[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":39},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-en-renovation-quote-what-to-check":3},{"id":4,"slug":5,"title":6,"excerpt":7,"coverUrl":8,"coverSources":9,"category":24,"readingTimeMinutes":28,"publishedAt":29,"featured":30,"body":31,"updatedAt":32,"seo":33,"alternateSlugs":35},"vnbx7n4k8tp85w2cjye6gsbu","renovation-quote-what-to-check","Renovation quotes: what they must include and how to compare them without surprises","Never pay more than 30-40% up front. The 10 items a renovation quote must include, how to compare three of them properly, and when 10% VAT applies.","https:\u002F\u002Ffreeday-cms-media.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com\u002Fpresupuesto_de_reforma_como_comparar_1c850e18e7.jpg",[10,13,16,19,22],{"url":11,"width":12},"https:\u002F\u002Ffreeday-cms-media.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com\u002Fthumbnail_presupuesto_de_reforma_como_comparar_1c850e18e7.jpg",208,{"url":14,"width":15},"https:\u002F\u002Ffreeday-cms-media.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com\u002Fsmall_presupuesto_de_reforma_como_comparar_1c850e18e7.jpg",500,{"url":17,"width":18},"https:\u002F\u002Ffreeday-cms-media.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com\u002Fmedium_presupuesto_de_reforma_como_comparar_1c850e18e7.jpg",750,{"url":20,"width":21},"https:\u002F\u002Ffreeday-cms-media.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com\u002Flarge_presupuesto_de_reforma_como_comparar_1c850e18e7.jpg",1000,{"url":8,"width":23},1200,{"id":25,"name":26,"slug":27},"xsh3fx16ba3suaebhmkbd1lk","Renovations","renovations",9,"2026-09-24T21:59:14.532Z",false,"\u003Cp>Before signing a renovation quote, memorise one figure: \u003Cstrong>never pay more than 30-40% of the total up front\u003C\u002Fstrong>, as the OCU recommends. The rest is paid by completed stage, and the last payment only after the final snagging. With that rule and the checklist in this guide, comparing quotes stops being a lottery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spain saw 1.9 million renovations in 2025 — 3 in 10 households improved their home — with an average outlay of €2,700 per household, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.andimac.org\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F24\u002F3-de-cada-10-hogares-hicieron-alguna-mejora-de-su-vivienda-en-2025\u002F\">ANDIMAC\u003C\u002Fa>. Many of those renovations started with a weak quote… and ended in nasty surprises. Let us avoid that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>What a renovation quote must include: item checklist\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ocu.org\u002Fvivienda-y-energia\u002Fequipamiento-hogar\u002Fconsejos\u002Fconsejos-reformas-casa\">OCU\u003C\u002Fa> is clear: a professional quote includes these 10 points. Use them as a checklist before you sit down to compare:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cdiv class=\"table-scroll\">\u003Ctable>\n\u003Cthead>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>#\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003Cth>What it must include\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003Cth>What to look at\u003C\u002Fth>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Fthead>\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>1\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Full tax identification\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Name or company name, tax number and company address\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>2\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Measurements\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>m² or linear metres per item: it is the real basis of the calculation\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>3\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Materials\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Specifications, brands and models named, not "standard tile"\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>4\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Labour\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Itemised by trade and by item\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>5\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Waste management\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Debris removal and skip: the "forgotten" item that later gets charged as an extra\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>6\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Timings\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Start and finish dates, with penalties where applicable\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>7\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Total price INCLUDING VAT\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Taxes itemised, no "plus VAT" in the small print\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>8\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Payment terms\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Maximum deposit of 30-40%, payments by stage, last payment after snagging\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>9\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Guarantee\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>And the route to complain if something goes wrong\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>10\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Ancillary obligations\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003Ctd>Cleaning of communal areas, repair of any damage caused\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cp>A detail many people do not know: a quote signed by both parties has the value of a contract. It is not an indicative piece of paper, it is the document you will fall back on if there are problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Red flags: when to discard a quote\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>They ask for 100% (or most of it) up front.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The maximum reasonable deposit is 30-40%, according to the OCU. Anyone asking for more is out.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>They offer to do it "without VAT".\u003C\u002Fstrong> Besides being illegal, you are left with no invoice, and without an invoice there is no guarantee and no route to complain. If the renovation goes wrong, you do not exist.