We have had to go down the DIY route as we waited very patiently for a plumber and builder from July 2006 to January 2007 and gave up. (The plumber had said that they would start in Sept).
Were lucky with the electrician because he said that he would come either Sept or Oct and arrived the beginning of Oct.
Had an estimate from a window company the end of Oct, reminded them several times since and had an e-mail today thanking us for our patience.

Like the rest of Spain there is so much construction work going on that it is difficult to get tradesmen hence the need to DIY in our case. Plus the fact that Lee Roy Merlin being 30 km away.

The licence situation has not been clarified for us yet so we still do not know whether we will be going ahead but if we have to resort to trademen the house will still be in the same state for the foreseeable future and that is not acceptable.

Rosemary

Look for Patricio the plumber in Albunol and also Diego the carpinter will biuld you a jolly good kitchen say Patricia and Juan (John)recommended you. Do be aware because if I have it right the place you are moving into is visible just be careful. You shuld be ok with bathrooms or kitchens we have had no problem, but here in Albunol the Policia local are always out looking for work being done and our house is on there route.

If you wish to know how to find Diego pm me, unforunately I am currenlty esconced in the UK looking after a family member so cannot look up Patricio for you but try the Ayuntamiento site for Albunol as they have a list of telephone numbers. He will not always turn up when arranged and I know for certain he left a friends work undone, did not connect to the meter, hence they where find for fraud, Water board told them to claim it back from the plumber. Hit head against a wall for that.

Plumbing bits are cheap here and can be bought in Albunol, we do our own work it is probably quicker.

pwwm