looking for work as joiner?in spain?

Answer 1

As people have said above it is not as easy as it seems although when my husband went self employed it only took a month to sort out all the paper work (although he did already have his NIE).

The main problem you will have is that there is an abundance of people already over here offering their services, there are also people over here that aren't qualified in anyway but have a bit of knowledge about knocking nails in. they will work for very little, bringing down the prices you can ask for and so the money to be made isn't brilliant.

The Spanish builders have a different way of working and have very little knowledge about what a joiner is - for example as far as they are concerned builders hang the doors. Whether this is due to the lack of wood in Spanish buildings I don't know.

Having said all this if you are willing to work hard and you want to move for the way of life rather than the money that it can be a lovely place to live and it can work. You can work both with the Spanish and the expats and build up a reputation of quality then you can charge more. Make sure you do your research first though and good luck

Answer 2

We live in Spain , 17 years, and it's true the work is hard to find. However a good tradesman can find work wherever he goes. You must be prepared to work hard and advertise a lot to get work. We always want an English speaking person to do our own work, as we know what they are saying, even though we speak Spanish. We will never earn what we did in UK but we would never had had a house/pool/life like we have now or have the freedom the weather brings.There might be an opening for kitchen fitters or something in that line.
You have to pay tax or social no matter where you live in the world. That's a fact.

Answer 3

You and so many others! The markets are absolutely swamped with joiners, plumber, brickies etc, who come here thinking they will all be better than the guy before, reality is the market is saturated and when, when you can get work, its for a pittance to be competitive.
You will also have to go legal, which means that if you are planning to be self employed, it can take 6 months to register, as soon as you declare your intention, the ball is rolling, you cannot work until you are registered and as soon as you are, you will be required by law, to pay social security, whether there is income or not. If you are married the contribution covers you and wife, but if simply living together, she will not be covered!
The work is different here as design and build of property is different, you can't simply transfer the skills, plus, you will need to learn spanish to be able to get supplied with wood etc....its not easy by any long chalk, many go back within 2 years as cannot make it work

Answer 4

I've lived here 16 years, and work is hard to find whatever you do. If I were you I'd look into going somewhere else other than Spain. Money is not too good, you would be better off speaking fluent Spanish, and stamp as a self employed person is 249€ a month even if you don't earn anything! Stay where you are or go to Aussie (if you can)
The grass here is not greener, it is decidedly barren!!
Sorry to disappoint you.

Answer 5

Its not as easy as everyone thinks to find work in Spain and the pay isn't great. I've been here 3 yrs and worked in a bar for 18 months then for a bookies in Gibraltar for 18 months. Me and my boyfriend are now moving back to england because there are no future prospects here.
Try this site below and look at the classified section for jobs...its the big newspaper in Spain and where most people advertise.

Answer 6

If you have good skills and are prepared to work hard of course you can force your way into certain niches.. There is a high numkber of English etc ex pats buying finca type properties here and renovating etc.. They naturally (rightly or wrongly) would prefer a English tradesman.. The surinenglish as mentioned above may get u bits and bobs but really you need proper marketing and advertising to make it work, u have to hit things hard.

Answer 7

I think your out of favour here......Ive just returned after 10 years.......As another answer says, Its difficult and the pay is low.
If you go legal you have to pay your taxes and register as a constructor..........But there is one thing that you don't realise.....There is very little wood in Spanish buildings...The roofs are concrete beams and large flat bricks called "Bardos"
As for being a joiner, take my advise and stay in England....You may not have the sun.....But then you wouldn't ruin your life.

Answer 8

I hear there are plenty of opportunities if you are prepared to work hard. Head for the areas under development where the work is on-going. I know several labourers who have gone and found work.

Answer 9

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