Construction/Building/Trades Jobs in Spain: How to Find Work

The building and construction industry can involve building entire apartment blocks and roads however most building and construction projects in Spain are relatively small additions to properties such as extensions and small renovations.

There are a vast number of different types of jobs in the construction industry and in this article we will cover a few of the more common ones that will enable you to potentially get a job in Spain.

In the decade preceding 2008 a huge amount of urbanisations and new developments were planned and built in Spain leading to a shortage of construction workers.

job-spain-graphicThe pay was good and an influx of foreign workers came to Spain to start a new life.

Sadly the Spanish banks had overextended themselves and the bubble burst!

Unfortunately the boom in the building industry in Spain has come to a grinding halt and this is the worst possible time to be looking for work in this area.

Having said all that that, if you are a tradesmen, builder or construction worker determined to move to Spain then we will try give you some of the better options in the construction sector.

Becoming a tradesmen in Spain is pretty easy because most customers do not seem to check whether you have any professional qualifications or not. It seems any DIY enthusiast gets off the plane in Spain and declares himself a qualified tradesmen!

Working as a tradesman in Spain is one of the best ways of getting a job in Spain or finding work simply because as an English-speaking person who perhaps doesn’t speak any Spanish, you can be working for fellow English-speaking people.

Jobs for Builders in 2023 & 2024

If you are a builder then you have good possibilities by making good money in Spain. If you have the finance behind you then it is possible to buy relatively cheap plots of land and construct a new build villa and sell for a healthy profit.

The property market in Spain is of course very depressed but there are still buyers out there. The key is to build the property in one of the popular expatriate areas that still retain its popularity to British people.

There are still plenty of expatriates looking to maintain their property or build extensions or swimming pools so there is plenty of property maintenance work available in Spain, just a lot of competition!

Perhaps an out the box idea would be to contact some builders living on the Costa Blanca and ask if they have any work going? Try building and construction companies on the Costa del Sol as well.

Working as a Plumber

With plenty of British people living in Spain there is a definite demand for plumbers who can deal with issues such as servicing boilers, dealing with leaks and pipework.

Many people will require their properties to be updated which will naturally include the bathrooms and kitchens.

Plumbers in Spain can earn good money by being self-employed and charging a daily rate of €100 a day to €150 a day.

Rather than looking for a job as a plumber you would probably be better off starting your own business and becoming self-employed.

Consider contacting some plumbers on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca to see if they have any job vacancies.

Electrician Jobs

Just like plumbers there is of course a healthy demand for electricians in Spain. Naturally Spanish people are going to use Spanish electricians so you need to focus in on the expatriate market which will predominantly be in the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca areas.

Many expats in Spain have bought old villas aged around 30 years old that require a complete rewiring. Typically electricians charge €3000-€4000 for this work which takes approximately 3 weeks. With a very healthy profit margin, electricians can enjoy a very comfortable living in Spain given that the cost of living is relatively low.

Jobs for Painters and Decorators

constructionPainters and decorators in Spain usually earn around €100 a day. Again it is usual to set up your own business than to become employed simply because most construction companies in Spain tend to be one-man bands.

Becoming a painter in Spain is pretty simple work as most people can slap some paint on walls. Villas and apartments are always being exposed to the weather, especially the heavy Spanish rain, and therefore always need to be updated.

There are many Spanish villa painting companies that claim to be able to spray paint your villa with paint that lasts an entire lifetime but from what we can find out it appears that this simply isn’t true. Therefore if you own a villa in Spain it is likely to be needing to be repainted every 10 years at the very least.

Consider contacting some painters on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca to see if they have any job vacancies.

Other Work in Construction/Building Industry

There are many outdated villas and apartments requiring major renovation, works and maintenance. Certainly if you have skills as a carpenter, engineer, technician, roofer, tiler, plasterer, bricklayer, labourer or another construction type tradesman then you are likely to finding work in Spain whether it be for yourself or for an employer.

Below we list some of the other construction jobs:

  • Architect
  • Building Surveyor
  • Buyer
  • CAD Technician
  • Civil Engineer
  • Commercial Manager
  • Contracts Manager
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Estimator
  • Facilities Manager
  • Health & Safety Manager
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Planner
  • Project Manager
  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Site Engineer
  • Site Manager
  • Skilled Trades
  • Structural Engineer
  • Water Engineer

How Much Can I Earn in Spain?

Clearly there is no one answer to this question but to give you examples from people we know:

Working on a building site in Spain as a plumber, builder, tiler or carpenter the daily rate is usually between €80-€100 Euros.

