robbie20

Morning,

No issues at all with the Algarve. Just wanted you to be aware the climate in the winter in the Algarve is possibly not what you may be hoping for.
It is usually quite a damp humid place to be, and I mean out and about, not just inside a property.
Plus electricity prices have gone up, quite a lot over the 11 years since we have had our house.

liveaboard

For the most part, yes; the lack of insulation causes condensation to form on the cold inside wall. then mold forms, causing bad odors and even health problems.

Of course if you plan to do a full renovation with insulation, you'll have a nice house when you're done, but not necessarily a cheaper one.

We did it; I did the technical work myself and we had a good local crew for masonry.
Labor rates were [maybe still are] 8 euros PH for skilled, and 6 for unskilled labor.

Still, in the end the cost would have been the same if we'd bought a house already renovated, or a new build.

We did all that because the place has an extraordinary location, with a sea breeze, utilities, and irrigation water.

If you're going to put a year or two of hard work and a lot of money into a property, make sure it's where you want to be.

ouriquejan

Yes, just bad building practices.

The house we have now has superb insulation and we're toasty.

DeeJakes

So...to recap the most salient points that will get us the house we want:

* Keep to the coastal plane
* Ensure adequate insulation
* Location location location
* Accept winter weather will be a bit dodgy

I know there are loads of other considerations but if we can stick to these as the key pointers it will help.

Thanks everyone for your much valued input!

robbie20

I hope you find a house that you really like in an area with everything you need for your move to Portugal.

DeeJakes

Thank you Robbie

uk_grenada

Silly question, if the temperatures an important issue, why live there? I chose to live where the climates thermostable, the entire annual range is about 22-33, thats it, rarely kess than 24 overnight, very rarely over 30 in the day, and it rains enough for lushness say 9 months of the year.

Zero energy consumption for heating or cooling.

BillBullock

Sounds like the Carribean!

treacle38

We have had a place in albufeira since dec 2016, and intend to move full time this summer from Worthing UK. We have been to our villa approx a week a month, and have seen 2 winters. If anybody tells you that it's not too bad do not believe them, it gets really cold, especially overnight. Trust me a few logs on the fire will not cover it. Most properties ars badly insulated and take a lot of heating, it will not be cheap whichever way you decide to go. During the day outside it can feel really pleasant, and is much warmer than inside, that has not had the time to warm up from the cold nights. Good luck in finding your ideal property, and enjoy it, as we do,despite the cold.

EMR

Our only form of heating we use for 90% of the time is a wood burning stove.
Our villa has decent insulation.
We used around 1tonne of decent wood this winter 900euros. November to end April.
We had a few weeks back in the UK, not looking fwd to seeing our heating bill for that time when the UK froze..
Holiday apartments and properties bought by many non Portuguese are not always designed for all year round living.

BillBullock

Surely you didn't pay as much as €900 for a tonne of wood? I pay €150 for a generous tonne of seasoned oak in the Moncarapacho area.

EMR

Sorry, brain fade, 150 euros tonne dependent on quality.
Paid 90 euros for one load , between 10 andc15 euros for 100kg.
The lower the price the quicker it burns..
Est total purchase for this winter E125. .

DeeJakes

Our house is wood stove for central heating and a log burner in living room and it's cost us €1000 for a mix of oak, ash and small amount of coal briquettes for the coldest nights. We rarely have it on during the day so that's just heating from approx 4-5pm to 11-12pm. If we could pay just €125 for the year, that would be amazing!

DeeJakes

Think getting the insulation right is paramount treacle, we are quite hardy, but feeling the cold more and more as the years zoom by. Will keep your words in mind for sorting out heating of a night.

EMR

Last bootfulls was 15 euros for 100kg of azeinho , hardwood.
Mistura is cheaper.
Our neighbour meeting the new fire prevention rules filled two pickups a day with logs..
I would not be surprised if wood prices were lower next year.