Hi Alll
My name is Bob, and my partner Clare and I are thinking of moving to the La Rabita area of Granada and would like some pointers re renovations to a property.
We are thinking of buying a property that needs some work done to it and doing some of the work our selves ( I am retired from the construction industry). Do we require any sort of planning permission to do work if we don,t change the dwellings footprint ? If the property needs power and water laid on , can I dig the trench and lay the cable and pipe and get a Plumber and Electrician to do the connections at each end . ?
We have yet to visit the area yet, so may not like it . Is any one living in that area who can give us an insight what is it like ? are there many Expats there?
Look forward to hearing from you . Regards Bob

Bob the Builder?

You could certainly dig the trench. Rules vary and I have no knowledge of Granada province, but you would certainly require approval from your local town hall for this work. You will be charged a fee relative to the estimated cost of your improvements. You will hear stories of many ex pats who do not ask permission and DIY. They are liable to hefty fines and in some cases demolition orders.

Another problem you may face is finding a qualified person willing to complete, then sign off any of your work.

Good Luck :-)

This is potentially a minefield so be very very careful before you lose a fortune. Take independent professional local legal advice and don-t trust what any estate agent tells you.

These projects look cheap to buy and fix but they can be very stressful and expensive. Connections to mains supplies can cost thousands.

Better to avoid all the aggravation IMO and also beware the Granada mountains can be colder than the UK in the winter.

Sorry if this sounds like a damper but believe me it is realistic.

On the plus side, building materials are cheaper than uk

Thanks Missile, Yes we have heard horror stories. We were testing the water to give us an insight what to expect.

Thank you Spainrico. La Rabita is down on the sth coast of the Granada region .there is another La Rabita to the Nth /West. What is the problem with the Electricians ? do they not want to do it or are there not enough to do the work ?

Spanish electrics are not the same as in UK.

They still kill that is why I never allowed a Spanish electician in my house.

Next door to POLYTHENE WORLD?

Sorry trapped within POLYTHENE WORLD?

really? :-)

All electricians here have to be legally registered to issue 'bulletins' which means the work is of total quality to meet regs. Without bulletins the power providers will not connect you to the grid.
In many ways, the regs here are superior to the UK and offer a safer regime. Yes you can think about a generator or solar but they come with their own issues.

Maybe you have one of the plethora of books about expats arriving meeting a friendly old boy who does all the work for nothing well those days are gone as EU regs prevail.

Costa Blanca is my beat so will leave others to comment on Granada geography.

With regard to having power and water run. It will more likely that the providers will do all the work including connection (even if they use a contractor)
My FIL had mains electric run about 5 years ago and he only got it because the power company decided to run the supply up the road he lived on. Before that he had a generator as they would not run power unless he paid for everything (the nearest point to him at that time was 1.5km away)
He had to pay for the cable to his property including the tower. He was then able to get a local electrician to fit the switch box etc. Cant remember the cost but was in the region of 8k to 10 k.

Water wise was the same hassle and in fact the next house up the road is the terminus for the water supply. Hidraqua decided not to go any further (there are another 5 houses up the road with no water)

As others have said. Take no notice of the agent or anyone they get you to talk to. You could contact the local power and water companies (they usually have an office in the nearest town).

Thank you .That is the sort of info I was after. I don't want to to take short cuts or do anything illegal.