Villa L in Gharb, Gozo

Although the home was already in a ready-to-move-in condition, the clients wanted to make the most out of the property’s potential.

The idea was to modernize the home’s style by softening the limestone building with whitewashed walls to create a smoother design. The clients also wanted to add en-suites to each guest bedrooms to provide a truly luxurious stay for their visitors.  

The most significant design change was removing a load-bearing wall of the master bedroom to open up to the views of the Gozitan countryside. With this move, an extensive, bright master suite was created with an additional reading corner.

The renovation started in July 2021, with the deadline set for October. Four months for a complete villa renovation, including a month-long Mediterranean shutdown in August. If this sounds like a ridiculously short time… well, it was. 

What kind of work needed to be done?

The electrical wiring was not unsafe, but they weren’t neat, making them the perfect candidates for extra tasks during the renovation. The high-quality internet and camera system needed better wirings.

Tasks:

• changing type-G sockets to international sockets
• changing outdated light switches to Legrand ones
• cleaning up walls from unnecessarily exposed pipes and wires
• changing all indoor and outdoor light fittings
• installation of new A/C and ceiling fans in each room
• installation of motion detector lights in outdoor spaces and the staircase

Plumbing works:

• adding 3 new ensuites 
• building a drainage system in the existing laundry room and for the guest quarter
• changing rain gutters
• cleaning-up and reinstalling pipe system in shafts
• changing outdoor taps

Finishing works:

• building 3 new bathrooms for the bedrooms that did not have individual ensuites
• resin flooring in the garage
• floor tiling in new bathrooms
• microcement wall finish
• tiling of 3 terraces
• finishing the traditional Maltese balcony
• demolition of two load-bearing walls with the installation of new metal beams
• re-plastering and re-painting ceilings
• plastering and painting walls
• changing the glass railing around the terrace and pool area
• adding new decking to one of the terraces
• new microcement feature wall and outdoor shower area
• installation of new windows in the ensuite and sliding terrace door in the gym
• installation of custom-made interior hard-wood doors
• fixing and waterproofing the roof
• adding mosquito nets to apertures

Garden landscaping:

• new automatic irrigation system
• changing the 130 sqm artificial turf to real lawn
• plant 100 new trees and 30 bushes
• build a bamboo fence around the garden
• reconstruct the 30-meter-long new rubble wall along the garden

Furnishing:

• complete furnishing according to design plans

What Man proposes, God disposes. 

We ran into unexpected complications, as one would expect and included additional needs by the clients that lengthened the process, stretching out the original date by 2 months. Basically, this was just a typical renovation.

What went wrong?

Let’s start with the availability of materials. There are some basic materials that the local construction companies use. Still, we did not want to work with many of those items because the quality left much to be desired. 

For example, I spent weeks looking for a special waterproofing liquid suitable for the underground room we were fixing. I ended up calling the Turkish product’s headquarters to gather the needed information since the local suppliers were not able to provide one.

Lengthy deadlines.

This almost goes hand in hand with the previous problem. Let’s see the aperture companies first. 

Suppose you want to have insulated aluminium or PVC windows and terrace doors. In that case, you need to look for those companies that manufacture the items locally. Since we were already in August, deep into the shutdown, I only contacted Gozitan companies. I generally try to work only with Gozitan suppliers to support the local trade since all of my projects are in Gozo. I think this makes sense, right?

We needed one casement window for the bathroom and one two-leaf sliding door. Most companies presented a 6 to 8 months delivery time. One said delivery would be in 2 months, and it was the Gozo Aluminium, so we chose them.

Suppliers. 

Once we had ordered the decking, railings, windows, and whatever was needed, I expected professional installation in a day or two. Well, that was not the case. 

Many suppliers only make the delivery when the invoice is paid in full in the first place. Still, you must chase them daily to reach a potential delivery date. And when you finally have a delivery and installation date, you have to be extremely lucky to get everything done in a day.

The terrace glass railing caused the most problems. The base profile did not fit properly. Nor the glasses in it. Two broke immediately after they installed them, so those needed to be replaced on another day. 

One month later, when the first winds hit the island, the glass railing was already in a dangerous state, and the company had to return to fix it. This post-work lasted a whole month, so the railing works took 4 months to be finished.

Aperture companies in Malta work backwards. 

I used to manage slightly bigger projects in Hungary. Not only in size but also in finances. 

We planned the project, and the architects created highly detailed drawings (e.g. section- and elevation drawings, floorplans, finishing drawings, etc.) We fundamentally had everything in hand for a successful building and finishing. 

