Building your Spanish Villa
SPC build a unique range of properties which have been designed to be functional, comfortable and attractive. Usually they are built on plots exceeding 10,000 square metres but can of course be built quite easily on plots of 1000 square metres or even less for the smaller properties. This may be necessary if building in coastal areas because of the availability of land and its high cost. As you will see from our property portfolio, property sizes start at 112 internal square metres for Med 9 - rising to 327 square metres for the top of the range Med 1.
Function, style and comfort are by no means the only considerations which go into our properties. Considerable time is spent reviewing all aspects of safety something often overlooked by many constructors and their clients alike.
The quite common habit here in Spain of having only one entrance and exit in properties is one with which we do not agree and although Spanish property is virtually fireproof, contents can burn and
smoke inhalation causes more casualties than fire itself. To deal with the risk of fire we ensure that there are at least two separate exits from the smallest of our properties and more from the larger ones. Further, all SPC properties are equipped with smoke alarms in kitchens and other strategic areas. Should the smoke alarms sound, the emergency lighting will automatically switch on, illuminating the way to the exits. The emergency lighting will also switch on in the event of mains or circuit failure providing several hours of useful light. If security grilles have been fitted to windows, we are able to offer several designs where in an emergency they can be released by the operation of quick release catches which will be hidden behind window curtains.
When it comes to Spanish property, regardless of the price, there is universal agreement that not enough storage space exists. In fact, in some properties no space at all has been provided. This
means owners have to purchase beds with hollow bases in which to store things. Many a foreign couple have moved into their new Spanish property, unpacked only to find out there is no place to store suitcases or boxes. It is a most unsatisfactory situation and bewildering as to why most builders continue with it. If you look at the floorplans of our designs you will find that not only is there plenty of storage space but an airing cupboard has been provided as well for the storage of clean linen, towels etc. Utility rooms are standard in all SPC designs, providing space allows and usually with a door leading to the outside and another leading to the kitchen.
All SPC properties come complete with solar panels for water heating. This effectively reduces the cost of providing energy to heat water by about 70 per cent over the course of one year – a significant saving.
This type of solar water heating is effective, though reduced, even in winter, when conditions may be
overcast. The bigger the solar array, the more water that can be heated. Of course, the more water you heat, the larger the container and greater the space required to store it in. However, solar panels have other uses and in winter can provide additional heat which can be utilised in helping to keep your house warm.
SPC only use first quality build materials, not seconds or mixes as is commonly used. More information on this subject can be found in our current brochure.
Funding and build times
Depending upon the type of property you choose or commission, building time will be between 4 – 7 months.
We are relatively flexible with payment arrangements but whatever terms are agreed between us, we require and appreciate payments via your lawyer. We do not accept money directly from clients.
We require an initial payment to deal with planning application, project and other fees, then regular payments to ensure we are in funds at all times for ongoing construction and building materials.
If you instruct your lawyer to make payments on your behalf, we suggest you also instruct him to ascertain that such payments are due and reflect the current state of construction. If you use one suggested by us he will do this as a routine. This is accomplished by asking the architect or someone designated by him, to “sign off” work as it happens which will ensure that he is constantly aware of work which has been completed and upon which payment is due.
It will be necessary for both parties to sign a legally binding contract which in addition to providing information on payment terms and delivery dates will also show the materials to be used for construction as agreed be-tween the parties. The contract will be in Spanish but a certified translation will be provided in your own lan-guage. If required, your lawyer will be able to arrange
a bank guarantee which will ensure that in the event of any problem, your property will be completed or your money refunded in full. The cost for this is usually 1.5% of the property’s declared value. Your lawyer will advise you fully on this matter if asked.
When the property is completed, your lawyer will either obtain or ascertain that a certificate of habitation has been issued from the local authority and that power and water are available together with all local authority services. At the same time you will be offered the opportunity of inspecting the property with the “snagging foreman” in order to point out anything which you feel requires attention. If you accept this offer we always carry out a snagging check prior to your arrival so nothing will be found by you but it’s the thought which counts. You can of course pass this responsibility to your lawyer or the architect, both of whom have been happily spending your money over the past few months.
If everything is in order an appointment will be made with the local Notary where all documents will be signed, your final payment made and the tax due received by the Notary on behalf of the Government.
As with the purchase of land, if you do not wish to be present or it is not convenient to be in Spain at this time, you can grant your lawyer a limited
power of attorney which will allow him to act on your behalf in your absence. If you are not present, we give the keys to your lawyer to hold until your arrival.
