General contractor for construction & renovation in Central Portugal

Building or seriously renovating a home in Portugal is a real undertaking — especially if you are still learning the language and the local building process is unfamiliar. We are an English-speaking general contractor based in Fundão, working across Central Portugal.

We write your quote in English so you do not need to translate anything, and we walk you through each phase before we start. Whether it is an extension, a structural rebuild or a full new build, you know what it costs and when it will be finished before the first stone is laid.

What we do

We work for expats and local clients with a serious construction or renovation project. Our strength is non-structural renovation, finishing and converting an old space into a habitable home: masonry finishing, plaster, paint, tiling, floors and non-structural roofs. For structural and larger works — new foundations, load-bearing structures, the shell of a new build, or structural reinforcement — we work together with a licensed local empreiteiro and an architect/civil engineer who provide the design and sign-off. We then carry out the building and finishing work within that framework. For the finishing trades (plaster, paint, tiling) we have a regular crew we have worked with for years.

Non-structural renovation and finishing
Annexes, garages and outbuildings (structural part in partnership)
Shell, foundations and masonry — together with a licensed empreiteiro/engineer
Roofs and floor structures — structural part with engineer sign-off
Coordination of plumber, electrician and plasterer on our own site

Service area

Our base is Fundão. We regularly work in Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Belmonte, Penamacor and Guarda. Further out (Sertã, Oleiros, Sabugal) is also possible, but we account for extra travel time in the quote. Travel is always listed separately so there are no surprises at the end of the job.

Legal and transparent

Registered as a sole trader (trabalhador independente) in Portugal — NIF 309729211. For larger construction projects that legally require a registered empreiteiro or sign-off by an engineer in Portugal, we work together with a licensed local contractor and an architect/engineer who deliver the project legally; we carry out the building and finishing work. That means you will not run into problems during a future sale, valuation or mortgage application. Every invoice carries our Portuguese NIF so the work is properly accountable for tax purposes.

How it works

First we visit the site for an assessment, usually within a week of your request. You then receive a written quote with phases, materials and timeline. During the build we stay in touch by WhatsApp and send weekly progress photos. Material costs are itemised with receipts so you can see exactly where your money goes. At handover we walk the site with you, and only then do we close the final payment milestone.

Why Gerardus Koetje?

Dutch, English & Portuguese
Registered as a sole trader (trabalhador independente) in Portugal — NIF 309729211
Years of experience in Central Portugal
Honest and transparent — no surprises

Photos of our work

What our clients say

Service area

Fundão
Covilhã
Castelo Branco
Belmonte
Penamacor
Idanha-a-Nova
Sertã
Oleiros
Guarda
Sabugal

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for my building project?

For structural work, extensions and new builds, almost always. Non-structural finishing (painting, tiling, non-loadbearing partitions) often only needs a light notification process. We check this with the Câmara Municipal before we start so you do not stall halfway through.

How long does a building permit take in Central Portugal?

Expect 2 to 6 months depending on the municipality and complexity. Fundão and Castelo Branco are usually faster than larger cities. We can help with the submission via a local architect or engenheiro civil if needed.

Do you work with fixed prices or time-and-materials?

We give a fixed price per phase based on a detailed site assessment. Materials are passed through at cost with receipts. If the scope changes during the work — for example, extra work that only becomes visible after demolition — we discuss it first before proceeding.

Get a quote