{"id":6623,"date":"2026-07-08T13:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T11:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecohabitats.cat\/blog\/farmhouse-restoration-where-to-start-step-by-step\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T10:47:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T08:47:29","slug":"farmhouse-restoration-where-to-start-step-by-step","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecohabitats.cat\/en\/blog\/farmhouse-restoration-where-to-start-step-by-step\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmhouse Restoration: Where to Start, Step by Step?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Pablo Santillana, technical architect specializing in the restoration of built heritage and bio-construction<\/a>. CEO of Ecohabitats. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

If you have just inherited a masia, bought a property in disrepair, or are considering restoring an old house<\/strong> in Catalonia<\/a>, you probably feel a mix of excitement and disorientation. There is a lot to do, and it is not always clear what the first step should be. This guide explains the correct order for undertaking a farmhouse restoration<\/strong>: what to analyze first, what to verify before committing to any figures, and how to structure the process so that every decision makes sense from the outset.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n

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The first step is not the Farmhouse Restoration. It’s understanding the building. <\/h2>\n\n

Before thinking about layouts, materials, or budgets, the starting point for any masia restoration is to understand the actual condition of the property.<\/strong> A farmhouse may appear to be in acceptable condition but still have hidden problems that completely determine the scope and cost of the intervention.<\/p>\n\n

In over a decade working on farmhouse restorations<\/strong> in Catalonia<\/a>, I have seen the same pattern repeat: the owner arrives with very clear ideas about the kitchen or bathrooms, when what they really need first is to know if the roof can withstand another winter. <\/strong>The preliminary diagnosis is not an expense; it is the investment that makes it possible to make all subsequent decisions with sound judgment.<\/p>\n\n

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\"Farmhouse<\/figure>\n\n
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Step 1. Preliminary technical inspection for farmhouse restoration: the real starting point <\/h2>\n\n

The initial inspection allows for understanding the actual condition of the farmhouse before defining any project or handling any figures.<\/p>\n\n

During this phase, the roof and timber structure, load-bearing walls and the condition of the original mortars, floor slabs, carpentry, existing installations, and humidity pathologies are reviewed. It also assesses for the presence of wood-boring insects in the beams \u2014 a common problem in farmhouses that have been closed for years \u2014 and for differential settlements in the foundation. <\/p>\n\n

The result of this inspection determines two fundamental things: whether the farmhouse restoration can be approached in phases or if there are urgent interventions that cannot wait, and what the realistic basis is for building the budget. Investing between \u20ac1,500 and \u20ac4,000 in this preliminary study can prevent surprises that cost ten times more during construction. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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\"restoration<\/figure>\n\n
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Step 2. Urban planning regulations in Catalonia: what needs to be verified before any masia restoration project. <\/h2>\n\n

This is the aspect most neglected by owners at the start of the process, and the one that halts or increases the cost of most projects once they have begun.<\/p>\n\n

Most farmhouses in Catalonia are located on undevelopable land<\/strong>, regulated by the Legislative Decree 1\/2010, of August 3, which approves the consolidated text of the Urban Planning Law of Catalonia (TRLUC)<\/a>. Additional Provision Three<\/strong> of this regulation establishes the specific regime applicable to farmhouses and rural houses on undevelopable land, and determines which rehabilitation, extension, or change of use actions are possible and which require prior urban planning authorization from the corresponding Territorial Urban Planning Commission. <\/p>\n\n

Before defining the farmhouse restoration project, it is advisable to specifically verify:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n