Buying an older property on the Costa Cálida or Costa Blanca is a fantastic investment. Properties built in the 80s and 90s often boast larger plots and prime locations that are impossible to find in new builds today. However, their dark interiors, closed-off kitchens, and outdated bathrooms rarely match modern living standards.
Many foreign buyers hesitate to renovate because they fear the language barrier, unreliable contractors, and the infamous Spanish bureaucracy. At SERVINMOSOL.COM, we specialize in turning these outdated properties into stunning modern homes while our clients relax in their home countries. Here is how a typical transformation works.
Step 1: Navigating Spanish Building Permits
Before a single tile is removed, you need the right paperwork. In Spain, doing work without a permit can lead to heavy fines or problems when you try to sell the property later. There are generally two types of licenses:
- Obra Menor (Minor Works): For simple jobs like changing floors, tiling a bathroom, or painting.
- Obra Mayor (Major Works): Required if you are altering the structure, moving walls, or adding an extension. This requires an architect's project.
The Servinmosol Advantage: We handle 100% of the town hall paperwork. You won't have to queue up or translate legal documents. We secure the licenses legally and quickly.
Step 2: The Open-Concept Shift
Older Spanish villas usually feature isolated, small kitchens and long, dark hallways. The most common request we receive is to create an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area.
Removing non-load-bearing walls immediately floods the house with Mediterranean light. We replace small arched windows with large, energy-efficient sliding glass doors that seamlessly connect the indoor living space with your pool and garden.
Step 3: Updating Plumbing & Electrics (The Invisible Upgrade)
A beautiful new bathroom is useless if the pipes behind the wall are 30 years old. As part of a full renovation, we highly recommend entirely replacing the old galvanized pipes and outdated electrical wiring.
We ensure your new home meets current safety standards and has the capacity to handle modern air conditioning units, induction hobs, and electric vehicle chargers.
Step 4: Energy Efficiency and Insulation
Many expats are surprised by how cold a Spanish house can get in January. 90s villas were rarely built with good insulation. During the renovation, we can install thermal insulation, double-glazed Climalit windows, and modern, energy-efficient HVAC systems. Not only does this make the house comfortable year-round, but it also significantly increases its resale value.
Project Management from Afar
The best part of working with a professional company like SERVINMOSOL is that you don't need to be living in a dusty construction zone. Most of our clients hand us the keys, fly back to the UK, Germany, or Scandinavia, and receive weekly video updates and progress reports via WhatsApp.
We manage the plumbers, electricians, plasterers, and painters. We coordinate the deliveries. When you return to Spain, you simply open the door to a spotless, fully renovated "Key Ready" home.