Change of use cost in Barcelona: 2026 rates for converting commercial premises into a home
What is the cost of a change of use from commercial premises to a home in Barcelona? The architect’s fees depend mainly on the built floor area, the work the premises need and the level of detail of the project. Here are our 2026 rates, estimated for Barcelona and its surroundings, what they include and what can make them vary, so you can decide with all the information.
In this article
€1,080 + VAT
Preliminary feasibility study, in Barcelona and its surroundings
€4,020 + VAT
Project, licence and site supervision, in Barcelona and its surroundings
50 m²
Built floor area of the home in these reference prices
Change of use cost in Barcelona
The cost of a change of use depends mainly on the built floor area. These are the minimum fees from our calculator, estimated for Barcelona and its surroundings, for commercial premises converted into a home with 50 m² of built floor area, with no work on the structure and no changes to the façades or other parts of the building envelope (type 2 intervention) and a medium level of detail. First the preliminary feasibility study is quoted and carried out; then, if the change of use is feasible, the project, according to the scope required.
| Service | Minimum price |
|---|---|
| Preliminary feasibility study | from €1,080.00 + VAT |
| Project, licence and site supervision | from €4,020 + VAT |
What the change of use cost includes
- Preliminary feasibility study in three phases: review of the documentation and the planning regulations with a calculation of the housing density, a visit and survey of the premises, and a layout proposal discussed with the municipal technicians.
- Technical project and documents to carry out the work: report, drawings and measurements.
- Application and processing of the licence with the city council.
- Help requesting and comparing quotes from several builders using the project measurements.
- Site supervision by a registered architect, to make sure the work is done properly.
It does not include the building work, which you contract with the builder of your choice, or municipal taxes and fees (ICIO and licence), which are paid to the city council.
What changes the cost of a change of use
Built floor area
It is the factor that most affects the cost of a change of use. Under the same conditions, the project with licence and site supervision costs from €5,020 + VAT for 80 m² built and from €6,120 + VAT for 120 m² built.
Type of intervention
If localised structural work is also needed, the project for 50 m² built costs from €5,630 + VAT.
Level of detail of the project
With a high level of detail, including detailed drawings and full measurements to compare quotes, the project for 50 m² built costs from €5,840 + VAT.
Municipality
We work throughout Catalonia. To find out the cost of a change of use in your municipality, use our quote page.
A worked example of the change of use cost
Ground-floor premises of 50 m² built in Gràcia, with no need to work on the structure or the façade. First you commission the preliminary study: €1,080 + VAT. If the change of use is feasible, the project with licence and site supervision costs €4,020 + VAT. In total, €5,100 + VAT in fees, split into phases. You can see a real case in our change of use in the Sants neighbourhood.
How we work, step by step
1. Preliminary study
You give us the address of the premises and we review planning, the land registry and the background. We tell you whether it is feasible before you invest in the project.
2. Project
We measure the premises, propose the layout and draw up the project with drawings and measurements.
3. Licence and quotes
We apply for the licence and request quotes from several builders so you can choose the one you prefer.
4. Site supervision
We supervise the work to the end to make sure it is done properly.
How you pay: in phases
First comes the feasibility study, in three phases. Each one ends with a feasibility assessment, so you can decide at every step whether to go ahead:
- Phase A (20%). Review of the documentation in the historical archive, the land registry and aerial photos, review of the planning regulations and calculation of the housing density. First feasibility assessment. Paid on accepting the engagement.
- Phase B (40%). Study of the background and the documents you provide (deeds, drawings), visit to the premises and survey drawing of the current state. Second feasibility assessment. Paid at the start of the phase, once the previous one has been approved.
- Phase C (40%). Layout proposal and consultation with the municipal technicians. Third feasibility assessment. Paid at the start of the phase, once the previous one has been approved.
Then, if the change of use is feasible, we send you the quote for the project and site supervision, according to the scope required:
- Project (60%). Technical project and licence application. Paid on accepting the engagement.
- Site supervision (40%). Paid monthly, in proportion to the progress of the work.
Where we work
Our office is in the city of Barcelona (C/ Sant Hermenegild, 16) and we carry out change of use projects throughout the Barcelona metropolitan area and its surroundings. We also work on projects throughout Catalonia. The change of use cost in this article is estimated for Barcelona and its surroundings; for other municipalities, check the price on our quote page.
The requirements change from one municipality to another (minimum floor area, ceiling height, street frontage, housing density), and we review them in the preliminary study. The home must also meet the minimum habitability conditions of Decree 141/2012, which the Catalan Association of Architects (COAC) summarises in its requirements sheet for homes created by a change of use (in Catalan). We explain it in how to convert commercial premises into a home, in common change of use problems and on our change of use service page.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of a change of use
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