Hi all does anyone know if I can get a works licence without a builders estimate as I we plan to carryout most of the work ourselves? ?? Thanks mark

It will depend what kind of work?

• Licencia de Obra Mayor (License for Major work.) This must be applied for if the structure of the property is altered. This includes erecting or demolishing load-bearing walls, building an extension, conservatory or a swimming pool
• Licencia de Obra Menor (License for minor works.) This covers maintenance work on a property e.g. interior painting, patios or balconies which are not visible from the exterior, plumbing, electricity, interior carpentry, new installations of bathrooms/ kitchen and tiling.

We did all of the work ourselves. In order to gain the licence you will need to do your own estimate of the costs. On the form that we had to complete there was a space to write the name of the builder which we left blank but when we submitted it to the town hall they suggested that we write my husbands name in the space. Applied for several licences over the time it took to do the renovation and never had a single problem gaining them.

Rosemary

Hi thanks for the reply it will probably be a major licence as we need to have a new roof ( which will be carried out by builders when I finally find one) but the remainder will be carried out by myself:- new bathroom,kitchen,tiling,doors and windows. Will I need to apply for more than one licence or will it all come under the major licence. Just wanted a heads up as I'm going to the town hall at the end of the month cheers

Hi Rosemary that's what I needed to hear many thanks mark

Don't assume what others say is correct for you though, as every Ajuntament has different regulations. This is probably well explained:
Do I need a building permit to refurbish my Spanish property · Malaga Expat Consulting
Each type of building licence has own requirements and list of documents to be submitted and it is paramount to make specific enquiries in the relevant Town Hall, as like with each paperwork procedure in Spain, the requirements may vary from one municipality to another. Having dealt with several building licenses in the province of Malaga, we at Malaga Expat can only confirm the above. From application forms to permit types and sub-types, accompanying documents and response times the procedure varies greatly between different municipalities. While in Fuengirola some building permits can be granted immediately, in Benalmadena it can take up to four weeks to receive one.



The list of documents for the “obra menor” building permit would normally include the filled in application form, a detailed list of works including the budget and costings, paid municipal fees which are calculated as a % of the total budget, title deed or last IBI receipt of the property and in some cases photographs of the property. The more substantial “obra mayor” permit application requires extended documentation including architectural plans and engineering certificates.



Once applied the documentation is reviewed by the Council engineering department who may contact the applicant in case of questions or to request additional documentation. Once issued the building licence is usually valid for the works to be carried out within the period of 12 months. It is recommendable that any structural changes to the property like extensions or building a swimming pool are properly registered on the deeds, and the building permit will act as proof of the performed developments.

Please remember that some alterations may also require a permission from the Community of Owners if you have one. Relevant requirements can be checked in the Community Regulations document.



In conclusion, if you are planning any improvements or refurbishment in your Spanish property, we would always advise to check the specific building permit requirements with your local Town Hall and plan well in advance to allow enough time to obtain the licence.

Hi moses thanks again for your reply I'm going to the town hall at the end of the month, will check with them as to what the requirements are!!! just wanted an heads up as to whether I could obtain a licence wothout a builder cheers again mark

IN all probability, you will also need an architect to do the structural calculations - builders here can't (shouldn't ) do that.

Hi thanks for your input I'll be asking the town hall for recommended architects and builders when I go thanks again