Practical case Mallorca: Villa in Campos – Own labour in the renovation cleverly factored in
The husband had run a skilled-trades business for many years and planned to take on part of the interior fit-out work himself together with his team. His wife worked as a tax adviser.
In short
What was this case about?
The husband had run a skilled-trades business for many years and planned to take on part of the interior fit-out work himself together with his team. His wife worked as a tax adviser.
Can own labour make sense in a renovation?
Yes. Anyone with the necessary professional qualification can take on certain work themselves and thereby save costs.
Should material costs still be planned in full?
Absolutely. Even with own labour, material costs and the services of external specialist firms remain fully in place.
Who arranged this?
Perini Finance & Property — German-speaking, operating under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina, Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary; 15 to 20 banks approached per case. First call free; on completion 1 % of the loan amount.
€1.14m villa, €798,000 loan, €210,000 of refurbishment
- Purchase price: 1.140.000 €
- Renovation: 210.000 €
- Financing required: 798.000 €
- Equity: 700.200 €
Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO
Property for sale in Campos on Mallorca
A couple from Lower Saxony were not looking for a turnkey luxury property on Mallorca. Far more important were a large plot, peace and quiet and enough space for family and friends. After several viewings they decided on a villa on the outskirts of Campos. The house was well kept, but the kitchen, the bathrooms and parts of the building services still dated from the early 2000s.
For the buyers this was no disadvantage – on the contrary. They saw the opportunity to develop the property according to their own ideas.
He runs a trade business and will do part of the work
The husband had run a skilled-trades business for many years and planned to take on part of the interior fit-out work himself together with his team. His wife worked as a tax adviser.
Both had a solid income and sufficient equity. At the same time, they wanted to plan the renovation fully from the outset, rather than spreading individual measures over several years.
€1.5m total, €70,000 of it own labour
- Purchase price: 1.140.000 €
- Additional costs: 148.200 €
- Renovation: 210.000 €
- of which own labour: 70.000 €
- Total investment: 1.498.200 €
- Equity: 700.200 €
- Financing required: 798.000 €
The financing share corresponded to around 70 % of the purchase price.
Pricing baths, kitchen, windows and garden realistically
The planned work included new bathrooms, a high-quality kitchen, modern air conditioning, the replacement of the windows as well as the redesign of the outdoor areas.
Part of these measures was to be carried out as own labour. Nevertheless, all material costs and the work to be performed by specialist firms had to be calculated realistically.
Own labour counted only as saved labour cost
Before the purchase, all renovation measures were assessed individually and backed with quotes. For the own labour, only the labour costs actually saved were taken into account, but not materials or external services.
This resulted in a robust overall calculation that already reflected all investments before the purchase.
70 % loan, the refurbishment entirely from own funds
The financing covered around 70 % of the purchase price.
The additional costs as well as a considerable share of equity were paid from available funds.
The full renovation costs were already included in the overall plan. While the planned own labour was able to reduce the construction costs, the financing was based exclusively on realistically calculated expenses.
Villa finished in months, the plan held as calculated
Within a few months, the villa was comprehensively renovated and brought technically up to date. The own labour shortened the construction time and reduced the total costs, without changing the financing plan.
Today the couple use the property several months a year and plan to spend their retirement permanently in Campos later on.
Value your own labour soberly, not optimistically
Own labour can reduce renovation costs. Nevertheless, it should be assessed realistically. Solid financing is always based on verifiable costs and not on optimistic assumptions about time or effort.
Frequently asked
Can own labour make sense in a renovation?
Should material costs still be planned in full?
Why was the renovation calculated before the purchase?
Campos: DIY work realistically planned into the villa renovation
The purchase of a villa in Campos shows that existing properties with renovation needs can also be an excellent choice. Anyone who realistically assesses own labour, plans all investments early and builds the financing on a complete overall calculation creates the best conditions for a long-term successful property project on Mallorca.
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A similar situation in Spain? Let's talk.
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Book a free consultationAnonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Brokerage under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina (D-W-132-ZUCB-95); Siegfried Perini registered as directly involved person (§11a GewO) · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank