If you're thinking about building a villa in Marbella — whether as your dream home, holiday escape, or investment — the idea can be exciting, but the process may feel overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with local regulations, business culture and construction customs.
At LT Construction Costa del Sol, we’ve guided dozens of clients through this journey — many of them building in Spain for the first time. This article gives you an honest overview of how villa construction works step-by-step, plus some insider tips and common mistakes to avoid along the way.
1. Start with the Plot — and Do Your Due Diligence
Before anything else, you need the right plot of land.
✅ Tip: Always request a certificado urbanístico before buying. This confirms what you’re legally allowed to build on that land.
Marbella and its surrounding towns (Estepona, Benahavís, Mijas, etc.) fall under different urban planning rules. Sloped plots can be beautiful but often cost more in structure and excavation.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Don't assume a cheaper plot means a cheaper build. Complex terrain or limited access often leads to higher construction costs.
2. Choose the Right Architect and A Builder from the Start
In Spain, the architect designs the project, and the builder (constructor) executes it. These two teams must work in harmony — and you need people you can trust.
✅ Tip: Involve your builder early. At LT Construction, we often review initial designs to help control build costs before plans are finalised and submitted.
If you bring us in after design approval, we’ll still build with excellence — but some budget flexibility may already be lost.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Avoid choosing an architect or builder based solely on price. Instead, look at experience, communication, transparency, and whether they understand local conditions.
Your dream villa
We Make It Simple, Transparent, and Stress-Free, call us today for free quote
3. Understand the Real Timeline (And Be Patient with Permits)
After your plans are ready, they must be approved by the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall). Approval time varies widely — Marbella and Estepona can take 6–12 months, even longer in some cases.
✅ Tip: While waiting, use this time to finalise interior choices, technical installations, kitchen design, etc. Having these ready avoids costly delays later.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Don’t set your heart on a fixed move-in date too early. Always build a margin into your timeline — especially for deliveries and approvals.
4. villa build Budget for More Than Just Construction
Your build quote will include the main structure and systems. But you’ll also need to consider:
Architect & technical architect fees
Municipal taxes (e.g. ICIO, tasa de obras)
Notary and legal costs
Landscaping, kitchen furniture, lighting
Optional extras like pools, solar systems, automation
✅ Tip: Ask for a full, itemised estimate — not just a per-square-metre price. At LT Construction, we provide detailed budgets, so you know what’s included and where your money goes.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Don’t rely on a verbal or one-page quote. It’s not enough for a project of this scale.
5. Get Hands-On and be involved in your villa construction — Even From Afar
If you live abroad, you don’t need to be on-site every week, but you should stay engaged.
✅ Tip: Expect monthly reports, photos, and financial certifications from your builder. We send ours like clockwork and offer video calls to walk through progress.
Also: visit at key milestones — excavation, structure completion, before finishes, and final snagging.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Don’t disappear for six months and expect everything to go perfectly. Communication prevents surprises.
6. chose Carefully your villa construction Materials and Finishes
Choosing finishes is one of the most exciting parts — but also where costs can spiral. Porcelain vs. marble? Custom carpentry vs. modular? Climate resilience? Local availability?
✅ Tip: We guide clients based on climate, cost, availability, and style. For example, we know which local suppliers are reliable — and which tend to delay or overcharge.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Avoid sourcing every item yourself from abroad unless you have local logistics support. Shipping delays or incompatible specs can slow your project down by weeks.
7. Plan for Life After villa build Handover
Once the villa is complete, the builder’s work officially ends — but your needs don’t.
✅ Tip: Ask in advance about post-construction support. At LT Construction, we stay available for the months following handover to address any small issues and help you settle in.
Also, make sure your documentation is in order: energy certificates, occupancy licence (Licencia de Primera Ocupación), warranties, and manuals for installed systems.
❌ Mistake to avoid: Don’t skip this stage. Without a valid LPO, you may struggle to connect utilities or sell the home in the future.
