There’s definately always a need for air conditioning!
As you seem already to appreciate, it’s a very competitive market already here, given the demand. One important thing to note though is that many new build properties in Spain don’t include fixtures and fittings, very beneficial in my line of work. My work is design, supply and installation of kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms along with general interior design and renovation.
I’ve recently been involved in working on new appartments in the Sierra Nevada area, via and estate agent. The properties do have bathroom suites and occasionally built-in wardobes, but things such as shower screens, light fittings, kitchen furniture/appliances and air conditioning units are left to the buyer to arrange themselves. Handy to be aware of in my line of work and yours for certain. Getting to know property companies, developers and agents who work with new properties is very beneficial with this in mind.
If you’re planning on setting up a company, then it would be beneficial to speak to a good Spanish accountant for advice on the various rules and regulations of trading. I am “autonomo” which means, self-employed. I’m basically a sole trader. I don’t employ others directly, but I do sub-contract work to others. This has worked well for me, as although I had a showroom based business in the UK, I felt that at this stage, it would be getting too far ahead of myself. Being autonomo means also that I’ve not tied myself to any other developers or companies in particular, but that I am still paying into the system here and therefore legitimate.
Working for others initially may be well worth considering. Put yourself around and make yourself known. There are British run aircon companies here, predominantly on the coast, but if you find yourself getting along well with the language, then it’s always worth contacting the Spanish companies.
If you’re looking at advertising, although I don’t myself, then consider the local English publications you will find in the area. In my area of Granada, there is a magazine called “Where2”, which is focused on Granada province in general. It’s circulated free at the airport, car rental companies, restaurants and petrol stations. I’m told it’s very cost effective to advertise and because it’s a good source of information and bi-monthly, it’s something that people keep. There’s also “Insight” and “Sur” in English that might be worth looking at.
Finally, it’s worth being willing to travel. One thing that I’ve noticed is that alot of expats would prefer to deal with a fellow Brit, simply because they are not confident enough to have to speak the native language to a Spanish tradesman, dispite that for some reason some expats think that Spanish tradesmen are’nt as good, it’s usually to do with the language barrier. I see alot of British tradement that live on the coast, travelling inland now, because the area has become increasingly popular. One Sky installer I know lives near Mijas, but travels throughout all of the Andalucian provinces. Luckily, 90% of my work is within no more than an hours drive of where I live, but if need be, then I’m always willing to travel further afield. With the number of UK destinations flying into Granada, along with the approval for a new airport near Antequera, inland Andalucia has really opened up. You will notice that there are a number of posters on the forums here that live in Granada, Cordoba and Jaen provinces. Hopefully they will post and give you some info on the opportunities in those respective areas.
Hope that you move all goes to plan and that what I’ve posted is of some help.
Heath
