In 2018 we purchased a long-abandoned house with surrounding land, located just over an hour’s drive from both Alicante and Valencia and around three hours from Madrid. The property includes an 83 m² house, a 150 m² patio and approximately 750 m² of additional land.
The site was entirely off grid, not connected to the power network, water mains or sewer system. From the outset the goal has been to restore and transform the space gradually, working within a modest budget while keeping it as self-sufficient and low maintenance as possible. Power is now provided primarily through solar energy, and future plans include an automated irrigation system drawing from the existing well to support a sustainable garden.
The images below are grouped into three phases: Before, Main Construction Stage and More Developed, reflecting our decision to approach this as a slow, considered project. A final phase will be added once the transformation is complete. Each stage displays a set of 9 images — click on any of them to open a full-screen gallery with additional photos.
Solar panels
The electricity was the easier part where we went with a solar panel system for 4250€. It had 6 units of 275w totalling 1650 watt. The inversor has 3000w max and 4 batteries AGM 6V -400Ah C20. Here is the full spec of our system.
Unfortunately, it is slightly underdimensioned for the purpose of standalone modern living so it has now been installed as a primary source of energy with the power grid to supply it once needed.
Before
Main Construction Stage
More Developed Stage
Finished State
In March 2020 we completed the interior painting and assembled the bedroom, bringing the core of the house into shape. With the main indoor work in place, the focus now shifts to the outdoor space — around 800 m² of land including a patio area that offers room for future development.
This is a long-term project by design, evolving gradually and without pressure. Living entirely off grid and free from monthly overheads creates a rare sense of freedom. The next phase is about making the most of this space while continuing to learn through hands-on experience — from working with water systems to establishing a garden that can grow over time. The process remains open and intentional, shaped as much by curiosity as by planning.
Water
Securing a water connection turned out to be one of the more complex stages of the project due to the unusual circumstances of the site. Installing water required navigating a maze of documentation with conflicting requirements depending on whether the property was treated as a new build or a historic structure. Despite the challenges, we resolved the issue and successfully had water installed in January 2020, marking a significant step forward, albeit at a considerable cost.