Corfu-Home-Choices has a long record of accomplishment for providing high quality homes and property for sale in Corfu. We also have personal experience of owning property in Corfu, and you can be confident that the service you will get from us will be professional and thorough. We will be pleased to discuss your Corfu property requirements with you. Corfu-Home-Choices Property does not have an in-house construction company and instead for many years has always used highly experienced independent architects and local builders. We believe that this way you get better quality, service, security for your money and value.
We give you instructions in English for key equipment and a “house book” on completion which gives you contact names and numbers for service and spare parts for equipment fitted. Contact us if there are any points you would like further information on, or click on the links for property maintenance and rentals.
DO I NEED PLANNING or BUILDING PERMISSION?
Yes, you do, except where you are doing limited renovation works, but the process is very different to getting planning permission in the UK. Building permission ( The Building Licence) will generally be granted ( subject to any local design plan) for a plot of land provided that it is not designated as Forestry Land or of archaeological interest. Any plot sold through Real Crete will be capable of gaining building permission for the build area of house as advised.
For plots within a Village or Town Plan, permission is normally automatic.
Plots outside a Village Plan over 4000 sq.m. or 2,000 sq.m. where they are next to a Village Plan area or next to a principal municipal road will also be granted consent.
DO I NEED A GREEK ARCHITECT or ENGINEER?
Yes, you need to use a registered Greek Architect or Engineer for the work involved in the design of the house and structure. Their fees are included in the Building Licence fee. If you are in Crete and have time, we welcome the opportunity for you to meet with the scheme architect to discuss your house plans and designs.
IS THE BUILDING STRUCTURE CHECKED?
Yes, the Building Licence application process also checks all structural calculations on foundations, frame and design in order to ensure compliance with present regulations (which are very strictly controlled and checked).
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET PERMISSION?
The application can normally take 2-3 months to gain formal approval. Once the application is submitted, site preparation works are commenced and construction starts once the approval is granted. We will send you official confirmation of the approval as soon as soon as it is available for your records. To save time, the preparation of the plans for the building licence will normally commence just after we receive your 10% initial deposit.
WILL I GET A PROPER BUILDING CONTRACT WITH A PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
Yes, most definitely. If you are buying a Real Crete Development house, we will arrange for you to enter into a direct contract for the house with an experienced local builder. This will give realistic start and finish dates, a detailed specification and schedule of payments. To ensure good and consistent quality, a typical 8 month contract will have payments as a % of contract value as follows:
35% on commencement (deposit, to include architect fees)
25% at the end of Month 2
20% at the end of Month 4
20% at the end of Month 6 ( less €1,000 retention)
€1,000 payable on practical completion
We will give you a months notice of the next stage payment due.
If like many you are buying a plot through Corfu-Home-Choices and are building an individually designed property in Corfu, we will arrange for you to enter into a direct contract for the house with an experienced local builder after quotations are received and reported to you. This will give realistic start and finish dates, a detailed specification and schedule of payments. To ensure good and consistent quality, a typical contract will be for 10 months, and payments as a % of contract value will be as follows:
30% on commencement (deposit, to include architect fees)
20% at the end of Month 2
20% at the end of Month 4
15% at the end of Month 6 (Month 5 for a 9 month contract)
15% less €1,000 retention at the end of Month 8 (Month 7 for a 9 month contract)
€1,000 payable on practical completion.
We will give you a months notice of the next stage payment due.
CAN I ASK FOR EXTRA THINGS TO BE PROVIDED?
Yes, we are happy to quote for and build in any extras you may request for your home. To help us, major items like swimming pools which require building licence approval must be agreed and form part of the main building licence application and building contract. Smaller items e.g. extra kitchen units, wardrobes etc must be agreed by and paid for in the Month 4 building stage payment.
DO I GET ANY CHOICES FOR FINISHES?
Yes, you do, tiles, kitchen unit finishes and colours. If possible you should do this in Corfu but we carry a range of samples in the UK for you to choose from if it is easier. If you decide you want something not within the range and price in the specification, all we ask is that where it costs more you pay the difference in cost.
WHAT HAPPENS ABOUT WALLS AND GARDENS?
We put an amount ( usually _5,000) into the contract which you can use to have work done before completion to the boundaries or garden. If you want to spend more ( or less) you can, it’s entirely up to you.
DO I GET REGULAR REPORTS?
We will send you regular reports at least monthly, with pictures and copies of your account movements by email or letter so that at all times you are kept up to date on progress. We are happy to meet with you during the building works either in Crete or in the UK.
DO I GET ANY GUARANTEES FOR MY HOME ONCE BUILT?
Yes, we give you a 12 month warranty period during which time we will rectify any defect in workmanship or materials that may arise ( unless of course caused by accident, normal wear and tear etc.). Under Greek Law, the foundations and frame are guaranteed in perpetuity by the architect/engineer.
ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES
At the end of the construction period your lawyer will arrange for the electricity and water accounts to be transferred into your name.
Please contact us if there are any points you would like further information on
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