Full home renovation on the Costa del Sol: complete guide for property owners
Plan your full renovation in Marbella, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Estepona or Mijas — phases, costs, timelines, villa and apartment renovations, and remote management for non-resident owners.
All cost ranges and timelines are indicative. Every full renovation requires a site assessment to confirm scope, existing installation condition, access, materials and final budget.
What a full renovation actually involves
A full renovation is not a collection of separate jobs. It is a coordinated intervention that can cover demolition, structural work, layout changes, complete electrical rewire, plumbing, bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, plastering, painting, interior joinery and air conditioning — all planned and executed under one team.
The difference between a well-managed full renovation and a poorly coordinated one comes down to sequencing. Electrical and plumbing work must be done before walls are plastered. Flooring goes in after painting, not before. Getting this order right is what prevents costly remedial work in finished surfaces — and what determines whether the project finishes on time.
What a full renovation can include
Phases of a full renovation
Turnkey renovation: one company manages everything
In a turnkey renovation, the property owner doesn't coordinate any trades separately. A single team manages construction, electrical, plumbing, plastering, painting, kitchen, bathrooms and finishes — from the first site visit through to handover.
This model is particularly valuable for non-resident owners, second homes and anyone who cannot be present throughout the project. You agree the scope and materials, and receive the finished property. We handle everything in between — including daily supervision, issue resolution and regular progress updates in English.
Full renovation of a villa on the Costa del Sol
Villas in Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona and Mijas have specific characteristics that define a renovation project: larger floor areas, private urbanisations with access and working-hours restrictions, outdoor spaces including terraces, pools and covered parking, multiple bathrooms, zone-specific air conditioning, bespoke joinery and premium finishes.
Coordinating a villa renovation well — with ten or more different trades, materials with long lead times and an owner who may be abroad throughout — requires genuine project management experience. Getting the sequence right across all phases is what prevents a 6-month project from becoming a 12-month one.
Full renovation of an apartment on the Costa del Sol
Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Benalmádena have a large stock of apartments built between the 1960s and 1990s with outdated electrical installations, closed-off kitchens, bathtubs, terrazzo floors and compartmentalised layouts that don't make the most of light or space.
A full renovation of these apartments addresses everything at once: new electrical and plumbing installations, kitchen opened into the living room, bathroom converted to a walk-in shower, new flooring throughout and a complete repaint. Doing it all in one project is more efficient and more cost-effective than returning to the property for individual jobs over several years.
Full renovation for second homes and non-resident owners
A significant proportion of full renovations on the Costa del Sol are carried out for owners who do not live in Spain year-round. Managing a complete renovation from abroad — agreeing scope and materials remotely, coordinating access, monitoring progress without being on site — requires a company that has done it many times.
We share material samples and options digitally, provide written quotes with full scope detail, and send photo and video updates at each project phase. You maintain full visibility and control without needing to be present in Spain during the renovation.
Material choices for second homes also take into account the specific demands of a property used seasonally: installations that handle extended idle periods well, finishes resistant to coastal humidity and low-maintenance solutions that reduce upkeep between visits.
Full renovation costs on the Costa del Sol
Note: All figures are indicative and in euros (€). The actual cost depends on property size, existing installation condition, materials chosen, access and final scope. A site visit is always required before any fixed quote is given.
| Property type | Indicative range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment 60–80m² | approx. €800–€1,400/m² | Depends on kitchen, bathroom, flooring, installations and whether layout changes are included. |
| Property 100–150m² | approx. €900–€1,600/m² | More complex trade coordination, larger surface areas and potentially more significant layout changes. |
| Villa or premium property | €1,200–€2,000/m² or more | May include terraces, pool area, zone air conditioning, bespoke joinery and premium finishes. |
| Phased or partial renovation | On request | When the entire property is not renovated at once, or the project is staged over time. |
How long does a full renovation take?