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>No written start and finish dates.\u003C\u002Fstrong> A job with no end date is an eternal job.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Generic items.\u003C\u002Fstrong> "Complete bathroom renovation: €6,000" or a mysterious "sundries" with no measurements or specifications. Impossible to compare and impossible to enforce.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>No tax number, no company bank account or no public liability insurance.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If there is damage (a leak that affects the neighbour below, for example) and there is no insurance, you end up paying for it.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>🛟 Looking for professionals to quote today?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\nOn Freeday you can see tradespeople available near you and talk to them directly. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fappfreeday.es\u002Fen\u002Fdescargar\">Download it free\u003C\u002Fa> — \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fapp\u002Ffreeday\u002Fid6642706194\">App Store\u003C\u002Fa> · \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=com.freeday.android.app\">Google Play\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Ch2>How to compare renovation quotes: apples with apples\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The classic mistake: asking for three quotes "to renovate the bathroom" with no further detail, and picking the cheapest. Each company quotes different things and you end up comparing pears with apples. Do it like this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Define the items and specifications yourself before asking.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Same measurements, same materials (brand and model), same requirements for everyone. Only then are the numbers comparable.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Get a minimum of 3 quotes\u003C\u002Fstrong>, itemised and in writing.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Compare item by item, not the total.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Build a table: strip-out, plumbing, electrics, finishes, sanitaryware or units, labour, waste. Wherever a quote is silent, that is the future "extra".\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Be wary of the one that comes in low.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If one is 30% cheaper, it is almost never a bargain: usually the waste management, the permit, the VAT or half the material specification is missing.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Look at the VAT, the timings and the payment terms,\u003C\u002Fstrong> not just the headline figure. A quote "excluding VAT" can turn into a 21% surprise.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Verify the professional:\u003C\u002Fstrong> tax number, public liability insurance, references and previous jobs. We explain how in \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-find-a-trusted-tradesperson-near-you\">how to find a tradesperson you can trust\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>To know whether the figures you are given are market rate, compare them with our price guides: \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fbathroom-renovation-cost-spain\">how much a bathroom renovation costs\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fkitchen-renovation-cost-spain\">how much a kitchen renovation costs\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fcost-to-paint-an-apartment-spain\">how much it costs to paint a flat\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>VAT on renovations: 10% or 21%?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>This is the star question and the rule is official, from the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsede.agenciatributaria.gob.es\u002FSede\u002Fiva\u002Fiva-operaciones-inmobiliarias\u002Fque-tipo-se-aplica-obras-viviendas.html\">Spanish tax authority\u003C\u002Fa>. The general rule is 21%. The 10% rate only applies to renovation or repair work on a home if \u003Cstrong>all three conditions are met at once\u003C\u002Fstrong>:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>The customer is a \u003Cstrong>private individual\u003C\u002Fstrong> using the home for \u003Cstrong>private use\u003C\u002Fstrong> (rental or economic activity does not qualify, not even partially).\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Construction or refurbishment of the home finished \u003Cstrong>at least 2 years before\u003C\u002Fstrong> the work started.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Whoever carries out the work \u003Cstrong>supplies no materials, or their cost does not exceed 40% of the taxable base\u003C\u002Fstrong> (the limit is measured on the whole operation, not item by item).\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>The tax authority's official example makes it clear: a €10,000 job with €3,000 of materials goes at 10%; the same job with €5,000 of materials, at 21%. In practice, turnkey bathrooms and kitchens with units and appliances usually exceed that 40% materials threshold and are taxed at 21%. It applies to building work, plumbing, electrics, painting, joinery and air conditioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Minor works permits and other costs almost nobody includes\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Most bathroom or kitchen renovations are minor works or a prior notification, but the permit is not free and rarely appears in the quote:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Bathroom renovation:\u003C\u002Fstrong> between €100 and €350 depending on the municipality, according to Larsant. In many town halls, the fee plus the construction tax is calculated as 2-4% of the works budget, sometimes with a fixed processing fee of €30-50.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Kitchen with a layout change:\u003C\u002Fstrong> indicatively between €200 and €800.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Prior notification\u003C\u002Fstrong> (no layout or structural changes): indicatively €50-200.