Construction Work of Rural Properties in Andalucia
All constructional work is carried out under the following independant controls:
- The architect monitors every stage of construction
- All concrete used in the foundations is tested in an independent laboratory (*)
- An independent inspector checks every aspect of the construction cycle on behalf of the organisation providing the 10-year building guarantee (*)
Practically all of the building work is carried-out by our own teams. Access roads, swimming pools, septic tanks and foundations are excavated using our own small excavator (only much larger excavation work is sub-contracted to a local company).
We have our own experienced staff handling electrics, plumbing, carpentry (interior and structural) and steelwork. With no skill only in the hands of an individual, no project is dependent on a single key person. Because of the range and variety of backgrounds of our staff who have worked in more than one country, they are familiar with a wide range of different styles and building techniques.
However the installation of satellite, central heating and/or air-conditioning systems is currently sub-contracted to a specialist company due to warranty constraints.
Walls, both interior and exterior, are built using ceramic blocks. These are the terracotta coloured blocks with a honeycomb structure which traps the air in sealed pockets.
External walls are, dependant on the house design, either 31cm thick (20cm external blocks, insulation, 7cm internal blocks) or 39cm thick (24cm external blocks, insulation, 11cm internal blocks).
Two-storey houses are generally built with a pillar and beam construction and insulated walls of ceramic blocks. Pillars are also used for the supports of covered terraces and balconies. These pillars have steel reinforced foundations and a steel core.
Full damp courses are installed as a matter of course.
For designs using exposed roof beams they are either wooden A-frame construction (fully treated against damp and insects) with galvanised fixings and covered with pre-painted MDF, or concrete I-beams covered with ceramic plates.
For designs using either flat or sloping roofs with hidden beams special insulation blocks are placed between the beams giving a flush finish inside. This provides a smooth surface for whatever interior finish is required.
In both cases, the roofs are completed with a bitumen layer, steel mesh, an insulative lightweight concrete mix and ceramic roof tiles.
A large variety of roof tiles can be supplied, including those with an aged effect and gloss finish tiles in a variety of colours (a surcharge applies).
External doors and windows can be supplied in a variety of styles in wood or aluminium. Aluminium can have the option of integral exterior roll-down blinds. In the case of wood, shutters can be external (French style) or internal (Spanish style).
Double-glazing is not standard on timber doors and windows but can be fitted if required. However, it is standard with the aluminium ones. Additionally, security glass can be fitted - this is often the option if neither shutters nor security grills are desired.
Extra security grills can be fitted for any doors and windows, even those with internal shutters or roll-down blinds. For terrace doors these are full lockable doors in their own right.
Exterior finish of walls is generally of self-coloured mortar in fine, rustic or patterned finish. A number of colours are available; colours other than white may incur a surcharge. This finish does not require to be painted and can be cleaned regularly with a high-pressure washer.
All window ledges are tiled, using a high gloss tile which co-ordinates with the tiles laid on the outside terracing.
In general, terracing is laid (external grade tiles) to a depth of one metre around the perimeter of the house, although this may vary from design to design. If a pool is constructed with the house a similar tile is usually chosen for both terraces although it may be a different shade.
Interior walls may be rendered with cement (either a fine or a rustic finish) or they may be plastered, either fine or patterned.
All floors are tiled. Bathroom walls are tiled up to the ceiling (or to the bottom of the beams if wooden roof beams are used), and kitchen walls up to a height of approximately 1.5 metres. Skirting tiles are fitted except in bathrooms and those kitchen walls which are not tiled.
High-quality electrical fittings conform to the latest standards. All plumbing is laid either using soldered copper pipes and connectors or PVC fittings. All bathroom fittings are from the Roca Victoria range.