We just put in a new page covering a topic that doesn’t show up on most “moving to Spain” checklists, but will end up mattering a lot once we’re living in Spain: home services. Things we’ll need like a house cleaner, gardener, pool maintenance, pest control, handy person and more— the whole list of people we’ll eventually need to find and hire to keep our new Spanish home running.
There were several things that surprised us as we did our research.
Cost – Labor costs are significantly cheaper in Spain, so most services we’ll need are 20-40% cheaper than what we pay in Portland. Our new page puts together cost estimates for a variety of services, so you can check it out yourself.
Inclusions – Here in the US we have “a landscaping service” which really means someone who shows up to just mow the lawn. In Spain, a landscaping service is genuinely full-service — pruning, hedge trimming, palm care, irrigation checks, the works. One person or company handles all of it. It’s a different model and honestly, a better one.
Referrals – IIn the US you usually start looking on the web to find the person you need. In Spain, it’s really about word of mouth — asking your neighbors, friends, real estate agent or banker who they’d recommend. Most Spaniards value their reputation, and only recommend people who’ll do a good job and be reliable and trustworthy.
We’ve also included an FAQ covering the practical questions that come up once you start hiring (like what happens in August, when half the country seems to take the month off).
Head over to our new Home Services in Spain page and check it out.