For electricians in Spain there is lots of lucrative work rewiring houses, villas and apartments in Spain as many of the villas are now over 30 years old and require a complete rewiring to bring their houses up to European Union specifications and standards. The price of a typical three or four-bedroom villa can often be about €4000 so the opportunity to make good money in Spain is certainly there.

One advantage you have in search of jobs is that there is a large expatriate population in Spain and they typically prefer to deal with English-speaking people rather than local Spanish tradesmen and builders.

Most Popular Places in Spain To Find Work:

Most Popular Work:

Helpful Pages if Moving to Spain:

True Stories of Moving to Spain

Long-Term Property Rentals

Guide to Buying a Property

I Hate Spain – Shocking Opinions!

We also have our Spanish Job Prospects Section.

Comments

  1. Gordon Horne says

    Hi my name is Gordon, I’m highly multi skilled in most trades with a core trade in carpentry and joinery of nearly 20 years, looking for work in lanzarote as I’m think of moving there with my family. I’m currently learning spanish to aid my job search.
    Thanks

  2. Jagtar singh says

    Hi my name jagtar singh I am carpenter experience on 13 years in Dubai i am good carpenter I am all wark with carpenter, steet fixer,Mason, my namber+34647038051. My help you sir

  3. kevin frape says

    Stone mason 15 years experience looking for work permanent

  4. Cesar Dulay Javier says

    Looking for jobs I’m electrician in Arab County for 9 years

  5. Zach Thomas says

    Hi. I am 20 years of age.
    Very experienced in Ceiling fixing.
    Qualified in Drylining.
    Looking for a occupation in Spain, Benelmadena is the location I’ll be living.
    START JANUARY OR ANY DATES WILL BE THANKFUL
    Mobile number
    07731811805

  6. Hi, living in Benalmadena, looking for carpentry or concrete work, have 20+ years experience working in NYC and Ireland
    613057427

  7. Cliffy white says

    Hi looking work tarmacing job have 2o years plus experience currently in Northern Ireland but a place in Benidorm and could move asap any work available

  8. Hello my name is Deividas Remeikis I’m general builder i can do carpenter fixers and almost all refurbished works my experience is in England about 12 years i want moving in Spain in Alicante area and now looking some work in building sites . For now just have English number in +447803090628

  9. Hi my name is Dave I am moving to Alicante in 2 weeks time and I have 20 years experience as a tiler and first and second fix plumbing. I have bought a home in Alicante for myself my wife and our one year old daughter. I am looking to find some work in this area any information would be so helpful. I have been renovating bathrooms and extension builds for some time now and just want to get up and running as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for any help.

  10. Jack barwick says

    Hi im a 28 year old bricklayer/ builder I have over 10 years worth of experience and still plenty in the tank. Looking to relocate to Spain and would love some help in making this dream come true

  11. Hi I’m a gas and oil engineer in the uk installing stoves and fireplaces looking to move to Ibiza .
    I have 22 years experience.

  12. steven devlin says

    hi im steven self employed roofer but looking for any construction work in spain. i have 15 years experience in the building industry
    +447361550041

  13. Hello.My name is Ruslan.I’m a welder with 15 years of experience.

  14. Dear sir
    Mosarof here stay in Singapore
    My current job project supervisor in construction trade
    For me have vacancy in Spain
    Thanks regards
    Mosarof (WhatsApp +6580455976

  15. Stephen jones says

    Hi my name is Stephen I am I wall and floor tiler with over 20 years experience thinking of a change of pace and moving to Spain if anybody knows of any work either commercial or domestic or and advice on getting over there to get started would be greatly appreciated

  16. Peter Hodges says

    Hi, my name is Peter, I have over 5 years ceramic tiling, and 25 years of general building experience.
    I live in Somerset, UK and are looking to possibly relocate in Spain with my wife and 8 year old daughter.
    Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.

  17. Hi my name is James I am a stonemason looking for long term work in Spain . I Have over 20 years experience. Open to all offers of work ,thank you . 00353894344598

  18. NESARUL HOQUE says

    I am working in UAE from 10th year I have a work experience in drywall installed my qualifications is SSC I want to apply for work parmit in Europe Portugal

  19. Valentin Georgiev says

    Hi my name is Valentin Georgiev, I m skilled
    Dryliner with 15 years experience in UK
    I live in London but I am looking for a new challenge and in May I will move to Mallorca I have my own tools and the necessary skills
    and I will need a job I will be happy with any offers
    feel free to contact me at WhatsApp
    00447460000247

  20. Richard Donnelly says

    Hi my name is Rich Donnelly, i am a skilled Carpenter by trade specializing in fitted kitchens,Bathrooms, extensions and conservatories. I have 40 years experience in the building trade. I do plumbing, tilling and block laying. I live in spain and speak spanish. Looking for work near vera or even benidorm. Can start immediately.
    Thank you

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