Transparent quotes: what's included (and what's not) in a renovation in Dénia and Jávea

One of the most common complaints we hear from clients who requested renovation quotes before finding Fixhouse is that "they weren't quite sure where the money was going." A well-prepared quote should break down every line item, not just give a final figure. This article uses a real bathroom renovation example to explain how the cost is typically split.

A real breakdown: a 5m² bathroom for around €4,300

For an average renovation of a standard-sized bathroom, a typical breakdown looks something like this: demolition and rubble removal, around €400; plumbing (new pipe and drain installation), about €400; electrics (light points, sockets, bringing it up to code), around €250; flooring, about €350; tiling, close to €950; shower tray and screen, around €650; and general building work and coordination, about €600. These figures are indicative and vary by property, chosen materials and the condition of the existing installation, but they give a realistic sense of where the spend concentrates: tiling and sanitaryware are usually the priciest items, not demolition or electrics, contrary to what many people assume.

The VAT detail almost nobody explains properly

This is one of the points that causes most confusion, and it can make a real difference to the final quote: repairs and renovations on a main residence over two years old are taxed at 10% VAT, while new-build work or a from-scratch installation (for example, in a newly built property) is taxed at 21%. That's an eleven-point difference which, on a renovation running into thousands of euros, really shows. A transparent quote should always specify which VAT rate applies and why.

What to ask if a quote seems too low

When one quote is noticeably lower than the rest, there's almost always an explanation: unspecified budget-grade materials, items left out (rubble removal, or final sealing, for example), or an unrealistic labour-hours estimate that later shows up as an increase mid-project. Always asking for a line-by-line breakdown, not just the total figure, lets you genuinely compare quotes rather than just comparing numbers.

Timelines: another part of the quote worth demanding

A basic bathroom renovation usually takes 3 to 7 days of actual work; a full renovation with layout changes can run 3 to 4 weeks. In high season, with more demand for professionals in the area, timelines can stretch out, so it's worth asking about the real start date, not just how long the work takes once it begins.

Questions we're often asked

Why do some quotes include VAT and others don't? Quotes are commonly given excluding VAT by default; always ask for the final price including tax so you can compare properly.

Can I get a fixed quote with no surprises? Yes, though it's worth getting it in writing what happens if an unforeseen problem turns up during the work (a pipe in poor condition behind tiling, for example), which is relatively common in older properties.

At Fixhouse we ask our professionals for itemised quotes with no surprises. Request a free, no-obligation quote for your renovation in Dénia or Jávea and compare with clear figures.