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Always ask at your town hall before starting, and ask the professional who files the permit and whether its cost is inside or outside the quote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Deposit, payments and guarantees: how to close the deal\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Maximum deposit: 30-40% of the total\u003C\u002Fstrong> (OCU). Subsequent payments by completed stage and the last payment only after the final snagging.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Reference legal guarantees\u003C\u002Fstrong>, under Spain's building act and civil code: \u003Cstrong>1 year\u003C\u002Fstrong> for finishing and finish defects (paint, tiling), \u003Cstrong>3 years\u003C\u002Fstrong> for faults affecting habitability (damp, insulation, services) and \u003Cstrong>10 years\u003C\u002Fstrong> for structural defects. The building act guarantees apply to renovations with substantial changes; for minor renovations the civil code and whatever is agreed in the contract govern.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Window to claim: 2 years from when the damage appears.\u003C\u002Fstrong> And to claim you need an invoice with a date, tax number, breakdown and guarantee. One more reason to steer clear of "without VAT".\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fimages.pexels.com\u002Fphotos\u002F8486896\u002Fpexels-photo-8486896.jpeg?w=1200\" alt=\"Two workers in safety gear shaking hands, deal closed\" \u002F>\n\u003Cem>Photo: Kindel Media · Pexels\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>Common mistakes when comparing quotes\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Choosing on total price alone\u003C\u002Fstrong>, without looking at what each one includes.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Asking for quotes with different specifications\u003C\u002Fstrong> and believing they are comparable.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Forgetting the VAT and the permit\u003C\u002Fstrong>: up to 21% + 2-4% of the budget that was not "in the figure".\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Not signing off on timings\u003C\u002Fstrong> and being left with no argument when the job drags on forever.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Paying too much up front\u003C\u002Fstrong>: if the professional disappears, 30-40% is the most you risk.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Ending up with nothing in writing\u003C\u002Fstrong>: the signed quote is your contract and your guarantee.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Ch2>Frequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3>How many renovation quotes should you get?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>At least three, and always with the same measurements and specifications so you can compare item by item. If one comes in well below the rest, check what is missing: waste, permit or VAT are the usual suspects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>How much deposit do you pay on a renovation?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>The OCU recommends not paying more than 30-40% up front. The rest by completed stage, and the last payment only after the final snagging. Steer clear of anyone asking for 100% in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Is a signed quote a contract?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Yes. A quote signed by both parties has the value of a contract, according to the OCU. That is why it must include timings, specifications, payment terms and guarantee in writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>When does the 10% VAT rate apply to a renovation?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>When three conditions are met at once, according to the tax authority: you are a private individual and the home is for private use, the home is at least 2 years old and the materials supplied by the professional do not exceed 40% of the taxable base. If any of them fails, 21% applies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>How much does a minor works permit cost?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>For a bathroom, between €100 and €350 depending on the municipality; in many town halls the fee and the construction tax come to 2-4% of the works budget. For kitchens with a layout change, the indicative range is €200 to €800.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>What guarantee does a renovation carry?\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>As a legal reference: 1 year for finish defects, 3 years for those affecting habitability and 10 years for structural defects. You have 2 years to claim from when the damage appears, and you need the invoice to do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>🛟 Ready to ask real professionals for quotes?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\nOn Freeday you can see tradespeople available near you, with a verifiable profile, and talk to them directly. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fappfreeday.es\u002Fen\u002Fdescargar\">Download it free\u003C\u002Fa> — \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fapps.apple.com\u002Fapp\u002Ffreeday\u002Fid6642706194\">App Store\u003C\u002Fa> · \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fplay.google.com\u002Fstore\u002Fapps\u002Fdetails?id=com.freeday.android.app\">Google Play\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Ch2>Keep reading\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fbathroom-renovation-cost-spain\">How much does a bathroom renovation cost? Price per m² and by type (2026)\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fkitchen-renovation-cost-spain\">How much does a kitchen renovation cost? Full budget (2026)\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fcost-to-paint-an-apartment-spain\">How much does it cost to paint a flat? Price per m²\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-find-a-trusted-tradesperson-near-you\">How to find a tradesperson you can trust for your renovation\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>","2026-09-24T21:59:14.516Z",{"metaTitle":34,"metaDescription":7,"ogImageUrl":8},"Renovation quotes in Spain: checklist, red flags, VAT and permits",{"en":5,"es":36,"ro":37,"ca":38},"presupuesto-de-reforma-como-comparar","deviz-de-renovare-cum-sa-compari","pressupost-de-reforma-com-comparar",1790336892178]