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Timber Engineering Europe Ltd.

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF MOVING OR RETIRING TO PORTUGAL AS THOUSANDS...

TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD

If you are thinking of moving or retiring to Portugal as thousands of others have done, the main consideration is always "Where am I going to live"? The first thing that comes to mind is to get on the internet and type in "Houses for Sale Portugal" Don't do it! If you hit on the wrong area, the cost of owning a house may seem very high. If of course you want to pay a fortune for a place in the high demand areas of the Algarve or Lisbon, that's fine, but most of us are looking for that "little gem" at the right price. House prices vary so much from place to place and so does the price of building land. If you were to compare house prices in the South of Portugal with those in Central Portugal, there is a huge difference. By UK standards CP offers excellent value for money and is a beautiful serene place to live.

Building a house here is fairly simple as well and should be considered by everyone for a number of reasons - not least:

The finished cost is comparatively low compared to buying a second owner home.
Traditional Portuguese and Spanish homes are not very comfortable to live in. Traditionally they do not install Damp Proofing or Insulation, Air Cavities or Sound travel prevention. So it's fair to say that many traditional houses are damp in winter, hot in summer, and noisy. We know, we have lived in both countries in traditional homes.
Trad building does not use any environmentally embracing materials nor does it use any renewable materials. Carbon emissions and internal passage of sounds are high.

The main thing that puts people off building their own designer home is not knowing how to go about it. Ask yourself this question "If I could find a plot at a very low price and build a home to my own design, in Portugal, incorporating 21^st century engineered technology for a lot less than buying one - would I do it?" The answer is "Probably not". The reasons for this are normally the same given by many would be ex-pats, and can be:

I can't speak Portuguese - how can I possibly deal with the paperwork, never mind the brickwork.
I don't know the laws and rules - I could get in serious trouble if I don't do it correctly.
How do I find and deal with a builder?
How can I be sure it's all legal?
It would mean renting or living in a caravan for 12-18 months - I don't fancy that.
Where do I go to get a house designed?
How do I deal with problems, that will arise with the project (you are absolutely right - they do arise)

We can supply a full service for you from finding the plot to securing planning, design and building on a fixed price. Because we are only involved with modern methods of construction, build times are very fast indeed; you need not even be here if you wish to stay in your home country. We will send you regular update reports on progress and photographs of the project as it grows.

We would love to give you lots of facts and figures, but each and every project is different, therefore prices vary hugely. The size of the property, shape, and roof-scape can differ so much as can the materials and finishes. Access and location of the site have a bearing on the price, so you can see how difficult it is. We will stick our necks out though, because we have suggested that this may be a good route for you to take, and we feel we should give you some idea of costs, so here are two examples.

Example 1
This is a 3 x Bedroom 2 x Bathroom Bungalow of 150m2 - finished to a good standard. All the windows would be Double Glazed and it would be Centrally Heated. Finishing such as Tiles to walls and floors would be middle range, with a quality kitchen.

Land cost:	21,000.00€
Full Build Costs:	85,500.00€
	107,500.00€ (Plus professional fees and taxes)

The property would be built to UK Building Regulations, Robust Detail and to Eurocode 5 - so you know it will be perfect from day one. Occupation time: From commencement of the ground-works, you move in approximately 12 weeks later.

Example 2
This is a 5 x Bedroom 3 x Bathroom, House over 2.5 floors of 350m2 - finished to a good standard. All the windows would be Double Glazed and it would be Centrally Heated. Finishing such as Tiles to walls and floors would be middle range, with a quality handmade kitchen and swimming pool.

Land cost:	35,000.00€
Full Build Costs:	186,500.00€
	221,500.00€ (Plus professional fees and taxes.)

NOTE: These figures are estimated and are believed to be a reliable guide. They were researched and collated in good faith in May 2009, but may be liable to change as a result of material costs and /or labour charge increases. Government and Local authority changes that may take place after this date may alter the examples. Please remember these examples are only guidelines given in good faith.

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