Prior works notice: what to know before starting a renovation

What is a prior works notice?

A prior works notice is, broadly speaking, a way of informing the administration that certain works are intended before they begin. It is an administrative concept that many property owners encounter when planning a renovation, but its exact scope depends on the municipality and the procedure in force.

It is important not to confuse this with the idea that works can begin without checking anything. Even if a project can go through a notice route, it may still involve obligations, documentation or conditions that are worth understanding in advance. That is why the sensible first step is usually to check the official procedure of the municipality, rather than assuming which process applies.

Prior notice, acknowledgement and licence: they are not the same thing

Administrations can use different procedures and names for processing a works application. Depending on the municipality and the scope, you may encounter a prior notice, an acknowledgement or a building licence, among other figures. They are not equivalent and they do not always apply to the same cases.

Very broadly, smaller-scope works tend to be associated with simpler procedures, while works with greater technical or legal impact usually require a licence and, often, a technical project. The exact thresholds and categories are set by each administration and can change over time, so they should not be assumed in advance.

If you want to get your bearings with the usual differences, we explain them in more detail in the guide to major and minor works. And for the specific case of Barcelona, you can consult the guide to building permits in Barcelona.

When can it come up in interior renovations?

The prior notice often comes up in conversations about interior home renovations: updating a bathroom, renovating a kitchen, changing finishes or reviewing services. Even so, a renovation appearing 'interior' does not in itself determine which procedure applies.

When a bathroom or kitchen renovation is limited to replacing finishes without touching services or layout, the scope tends to be smaller. If, however, soil pipes are moved, plumbing or electrics are redone, or the layout is altered, the scope grows and it may change the applicable procedure. In a full renovation several of these actions often coincide. In all cases, it is worth checking the official procedure of the municipality before starting.

When to proceed with extra caution

Some works call for special care because they affect sensitive parts of the building or its safety. In these cases, a more involved procedure is more likely to be needed and, often, a technical project and supervision.

Works that tend to require more attention are those affecting:

• the façade or the building's shared elements;
• the roof;
• the foundations or the structure (load-bearing walls, beams, floor decks);
• a renovation of a certain scale or a change in habitability conditions.

In apartment buildings, many of these works are decisions for the owners' association and may involve a technician, a project and, depending on the case, inspections. For these interventions, it is better to check the procedure carefully than to assume a notice is sufficient.

What is worth preparing before checking the procedure?

To get a better picture and to make both the official enquiry and a first construction orientation easier, it usually helps to have to hand:

• the address and municipality of the works;
• photos or videos of the space or the building;
• a description of what you want to do;
• whether the works may affect walls, structure, façade, roof, services, ventilation or the use of the property;
• existing drawings, if you have them;
• whether an architect, surveyor, technician or administrator is already involved;
• the community context, when the works affect shared elements.

No sensitive documents are needed for a first orientation. If you like, you can tell us about your case and we will look at how it fits before anything else.

What role can OBRA.cat play?

OBRA.cat is a construction company. We do not replace the architect, the surveyor, the property administrator or the council, but we can coordinate with them. On a project involving a prior notice, we can:

• review the construction scope of the work you want to carry out;
• help understand whether the project is straightforward or technically sensitive;
• coordinate with the architect or technician when the project requires it;
• prepare a scope and an indicative budget once the requirements are clearer;
• carry out the works to the contract and scope agreed in writing.

What we do not do is promise the approval of a procedure or take on what belongs to a technician or the administration. Our work is the construction side, with everything clear from the outset.

The official source and the final decision

This guide is for orientation and is not legal or technical advice. Each municipality may use its own forms, categories and criteria, and these can change over time. That is why the official information should always be checked before starting works.

For Barcelona, the official information and the final decision rest with Barcelona City Council, through the processing of building works files (licence or notification). If the work involves a first occupation or a major refurbishment, the habitability certificate from the Generalitat de Catalunya may also apply. In any municipality, always check the official procedure before starting work.