Terrace renovations

What does this service include?

The terrace is the most-used room on the Costa del Sol — but also the most neglected. Sun, rain, salt and temperature degrade materials fast. We do full and partial renovations: from waterproofing to stop damp in the home below, to converting a solarium into a chill-out zone with pergola, outdoor kitchen and jacuzzi.

We cover:

• Flat roof waterproofing (bituminous sheet, EPDM, liquid polyurethane) — solves damp on the neighbour-below’s ceiling
• New non-slip flooring (Class 3 porcelain, rustic ceramic, composite such as Trex, tropical hardwood)
• Bioclimatic pergolas with motorised orientable louvres
• Laminated timber or aluminium pergolas
• Motorised retractable awnings
• Outdoor kitchens: built-in barbecue, sink, granite/Dekton worktop, cement base unit
• Chill-out zones with built-in sofas and low table
• Glass enclosures (sliding roof or side glazing for windy days)
• Pool surrounds with non-slip porcelain or natural stone
• IP65 LED lighting recessed into floor, wall or pergola
• Weatherproof power sockets and network points for outdoor wifi
• Automatic irrigation for planters
• Vertical garden with drip irrigation

How long does it take?

• 30 m² terrace waterproofing (no new flooring): 3–5 days
• New flooring over existing 30 m²: 4–6 days
• Waterproofing + new flooring 30 m²: 8–12 days
• 4×4 m motorised bioclimatic pergola: 3–5 days (excluding bespoke fabrication, 4–8 weeks)
• Outdoor kitchen with barbecue and worktop: 1–2 weeks
• Full 60 m² terrace renovation with pergola, new flooring, kitchen and chill-out: 3–4 weeks

How much does it cost?

Honest 2026 ranges — materials suited to coastal exterior (salt and UV resistant), qualified labour, real warranty:

• 30 m² terrace waterproofing (liquid polyurethane): €3,000 – €4,500
• Waterproofing + protective mortar layer: €4,000 – €6,500
• **Non-slip porcelain flooring (includes screed + exterior adhesive
  • mid-range porcelain):** €85 – €140 / m²
• Composite (Trex-type) on battens: €160 – €230 / m²
• 4×4 m motorised aluminium bioclimatic pergola: €7,500 – €12,000
• 4×4 m laminated timber pergola: €5,000 – €8,500
• 4×3.5 m motorised retractable awning: €2,500 – €4,500
• Basic outdoor kitchen (built-in barbecue, sink, granite worktop): €3,500 – €6,000
• Premium outdoor kitchen (built-in Weber gas barbecue, Dekton worktop, steel sink, undercounter fridge): €7,000 – €12,000+
• Full 60 m² terrace renovation with all of the above: €20,000 – €40,000+

The terrace on the Costa del Sol is the most punished part of the home — strong sun, salt, occasional torrential rain. Cheap materials last 3–4 years; ours hold 15–25. For our client profile — international owners with a second home — paying for the solution that lasts is what adds up.

How do we work?

1. Free visit. We see the terrace, assess its current state, shading, ventilation, views. We discuss how you want to use it (breakfast, dinners, parties, reading).
2. Design. Plan with zone layout, materials proposal, pergola/ awning where applicable. For higher-budget jobs, optional 3D render.
3. Firm quote. Itemised by trade. Includes access through the building (if penthouse, we coordinate with community and lift to bring materials up).
4. Permits. For glazing and fixed pergolas, a works licence is required in many municipalities. We handle it.
5. Execution. We protect corridors and common areas. If penthouse, we coordinate material lifts via lift or crane.
6. Handover. Motor testing (pergola, awning), drainage check with hose, care guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to renovate the terrace?

• Flooring change + waterproofing: prior notification to council + community
• Fixed pergola: minor works licence in most municipalities
• Glazing: licence + community approval (some Marbella communities prohibit it on aesthetic grounds)
• Outdoor kitchen with gas: installation signed by authorised gas installer

We handle everything. The free visit includes a check of what’s needed in your specific municipality.

Will a bioclimatic pergola withstand the Levante wind? Serious brands (Gibus, Stobag, Pratic) are certified up to 120 km/h with louvres closed. With louvres open, up to 60 km/h. The motor closes automatically with a wind sensor. It’s important to use a serious brand — cheap Chinese pergolas break in the first storm.

Composite or tropical hardwood? Composite (Trex-type): maintenance-free, doesn’t splinter, holds colour for 25 years. More expensive upfront but cheaper at 10 years than real timber because it doesn’t need annual oiling. Tropical hardwood (ipé, teak): warmer aesthetic but requires oiling every 12–18 months to avoid greying. Beautiful but work.

Underfloor heating on a terrace? Only worth it if the terrace is covered and used in winter. The Costa del Sol has 8 mild months without it — for 4 months a year, outdoor gas or electric heaters are more efficient than underfloor heating.

How long does waterproofing last? With well-installed bituminous sheet, 20–25 years. With liquid polyurethane, 15–20 years. If the terrace gets no maintenance (drain cleaning, joint sealing), it drops to 8–12 years. The labour warranty we give is 5 years.

Do you speak English? Yes. The vast majority of terrace jobs are for international owners with a second home. We have a bilingual Spanish–English team and an English-speaking project manager assigned to each job. 3D render, quote and photographic report also available in English.