Cost of Renovating a Property in Spain: Budget Guide for UK Buyers

Why Renovation Costs Are Lower in Spain

One of the pleasant surprises for UK buyers is that renovation costs in Spain are significantly lower than in the UK. Labour is the biggest factor — a skilled tradesperson in Spain charges €25-€40 per hour compared to £40-£60 per hour in the UK. Materials are comparable in price (sometimes slightly cheaper due to lower VAT on construction materials), but the labour savings alone make Spanish renovations 30-50% cheaper than the UK equivalent.

However, "cheaper" does not mean "cheap." A full property renovation in Spain is still a major financial commitment, and costs can escalate quickly if not managed properly. This guide provides realistic 2026 costs for the most common renovation projects that UK buyers undertake in Spain.

Kitchen Renovation: €5,000-€15,000

Kitchen renovations are the most common project for UK buyers, particularly in older Spanish apartments and villas where the kitchen may not have been updated in decades.

Budget Kitchen (€5,000-€8,000)

• New flat-pack kitchen units from IKEA or Leroy Merlin (€1,500-€3,000 for a standard L-shaped kitchen)
• Laminate or tiled worktops (€300-€600)
• New sink and taps (€150-€300)
• Basic tiling of splashback area (€200-€400)
• Labour for fitting, plumbing, and electrical work (€1,500-€3,000)
• New appliances if needed (oven, hob, extractor, dishwasher): €1,000-€2,000 from MediaMarkt or El Corte Ingles

Mid-Range Kitchen (€8,000-€12,000)

• Custom-built kitchen from a Spanish kitchen company like Schmidt, Mobalco, or a local carpenter (€3,000-€6,000)
• Stone or quartz worktops (€1,000-€2,500 depending on size)
• Quality fixtures and fittings (€500-€1,000)
• Full wall tiling or glass splashback (€400-€800)
• New flooring (porcelain tiles, €30-€50/m² including installation)
• Labour (€2,000-€4,000)

High-End Kitchen (€12,000-€20,000+)

• Premium kitchen from a designer brand or bespoke carpenter
• Natural stone or Silestone worktops
• Integrated premium appliances (Bosch, Siemens, Miele)
• Underfloor heating, smart lighting
• Complete redesign of layout including moving plumbing and electrical points

Bathroom Renovation: €3,000-€8,000

Spanish bathrooms, particularly in properties built before 2000, often feature dated tiles, small bathtubs, and inadequate ventilation. A bathroom refit is usually the second priority after the kitchen.

Budget Bathroom (€3,000-€5,000)

• New sanitary ware (toilet, basin, shower tray or bath): €500-€1,000 from Leroy Merlin or Porcelanosa outlet
• New tiles (walls and floor): €500-€1,000 for materials (Spanish tiles are excellent quality and locally produced, so much cheaper than importing from the UK)
• New taps, shower screen, mirror: €300-€600
• Labour for demolition, tiling, plumbing, and fitting: €1,500-€3,000

Mid-Range Bathroom (€5,000-€8,000)

• Walk-in shower with rainfall head and glass enclosure
• Quality porcelain or ceramic tiles (Porcelanosa, Keraben, Venis)
• Wall-hung toilet and vanity unit
• Heated towel rail
• LED mirror
• Possible layout changes

High-End Bathroom (€8,000-€15,000+)

• Natural stone tiles (marble, travertine)
• Freestanding bath
• Underfloor heating
• Custom glass shower enclosure
• Premium fixtures (Grohe, Hansgrohe, Roca)

Full Apartment or Villa Remodel: €500-€1,000 per Square Metre

For a complete renovation — stripping back to the bare walls and starting again — the industry standard in Spain is to quote per square metre. For a typical 100 m² apartment, this means a total renovation cost of €50,000-€100,000. For a 200 m² villa, €100,000-€200,000.

What this typically includes:

• Complete demolition of existing finishes
• New electrical wiring throughout (Spanish regulation requires a certificado de instalacion electrica)
• New plumbing
• New flooring throughout
• New kitchen and bathrooms
• Replastering and painting throughout
• New windows and doors (if needed)
• Air conditioning installation

The €500/m² end represents a basic but complete renovation with standard materials. The €1,000/m² end represents a high-quality renovation with premium materials, design input, and custom elements. Luxury renovations can exceed €1,500/m².

Pool Installation: €15,000-€30,000

Adding a pool is one of the most popular projects for villa buyers. Spain's climate makes a pool a genuine lifestyle asset, and it significantly increases property value.

