us, and chasing multiple times for the price. We've now finally been told the price (it's expensive but seems to be in line with other suppliers i've spoken with) but also been told that the delivery time is 7-10 weeks which would be beyond the current completion date.
They've offered to install a temp door and then retrofit the proper one once it's ready, but i'm honestly beyond hope that we wouldn't just end up having to constantly chase this up and the thought of the project dragging on longer than need be is more than we're willing to put up with, so we've just accepted to use the standard black door. A real shame, but because of the delays we were already having to pay a premium because of the supplier having multiple price increases which was a source of frustration, and the stress factor just put us over the top.
They've offered to install a temp door and then retrofit the proper one once it's ready, but i'm honestly beyond hope that we wouldn't just end up having to constantly chase this up and the thought of the project dragging on longer than need be is more than we're willing to put up with, so we've just accepted to use the standard black door. A real shame, but because of the delays we were already having to pay a premium because of the supplier having multiple price increases which was a source of frustration, and the stress factor just put us over the top.
Some small positives.
Got the quote for the kitchen this morning. It comes in under budget, albeit missing the worktop quote, so probably ends up around 2k over budget in total, but i'm happy with that. The design looks good and using their suppliers means less risk of issues being blamed on us.
I've also had a reply from a local carpenter who can make a wooden armoured door. Not as high security as the one we initially wanted, but equally it's only €2k vs €4.5k. Just need to make sure that timing lines up, but at this price i'm more willing to put up with a temp door. They do also do wardrobes so maybe we could try and strike a deal for those aswell.
Got the quote for the kitchen this morning. It comes in under budget, albeit missing the worktop quote, so probably ends up around 2k over budget in total, but i'm happy with that. The design looks good and using their suppliers means less risk of issues being blamed on us.
I've also had a reply from a local carpenter who can make a wooden armoured door. Not as high security as the one we initially wanted, but equally it's only €2k vs €4.5k. Just need to make sure that timing lines up, but at this price i'm more willing to put up with a temp door. They do also do wardrobes so maybe we could try and strike a deal for those aswell.
So. Remember that positive post above. Today things took a huge swing and I got a message suggesting we terminate the contract by mutual agreement.
Absolutely out of the blue and whilst we’ve vented some frustrations this week and complained about poor service vs some of their claims on social media. We’ve certainly never believed the outcome was anything beyond them completing the build. Especially given only yesterday we got the kitchen quote and assumed our complaints had helped chase that up.
Not too sure what will happen over the next few weeks. We certainly won’t be agreeing to terminate and so anything from their side would be breach of contract.
Downside being a potential long and lengthy legal battle to gain compensation for the fact we’d have to contract new builders at current heavily increased rates, along with claiming additional costs for rent/storage which they’d previously agreed.
Whilst I have some insurance we took out to help fund some of the legal side of things, we certainly don’t have a level of capital to be able to pay another builder upfront to start a project. Ignoring the lengthy timeframes they’d need given how busy all local builders are. At least the decent ones.
Have been in touch with our friends and the agents who initially helped us and they’re as shocked as us. They’ve given some initial advice and hopefully we can speak tomorrow and try to find an agreement.
The main concern now is that we had a decent relationship. We’ve been massively patient and understanding. Arguably too much and so now there’s the risk it all turns nasty where he’s forced to finish the job but to a poor standard or to argue over verbally discussed things.
Fun times ahead. Just when we all thought things were optimistic!
Absolutely out of the blue and whilst we’ve vented some frustrations this week and complained about poor service vs some of their claims on social media. We’ve certainly never believed the outcome was anything beyond them completing the build. Especially given only yesterday we got the kitchen quote and assumed our complaints had helped chase that up.
Not too sure what will happen over the next few weeks. We certainly won’t be agreeing to terminate and so anything from their side would be breach of contract.
Downside being a potential long and lengthy legal battle to gain compensation for the fact we’d have to contract new builders at current heavily increased rates, along with claiming additional costs for rent/storage which they’d previously agreed.
Whilst I have some insurance we took out to help fund some of the legal side of things, we certainly don’t have a level of capital to be able to pay another builder upfront to start a project. Ignoring the lengthy timeframes they’d need given how busy all local builders are. At least the decent ones.
Have been in touch with our friends and the agents who initially helped us and they’re as shocked as us. They’ve given some initial advice and hopefully we can speak tomorrow and try to find an agreement.
The main concern now is that we had a decent relationship. We’ve been massively patient and understanding. Arguably too much and so now there’s the risk it all turns nasty where he’s forced to finish the job but to a poor standard or to argue over verbally discussed things.
Fun times ahead. Just when we all thought things were optimistic!
I'm so sorry to hear that.
You really have been through the mill on this.
My brother (lives in Catalonia) has given me his frustrations about getting building with done. I've often thought that if a good British builder set up in Spain and just did the basics. Turned up, did what he said, only one job at once, he'd clean up.
You'll get there. That first beer in the pool will taste even better because of it
Oh man. That beer is going to be amazing!
There are a few English builders over here, problem is you need a team to build a house, so unless you've got around 6 guys minimum to do all aspects, you'd always be reliant on local builders.
I think the developer has just sat down and realised he's either making little to no profit or even a loss, given how long it's gone on for and how much costs have spiralled, and hoping we agree to terminate as we've been annoyed with the project overall so he thinks we'd agree.
Biggest annoyance is that it's now Friday and i don't see much being said/done today which takes it into next week and an anxious weekend of not knowing. Either way i don't think much has been done this week so it's another weeks delay.
We're decided to still go for the kitchen appointment on Monday through his supplier. Ultimately their price is decent and the design/quality is good. Also further supports that we have no intention to mutually terminate.
Their design is here. I think we might switch the cupboard doors around though so the wood is on the tall outside units and then the beige on the inside
There are a few English builders over here, problem is you need a team to build a house, so unless you've got around 6 guys minimum to do all aspects, you'd always be reliant on local builders.
I think the developer has just sat down and realised he's either making little to no profit or even a loss, given how long it's gone on for and how much costs have spiralled, and hoping we agree to terminate as we've been annoyed with the project overall so he thinks we'd agree.
Biggest annoyance is that it's now Friday and i don't see much being said/done today which takes it into next week and an anxious weekend of not knowing. Either way i don't think much has been done this week so it's another weeks delay.
We're decided to still go for the kitchen appointment on Monday through his supplier. Ultimately their price is decent and the design/quality is good. Also further supports that we have no intention to mutually terminate.
Their design is here. I think we might switch the cupboard doors around though so the wood is on the tall outside units and then the beige on the inside
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Soldato
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That's a beautiful kitchen. Is that your coffee station on the left? 
You'll get there, man
You'll get there, man
Soldato
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- Woking
I would love one. That's a wonderful luxury
Soldato
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Damn bad news so sorry to hear that
May have to trigger an OCUK Auf Wiedhersehen pet type thing to get you over the line
I suppose you need to consider your penalties etc and if your willing to give a load up in order to get them to finish off
Probably worth getting a bit of quick legal advice as to if it works like the UK
If they ultimately fail on you can you get it completed and then sue them for the money
And whats the position in regards stage payments, do you realistically owe them at this point, or do they owe you, assuming one party walked away at this point
May have to trigger an OCUK Auf Wiedhersehen pet type thing to get you over the line
I suppose you need to consider your penalties etc and if your willing to give a load up in order to get them to finish off
Probably worth getting a bit of quick legal advice as to if it works like the UK
If they ultimately fail on you can you get it completed and then sue them for the money
And whats the position in regards stage payments, do you realistically owe them at this point, or do they owe you, assuming one party walked away at this point