Choosing a developer in Tenerife
Clearly some caution needs to be exercised in choosing to purchase a property off plan. There are a number of factors that contribute to the success of a development: developer, architects, builders, contractors and the estate agents, or promoter themselves, whose role it is to sell and market the property. Communication problems between all these parties can often lead to problems. The seller may not give you realistic expectations, simply because they are not clear enough about what a developer is trying to achieve. Architects and developers can also have difficulties in realising a mutual vision, and when builders have conflicting instructions; problems can haunt homeowners for years after they move in. It is a good idea to try to use a developer that has everything under one roof, with tight lines of control. Quality control certifications, such as ISO 9001, should ensure that these internal systems work effectively.
With environmental issues becoming more important to all of us, another check you may want to make is to ensure that the developer’s green credentials are up to scratch. ISO 14001, another accreditation, shows that a developer complies with environmental guidelines right from the first plans to the end of the project. Designs must be eco-friendly, using sustainable materials and even construction works need to be environmentally conscious, from recycling to waste management. In a time when our carbon footprint and energy efficiency is at the top of many of our minds, these quality standards are becoming ever more important.
Local developers also have some advantages over those who are based on the mainland or beyond. With a history and a future on the island, they will have a vested interest in ensuring that their constructions stand as perpetual symbols of their achievement. It is certainly worth visiting some of these previous projects, if you are considering purchasing from a developer. Overseas developers, with projects in Spain, Bulgaria and all over the world will not be as protective of the local perception of their brand. Sometimes it can even take a court case to ensure that these opportunistic multinational promoters live up to their legal obligations under the ten year building guarantee.
Glyn and Margaret Street live in Playa San Juan, a fishing village which has grown to become a popular resort in the south west of Tenerife. Twenty years ago, Glyn took early retirement form his post as a college lecturer in the UK, which is when their love affair with Tenerife began. The couple wintered in Tenerife for four or five months every year and eventually decided to make their permanent home on the island. “We had spent a lot of time in Tenerife, and we knew what we wanted,” said Glyn. They decided to purchase their property from local developer, Alicur, while it was still in the planning stage.
“We saw white lines marked on the ground and a model of what the building would look like and it was spot on,” continued Glyn. “I would sum up our experience of Alicur with two words: absolute honesty. We were still based in England when we signed the contract, but the company went out of their way to arrange everything to suit us.” Because the Streets bought their property just as it was being released, it was two years before completion and they moved into the property; still their home a decade later.
“A couple of years ago, we wanted to put a Jacuzzi on the patio. We went back to Alicur with the rough sketch of where we wanted to put the new spa. Their architectural department were able to go back to the original plans, and work out exactly where we could put it and how big it could be. That sort of continuity is invaluable.” The advantages of purchasing with a local family company, long standing in the industry, are often not evident from the start. Glyn went on to give a clear example. “About three or four years ago, Alicur came back to the development to put in a new guttering system as the sandy atmosphere was creating unsightly streaks on the exterior when it rained.” Glyn explained that even ten years later, the company are still proud to show new buyers the development they live in, as well as all the others they have built. In choosing a developer, looking at their past work is one of the best ways to judge how well the development they are building now will stand the test of time.
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