Deciding to undertake a full renovation is both thrilling and intimidating. It’s inevitable: your mind jumps straight to the beautiful part, imagining that open-plan kitchen or how the afternoon light will flood into your new living room. That’s the romantic phase. But the reality of construction work is something else entirely.
To ensure that excitement doesn’t end up buried under a pile of extra invoices and endless delays, it’s essential to stay grounded. In this industry, improvisation is expensive. We say this from experience: in a full renovation, especially in areas with particular conditions like Santa Pola, success is forged long before the first builder walks through the door.
It’s not just about choosing tiles. It’s about having control. Do you know which key decisions need to be made before signing anything? Here is the real roadmap to avoid going in blind.
1. The invisible “health” of your home
A beginner’s mistake is to design thinking only about aesthetics. The truth is that in a full renovation, what you can’t see is often more important than what you can. Before falling in love with finishes, a technical diagnosis of the property is essential.
Plumbing
The location of the main drainage pipes is reviewed, as they determine whether it’s possible to relocate elements such as the kitchen or bathroom within the project.
Electrical system
The condition of the electrical panel is analysed to adapt it to current regulations (REBT) and to plan the power requirements for climate control systems.
Structure
Load-bearing walls are identified and distinguished from simple partitions to determine which elements can be modified without compromising safety.
Environment
Possible pathologies caused by salt and humidity are detected, especially common in coastal areas, to anticipate appropriate solutions.
2. Your lifestyle (the real one, not the magazine version)
We often see homeowners wanting to replicate a Pinterest image without considering whether it fits their daily life. Before calling an architect, be honest with yourself:
Primary residence
In a permanent home, priorities revolve around good thermal insulation and maximizing storage space. Warm, durable finishes are recommended, designed for daily use and long-term wear.
Holiday home
In a vacation property, the focus is on social areas, terraces, and spatial functionality. Materials should be resistant to sand and salt, easy to maintain, and able to withstand coastal conditions.
Functionality above all: Do you really cook, or do you live on delivery? Do you work from home? Having a clear “needs program” allows us at Hausvetica to design a layout that works like clockwork for you.
3. Budget: losing the fear of numbers
Money is the sensitive topic, but it must be addressed head-on. Saying “I want to spend X” isn’t enough; it needs to be broken down with current market prices.
- Contingency allowance: In a renovation, something always comes up (a damaged beam, an unexpected uneven floor).
- Buffer fund: Ideally, set aside between 10% and 15% of the total. If you don’t use it, great — but count on that money from day one.
- Prioritization: Define quality levels before requesting quotes. You may prefer to invest heavily in high-performance windows and adjust the budget slightly on furniture.
4. Bureaucracy and permits (especially in Santa Pola)
It’s the most tedious part, but skipping it can bring your project to a halt and lead to fines. You need to understand the legal feasibility of what you want to do.
Minor works
Includes actions such as replacing floors or wall finishes. These interventions require a simplified administrative process.
Major works
Includes demolishing partitions or modifying façades. In these cases, an architect’s project is required for proper processing.
Homeowners’ association: The bylaws rule. Can terraces be enclosed? Are there aesthetic regulations for windows? Informing the building manager isn’t just courtesy — it’s essential to avoid complaints.
5. Logistics and timelines: the schedule
Time flies — and even more so during construction. Before starting, you need a realistic estimate of the project duration.
- Material management: Sometimes work stops because a designer tap or imported tiles take six weeks to arrive. Planning orders is essential.
- Noise regulations: In tourist areas, many councils prohibit noisy works during July and August. Knowing these restrictions is vital to avoid having your home stuck in limbo for two months in peak season.
Planning is saving
Starting a renovation without this information is like setting sail without a nautical chart: you might reach port, but the journey will be hard and expensive.
Having all this information gives you control as a homeowner. At Hausvetica, we understand that this is a life project, not just another building job. That’s why our services focus on transparency: we help you define every point before starting, so the final result is exactly the home you imagined — with no fine print and no unpleasant surprises.
Remember: a good renovation doesn’t start with demolition. It starts with a good conversation and thorough planning.