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Arguments in favour of building your own house are summed up in two: it's cheaper, and you can build it to suit your tastes and needs. But on the other hand, it's a slow process to get the building done and there are endless bureaucratic and technical hold-ups.

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The adventure of building your own house starts with the ground. The first thing you must ascertain is whether the land you want to buy is zoned for construction, and if so, how and with what conditions. This step should be resolved in the town hall to which the land corresponds. The local zoning code will determine which land is zoned for building and which is not.

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Once this first hurdle is cleared, the would-be homeowner must turn to an architect and surveyor, both duly certified. With these professionals you will sign a contract spelling out clearly and completely, the fees for carrying out a draft design, a basic design, a finished design and probably a construction management project.

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Once these pre-requisites are satisfied, the would-be homeowner goes back to town hall with all the necessary documents. Authorities there will study the project and grant a building license if all the zoning laws are respected. Town halls tend to voice a lot of objections, so it is common not to obtain the license on the first try. If the project is rejected, the architect and surveyor have to go back to the drawing board and incorporate the observations made by the town hall technicians.

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The worst part starts after the building permit is obtained, so don't be toasting your new house yet. The messiest part is finding a builder who is professional, responsible and solvent, and able to build the house as per the license and blueprints. Otherwise you run the risk of having town hall deny the house final approval.

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With the builder, you must sign a contract spelling out conditions for the building, payment and deadlines. The should be clauses covering liability in case either side does not meet its part of the deal.

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The construction contract should spell out the estimated cost, broken down into its different components. The figure should reflect the original architectural project approved by town hall. Still, construction is subject to all kinds of changes along the way, and these should always be approved by the future homeowner. Payment of the project and whatever extra costs are incurred is done in instalments, as construction moves along.

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Finally, just as you know when a project has begun, you need to know when it is finished. Thus, in the contract there should be a clause in which the builder promises to pay for each day in which he fails to meet the construction deadline. This is extremely important. Spanish law calls this protection a substitute for payment of damages (but not all damages, since it excludes those stemming from unfulfilment or faulty fulfilment of the contract.