Old town houses · Coastal villas · Doors · Beams · Staircases
From steep old town houses with original timber to coastal villas with sunny terraces, Altea’s homes call for carpentry that respects the building and copes with the climate.
Altea is built up a hillside, and its homes reflect that. In the old town, narrow streets and steps lead to houses with thick walls, small windows and sometimes original wooden beams. Below and around it, there are villas with views over the bay, many with terraces designed for outdoor living.
The two kinds of property need different things from a carpenter. In an old house, the work is often careful: adapting a staircase to a tight space, repairing a door that has been in the same frame for decades, or fitting a new ceiling without damaging what is there. In a villa, it is more often about building something new, such as a pergola, decking or a run of fitted storage.
We have been carrying out renovation work on the north Costa Blanca since 1999, and we are used to the access challenges of working in hillside towns. Materials sometimes have to be carried up steps rather than delivered to the door, and we plan for that when we give a quotation.
Old town houses
Houses in the older part of Altea were built long before standard door sizes and square rooms. Openings vary, floors slope and walls are thick and irregular. A new door or built-in cupboard has to be made to the opening as it actually is, and that is where careful measuring and some hand-fitting pay off.
Where original timber survives, we try to keep it. Old doors can be eased and re-hung, shutters repaired, and ceiling timbers cleaned and treated. If something is too far gone, we explain why and suggest a replacement that sits properly in the house rather than looking out of place.
Internal staircases in these houses are often steep and tight. We can rebuild or repair treads, fit a sturdier handrail, or look at how a stair can be made safer and more comfortable without changing the character of the space.
Coastal villas
Villas around Altea often have a terrace facing the sea, and the question is nearly always how to make it usable in the heat. A pergola provides shade for a dining table or a lounge area and can be built to match the architecture of the house, with open slats, a solid cover or a mix.
Being close to the coast means salt in the air and strong sun. We discuss the choice of timber, the finish and the metal fixings with that in mind. Any exterior timber needs renewal of its finish from time to time, and we tell you plainly what to expect so there are no surprises a few years on.
Position matters as well. On a slope, wind can funnel across a terrace, so we look at how a structure will be anchored and how exposed it is before agreeing a design.
Interior joinery
Fitted wardrobes, bookcases, window seats and alcove shelving suit Altea homes well, because standard furniture so rarely fits the odd corners and niches. A built-in unit that follows the line of the wall makes use of every centimetre and looks as if it belongs.
We build these pieces to measure and agree finishes with you beforehand, whether you want painted units for a light, contemporary feel or natural timber that suits a traditional interior. We can also make matching pieces over time, so a room can be completed in stages.
For second-home owners, we often suggest sturdy storage that copes with long periods when the house is closed. Good ventilation behind units and a sensible choice of material help guard against damp.
How it works
We visit the property, look at access and take measurements, and talk through what you would like. For older houses we spend time looking at the existing timber and walls, since that affects how the job should be approached. A written quotation follows, setting out the scope, materials and finish.
Work in narrow streets and on steps needs planning, so we agree deliveries, parking and working hours in advance and protect floors and stairs along the way. At the end we check the work with you, and it is covered by our guarantee as described in the quotation.
Questions
Yes. We are used to working in older houses with narrow access and uneven walls. We allow for carrying materials by hand where needed and take extra care with existing timber and finishes.
A timber pergola is a popular option, and it can be designed with slats or a solid cover depending on how much shade you need. We look at the sun, wind and your preferred look during the visit and explain the maintenance each option involves.
Often they can. Sticking, sagging or damaged doors and shutters can frequently be eased, repaired and refinished. If replacement is the better option, we say so and suggest something suited to the house.
No, the quotation is free. It is written, and it sets out the scope of the work, which is guaranteed.
Across the area
Altea is one of eight towns with its own carpentry page. The main Carpentry Services Costa Blanca page covers the whole service in full.
Fitted wardrobes, doors and storage for Benidorm apartments and old town homes.
View Benidorm →Kitchens, doors, stairs and pergolas for La Nucía’s hillside villas and urbanisation homes.
View La Nucía →Pergolas, decking, stairs and joinery for Finestrat’s hillside villas.
View Finestrat →Doors, wardrobes and salt-resistant outdoor timber for Calpe apartments and villas.
View Calpe →Wardrobes, kitchens, decking and doors for Alfaz del Pi and Albir homes.
View Alfaz del Pi & Albir →Beams, old doors, shutters and stairs for Polop’s village houses and hillside villas.
View Polop →Finca beams, old town joinery and coastal pergolas for Benissa properties.
View Benissa →Get in touch
If you are restoring an old town house or adding outdoor living space to a villa, tell us about the project and send a few photos. We will arrange a visit and prepare a written quotation.
The quotation is free, and the work is guaranteed. Where carpentry belongs to a larger renovation, we can plan it with the other trades.
Customer reviews
Genuine Google reviews from Dragon Reforms customers.
Complete Apartment Renovation – Benidorm
“I would like to say a huge thank you to Dragonreforms. Nico and his team did an excellent job renovating our 2 bedroom apartment in Benidorm. This included a beautiful new bathroom, kitchen, flooring, interior doors, plumbing and complete electrical works. Truly amazing workmanship. You have made our dreams come true.”
Bathroom Renovations & Aluminium Door Replacement
“We would like to say thank you to Dragon Reforms for an excellent job renovating our two bathrooms and replacing our aluminium doors.”
More from Dragon Reforms
Everything Dragon Reforms does in Altea, each with its own page.
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Describe the job and we will get back to you to arrange a visit. The quotation is free.