Timelines are indicative and can vary depending on materials, permits, scope changes, technical complexity and the existing condition of the property.
Full renovations by area on the Costa del Sol
Marbella
Villas, penthouses and high-end apartments in private urbanisations. Premium finishes, full project management and experience with the specific access requirements of Marbella's gated communities.
Fuengirola
Second-home apartments, holiday rentals and Los Boliches properties. Full renovation of older apartment stock, open-plan conversions and complete updates for non-resident owners.
Torremolinos
La Carihuela, Bajondillo and Playamar apartments from the 1970s–90s. Complete overhaul of electrical, plumbing, layout and finishes in one coordinated project.
Benalmádena
El Higuerón, Benalmádena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel. Full renovations in both apartments and larger properties, with experience across the area's varied property types.
Estepona
Nueva Milla de Oro, second homes and mid-to-high-end apartments. Full renovations with quality finishes suited to Estepona's growing profile as a destination for international buyers.
Mijas
Mijas Costa, La Cala and family properties. Full renovations for second homes and holiday rental apartments with low-maintenance finishes and remote management.
Frequently asked questions about full renovation on the Costa del Sol
How much does a full home renovation cost on the Costa del Sol?
As a general guide, a full renovation typically ranges between €800 and €1,600 per square metre, depending on the property size, current condition, materials chosen and scope. Villas and premium properties can exceed this range when exteriors, terraces, bespoke joinery and high-end finishes are included. All figures are indicative — a site visit is required before any fixed quote is given.
How long does a full renovation take?
A 60–80m² apartment typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. A 100–150m² property can take 3 to 5 months. A villa can take 5 to 8 months or more depending on technical complexity and scope. These are indicative ranges — actual timelines depend on materials, permits, layout changes and the existing condition of the property.
What does a full renovation include?
A full renovation can include demolition, structural work, layout changes, full electrical rewire, plumbing, bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation, flooring, plastering, painting, interior joinery, air conditioning and complete trade coordination. The exact scope is defined during the initial site visit.
Can you manage the renovation if I'm not in Spain?
Yes. We manage complete renovations remotely for non-resident owners. We coordinate property access, agree all materials digitally, supervise work daily and provide regular photo and video updates throughout. Many of our full-renovation clients are based in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia or elsewhere in Europe.
Is it better to use one renovation company or manage separate trades?
A single company coordinating all trades gives you one point of contact, better-sequenced work, clearer responsibility when issues arise and significantly less stress for the property owner — particularly for non-residents. Managing six or more separate trades remotely across a 4-month renovation is extremely difficult to do well.
Does a full renovation require a building permit in Spain?
It depends on the scope. Works that affect internal layout, installations, structural elements, facade or communal areas typically require a local permit or prior notification to the town hall (ayuntamiento). The requirements vary by municipality. We guide you through the specific requirements for your property location.
Can the property be lived in during a full renovation?
For a complete renovation, it is generally not advisable to stay in the property during the demolition and installation phases. For phased projects it can be planned to reduce disruption, though noise, dust and restricted access to parts of the property are unavoidable during active work.
What's the difference between a full renovation and a partial one?
A full renovation addresses the entire property: layout, all installations, all rooms and all finishes. A partial renovation focuses on specific areas — a bathroom, a kitchen, flooring or the electrical installation — without intervening throughout the whole property.
Do you work in Marbella, Fuengirola and Benalmádena?
Yes. We cover the entire Costa del Sol: Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona, Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Málaga and surrounding areas. We have extensive experience in private urbanisations, gated communities and coastal apartment complexes.
Can you provide a fixed-price quote without visiting the property?
We can give an initial indicative range based on photos and a video walkthrough. For a detailed and reliable quote, a site visit is essential — it typically takes 1 to 2 hours and covers dimensions, existing installations, access conditions and scope definition.
Planning a full renovation on the Costa del Sol?
Tell us about your property, location and the scope you have in mind. We'll respond in English within 24 hours.
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