Blog
Straight answers for villa owners
Articles on the decisions owners actually face: what moves the cost, what can go wrong, which option suits which house and how to tell a good builder from a risky one.
Cost and pricing
What really drives the cost of renovating a villa
Owners often ask for a price per square metre. For villas it is a poor guide, because the factors that move the cost have little to do with floor area alone.
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Is external insulation worth it for your villa?
Energy savings are the usual sales pitch. We do not quote figures, because they depend on too many things. Here are the questions that actually decide whether e
ReadProblems and objections
When external insulation is not the answer
External wall insulation is a good system in the right place. In the wrong place it traps moisture, causes disputes with neighbours or simply spends money where
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What can go wrong renovating a house
Every renovation of an older house meets something unexpected. Knowing what tends to go wrong makes it easier to plan for it, and to recognise a contractor who
ReadComparisons
Renovate or rebuild: how to decide
Some buyers of older villas wonder whether it would be simpler to knock the house down and start again. Sometimes it is. More often, a well-planned renovation g
ReadExternal or internal insulation: a fair comparison
Both approaches add an insulating layer to a wall. Where that layer goes — outside or inside — changes almost everything else about the job. Here is how they co
ReadExperience and best options
The best and worst ways to fix a roof leak
Roof leaks attract quick fixes. Some of them work, many do not, and a few make the eventual repair harder. Here is an honest ranking based on how roofs fail, no
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How we work on a villa
This article describes our own process, step by step, so you know what to expect before you contact us. It is not a collection of testimonials; it is how the wo
ReadWho is it for?
Who renovating an older villa suits
An older villa can become an exceptional home. It also asks something of its owner. This article is meant to help you decide whether that suits you before you c
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A checklist for choosing a villa builder
Use these questions with every contractor you consider, including us. Good builders answer them easily; vague answers are worth noticing.
ReadFAQ
Frequently asked questions
What topics does the blog cover?
Do you publish customer reviews here?
Do articles mention prices?
Is the blog written for expats?
How do I choose between renovating and rebuilding?
Is external insulation always worth it?
Do you have a checklist for choosing a builder?
Can I suggest a topic?
Are these articles DIY guides?
How do I get advice on my own house?
Free, itemised quote
Send us photos and the approximate floor area
A few photos and a rough square-metre figure are enough for a first assessment. If it suits you, we then visit the property and prepare an itemised quote, line by line.
- One contractor, one point of contact
- Itemised quote with no vague lump sums
- Materials purchasing and final clean handled by us
- Work carried out with a guarantee and public liability insurance