The fees for a building engineer for the design and construction management of a renovation project are calculated at between 3% and 5% of the construction budget, and those for an architect for a complete project at between 8% and 12%. In absolute terms, construction management for a renovation typically ranges between €3,000 and €5,000. In 2026, building engineer fees increased between 8% and 12% compared to 2024, due to inflation and the surge in energy efficiency renovations.
How much does a building engineer charge for supervising a renovation project?
Between 3% and 5% of the construction budget, which in a complete home renovation translates to approximately €3,000 to €5,000 for the project and construction management package. The percentage varies depending on the type of work, the surface area, and the technical complexity.
It's important to understand what the construction budget is, because it's the basis for the calculation, and many people confuse it with the total amount they'll pay. The construction budget is the cost of materials and labour for the project, excluding overhead, profit, and VAT. A percentage of the construction budget is always lower than the same percentage of the final renovation price, so when comparing two fee quotes, make sure they're both calculated on the same basis.
| Professional and scope | Usual fees |
|---|---|
| Technical architect, project and construction management | 3 – 5 % of the PEM |
| Architect, full commission (basic project, execution and management) | 8 – 12 % of the PEM |
| Project management for renovation, usual absolute figure | €3,000 – €5,000 |
There is one piece of context that helps interpret this year's budgets: technical fees have increased between 8% and 12% compared to 2024, driven by inflation and the demand for energy-efficient renovations. A fee budget from two years ago is no longer a useful reference.
What is the difference between an architect and a building engineer in a renovation project?
The architect drafts the plans and oversees construction work that affects the building's configuration or structure; the building engineer—or quantity surveyor—oversees the construction phase, quality control, and safety, and can sign off on smaller projects. That's why an architect costs more: their scope of responsibility is broader.
In practice, the choice isn't entirely up to you: it depends on the type of work. If the renovation affects the structure, alters the building's volume, or changes its use, an architect's plan is required. If it's an interior renovation that doesn't affect the structure or exterior, a building engineer's plan is often sufficient, and for minor works, no plan may be necessary at all.
The distribution of powers is determined by the Law 38/1999 on Building Regulations, which defines who is a building agent and what responsibility each one assumes. On which works require a technician, we go into it in What projects require a building engineer?.
What exactly do the project and construction management fees include?
A complete commission covers much more than just drawing up plans. These are the concepts that should be detailed in the commission sheet:
- Survey of the current state and collection of data of the dwelling.
- Technical design with report, drawings, measurements and the construction cost (PEM).
- Basic health and safety study.
- Processing of the license file or prior notification to the city council.
- Project management and management of the physical execution, with periodic visits.
- Health and safety coordination during execution.
- Final work certificate and closing documentation.
Points 4 and 7 are the ones most often left out of a low-cost offer, and they are precisely the ones the owner cannot handle alone. A project without proper permits leaves the paperwork in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to do it, and a project without a final certificate cannot be legalized or obtain a cédula de habitabilidad. When comparing fees, the right question is not "how much" but "what's included and what's billed separately.".
What other technical costs need to be added besides the fees?
The technician's fees are not the only expense in the administrative part of a renovation. You also have to consider:
- Municipal license fees, which are calculated as a percentage of the material execution budget and vary according to the municipality.
- Tax on constructions, installations and works (ICIO), also regarding the PEM, regulated in the consolidated text of the Law Regulating Local Finances.
- Visa or college registration of the project, when applicable.
- Geotechnical study or specialized reports, if the intervention requires it.
- Energy efficiency certificate, which should be redone at the end if the envelope has been improved.
- Cédula de habitabilidad, essential in the Balearic Islands after a major renovation or a change of use.
Added together, these items can add a further 3% to 6% on top of the PEM. It is money you have to allow for from the start, because it falls at specific moments —before starting and on finishing— and cannot be put off. On the last point, we have the procedure set out in detail in the cédula de habitabilidad in the Balearic Islands after a renovation.
Is it worth paying for project management if it's not mandatory?
In minor finishing works, with a solvent company and a quote closed item by item, site supervision does not add enough to justify its cost. In any intervention that touches structure, complete services or layout, it does: the technician is the one who verifies that what is built matches what was designed, and who answers for it.
We say this as the construction company, which is the party that a project manager oversees. We think it's good that this role exists when the project justifies it: an independent technician who reviews our work protects the client and also protects us, because it provides proof that the work was done correctly. Where we don't recommend it is for small finishing renovations, because there the percentage can eat up a portion of the budget without providing any real assurance.
There's one case where we always recommend it, even though it's not mandatory: when the owner doesn't live in Mallorca and can't supervise the work. In that case, a local technician with regular visits is the best investment in your budget.
When you DON'T need a technician for your renovation
Four scenarios in which the project and construction management contribute nothing:
- Renovations of finishes without altering the layout or general installations: painting, flooring, tiling, replacement of sanitary ware or kitchen furniture.
- Bathtub to shower tray replacement without moving drains or partitions.
- Replacement of interior woodwork, doors and cabinets.
- Minor works that can be processed by prior notification in which the city council does not require technical documentation.
In these cases what you do need is a good itemised quote and a clear contract. It is more use than a project: we explain it in What should a renovation contract include?. And the exact boundary between minor and major work lies in what are considered minor works.
Frequently asked questions about the technical fees for a renovation
How much does a complete renovation project cost in Mallorca?
For a complete home renovation, the project and construction management package from a building engineer typically ranges from €3,000 to €5,000, calculated as 3-5% of the construction budget. If the work involves the structure or exterior and requires an architect, the percentage rises to 8-12% of the construction budget for a complete project.
On what amount are the fees of the technical architect calculated?
Regarding the construction budget, which is the cost of materials and labour excluding overhead, profit, and VAT, it is not calculated on the final price paid by the owner, which is higher. When comparing two fee quotes, it's essential to confirm that both use the same calculation basis, because the same percentage applied to different bases can yield very different figures.
Is it mandatory to hire an architect to renovate a home?
Not always. An architect's project is mandatory when the renovation affects the structure, alters the exterior appearance, or changes the building's use. For interior renovations without structural impact, a building engineer's project is usually sufficient, and for minor works processed through prior notification, technical documentation is often not required. This is determined by the type of work and the corresponding municipal regulations.
Have technical fees increased in 2026?
Yes. In 2026, architects' and building engineers' fees are projected to be between 8% and 12% higher than in 2024, due to inflation and increased demand related to energy efficiency renovations. Fee estimates from two years ago are no longer a valid reference point for estimating the cost of a project today.
We'll tell you what kind of technician you need and what you need them for.
Before commissioning a project, it's important to know if your renovation truly needs it and what its scope is. During our initial visit, we'll be clear about this, avoiding unnecessary procedures, and if a professional needs to be hired, we'll coordinate with them throughout the entire project. We are a company dedicated to comprehensive home renovations in Mallorca with three generations in the trade, a fixed labour price, and a one-year guarantee on the renovation and two years on materials. You can see how we approach the comprehensive renovation work in Mallorca from beginning to end.
