Room-by-Room Renovation Costs on the Costa del Sol (2026)

Renovating a property on the Costa del Sol is one of the smartest moves a UK buyer can make — buying a property that needs updating at a lower price and renovating to your taste often delivers better value than buying turnkey. But without realistic cost expectations, renovation projects have a well-deserved reputation for blowing budgets and timelines.

This guide gives you room-by-room renovation costs for 2026, based on current market rates from builders and contractors working on the Costa del Sol. All prices include materials and labour but exclude IVA (see the IVA section below). For guidance on finding reliable builders, see our guide to finding a trustworthy builder.

Room-by-Room Cost Breakdown

Kitchen — Full Refit: EUR 8,000-25,000

The kitchen is typically the most expensive room to renovate per square metre, and the biggest factor in cost variation is the quality of cabinetry and appliances you choose:

• Budget renovation (EUR 8,000-12,000): Stock cabinets from Leroy Merlin or IKEA Málaga, laminate worktops, standard Spanish-brand appliances (Teka, Balay), ceramic tile splashback, new LED lighting. Functional and clean but not luxury
• Mid-range renovation (EUR 12,000-18,000): Semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite worktop (EUR 80-150 per linear metre installed), mid-range appliances (Bosch, Siemens), glass or natural stone splashback, under-cabinet lighting, new plumbing
• High-end renovation (EUR 18,000-25,000+): Custom cabinetry, premium stone worktops (Silestone, Dekton, marble), high-end appliances (Miele, Sub-Zero, Gaggenau), designer lighting, full re-plumbing and electrical, wine fridge, island unit

Key cost drivers: Worktop material (laminate EUR 40/m vs Silestone EUR 150/m), number of appliances replaced, plumbing relocation (moving sink or dishwasher position adds EUR 500-1,500), and whether walls are moved (structural changes push into obra mayor territory).

Bathroom — Full Refit: EUR 4,000-12,000

Bathroom costs depend primarily on size, the quality of sanitaryware, and whether you are reconfiguring the layout:

• Budget renovation (EUR 4,000-6,000): New tiles (floor and walls), standard sanitaryware (Roca, Jacob Delafon), new shower screen or tray, basic vanity unit, updated lighting and mirror. Re-using existing plumbing positions
• Mid-range renovation (EUR 6,000-9,000): Large-format porcelain tiles, walk-in shower with rainfall head, wall-hung vanity with stone top, heated towel rail, new plumbing, underfloor heating (EUR 30-50/sqm), LED mirror cabinet
• High-end renovation (EUR 9,000-12,000+): Natural stone or premium porcelain, freestanding bath, frameless glass shower enclosure, designer sanitaryware (Duravit, Villeroy & Boch), smart toilet, custom-built vanity, full re-plumbing and waterproofing

Key cost drivers: Tile choice (basic ceramic EUR 15/sqm vs imported porcelain EUR 60/sqm), shower configuration (tray vs walk-in vs wet room), and whether you are adding an extra bathroom (new plumbing runs add EUR 1,500-3,000).

Living Room and Bedrooms: EUR 2,000-6,000 per Room

Living areas and bedrooms are typically the least expensive rooms to renovate unless you are making structural changes:

• Cosmetic refresh (EUR 2,000-3,000): Professional painting (walls and ceilings), new skirting boards, updated light fixtures, electrical socket/switch replacement. Assumes existing flooring is acceptable
• Mid-range renovation (EUR 3,000-5,000): New flooring (laminate EUR 15-25/sqm installed, porcelain tile EUR 30-50/sqm installed), painting, new built-in wardrobes (EUR 800-2,000 per unit), updated electrical, new internal doors (EUR 200-500 per door installed)
• High-end renovation (EUR 5,000-6,000+): Engineered hardwood flooring (EUR 50-80/sqm installed), custom built-in storage, feature walls, automated blinds (EUR 300-600 per window), premium lighting design, plastering and smoothing of old textured walls

Terrace and Outdoor Areas: EUR 3,000-15,000

Outdoor living is central to Costa del Sol life, and terrace renovations are among the most impactful upgrades:

• Basic refresh (EUR 3,000-5,000): New terrace tiles or anti-slip porcelain, waterproof membrane repair, painted walls, new outdoor lighting, updated balustrade
• Mid-range renovation (EUR 5,000-10,000): Premium non-slip tiles or composite decking, pergola or shade structure (aluminium pergola EUR 3,000-6,000), outdoor kitchen prep area, new glass balustrade (EUR 150-250 per linear metre), integrated LED lighting
• High-end renovation (EUR 10,000-15,000+): Natural stone paving, bioclimatic pergola with motorised louvres (EUR 5,000-10,000), full outdoor kitchen with BBQ and sink, built-in seating, landscape lighting design, automated awnings

