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Custom-built industrialized and prefabricated steel homes
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Licensing and Regulations
A prefabricated or industrialized home requires the same permits as a conventionally built home: a technical plan, a major construction permit, and, upon completion, a certificate of occupancy or a first-occupancy permit. We’ll walk you through the steps, the required documents, and the costs involved.
First of all
Yes. A prefabricated house anchored to the ground is considered real property, and the law does not distinguish between different construction methods: it regulates land use and land classification. That is why you need a building plan, a major construction permit, and the final certificate that allows you to live in the house and connect to utilities.
Building or constructing a house without a permit can result in the work being halted, fines, and even a demolition order, and without a certificate of occupancy, you won't be able to set up electricity or water service.
For informational purposes only. Each autonomous community and each municipality has its own regulations, deadlines, and fees. Always check with your municipality’s urban planning department and the professional drafting the project.
Before buying the land
The feasibility of the house depends on the soil. Check these points before buying or commissioning the project.
You can build on urban land as long as you comply with the ordinance. Land designated for development requires infrastructure work to be completed first. On rural land, the restrictions are very strict: see “Homes on Rural Land.”
You request it from city hall. It specifies the buildable area, the maximum height, the floor area ratio, and the setbacks from property lines and the street—in other words, what size house can be built.
Analyze the site to determine the foundation requirements. With a steel structure, which is lightweight, the foundation is usually light as well.
Measure the slopes and elevations of the lot to determine the best location for the house and design the footings.
Check whether the lot has access to water, electricity, and sewer services, or if you will need to provide your own solutions.
StarModul components are delivered in standard trucks and assembled without the need for large cranes, so standard access to the lot is sufficient.
Documentation
The project is drafted and signed by a licensed architect and submitted to city hall:
For the StarModul structure, the structural analysis is performed by an engineer, and we can provide a quote for it. We also provide you with the construction details and technical documentation for the system as part of the project.
Step by step
Cost
Taxes and fees are calculated based on the material implementation budget (PEM) specified in the project. Each municipality sets its own rates in its tax ordinances.
| HOME | Tax on Construction, Installations, and Public Works. The law sets a maximum rate of 4% of the PEM; each municipality sets its own rate. |
|---|---|
| License Fee | There is a fee for processing the application. It depends on each city council's ordinance. |
| Waste Deposit | A deposit that is refunded at the end of the contract if proper waste management is verified. |
| Other Security Deposits | Some city councils require a security deposit to cover potential damage to sidewalks or public roads. |
Example: With a construction cost of 100,000 €, the ICIO tax can reach up to 4,000 € if the municipality applies the maximum rate. Added to that are the building permit fee and security deposits. You also need to factor in the project design and construction management fees. To calculate the cost of the house, check out what factors influence the price of a prefabricated home.
Normally, a provisional self-assessment payment is made when the application is submitted; without it, the city council will not begin reviewing the case. Once the work is completed, the payment can be adjusted if the final cost has changed.
Yes. If it's anchored to the ground and is going to be used as a residence, it requires technical plans and a major construction permit, just like a traditionally built house.
It depends on each city council: it can range from a few weeks to several months. On rural land, if prior authorization from the autonomous community is required, the process takes longer.
A licensed architect. The structural calculations for the StarModul are performed by an engineer, and we can provide a quote for that. With our turnkey home service, we handle the design and all the necessary paperwork.
This is the document that certifies that the home meets the minimum conditions for habitation. In Catalonia, it is called a “cédula de habitabilidad”; in other regions, a “licencia de primera ocupación” is required. Without it, you cannot set up utility service for electricity and water.
The design and budget can be finalized in advance, but construction must not begin without a building permit: doing so carries the risk of a work stoppage and penalties.