The Challenge

What makes an inherited property different

Inheriting a property is a mix of emotions. There's gratitude, there are memories, there's responsibility. And there's almost always a set of problems that time has accumulated — problems that now need resolving without erasing everything that makes the house unique.

Inherited properties have characteristics you won't find in new builds. They have history in their walls, details that no one makes today, and a solidity of construction that newer homes rarely match. But they also have decades of wear, installations that no longer meet current standards, and problems hidden beneath old plaster.

This is where Ferreira Obras makes the difference. We know how to distinguish what should stay from what should be updated. We carry out an honest assessment and present a plan that respects the house — and your budget.

Most Common Issues

What we typically find in inherited homes

Old electrical installations — fuse boxes with lead fuses, aluminium wiring or cables without earth. A real risk that needs addressing.
Degraded plumbing — oxidised galvanised iron pipes, blocked traps, irregular water pressure. Silent problems that become urgent.
Damp and water ingress — stained walls, falling plasterwork, musty smells. Usually from the roof, joints or buried walls.
1960s–80s tiles — not always worth removing. Often they have an aesthetic value worth preserving or integrating into the new design.
Old windows with no insulation — rotted timber frames or anodised aluminium without thermal break. Cold in winter, hot in summer.
Outdated room layouts — tiny bathrooms, closed-off kitchens, bedrooms without wardrobes. These can be changed without demolishing everything.

Our Approach

Honest assessment before any decision

Before we talk prices or materials, we visit the property, hear its story and carry out a full technical assessment. Only then do we present a plan.

1

Visit and assessment

We visit the property at no cost. We assess the state of the installations, identify the real problems (not just the visible ones), and understand what has historical value and what is simply taking up space.

2

We separate what stays from what changes

The solid timber windows from the 1950s can be restored — and end up better than new ones. High skirting boards have more character than MDF. Period facade tiles are an asset, not a problem. We help you understand what's worth keeping.

3

Fixed, detailed quote

We provide a phased or full quote with a fixed price. What we quote is what you pay — even if surprises appear during the works (and in inherited properties, they do appear). We communicate immediately and agree a course of action together.

4

Works with our own team

We don't subcontract. Our team goes in, executes and is accountable for the result. Weekly photos, progress reports, direct communication — no intermediaries.

5

Handover with 2-year guarantee

All work carries a written 2-year guarantee. If any issue arises with our work, we return at no additional cost.

What We Update

Modern where it needs to be, original where it's worth it

Essential upgrades

Full electrical installation to current standards — consumer unit, circuit breakers, sockets and lighting.
Supply and drainage plumbing — new multi-layer or PPR pipework with full connection to the mains.
Thermal and acoustic insulation — on external walls, floors and roof where applicable.
Renovated bathroom — modern sanitaryware, taps, wall finishes and lighting, without opening walls unnecessarily.
Renovated kitchen — new units, worktop, appliances and wall finishes. With or without layout changes.

What we respect and preserve

Solid timber windows — we restore the wood, replace the glazing with double-pane units and recover the original charm.
Skirting boards and mouldings — we sand, paint and keep them. They cost less than new ones and look far better.
Historic facade or interior tiles — we integrate them into the project when they have value. We clean and consolidate rather than remove.
Timber floors — we sand and varnish. An oak floor from the 1940s is worth far more restored than replaced.
Stone or old brick walls — when uncovered during works, we assess whether they deserve to remain visible. Often they do.

Real Projects

Projects we've completed

Porto — Bonfim

Grandparents' home, 1960s

Three generations of family. The house was 65 years old and had never been seriously renovated. We found aluminium wiring, oxidised iron plumbing and damp in the basement. We upgraded the entire installation from scratch, renovated both bathrooms and the kitchen, and restored the Brazilian pine floor throughout. The timber windows were restored with double glazing. Result: a home with its soul intact and the peace of mind that comes from knowing it's safe.

Duration: 14 weeks | Area: 130 m²

Espinho

Inherited house, 1970s

A two-storey house with garage. The heir lived abroad and wanted to renovate before selling. We managed the full project remotely — weekly photos, fortnightly video calls and a progress report. New electrical installation and plumbing, fully renovated kitchen and bathrooms, painted façade and landscaped garden. The property sold within three weeks of completion.

Duration: 16 weeks | Area: 185 m²

Investment

Indicative prices

Every inherited property is different. These figures are references — the real price depends on the property's condition, material choices and scope of work.

Partial renovation

Bathroom + kitchen + partial electrical and plumbing upgrade

From €18,000

2–3 bed apartment, mid-to-high quality materials

Full renovation

All rooms, complete installations, floors and finishes

From €45,000

3–4 bed house, premium materials, includes restoration of historic elements

Free, no-obligation quote. The price we present is the price you pay.

FAQ

Questions about inherited properties

No, registering an inheritance is a notarial process independent of any works. However, if the property has construction irregularities or installations that don't meet current standards, you may need to regularise these to obtain financing or to sell. We can help you understand what's urgent and what's optional.

Structural issues — load-bearing walls with cracks, subsiding floors, compromised foundations — require assessment by a structural engineer. We are not structural engineers and we don't resolve major structural problems. But we help identify what is cosmetic and what may be structural, and we refer you to the right specialists when needed.

Yes, and it often makes sense. There's a logical order: first the installations (electrics and plumbing), then the wet rooms (bathrooms and kitchen), and finally the general finishes. We can plan by phases and quote each one separately, so you can invest according to your financial capacity.

It depends on their condition and type. 19th or early 20th century facade tiles have heritage value and should be preserved — they can even be a selling point. Interior tiles from the 1960s–80s in good condition can be creatively integrated into the new design. Tiles in poor condition or that compromise waterproofing should be replaced. At the visit, we give you our honest opinion.

A partial renovation (bathroom + kitchen + installations) typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. A full renovation of a house can take 16 to 24 weeks. In properties with hidden surprises (structural damp, old wiring throughout), it may extend. We always provide a contractual timeline and communicate any deviation immediately.

Yes. We carry out the visit with a trusted family member or friend. We then send a photographic report and arrange a video call to present our assessment and quote. We manage entire projects remotely — see our dedicated page for emigrants and expats.

The Home You Inherited Deserves to Be Modernised — Without Losing Its Soul.