Pool Installation (New): EUR 15,000-40,000

Adding a pool is one of the most common renovation projects for villas and townhouses on the Costa del Sol:

• Basic pool (EUR 15,000-22,000): Standard rectangular pool (8m x 4m), concrete shell with liner or tiled finish, basic filtration system, pool surround in concrete or standard tiles, safety fence or cover
• Mid-range pool (EUR 22,000-32,000): Custom shape, fully tiled (gresite mosaic), salt chlorination system, LED underwater lighting, automatic cover, premium pool surround (natural stone or anti-slip porcelain), outdoor shower
• High-end pool (EUR 32,000-40,000+): Infinity edge or overflow design, heated (heat pump EUR 3,000-5,000), integrated spa/jacuzzi section, automated chemical dosing, smartphone-controlled systems, premium landscaping around pool area

Important: Pool installation is obra mayor and requires a full licencia de obras from the ayuntamiento. Allow 4-8 weeks for the permit and 6-10 weeks for construction. Your plot must comply with minimum setback distances from boundaries (typically 3-5 metres), and the pool must meet safety regulations for fencing or covers.

Pool Renovation (Existing): EUR 3,000-10,000

• Cosmetic renovation (EUR 3,000-5,000): Re-tiling (gresite mosaic), new coping stones, re-grouting, updated filtration pump, new skimmer baskets and return jets
• Structural renovation (EUR 5,000-8,000): Crack repair, waterproof membrane replacement, new plumbing (suction and return lines), new filtration system, salt chlorination conversion, new pool surround
• Major renovation (EUR 8,000-10,000+): Shell reconstruction, complete re-tiling, new filtration and heating system, LED lighting, automatic cover installation, safety upgrades to meet current regulations

Full Apartment Renovation: EUR 30,000-80,000

For a typical 2-3 bedroom apartment (80-120 sqm) on the Costa del Sol, a full renovation covering all rooms, electrics, plumbing, and finishes:

• Budget-conscious (EUR 30,000-45,000): New kitchen, 1-2 bathrooms, flooring throughout, painting, electrical upgrades, new doors, basic lighting. EUR 300-400 per sqm
• Mid-range (EUR 45,000-65,000): Quality kitchen with stone worktops, fully tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers, porcelain tile flooring, new electrical throughout (re-wire), new plumbing, built-in wardrobes, air conditioning. EUR 450-550 per sqm
• High-end (EUR 65,000-80,000+): Custom kitchen, premium bathrooms, engineered wood flooring, smart home integration, designer lighting, terrace renovation, premium finishes throughout. EUR 600-750 per sqm

Full Villa Renovation: EUR 60,000-150,000+

Villas are more complex due to larger areas, multiple floors, outdoor spaces, and structural considerations:

• Interior-focused (EUR 60,000-90,000): All rooms renovated to mid-range specification, new kitchen and 2-3 bathrooms, full re-wire and re-plumb, new flooring and doors, air conditioning throughout, painting and plastering. Existing pool, terrace, and exterior left as-is
• Full renovation (EUR 90,000-130,000): Complete interior renovation, terrace/outdoor renovation, pool renovation or installation, new windows and doors (aluminium or PVC), exterior painting, garden landscaping, new boundary walls or fencing, driveway resurfacing
• Premium renovation (EUR 130,000-150,000+): Everything above plus structural modifications (opening walls, extending rooms), premium materials throughout, home automation, solar panels (EUR 5,000-10,000 for a typical 5kW system), underfloor heating, premium outdoor kitchen, high-end landscaping

Cost Summary Table

Room / Project	Budget	Mid-Range	High-End
Kitchen (full refit)	EUR 8,000-12,000	EUR 12,000-18,000	EUR 18,000-25,000+
Bathroom (full refit)	EUR 4,000-6,000	EUR 6,000-9,000	EUR 9,000-12,000+
Living room / bedroom	EUR 2,000-3,000	EUR 3,000-5,000	EUR 5,000-6,000+
Terrace / outdoor	EUR 3,000-5,000	EUR 5,000-10,000	EUR 10,000-15,000+
Pool (new)	EUR 15,000-22,000	EUR 22,000-32,000	EUR 32,000-40,000+
Pool (renovation)	EUR 3,000-5,000	EUR 5,000-8,000	EUR 8,000-10,000+
Full apartment (80-120 sqm)	EUR 30,000-45,000	EUR 45,000-65,000	EUR 65,000-80,000+
Full villa	EUR 60,000-90,000	EUR 90,000-130,000	EUR 130,000-150,000+

