Buying a house in Dénia without speaking Spanish: how to hire renovation work with confidence

Dénia passed 50,000 residents in 2025 according to the municipal register, and more than a third of that population is foreign: around 16,000 people from 107 different nationalities, according to the town council's own figures. In Jávea the proportion is even higher, between 44% and 46%. If you've just bought a property in the area and Spanish isn't your first language, you're not an exception — you're literally part of nearly half the market.

The real problem when hiring renovation work

The obstacle usually isn't finding professionals, but communicating with them confidently enough to explain exactly what you need and understand exactly what's being offered. A misunderstanding about the scope of a job, materials or timeline can get expensive, and it's far more likely to happen when the conversation takes place in a language you don't fully master, with construction jargon thrown in.

Why this area is different from other parts of Spain

English is, de facto, the language of service across much of Jávea and large parts of Dénia, thanks to the area's huge British community (around 6,000 residents in Jávea alone, the largest in the whole Valencian Community). German also carries real weight, with over 1,300 registered residents in Dénia. This means professionals who work comfortably in these languages do exist, but finding them on your own, and verifying they're genuinely registered as self-employed with a good reputation, is extra work many foreign owners don't have the time or appetite for.

How to vet a professional before hiring

At minimum, before hiring any renovation work it's worth asking for: the professional's or company's tax ID, confirmation they're registered as self-employed (something you can ask to see proof of), and, where the job requires it, proof of civil liability insurance. A serious professional has no problem providing this; if someone is reluctant, treat it as a warning sign.

The role of an intermediary who speaks your language

This is exactly why Fixhouse exists: we bridge the gap between customer and professional, in Spanish or English depending on what you need, and we check in advance that professionals in our network meet the basics (self-employed registration, tax ID, insurance where relevant). You explain what you need, we make sure the person we assign understands it properly, and we coordinate direct contact between both parties.

Questions we're often asked

Do the professionals speak fluent English? It varies by professional; that's why we ask about languages when onboarding each one to our network, so we can match you with someone you can communicate with comfortably.

Can I handle everything by email or WhatsApp without having to speak Spanish on the phone? Yes, that's the normal way of working with international clients in the area.

If you've just bought in Dénia or Jávea and need renovation work without the added uncertainty of language, request a free, no-obligation quote with Fixhouse. Tell us your preferred language and we'll put you in touch with the right professional.