You live in Cómpeta, have you lived here all your life?
Almost all my life, from 1978-1982 I lived in Malaga, but the rest of the time I’ve lived here.
Are you married, do you have children, if so how old are they?
Yes I’m married and have two children, one son who is 27 and a daughter who’s 25.
What do you think makes your company different to the others; tell us a bit about them?
Basically I feel that’s important to provide a reliable, trustworthy service to people combined with good quality. I attempt to be as punctual as possible with regard to starting jobs when promised and realistic in the proposed time it will take to complete. With 30 years of experience I’ve learnt a lot and now have a large professional team of personnel as well as of equipment and machinery. These personnel include plumbers, electricians, skilled builders, carpenters, machine operators, gardeners etc.. all working under one roof so to speak and therefore this aids with the smooth running of projects and avoids delays.
And my son, Samuel, is working in the company with me, and this will ensure that the traditions we have built up will continue into the next generation.
I also have a good working relationship with the Solutions 4 U office in Cómpeta and together we provide a personalized service for our English speaking customers so that they can receive their estimates and contracts in English and an additional Project Management Service is offered for those not able to be present in Spain while the work is being carried out. We also take care of the necessary local authority permissions and architect’s plans for our customers. We believe good communication is the key to good business.
Your construction company has a good reputation and is known for good workmanship, however does this come at a price?
No, particularly in the current climate I endeavour to be as competitive as possible without compromising on quality. Sometimes when customers compare estimates they only compare the price without comparing the quality of the work. If a customer should receive estimates from various competitors I invite them to come and discuss this with me and we can look at the details of the estimate and I’m always happy to explain exactly what is involved in the work I would propose to do and how this might differ from others.
Do you have any hobbies? What do you do to relax?
I like to go fishing and trekking in the country now and again, and I also enjoying reading and travelling when I have the time. My most common relaxation is to spend time in the countryside occupying myself with jobs at my finca.
What positive changes have you seen in Cómpeta in the last 10 years?
I feel the village has expanded in the tourist sector which is good; we have also had a change of Mayor together with his new team of Councillors who are showing earnest endeavours to improve the village. The infrastructure has improved, now we have necessities such as electric and water in almost all parts of the surrounding countryside as well as a telephone and internet provision.
and internet provision.
What negative changes have you seen in Cómpeta in the last 10 years?
The problems in construction are obviously at the forefront for me and this now means difficulties in obtaining permissions and the threat of fines from the Junta. The general crisis is hitting us all, even in the hills of Andalucia.
How do you see Cómpeta changing over the next few years?
One thing that will affect us greatly is the impending arrival of the ‘General Plan’ sent from Malaga which will implement strict rules as to construction in the area, not only in what construction is allowed or not allowed, but also in the way we will be able to build.
Nowadays agriculture isn’t giving a substantial income to the community and we have to look to rural tourism in all its forms for this. Hence we need to take good care of it and view it as an
investment in our future.