IVA (VAT) on Renovations

IVA rates on renovation work in Spain are often misunderstood. The rules are:

• 10% IVA (reduced rate): Applies to renovation work on your primary residence (vivienda habitual) when the property is at least 2 years old and materials supplied by the contractor do not exceed 40% of the total invoice. This covers most standard renovations where the builder supplies labour and materials together
• 21% IVA (standard rate): Applies to all renovation work on second homes, holiday properties, and investment properties. Also applies to materials you purchase separately and supply to the builder, regardless of property type
• Practical impact: On a EUR 50,000 renovation, the difference between 10% and 21% IVA is EUR 5,500. If the property is your second home, budget for 21% IVA from the start

Important for UK buyers: Most UK buyers purchasing on the Costa del Sol are buying a second home or holiday property, which means the 21% rate applies. Only if you are relocating to Spain permanently and registering the property as your vivienda habitual will the 10% rate apply.

Permits: What You Need

Spanish building regulations distinguish between two categories of work:

Obra Menor (Minor Works)

Non-structural internal changes: replacing kitchens and bathrooms, new flooring, painting, electrical and plumbing upgrades (like-for-like), new interior doors, built-in furniture. Requires a declaración responsable or comunicación previa from the ayuntamiento — typically granted in 1-2 weeks with fees of EUR 100-500.

Obra Mayor (Major Works)

Structural changes, extensions, new pools, changes to the exterior facade, roof work, changes to load-bearing walls, new openings (windows, doors). Requires a full licencia de obras, which needs an architect's project (proyecto técnico) and takes 4-8 weeks for approval. Fees are typically 3-5% of the declared renovation budget, plus the architect's fees (EUR 2,000-5,000+ depending on complexity).

Consequences of working without permits: Fines range from EUR 600-6,000 for minor works to EUR 6,000-60,000+ for major works. Unauthorised structural changes can result in a demolition order. Insurance claims may be rejected for damage related to unpermitted work. And when you sell, unpermitted modifications create legal complications that reduce the property's value.

Timeline Estimates

Project	Permit Time	Construction Time	Total
Bathroom renovation	1-2 weeks	2-4 weeks	3-6 weeks
Kitchen renovation	1-2 weeks	3-6 weeks	4-8 weeks
Full apartment renovation	2-4 weeks	2-4 months	3-5 months
Full villa renovation	4-8 weeks	4-8 months	5-10 months
Pool installation	4-8 weeks	6-10 weeks	10-18 weeks

Reality check: Add 20-30% to any timeline estimate. Delays are the norm on the Costa del Sol, driven by material delivery times, subcontractor availability, inspection scheduling, and the builder taking on other projects simultaneously. Building a realistic buffer into your timeline from day one will save you stress.

Tips for Managing Renovation Costs

1. Get three quotes minimum. Prices for the same work can vary 30-50% between builders on the Costa del Sol. Always get at least three detailed, written quotes that break down materials and labour separately
2. Fix the scope before starting. Changes during construction (variaciones de obra) are the single biggest cause of budget overruns. Decide everything — tiles, fixtures, layout, finishes — before work begins, not during
3. Payment schedule matters. Never pay more than 10-15% upfront. A standard schedule is: 10-15% on contract signing, 25-30% when materials arrive on site, 25-30% at mid-point milestone, 20-25% on practical completion, and 5-10% held back for 30-90 days to cover snagging. For full details on structuring builder payments, see our builder guide
4. Buy materials yourself for high-value items. Builders typically mark up materials 15-30%. For expensive items (tiles, sanitaryware, appliances, worktops), buying directly from suppliers like Porcelanosa, Leroy Merlin, or specialist showrooms can save thousands — though you will pay 21% IVA instead of the potentially reduced 10% rate
5. Budget a 15-20% contingency. Unexpected issues always emerge once walls are opened up — dodgy plumbing, substandard electrical, hidden damp, asbestos in old tiles. A contingency fund prevents these surprises from derailing the project
6. Time your renovation. September to February is the quieter season for builders. You are more likely to get competitive quotes and faster completion during these months. Avoid starting major work in June-August when builders are stretched thin
7. Get everything in writing. The quote, the scope of work, the timeline, the payment schedule, the warranty terms, and what happens if the builder causes damage. A written contract is your only protection if things go wrong

For detailed guidance on vetting and hiring builders, read our guide to finding a trustworthy builder on the Costa del Sol. To understand the full costs of buying and owning property in Spain, see our costs and taxes guide or use the interactive cost calculator. Ready to browse properties with renovation potential? Join MUNDO to search listings across the Costa del Sol.