{"id":2201,"date":"2026-10-06T20:13:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T18:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitearquitectura.com\/?post_type=unite_proyecto&p=2201"},"modified":"2026-10-06T20:13:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T18:13:07","slug":"hacerse-una-casa-que-mirar-y-cuanto-cuesta","status":"publish","type":"unite_proyecto","link":"https:\/\/unitearquitectura.com\/en\/proyectos-unite\/hacerse-una-casa-que-mirar-y-cuanto-cuesta\/","title":{"rendered":"Building a house: what to look at before you start and what it really costs"},"content":{"rendered":"

How much does it cost to build a house? A 150 m\u00b2 home with mid-range finishes in Alicante or Murcia currently comes to about 293.500 \u20ac<\/strong> including taxes, licence and professional fees, not counting the land. Here we explain where that figure comes from, what to look at on the plot, which studies are needed and how long it takes from the first meeting to getting the keys.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We have written it based on what we explain in our first meetings with people who commission a house from us. We start with what interests people most, the money, and then go step by step.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. How much it costs to build a house<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It is the question everyone asks and the one most often answered badly. The price \u201cper square metre\u201d you hear about is usually just the construction work, and the real cost is considerably higher. This is how we work it out in a first estimate:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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  1. Construction of the house.<\/strong> Multiply the built area by a reference cost. In the Valencian Community we use the module from the Instituto Valenciano de la Edificaci\u00f3n (IVE), which in June 2026 stands at \u20ac950\/m\u00b2. For a detached single-family house, the reference cost depends mainly on the finishes (you can see this in the table below).<\/li>\r\n\r\n
  2. External works.<\/strong> Paving, walls, fencing and garden: about \u20ac300\/m\u00b2 of landscaped plot.<\/li>\r\n\r\n
  3. Extras.<\/strong> Pool (about \u20ac25,000\u201330,000), retaining walls, lift\u2026<\/li>\r\n\r\n
  4. Builder's overheads and profit.<\/strong> Around 13% and 6% of the construction cost.<\/li>\r\n\r\n
  5. VAT on the works.<\/strong> 10% when it is your own home.<\/li>\r\n\r\n
  6. Licence.<\/strong> The construction tax (ICIO) and municipal fees, at most 4% of the construction cost, depending on the town hall.<\/li>\r\n\r\n
  7. Professionals and studies.<\/strong> The architect's design and site supervision, the works execution manager (arquitecto t\u00e9cnico), health and safety coordination, topographic survey, geotechnical study and, if desired, a technical inspection body. Plus 21% VAT on these.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Finishes and services<\/th>Construction cost per m\u00b2 built<\/th>What it means<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Basic<\/td>\u2248 \u20ac890\/m\u00b2<\/td>Simple, standard materials, minimal services.<\/td><\/tr>
    Mid-range<\/strong><\/td>\u2248 \u20ac1,113\/m\u00b2<\/strong><\/td>What you would expect in a well-built house: good insulation, decent windows and doors and standard finishes.<\/td><\/tr>
    High-end<\/td>\u2248 \u20ac1,336\/m\u00b2<\/td>Top-quality materials, more services (home automation, underfloor heating, aerothermal heat pump\u2026).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    IVE unit construction cost for a detached single-family house of up to 3 storeys and more than 70 m\u00b2 of usable floor area, using the June 2026 module. It is only the cost of the construction work, without the builder's profit or taxes.<\/small><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    An example with figures<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    A house of 150 m\u00b2 built<\/strong>, with mid-range finishes, 100 m\u00b2 of external works and no pool:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Item<\/th>Calculation<\/th>Amount<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Construction of the house<\/td>150 m\u00b2 \u00d7 \u20ac1,113\/m\u00b2<\/td>166.950 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    External works<\/td>100 m\u00b2 \u00d7 \u20ac300\/m\u00b2<\/td>30.000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Construction cost (PEM)<\/strong><\/td><\/td>196.950 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Overheads and builder's profit<\/td>13 % + 6 %<\/td>37.420 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    VAT on the works<\/td>10 %<\/td>23.440 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Licence (ICIO and fees)<\/td>\u2248 4% of PEM<\/td>7.880 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Architect (design and site supervision)<\/td>Our fees start at \u20ac15,000<\/td>15.000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Building engineer (arquitecto t\u00e9cnico), health and safety, topographic survey and geotechnical study<\/td><\/td>8.000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    VAT on professional fees<\/td>21 %<\/td>4.830 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody>
    Approximate total<\/strong><\/td>\u2248 \u20ac1,960\/m\u00b2 built<\/td>\u2248 \u20ac293,500<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tfoot><\/table><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The rule of thumb: the total cost is around 1.5 times the bare construction budget<\/strong>. And that still doesn't include the land, the water and electricity connections, the notary and registration of the new build, or the kitchen, furniture or garden.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    These are indicative figures to give you an idea, not a quote. With high-end finishes the same house would come close to \u20ac340,000, and with basic finishes it would drop to about \u20ac250,000. Real prices emerge when builders price a complete construction project.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Three figures before you start<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    Before we start drawing, we will ask you for three figures: the target budget<\/strong> (the one we design to), the maximum<\/strong> (what you do not want to exceed under any circumstances) and the baseline<\/strong> (the minimum needed to build the house properly without losing quality). And how it will be paid for: with a self-build mortgage, the bank pays against stage certificates and requires a valuation of the project, and that affects the timetable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    2. Before buying the plot<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

    The most expensive mistake is buying a plot and finding out afterwards that it won't take the house you had in mind. Before signing, it is worth checking these things with a professional:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n