In Malta, the supplier will not even come for a site visit until the home is not ready.

Suppose I order five 800mm x 2100mm interior doors. In that case, I do not want a site visit from the supplier because I will ensure that the walls will be adequately prepared.

The home must be ready with doors and windows installed when it is ready. There is no other way. How can one expect to work with delicate paint and micro-cement without having windows on the property? You have to hermetically close each room while doing these works. Otherwise, you will end up with dirty walls. 

If you try to work with a craftsman, that is an entirely different story. They are overbooked. And I am talking in years.

Since the owners liked the already installed interior doors, they wanted to add 5 more to the new rooms of the home. We ordered these doors before the renovation started, and the installation deadline was mid-October 2021. The doors were delivered a year from placing the order, in June 2022.

Poor pre-renovation. 

You see, the concrete ground floor of a building must be constructed to resist the passage of groundwater to the upper surface of the floor covering. This only happens when the concrete is incorporated with a damp or waterproof membrane.

Since this house was built in 2003 and underwent many renovations over the years, some crucial parts were not formed properly. The waterproof membrane was missing in many places of the house, causing visible patches of water everywhere. We had to add this membrane to multiple areas, which slowed the whole process.

Having an interior designer was a blessing!

Malta’s construction industry is booming, a convenient drift for interior designers.

Many people are reluctant to use the services of an interior designer for one reason or another. The main reason is that “it is too expensive”.

A professionally designed home is an investment; it will increase the value of your house once you decide to sell it. There are many homes with the same qualities on the market. It has to stand out from the crowd if you want to sell yours!

People also believe designers will push one design, not to the client’s taste. Wrong! 

Designers create every room per your way of life. They balance aesthetics and functions while considering how each item will fit together.

Of course, some designers have a particular style, but it is totally up to you who you hire! 

We worked with DAAA Haus, a local company which is well known for its high-quality work and fantastic design. After several meetings, they developed a modern but minimalistic look for this Mediterranean villa. We kept the traditional features like the Maltese balcony on the facade, exposed limestone walls and the large arched windows facing the Mediterranean Sea.

Choosing the right finishing team

Clients must set up multiple meetings with contractors to visit the property together. Please be aware that these meetings can take 2-3 hours, depending on the finishing needs. And always meet one contractor at a time.

That is awesome if you have the current and proposed floor plans ready! It significantly helps the pricing process!

You need to discuss your requirements in great detail. What materials to choose, how many light points you want, etc.

But let’s see the local shops that impressed me the most! (In Alphabetical order.)

We worked with many local suppliers, but these are the ones that impressed me the most!

(There are many other shops in Gozo we haven’t worked with, and we can’t wait to use their services!)

Axiak Brothers

Charlie Axiak is my favourite go-to person if I need stones. He is constantly busy but always takes the time to show you around until you find the perfect material for your project. He is kind and one of the few people in the country who understands customer care.

Beta Centre

Since we used microcement for the bathroom finishing, I decided to go with Beta Centre. They have many colours available, everything is always in stock, and the customer care is excellent.

BridgePoint

Our experience with their customer care is excellent! Everything was instantly available to purchase; we did not have to wait weeks for delivery. If something needed to be changed, it was done immediately without any problem.

de Valier

Most suppliers do not store large quantities. You must place an order and wait weeks for delivery, then another few weeks for installation. We had a last-minute design change that is never good. We chose decking instead of tiling.

de Valier was the only company that could match our needs, providing excellent service in a concise amount of time, not even caring about the terrible weather during installation. Huge thumbs up!

HP Design

If you need high-quality curtains with excellent service, look no further! Hana’s shop is full of beautiful materials from all over the world. She doesn’t only offer great products but also installation once the curtains are ready.

Silhouette

Massive shout-out to this Gozitan shop in Victoria. If you are looking for something and they can’t get it for you, that product probably doesn’t even exist! They ordered and delivered whatever we needed at the best price possible.

Silhouette has a wide range of products, from essential to high-quality, luxury-feel items. Do you need a few spot lamps in your bathroom? They have it. Do you want high-quality Spanish ceiling fans? Look no further! Choose from the catalogue, and they will get it for you.

Top Choice

I purchased the new Ariston AC’s from them. Delivery, customer care and installation were top! Indoor and outdoor units were perfectly positioned according to the regulations and our needs. Not to mention the installation of the copper pipes neatly on the wall. 5*

I am sharing some of the photos of this fantastic renovation. Hope you also like the finished home!

---