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Gerardus Koetje

Builder 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. I am an English-speaking tradesman based in Fundão, working across Central Portugal. I carry out the work myself — no crews, no subcontractors. Machine digging is the one exception: for that I work with a regular partner who brings the excavator.

I write your quote in English so you do not need to translate anything, and I walk you through each phase before I 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 I do

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

What I do not take on: full shell renovations involving heavy demolition. Because I work alone, I do not take on projects where an entire house runs from demolition to handover under a single contractor.

  • Non-structural renovation and finishing
  • Annexes, garages and outbuildings (structural part in partnership)
  • Shell, foundations and masonry — together with a licensed empreiteiro/engineer

Service area

My base is Fundão. I regularly work in Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Belmonte, Penamacor and Guarda. Further out (Sertã, Oleiros, Sabugal) is also possible, but I 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, I work together with a licensed local contractor and an architect/engineer who deliver the project legally; I 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 my Portuguese NIF so the work is properly accountable for tax purposes.

How it works

First I 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 I 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 together, and only then is the final payment milestone closed.

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

New construction shell, FundãoFoundation work, Central PortugalRoof structure renovation, CovilhãRenovation work on an old house

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. I check this with the Câmara Municipal before I 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. I can help with the submission via a local architect or engenheiro civil if needed.
Do you work with fixed prices or time-and-materials?
Neither, and that is deliberate. In Portugal a truly fixed price is rarely an honest one, because old houses keep their surprises behind the walls. I estimate the job as closely as I can and agree a maximum number of working days. That figure is what you plan and budget around. If the work runs past it, or needs materials beyond what we agreed, those days and materials are invoiced, and you hear about it while it is happening rather than at the end.
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