Obra Lisboa Blog
Categories
More homes licensed in 2026: what it means for a Lisbon renovation
New homes licensed and completed increased in Portugal in the second quarter of 2026, while construction costs also rose. Here is how to turn those market signals into safer renovation decisions in Lisbon.
Residential Retaining Walls: Why Drainage Behind the Wall Determines Safety
A retaining wall does more than create a level garden terrace. Learn why trapped water is its main risk and what to check before building or repairing one.
Cooker Hood Filters: How to Clean Them Safely and Know When to Call a Professional
A practical guide to cleaning metal cooker-hood filters, restoring the extraction you can expect and spotting problems that need a professional check of the duct or appliance.
Gas Appliances at Home: What to Check During a Renovation to Avoid Safety Risks
A renovation involving a gas water heater, boiler or cooker must preserve ventilation, flue routes and service access. Here is what to check before closing walls, fitting cabinetry or moving a kitchen.
Condominium Meeting Minutes for Façade, Balcony or Roof Works: What They Should Say
Before work affects a façade, balcony, roof or other shared part of a building, the condominium minutes should approve a defined solution. Learn what to confirm before submitting a Lisbon planning application.
Night ventilation in Lisbon apartments: when it cools your home and when to keep windows closed
Opening windows at night can release heat stored in an apartment, but it only works when outdoor air is cooler and the home has a controlled route for airflow.
Screed Over Old Timber Floors in Lisbon: When to Avoid It and How to Prepare the Floor
Before levelling an old timber floor with screed, check the structure, moisture and added load. In many Lisbon buildings, a heavy layer can worsen deflection, wet the joists and undermine seismic behaviour.
Study Corner in a Small Bedroom: Light, Desk and Storage Without Taking Over the Room
How to create a useful study corner in a small bedroom while keeping clear circulation, practical lighting, accessible sockets and a room that still supports rest.
6% VAT on housing construction and rehabilitation: what to confirm before appointing a contractor
Portugal’s 2026 rules may affect qualifying housing contracts. Learn what to put in the contract, how to handle variations and which records to request before payment.
The Invisible Air Route at Home: Why Air Should Enter Bedrooms and Leave Through Kitchens and Bathrooms
A home ventilates better when fresh air enters living spaces and leaves through wet rooms. Learn how to plan that route during a renovation.
Hot-Water Cylinder Dripping: What the Safety Valve Is Telling You
An occasional discharge may be normal; constant dripping, rust or an unsafe outlet need diagnosis before the problem is concealed.
Works That Affect a Façade or Common Parts: What to Approve Before Hiring
Before installing, enclosing, fixing or opening up, check whether the work affects the façade, common parts or the building’s safety. A practical Lisbon guide to condominium and council decisions.
