The Real Cost of Home Repairs in Spain - A Room by Room Guide

The numbers expats wish they had known before they started

One of the most common mistakes expats make when budgeting for home repairs in Spain is using UK prices as a reference point. Labour is generally cheaper on the Costa del Sol than in Britain, but materials often are not, tradespeople with experience working with expat clients charge accordingly, and the cost of getting things wrong in an unfamiliar system adds up fast.

The figures below are realistic ranges based on what expats actually pay across Málaga and the Costa del Sol in 2026. They are not quotes. Every job is different, every property is different, and costs vary between Marbella, Nerja, the Axarquía, and inland villages. Use these as a planning baseline, then get at least two written quotes before you commit to anything.

Bathroom renovation costs in Spain

Bathrooms are the most common renovation project expats undertake and one of the most variable in cost. A basic refresh of an existing bathroom, keeping the same layout and replacing fixtures and tiles, will typically cost between €3,000 and €6,000 depending on the quality of materials chosen.

A full bathroom renovation, moving plumbing, new layout, full retiling, new sanitaryware, shower enclosure or bath, sits in the range of €6,000 to €12,000 for a standard-sized bathroom. Larger bathrooms, premium fixtures, or underfloor heating will push costs higher.

• Basic refresh (same layout, new fixtures and tiles): €3,000 to €6,000
• Full renovation (new layout, plumbing moved): €6,000 to €12,000
• Premium finish with underfloor heating: €12,000 to €18,000+

Labour accounts for roughly 40 to 50 percent of bathroom renovation costs in Spain. The rest is materials — and this is where costs can escalate quickly if you choose imported fixtures or high-end Spanish brands.

Kitchen renovation costs in Spain

Kitchens follow a similar pattern to bathrooms but tend to cost more, particularly once appliances are factored in. A cosmetic update, new doors and worktops on existing units, new splashback, can be done for €2,000 to €5,000. A full kitchen replacement with new units, worktops, sink, and tiling typically runs from €8,000 to €20,000 depending on the size and specification.

• Cosmetic update (new doors, worktops, splashback): €2,000 to €5,000
• Full replacement (new units, worktops, tiling): €8,000 to €20,000
• Premium kitchen with appliances included: €20,000 to €40,000+

Spanish kitchen suppliers, Leroy Merlin and Bauhaus are the main chains on the Costa del Sol, offer reasonable mid-range options. German and Scandinavian kitchen brands are available but carry import premiums. If you are buying appliances separately, Mediamarkt tends to be competitive on price.

Electrical work costs in Spain

Electrical work pricing in Spain is driven by the complexity of the job and whether the property's existing installation meets current regulations. Older properties on the Costa del Sol, particularly rural fincas and village houses inland, frequently have outdated wiring that needs upgrading before additional work can be done legally.

• Electrician call-out and minor repair: €80 to €150
• Consumer unit (cuadro eléctrico) replacement: €400 to €800
• Full rewire of a two-bedroom apartment: €2,500 to €5,000
• Full rewire of a three to four bedroom villa: €5,000 to €10,000
• Air conditioning installation (split unit, one room): €800 to €1,500 including unit

Any electrical work carried out by a registered electrician should come with a Certificado de Instalación Eléctrica. Keep this document, you will need it if you ever sell the property or make an insurance claim.

Plumbing costs in Spain

Plumbing call-out rates on the Costa del Sol are broadly comparable to the UK, though emergency call-outs attract a significant premium, particularly during August when many Spanish tradespeople take their own holidays and availability drops sharply.

• Standard call-out and minor repair: €80 to €180
• Boiler service: €100 to €200
• Boiler replacement (gas): €1,200 to €2,500 including installation
• Hot water tank replacement: €600 to €1,200
• Full bathroom plumbing (new bathroom, pipes moved): €1,500 to €3,500
• Emergency call-out (evenings, weekends, August): €150 to €300 before any work starts

Many expat properties on the Costa del Sol rely on gas boilers or solar hot water systems. Solar thermal systems are worth considering if you are replacing a hot water system, installation costs of €2,500 to €4,000 are offset by significantly lower running costs in the Andalusian climate.

Painting and decorating costs in Spain

Painting is one area where costs in Spain are noticeably lower than in the UK. Labour is cheaper, and Spanish painters work quickly. A full interior repaint of a two-bedroom apartment, walls and ceilings, two coats typically costs €1,500 to €3,000 including materials.

• Interior repaint, two-bedroom apartment: €1,500 to €3,000
• Interior repaint, three to four bedroom villa: €3,000 to €6,000
• Exterior repaint of a villa: €2,500 to €6,000 depending on size and access
• Feature wall or single room: €300 to €700

Exterior painting in Andalusia should use breathable mineral paint suitable for the climate, cheap acrylic paint peels quickly in the heat. A good painter will advise on this. A cheap one will use whatever is easiest and you will be repainting within two years.

Flooring costs in Spain

Spanish properties typically use ceramic or porcelain floor tiles, practical in the heat and widely available at reasonable prices. Replacing or extending tiled floors is generally straightforward if you can match existing tiles, though matching older Spanish tile patterns can sometimes be a challenge.

• Ceramic or porcelain tiles, supply and fit: €25 to €60 per square metre depending on tile quality
• Removal of existing tiles before relaying: €8 to €15 per square metre additional
• Engineered wood flooring, supply and fit: €40 to €80 per square metre
• Laminate flooring, supply and fit: €20 to €45 per square metre

Wood and laminate flooring are less common in Spanish properties but perfectly suitable for bedrooms and living areas. Be aware that underfloor preparation matters more in Spain, old properties often have uneven subfloors that need levelling before any flooring is laid, adding €5 to €15 per square metre to the cost.

Swimming pool maintenance and repair costs in Spain

Many Costa del Sol properties come with a pool, and pools come with ongoing maintenance costs that catch some expats off guard. Basic chemical maintenance and cleaning by a pool company typically runs €80 to €150 per month depending on pool size and visit frequency.

• Monthly pool maintenance contract: €80 to €150
• Pool pump replacement: €400 to €900
• Pool resurfacing (replastering): €3,000 to €7,000 depending on size
• Pool liner replacement: €2,000 to €5,000
• Pool heating installation (heat pump): €3,000 to €6,000

Pool maintenance is one area where a reliable regular contractor is worth its weight. An untreated pool in the Andalusian heat deteriorates fast, and reactive repairs cost significantly more than routine upkeep.

How to use these figures when getting quotes

These ranges give you enough to know whether a quote is in the right ballpark, or wildly off in either direction. A quote significantly below the lower end of these ranges should prompt questions about what has been left out, what quality of materials is being used, and whether the tradesperson is registered and insured. A quote significantly above the upper end deserves the same scrutiny in the other direction.

Always get a minimum of two written quotes, always check that IVA is either included or stated separately, and always make sure the quote breaks down labour and materials individually. There is a full guide to getting fair quotes from Spanish builders in The SpainTrades Guide.

SpainTrades connects expats across Málaga and the Costa del Sol with vetted, registered tradespeople who have been reviewed by other expat clients. Search by trade and location before your next project at www.spaintrades.es