Standard Concrete Pool (6m x 3m)

• Excavation and construction: €10,000-€15,000
• Tiling (gresite mosaic tiles): €3,000-€5,000
• Filtration system and pump: €1,500-€3,000
• Surrounding terrace/paving: €2,000-€5,000
• Fencing (required by law if you have children under 14): €1,000-€2,000
• Total: €18,000-€30,000

Prefabricated/Fibreglass Pool

A quicker and sometimes cheaper option at €12,000-€20,000 installed. These come in standard shapes and sizes, are installed in 1-2 weeks (versus 4-8 weeks for concrete), and require less maintenance. The downside is limited size and shape options.

Pool Permits

You almost certainly need a licencia de obra menor (minor works permit) from your ayuntamiento to install a pool. Some municipalities require a full licencia de obra mayor depending on the pool size and location. Your builder or architect should handle this, but budget €200-€500 for the permit and associated fees. Building without a permit can result in fines and even a demolition order.

Permits: When and What You Need

Spanish building permits fall into two main categories:

Licencia de Obra Menor (Minor Works Permit)

Required for internal renovations that do not affect the structure of the building. This covers kitchen and bathroom refits, new flooring, repainting, replacing windows (like-for-like), and installing air conditioning. Cost: €100-€300 from your ayuntamiento. Processing time: 1-4 weeks. Some municipalities allow you to start work with a declaracion responsable (responsible declaration) instead of waiting for the permit.

Licencia de Obra Mayor (Major Works Permit)

Required for structural changes — knocking down walls, extending the building, changing the roofline, adding a pool, or converting a garage into living space. This requires an architect's project (proyecto de obra) which adds €2,000-€5,000+ to your costs depending on the scope. Processing time: 1-3 months. You cannot start any structural work until the permit is granted.

Community Permissions

If your property is in a comunidad de propietarios (community of owners, equivalent to a residents' association), you may need community approval for external changes like enclosing a terrace, installing satellite dishes, or changing window colours. Check the community statutes before planning any external modifications.

Finding Reliable Builders

This is where many UK buyers go wrong. Finding a reliable, skilled builder in Spain requires the same due diligence as in the UK — perhaps more, because the language barrier adds complexity.

Where to Find Builders

• Word of mouth: By far the best method. Ask other expats who have recently renovated. Facebook groups for your area (e.g., "Brits in Marbella," "Expats on the Costa del Sol") regularly feature builder recommendations and warnings
• Your estate agent: Local agents often have trusted builder contacts
• Habitissimo.es: Spanish platform where you post your project and receive quotes from local professionals. Similar to MyBuilder in the UK. Builders are rated by previous clients
• Leroy Merlin: Offers installation services for kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and more through their network of approved installers. Not the cheapest, but reliable and with a guarantee

Red Flags to Watch For

• Demanding large upfront payments (never pay more than 20-30% before work starts)
• No written contract or budget breakdown
• Cannot provide references or examples of previous work
• Not registered as autonomo (self-employed) or as a company — this means they are working illegally and you have no legal recourse if things go wrong
• Unrealistically low quotes (they will either cut corners or come back with "extras" later)

Project Management Tips

• Get everything in writing: A detailed written presupuesto (quote) listing every item of work with individual costs. This is your contract
• Payment schedule: Tie payments to milestones (20% at start, 30% at halfway, 30% at practical completion, 20% on final sign-off after snagging)
• Visit regularly: If you are not living at the property during renovation, visit or have someone check progress at least weekly. Problems caught early are cheap to fix; problems discovered at the end are expensive
• Budget a 15-20% contingency: Every renovation uncovers surprises — rotten pipes behind walls, dodgy wiring, structural issues hidden by plaster. A contingency fund prevents these surprises from derailing your project
• Be decisive: Delays caused by the owner changing their mind on tiles, paint colours, or layout changes are the single biggest cause of projects going over budget and over time. Make your decisions before work starts and stick to them

Common Pitfalls

• Underestimating the potencia issue: Many older Spanish properties have an electrical supply of just 3.3 kW or 4.4 kW — barely enough for modern living. If you are installing a new kitchen with an electric oven, induction hob, air conditioning, and an electric shower, you will almost certainly need to increase the potencia, which involves your electricity provider and can take several weeks
• Ignoring moisture and waterproofing: Spanish roofs and terraces rely on proper waterproofing. If you are renovating an older property, have the waterproofing checked and replaced if necessary. Water ingress is the number one structural problem in older Spanish buildings
• Assuming Spanish building standards match UK standards: They are different, not worse, but different. Insulation standards are lower (many Spanish properties have no cavity wall or loft insulation). Electrical systems use different wiring colours and configurations. Plumbing standards differ. Hire professionals who understand Spanish building regulations
• Trying to manage a renovation remotely from the UK: This rarely goes well. If you cannot be in Spain during the renovation, hire a local project manager or ask a trusted friend to check on progress

Renovating a property in Spain can be a hugely rewarding experience that adds significant value to your home. With careful planning, realistic budgets, and reliable tradespeople, you can transform a dated Spanish property into your dream home at a fraction of what it would cost in the UK.