Renovation defects in Madrid: what to do if the builder does not respond

You have renovated your kitchen, bathroom or the whole house and, soon after, cracks appear, tiles come loose, damp shows up, a shower leaks or an installation does not work. You call the builder and get no answer, endless excuses, or are told it is not their problem. It is one of the most common situations in Madrid, and it can be solved if you do things in the right order.

What you can claim

• Poor workmanship: defective finishes, wrong falls, open joints, doors and windows that do not close.
• Work not done as agreed: materials different from the quote, items charged but not carried out, measurements that do not match.
• Installations that fail: plumbing, electrics, air conditioning or waterproofing that cause problems from the start.
• Damage caused by the works: to your home or your neighbour’s.

Time limits: do not wait

For a typical renovation (kitchen, bathroom, floors, installations), the claim is based on the building contract itself, and the general time limit is five years. For a major renovation that affects the structure or changes the layout of the building, Spanish building law (LOE) also applies: one year for finishing defects, three for those affecting habitability and ten for structural ones. In any case, the sooner it is documented the better, because over time it becomes harder to prove that the defect comes from the works and not from use.

What to do, step by step

1. Gather the paperwork: quote, contract, invoices, messages and emails with the builder.
2. Photograph the defects with the date, from a distance and close up.
3. Ask the builder in writing to repair them within a reasonable time. A burofax records the notice and their reply, or their silence.
4. Do not have someone else repair it before the defects are documented. If they are fixed without prior evidence, it is very hard to claim the cost afterwards.

Why an expert report

The builder will always say the work is fine or that the problem is something else. The expert report compares what was agreed with what was done, identifies each defect and its cause, and values the cost of repair. With that figure you can negotiate with the builder and, if there is no agreement, take the claim to court. If there is a lawsuit, we defend the report before the judge at the ratification hearing.

Renovation experts across the province of Madrid

We work in Madrid and in towns such as Pozuelo de Alarcón, La Moraleja (Alcobendas) or Majadahonda, in flats, houses, premises and warehouses. We review the quote and invoices before the visit to focus on what is in dispute. If there is a lawsuit, the report is filed with the courts of Madrid or of the relevant judicial district.

How we work

Send us the quote, the invoices and photos of the defects by email or WhatsApp. We review it and send you a fixed, no-obligation quote, replying the same day. If needed, we inspect the property in Madrid or anywhere else in the province.

More information on our architect expert page.