Buy vs Build a Home in Spain: Pros, Cons & Expert Guidance

Start with Expert Advice

Before you decide whether to buy or build a house in Spain, why not get some expert guidance? You can book an appointment on John Wolfendale’s personal diary right here right now and get all your questions answered CLICK HERE with John Wolfendale, founder of Eco Vida Homes, and he’ll share real examples of recent projects to help you evaluate the feasibility of your idea.

You can also sign up to our newsletter and receive a free spreadsheet, guidelines, and a private video showing exactly how one of our clients estimated the cost of their villa in Spain.

Should You Buy or Build a House in Spain?

Moving to Spain is one of life’s most exciting decisions. But when it comes to your new home in the sun, should you buy an existing villa or build your own custom home? Both options have clear advantages—and important pitfalls.

At Eco Vida Homes, we specialize in helping international clients navigate this choice with clarity and confidence. Let’s explore the pros and cons of buying versus building a home in Spain.

Buying a House in Spain: Benefits and Drawbacks

Advantages of Buying an Existing Home

• Immediate certainty: You see exactly what you’re buying—location, size, and condition—before signing.

• Move in faster: Once the deal is done, you could be in your new home right away.

• Infrastructure in place: Mains water, sewage, and electricity are usually already connected.

• Location flexibility: In high-demand areas like Marbella or Madrid, land may be scarce, so buying an existing home is often the only viable option.

Disadvantages of Buying a Home in Spain

• Hidden costs: Older homes may have poor insulation, damp issues, or outdated construction methods, leading to expensive repairs.

• Compromises: You’ll be buying a home built to someone else’s taste, which rarely matches your personal vision.

• Competition: In popular areas, desirable houses attract bidding wars, pushing prices up.

• Developer shortcuts: Many commercial developments focus on profit, not long-term comfort or energy efficiency.

Building Your Own Villa in Spain: Pros and Cons

Why Build a House in Spain?

• Custom design: From the orientation of your terrace to eco-friendly features like photo voltaic solar panels and heat pumps, your home is built to your exact specifications.

• Lifestyle fit: Every detail—from a Mediterranean-style dining space to a wellness room—reflects your lifestyle. We’ve recently included an art studio, a gymnasium as the center piece of the house, a motorbike workshop and a swimmers pool 20 metres long by 3 metres wide.

• Long-term savings: Energy-efficient construction reduces running costs and protects your investment.

• A life affirming experience: there’s something deep in our nature that makes it so fulfilling to live in a home you have designed yourself.

Pitfalls of Building a Home

• Uncertainty on costs: Until you’ve chosen a plot and worked with an architect, the full cost of building a villa in Spain can be hard to predict.

• Complex process: Building involves planning permissions, local authorities, professional fees, and construction risks. Actually if you work with us we handle all of this for you.

• Time commitment: It can take 18–24 months before you’re ready to move in. If you were to opt for a pre-designed modular home then, subject to the time it takes the local authority to approve the building licence, this can be greatly reduced.

At Eco Vida Homes, we help international clients avoid the typical risks. With our experienced project management, independent architects, and transparent system, building a house in Spain can be an enjoyable and stress-free experience—not a drama like on Grand Designs (we are avid watchers of the show!)

Renovating a House in Spain: The Middle Ground

If neither buying nor building feels right, renovating can be a smart compromise:

• See before you buy: Like buying, you can inspect the property for compliance and suitability before committing.

• Create your dream home: Renovation allows you to redesign spaces and modernize energy systems.

• Unique properties: Restoring a traditional Spanish finca or townhouse can give you a home with authentic character.

But beware: renovation costs are often unpredictable, and structural problems may only appear once work begins.

Is Building or Buying Better for Investment?

• Buying a home: Property values can increase, but profits aren’t guaranteed.

• Building a home: Developers always build for profit—so if you assess the financial viability of your project, you should expect to create value from day one.

• Renovation: Can add value, but surprises and extra costs are common.

At Eco Vida Homes, we advise clients to evaluate their land carefully before buying and to model their budget with professional support.

Of course, whichever way you’re leaning, this isn’t a decision to take lightly and you really need to run the numbers and get some professional advice to make sure you’re doing what’s best for you and your lifestyle.

Take the Next Step

• Book a consultation with John Wolfendale to see real examples of clients who faced the same decision—buy vs build in Spain—and how they achieved their dream home.

• Sign up for our newsletter to receive your free cost-estimation spreadsheet, guidelines, and video walkthrough of a real project.

With Eco Vida Homes, you’ll discover the clarity, transparency, and peace of mind you need to make your dream home in Spain a reality.