Building in Greece

Almost all people have for some reason an – a priori – fear of building. This has something to do with the fact that they have no experience in this field, and thus pay great concern among other things to the possibility of possibly rising costs. Also, the fact that many people cannot really imagine a house on a plan is another more problem. But if it additionally comes to build abroad, then the reluctance to build increases tremendously. Therefore, real estate buyers tend to buy completed properties that at least only approximately meet their imaginations. But why should we now be content with “half measures”? Building in Greece is pretty simple, almost riskless and most importantly affordable. Provided, of course, you have the right advisor at your side.

In this article we will analyze the “Building in Greece” and illuminate a variety of aspects of this subject in order to get a true picture of this.

Land prices

Generally, it is very difficult to make a blanket statement about land prices. A variety of factors play a major role, such as the location, the possible uses, etc. But you can hold in any case, that the prices of land in Greece have fallen extremely in recent years due to the crisis in the country and today are at a low point. It can be assumed that up to individual cases (liquidity issues) the price of real estate in Greece will no longer continue to fall. Therefore it is now indicated for those who play with the idea to spend their next summers in Greece to purchase now a property in Greece.

In any case, one should clarify with the assistance of an architect the ability of the plot to be built and all other factors that could affect the property and its potential development in any way in the foreseeable future. To have a “whole” image from the plot (of use, potential, etc.) you should also carry out a more detailed analysis.

Planning and approval

By the time the decision to build in Greece is taken, one should immediately contact an architect who has the right to submit a building application in Greece. Alternatively, one could make a draft by a non-Greek architect that is to be adapted to Greek conditions. In any case, you need a local architect to submit the planning application. Please note that this means extra costs.

As also in your own country you will make in close collaboration with the architect an approvable design, in which one converts his individual ideas of living. The selected architect should understand you well in order to understand your ideas and requirements so that they are appropriately involved in the planning properly.

The chosen architect should also act as project manager and your local partner and take over the coordination of all stakeholders (planners, government agencies, contractors, lawyers, neighbors, etc.) in your sense. Since the task of this person is obviously very extensive (he is for you a kind of all-encompassing consultants around the building) and the collaboration will be very lengthy, so you must choose him very carefully. Please note that you will not be regularly on site during construction, and that person must therefore be your “eyes on the ground”.

The construction costs

The construction costs amount in medium standard currently between 900,- and 1.200,- Euro per square meter. The cost of planning, building permit and other soft costs, and costs for outside facilities, special facilities, interiors / initial setup, development, etc. are of course not included in this price. The price of land is also be added.

In terms of economic construction it is recommended to build a house in Greece with a composite bearing construction due to the valid conditions in the country. In this type of design, the bearing structure is made of steel profiles and steel concrete in composite. Depending on which wall system is chosen, you save up to 30% in construction costs. This applies of course only to the construction costs incurred up to the stage of the plaster. The result is aesthetically equal or even slightly better than that of a “normal” construction, as by the composite construction it can be achieved a filigree appearance (thinner columns). The steel profiles are in the finished state, of course, no longer visible. From a technical point of view this type of construction is for the location of Greece in any case more suitable, especially since it has a much better seismic behavior compared to the conventional construction type.

The qualities

When it comes to your own home, everyone has very concrete ideas regarding the properties, the equipment and the qualities. All this should be discussed in the planning process with the architect to ensure that the desired requirements can be assessed promptly in the planning and especially are recognized in price.

In cases of building abroad it is also to take into account that you do not always have the same conditions, which are known from your home country. It may be, for example, that one finds different construction methods, other common standards, alternative products, differentiated regulations, individual design styles, etc. Therefore, one should promptly communicate with the involved architects also about these aspects.

In recent years, however, a change to modern building materials and high-quality technical building equipment is recorded in Greece. It approaches quite to the German and English standards. In particular, in the field of building physics essential aspects in the last decade there happened truly a revolution, because the Greek government has raised the standard by appropriate jurisdiction. On the other hand, Greece has to offer a variety of high quality building materials, such as natural stones that are to purchase at extremely reasonable prices.

Please note that the execution quality can vary regionally.

The construction process

As part of the construction process, the architect may perform regular job site visits to check and to document progress. Herewith he can inform the client about the status of its construction project. He will also invite the involved special planners to check the parts that refer them. The architect has also the obligation to prepare and carry out any administrative part and final inspections.

It is recommended that the architect is tasked not only with the officially required construction management, but receives an order for a “permanent” construction management / supervision. Only in this way can you be sure that a satisfactory result is achieved. It should be mentioned that the “minimum requirement” of the architectural work – more or less – is only to check the compliance of the building with the permit.

The advantages to build today in Greece

Building is everywhere in the world the same – complicated or uncomplicated. But building abroad is additionally unknown. This should, however – as already said in the introduction – do not constitute a reason not to build. It is only important to have the right person to advice on its side.

The location of Greece is truly a paradise on earth, which is more than optimal suitable both for beautiful and relaxing vacations but also as a permanent residence at the age. Due to the crisis are currently both “filet-plots” and the building prices at a very low level. If one now has the correct building advisor at his side, then today there should not be real reason not to build his own home and realize his dream of living in Greece. Now is really a perfect opportunity! Do you want to miss this opportunity?

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If you have further questions about the mentioned topic, then do not hesitate to contact us (contact Mavvidis + Partners). You may also be interested in the following article (Invest in Greece).