Tag: Arquitectural Studio in Calpe

  • Architectural Studio in Alicante: When is it better to carry out a reform?

    Architectural Studio in Alicante: When is it better to carry out a reform?

    It is very normal that during the life of a chalet or when buying a second-hand chalet, there is a need to carry out interior renovation works that include the change of finishing materials and facilities. There are also cases in which it is necessary to carry out extension works because the construction is not completely adapted to our needs. When is it better to carry out a reform?

    Reasons for a renovation

    There are many reasons and they are usually related to changes in the needs of its inhabitants. It may be that the family has grown, it may be that you want to install an elevator since with the passage of time its inhabitants are aging. It is normal that the reason can be merely aesthetic because, for example, the owner does not like the decoration, tiles and pavements any longer.
    When is it better to carry out a reform?

    Arquifach, Architectural Studio in Alicante: What is the Best time to do a Renovation?When is it better to carry out a reform?

    When is it better to carry out a reform? What is the ideal season to carry out a renovation?

    To make an ideal choice of which season is better to do renovations in a house, we must start with the type of work we are going to do.

    Extension work in single-family homes or villas in Costa Blanca

    In this case, two types of extensions should be distinguished. If the work is a lateral extension, that is to say on one side of the currently existing construction or it is an extension from above, that is, extending a floor or extending the current upper floor.

    In both cases, the works must be carried out in the dry season, preventing the rain from damaging the new construction and also the existing one.

    In the case of a lateral extension, the interior of the current home would not be affected by the work, except for a little noise and dust disturbance; but it can be a big problem to open the foundations of the new extension next to the current house.

    If it rains during the process in which the foundation is being open, it is very possible that later on we will have problems of fissures or cracks due to settlement. This situation can occur regardless of whether we have left a constructive joint between the two parts of the construction, or on the contrary we have adopted a system of tying the two constructions, in foundation and structure, so that in theory they were one.

    If the land where the house is located is clayey, like most of the buildings in the area of Alicante, and it rains, the support of the new foundation will be softer than the old one, which will lead to differential settlements between the two parts of the construction.

    In the case of extending the upper part, it is also necessary to do it during the dry season, because this type of extension requires lifting the roof or the upper terrace to make the extension, and also to leave a gap for the staircase that communicates the two floors.

    It will not be a problem of settlement, like the previous one, but an intense rain such as those that fall down in Costa Blanca will saturate all partitions and furniture if the necessary measures are not taken.

    Interior renovations of single-family homes or chalets in Costa Blanca

    If the intended works are interior renovations, such as change of pavement, painting, change of kitchen furniture or change of the bathrooms, the time of the year chosen to do this type of work is unimportant.

    Perhaps, due to the strong temperatures of the summer period, it would be convenient to avoid doing works at that time. But, for the rest of the year, it is not very important when the work is done.

    However, be it an extension work or an internal renovation, it must be borne in mind that most of the town halls have very specific ordinances that limit the works that can be done in summer, the type of machinery that cannot be used due to the noise, discomfort and dust problems that can be caused to neighbors.

    Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, is takes charge of the renovation of your villa in Costa Blanca.

    Contact Arquifach, Alicante architectural studio, without commitment. We study the feasibility of your project and provide advice on the renovation of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. We are supported by a specialized team in Costa Blanca. Arquifach takes charge of the whole project: its design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and advise in general.

  • Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, advises: legal and tax considerations in the purchase of a second-hand house on the Costa Blanca

    Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, advises: legal and tax considerations in the purchase of a second-hand house on the Costa Blanca

    There is a wide range of plots and land to build a villa on the Costa Blanca. But it is also possible to buy a second-hand plot that meets our needs. It is necessary to think that most of the plots with the best views, position and accesses are already built and occupied by chalets that in most cases are more than 25 years old. This type of plots allows us to demolish the existing building to make a new or comprehensive reform to modernize the home and adapt it to our needs.

    There are several aspects to be taken into account when making a decision to buy a second-hand construction:

    1. The legal aspect: regarding the possible encumbrances and easements the property might have, such as the ownership of the property.
    2. The urban aspect: it means that there is no open file in the town hall against that property and other points to consider related to the urban planning.
    3. The tax aspect must be controlled: all the receipts of the IBI (Real State Tax) are paid, who is the owner in the cadaster, as well as other data referring to surfaces and boundaries.
    4. Finally, the construction aspect is important, since the state of the house must be known at least for the purposes of foundation, structure and rainwater problems. It would be convenient to clarify other aspects related to the state of the construction to be purchased. In addition, currently all homes for sale on the market must legally have and submit the Energy Performance Certificate to be able to write a deed on them.

    The importance of documentation

    Normally, a second-hand property is bought through a real estate agency or an intermediary. In general, they have prepared a series of documents regarding the house conditions. Otherwise you must provide them before proceeding to make any firm contract.

    On the one hand, you have to request a simple note from the Land Registry to know the state of charges of the property. When the deed is signed, this information from the Land Registry must be electronically requested by the Notary and updated on the same day that the deed is signed so as not to have any last-minute surprises. Let’s suppose that at the beginning of the negotiations the seller’s representative brings a briefing note of the record where there is no charge on that property. If the negotiation lasts a few months, the seller could theoretically put a mortgage on the property, creating a burden on said property. If the aforementioned is carried out, this danger will no longer exist since the information obtained is from the same day that the deed of purchase-sale is signed.

    Therefore, the submission of the briefing note of Land Registry by the seller is a starting point that informs us about the situation at that moment of the beginning of the talks. It should be said that the Land Registry is public and that anyone can go to the corresponding offices existing in the town, or near it, where the property for we are interested in is located and request a briefing note alleging interest in the subject, for example: a possible purchase.

    Regarding ownership, there are cases in which the seller is the owner of a private purchase-sale contract, but the registered owner is another. It may also be the case that the seller does so with a power from the registered owner. It would be convenient to verify that this private contract or the power of sale are in force. It is also much better for the real owner is part of the signing of the initial private contract, since at the time of signing the deed, the Notary must make all the necessary verifications to be certain that the one signing as a seller can do it.

    It must be verified that the home surfaces detailed in the deed, and therefore in the Land Registry, correspond to reality. It is normal that the owner of a villa has made extensions over the years and has not declared them, which may have tax implications at the time of fixing the price of the construction because it is not the original of the statement of New Work as of the value in the IBI since less square meters are being paid.

    Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, advises you on the purchase of your home

    Contact Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, without commitment. It has comprehensive services in the reform of second-hand homes and the support of a specialized team on the Costa Blanca. Arquifach covers the entire project: its design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and general advice.