You might be like me, loving to live surrounded by tranquility, in daily contact with nature, and enjoying a bit of relaxation and quality of life. And what better place for all of this we’re talking about than a traditional village house, where time seems to stand still.
After looking at the wide range of these types of homes, village houses to renovate, in different towns of Cantabria, and deciding on one of them to buy and turn it into our disconnection refuge, or because it’s not our main residence, the time comes to renovate and the big question is: where do I start?
The 5 first steps to follow to renovate your village house are:
- Study the state of the property. Before starting the renovation, it’s important to evaluate the structural situation and the installations of the house, to make a thorough evaluation of the structure, including a detailed inspection of the foundations, beams, load-bearing walls, and other structural components to detect repair needs. It’s advisable to have the help of a professional who can guide us on the things that are essential to fix and those that can be left for later.
- Go to the Town Hall to request the building permit: it’s the permission that authorizes the renovation and is needed to carry out any type of work. It has a variable cost and timeframe depending on the budget and complexity of the renovation.
- Start by rehabilitating the roof: it’s one of the most important elements of village houses, especially in Cantabria with its typically rainy and humid climate. It must be in good condition to prevent leaks, dampness, and heat loss. Depending on its condition, you can choose to repair or replace tiles, waterproof the surface, insulate the space, or create an attic.
- As much as possible, try to recover the original materials: Expose the stone or brick walls, wooden beams, or the original floor of the house, this will give it a unique and authentic character while preserving its rustic charm.
- Years ago, in our grandparents’ times, families were larger than today, and therefore there were different needs when it came to the layout inside the houses. In this type of house, we usually find small rooms connected to each other, with small windows that are not very functional for our day-to-day life. That’s why we advise opening up and connecting spaces, creating larger and brighter rooms, removing unnecessary walls, and opening windows and doors.
These steps are broadly the way we can renovate the village house we’ve bought in any of the towns of Cantabria. It’s clear that you’ll have to take into account the budget you have available, and whether you’re going to contract the work to a company or do it yourself little by little.
At Activa Norte, we know the results of many clients who have renovated this type of housing and we can assure you that the final result is incredible, and despite the effort, the owners are very happy. Check out our extensive portfolio of village houses to renovate in Cantabria.
