How to choose a renovation company
The difference between a good renovation and a nightmare is rarely the price — it is who does the work. Seven concrete checks before you sign.
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Short answer
What should you verify before signing?
Seven things, all verifiable inside a week: public liability insurance in force (ask for the insurer’s certificate, not a promise), a quote broken down by trade with measurements, the completion period written into that same quote, contactable references or finished jobs you can visit, a CIF you can check in the Spanish company registry, one named site manager from start to finish, and payments tied to certified progress instead of large deposits. If you are buying from abroad, add an eighth: ask to see a sample of their weekly report before signing. The question that exposes the rest is simply “what does this quote NOT include?” — an honest builder answers with a concrete list, and “everything is included” is the most reliable predictor of extras.
Seven things, all verifiable within a week: valid liability insurance, an itemised fixed quote, a written timescale, real references, a company you can check in the registry, a named person responsible for your job, and payments tied to progress.
The seven checks
- Public liability insurance in force — ask for the certificate, not the promise
- A quote broken down by trade with measurements, not one global figure
- The completion period written into the same quote
- References from real clients you can contact, or finished jobs you can visit
- CIF (company tax ID) verifiable in the Spanish registry
- One named site manager with a phone number, from start to finish
- Payments tied to certified progress — not large deposits
If you are abroad
Add one more: how they report. Ask to see an example of their weekly report before signing. If reporting is vague while you are in the country, imagine it with you 2,000 km away.
Red flags
When should you walk away?
Problems almost always announce themselves before the contract is signed. These are the signals that, in our experience, precede bad jobs.
Walk away if…
- They price the job by phone or from photos, without a site visit
- The deposit demanded exceeds 30–40% before any work starts
- The quote is a single line: “complete renovation: X euros”
- They cannot show one finished job or give one contactable reference
- Everything is “yes” — no technical objections, no questions about the building
- They pressure you to sign “today, because the price goes up tomorrow”
The cheap quote that costs most
A quote 30% below the rest is not a bargain — it is a job that will be paid for in extras halfway through, when switching builders already costs more than finishing. Compare line items, not totals.
Comparing quotes
How do you compare three quotes that look nothing alike?
Every company structures its quote differently, and comparing totals is self-deception. The useful comparison is by scope and by line item.
Three-step method
- Equalise the scope: the same list of works in all three offers, with anything missing noted down
- Compare the big line items — installations, bathrooms, kitchen, joinery. That is where the real differences live
- Ask what happens with surprises: who prices them, how they are documented, how you approve them
The question that reveals everything
“What does this quote NOT include?” An honest answer is a concrete list. “It includes everything” is the most reliable predictor of extras.
Frequently asked
Common questions
Three is the sweet spot: enough to see the real market range without stretching the decision over weeks. Beyond four, new quotes rarely add information.
Not always — but a gap of more than 25–30% below the average demands a line-by-line explanation. It usually hides trimmed scope or future extras.
Itemised trades with measurements, the brands or grades of materials, the completion period, payments tied to progress, a written procedure for surprises, and the guarantee in writing.
Enough to order materials and book the calendar — usually under 30%. The rest against certified progress. Deposits of 50% or more are an unnecessary risk, especially if you are abroad.
Ask for the policy certificate with cover and validity dates, issued by the insurer. Any serious company has it to hand and is not offended by the request.
Next step
Want a figure for your own project?
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Clients
What clients say after their renovation
Rated 5.0 from 14 Google reviews. All real, from real projects.
★★★★★
“Doy un 10 la verdad con el servicio que me han prestado en una reforma de un piso en Barcelona capital, gente muy seria y responsable, gracias.”
Araks SahakyanJuly 2026
★★★★★
“Quedé encantada con la atención y la calidad del trabajo. Se nota que cuidan los detalles y cumplen con lo que prometen.”
Ana RiveraApril 2026
★★★★★
“Servicio muy profesional. Me explicaron todo con claridad y el trabajo quedó perfecto.”
Ana AlemanMarch 2026
★★★★★
“Si estas buscando profesionales responsables para hacer tu reforma, es el lugar indicado. Especializados en reformas integrales con la mejor atención personalizada. 100% recomendados.”
Daniel GarganoFebruary 2026
★★★★★
“Muy buen trabajo, ha realizado un trabajo muy profesional, ha cumplido en plazo y en calidad.”
Francisco PiñeirosAugust 2025
★★★★★
“Muy buenos profesionales, con excelente resultado.”
Esther DiezJune 2026
Want a figure for your own project?
Free site visit and a fixed written quote within 48 hours. No obligation.
+34 615 78 93 41· Carrer de la Diputació, 189, Local 2 · 08011 Barcelona