How to renovate an old building in compliance with the law

Do you live in an old building and want to renovate it? Have you bought an old flat and need to update it? Historic city centres are full of old buildings. Although many people prefer to buy homes located on the outskirts or in rural areas, a high percentage of the population chooses to live in the centre of towns and cities, where all the services are concentrated and where we carry out most of our daily lives. If this is your case, what we are going to tell you below is of interest to you. Today we talk about how to refurbish an old building in compliance with the law.

Why renovate an old building?

The architectural refurbishment of old, singular, historic buildings (protected by the Building Law) or listed buildings (palaces, convents, monumental buildings, theatres, churches or illustrious houses) is essential for the restoration, conservation and preservation of the existing historic heritage in the urban centres of cities. The restoration of architectural monuments also helps us to preserve the essence of our heritage by recovering its splendour. It is also an option for making the space functional, as it allows tenants to live in a much more comfortable, convenient, accessible and sustainable dwelling, in terms of energy efficiency and water consumption.

Main causes of rehabilitation of old buildings

In a building, we can rehabilitate: insulation and sealing, foundations, walls and floors, lighting and ventilation, and façade repair. The main causes for which these works are initiated are: 

• Deterioration due to the passage of time or pollution affecting the building.
• The appearance of damp, cracks or fissures.
• Detachments that could endanger the building’s inhabitants and passers-by. 

What are the advantages of renovating old buildings?

The rehabilitation work on old buildings includes the repair, conservation, reconstruction and restoration of all the deteriorated elements, both to preserve the architectural elements and to make it an efficient, functional and safe place. Among the works to be carried out we can highlight: 

• Improved safety and structural stability.
• Improvement in water filtration and sewage networks.
• Increased energy efficiency.
• Improved accessibility and thermal and acoustic insulation.
• Improved functionality, ventilation and sustainability.
• Increase in the historical value of the building and prolongation of its useful life.

What are the key aspects to consider?

advantages of refurbishing old buildings

• Community of owners. First of all, we must not forget that it is essential to have the approval of the community of owners. If the building is shared with other owners, all of them must approve the renovation proposal. 
• Study of the state of the building and preparation of the project. Major works will always require a prior study and an action project, which will involve an engineer or architect, as well as a quantity surveyor or technical architect. This document will include all the keys to the development of the work, so it is essential to deal with professionals specialised in the field who have all the necessary certifications for the development of their functions. 
• Drawing up the estimate. The specialised company will provide an estimate that the client will evaluate. It is important at this point to check if there is any municipal, regional or state aid for the renovation of dwellings for this type of intervention, in order to be able to reduce the final amount. 
• Request for formalities. Once the budget has been approved, the necessary procedures for starting the work will begin. The main thing to be aware of is the existing municipal regulations in this respect, as the permits for this type of work depend solely and exclusively on the local councils, who will establish the fees and the required documentation to be presented, based, however, on the current state regulations.  
• Start and execution of the refurbishment. At the beginning of the works, all relevant safety measures will be implemented for workers, building tenants and passers-by. The duration of the work will depend on the type of work. 

Do you know what state your building is in? Are you thinking of repairing the façade or any other part of your old building? In Rodríguez ROS you will be attended by great experts in rehabilitation and restoration of buildings, specialised in Sika Systems and with more than 45 years of experience.