Hi all, me and the mrs have been thinking for quite a while about moving to Spain, mainly due to the usual, weather, rat race etc
Just wanted to test you ex pats that have been there for a while on my ideas, I'm wanting to carry on with building, I've been in building for 30years and would like to carry on in Spain, I've been learning Spanish for the last year and seen as we aren't thinking of doing this for another year at least am pretty sure i'll be able to communicate with builders merchants etc, what I'm wondering is if the business will be enough to survive on, I'm a very competent builder and was hoping that all the expats in the Malaga area would appreciate dealing with an English builder, not wanting to make a fortune, just enough to live in reasonable comfort. Cheers

Build up a good list of terms, and then prepare to have to change half of them as the locals call a spade something else entirely.

If you want a list of building terms and tools, pm me your email, and I'll send you mine.

If you are planning to go self employed you have your 250 euros a month (or thereabouts) to pay into the system whether you work or not and also need to know all about the various building licences and have the ability to deal with Spanish authorities.

I know hundreds of British builders, and lots of Spanish ones and most are struggling, at the moment there is a housing crisis in Spain. Mainly due to the over inflated prices of the housing market. Another thing to remember is that if you make a mistake in your work,and someone gets killed or injured, you could be up for a manslaughter charge. It happened with a reletive of mine, he worked for a building firm without a contract and did a botch job. A teenage girl was electrocuted and he was charged. His parents sold all their land to pay the compo to the girls family. Beware. Anyway all the best in your move.

The problem you'll have being a genuine British builder is establishing your credibility.
Because about 500,000+ guys before you have come here claiming the same thing. Though I have it on good authority at least 20 of them were the genuine article!
The other 500,000 that have entered Spain were former SAS personnel of course.

or they were personally involved with the Crays................and know them well, so don't mess with them.

P**s taker

Have you only just realised that?

Oh no. I`ve known for weeks. This thread is not in Siesta time ... but Mitzys away and JDR is on his own...

if jdr is online he can more than cope...........................if he isnt then we can have some fun!!!

Yes, but can you be trusted amongst us peasants... or are you an invisible second in command?

Weren't the Crays a type of computer?

Are you trying to boost his ego, just a little?

Leaving me in command is like leaving the lunatics in charge of the asylum!

Yes, I know that too