Costa Tropcal info

The negative side of buying property in Spain

Tradesmen

We have found to our cost 

I once heard it said that anyone that has done some DIY in the U.K. instantly becomes a builder when they land in Malaga. So beware.

Finding a fair trading expat tradesman can be quite a challange nearly all try to charge U.K. rates and some are not really what they say they are.

If you are looking for a builder or plumber or the like, always make a point of asking for referances from other jobs they have done, and speak to local people before employing them.

The Spanish traders can be just as bad. Once they know that you are from the U.K. they see €€€€€  and they will put up the price. 

Always get at least two quotes for any work you need done, and don't be afraid to haggle. 

To be fair there are some honest people out there, it's finding them.

Good luck.

 

Soon after arriving here in Spain I was looking for a builder to build a swimming pool, I wanted a 12 meter pool with a waterfall. I was quoted 66,000 euros by a Spanish company and 25,000 by an expat builder. I did not go for either because I knew the price for an 8×4 meter pool was 12,000 I eventually built it myself with the guidance of a spanish water deposit builder for less than 6500 euros. 

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