Home renovations in Costa Rica
Kitchens, bathrooms, custom joinery and full remodels, planned, permitted and built by a CFIA-licensed team.
Projects start at $350,000 USD
Casa Escazú: an interior renovation in the hills of Escazú.
We rebuilt the kitchen around a stone waterfall island with wall ovens and a long run of storage, then carried the same oak and walnut through the house: a media wall, a bar, full-height wardrobes, a desk niche and a slatted pivot entry door.
The bathrooms got floating vanities, new stone and lighting. Every piece of joinery was drawn, built and fitted for this house.
Casa Escazú, room by room
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What we renovate
Kitchens
New layouts, islands, stone counters, appliances, lighting and the plumbing and wiring behind them.
Bathrooms
Showers, vanities, waterproofing, ventilation and finishes that stand up to humidity.
Custom joinery
Wardrobes, media walls, bars, shelving, desks and doors, designed for the room and built to measure.
Additions and new openings
Extra rooms, a second storey, larger windows and sliding walls to the terrace, engineered and permitted.
Repairs done properly
Leaks, mould, termites and salt-air corrosion traced to the cause and fixed before anything is covered up.
Pools and outdoor living
A new pool, deck, outdoor kitchen or shaded terrace added to the home you have.
How a renovation runs
Walkthrough and assessment
We check the structure, moisture, wiring, plumbing and the permit history of the house before we talk about finishes.
Design and written budget
Layouts, 3D views of the key rooms and a materials list, priced line by line.
Permit
The right licence for the scope, with plans signed by our CFIA-licensed team where the work calls for it.
Build in phases
Demolition, the hidden work, then finishes and joinery, phased so you can stay in the house where possible.
Handover
A walkthrough, a snag list closed out, and care notes for every new finish.
Small jobs still need a licence
In a 2024 CFIA study of 4,462 inspected works, about one in five had no municipal licence. Unpermitted work can stop a sale, a mortgage or your next permit.
Sources: Ley de Construcciones, article 83 bis, as amended by Ley 9482; CFIA inspection study reported by CR Hoy, March 14, 2024.
- Repairs, remodels and small additions under the legal value cap can be licensed without a CFIA professional
- Changes to the structure, wiring or plumbing that affect safety always need licensed plans
- A larger job split into small permits can be refused for twelve months
- Every licence is issued by the municipality where the house stands
Renovate or build new?
A renovation makes sense when the location is right and the structure is sound. It often costs more than it looks, because old work has to come out before new work goes in, so labour on a remodel can run higher than on a new build.
Before you buy a house to renovate, we walk it with you. We check the structure, the roof, the wiring and the permit history, and price the renovation against building new on a lot nearby.
Renovations that add the most value
For resale and rental, buyers in Costa Rica look first at the same few rooms and systems.
Kitchen
New layout, counters and appliances with local service and warranty.
Bathrooms
Waterproofing, ventilation and fixtures that handle humidity.
Outdoor living
Covered terraces, outdoor kitchens and pools.
Air conditioning and ventilation
Cross ventilation, ceiling fans and efficient air conditioning.
Roof
Roof leaks are among the most common problems in older homes and damage everything below them.
Energy
Solar hot water and solar power to cut running costs.
“We have had a great experience with Decentra. Their follow up skills are impeccable and they are a one stop shop for all phases of your build.”
“I engaged with Sean and the owner Sergio to obtain building costs for a residential project in the mountains of the Central Valley. I found them to be very welcoming, informative and accommodating.”
Questions about renovating in Costa Rica
Do I need a permit to renovate a house in Costa Rica?
Almost always you need a municipal licence. Under the construction law, small repairs, remodels and additions below a set value can be licensed without a CFIA professional, but never when the structure, wiring or plumbing changes in a way that affects safety. Kitchens, bathrooms with new plumbing, new openings and additions go through plans signed by our licensed team.
Can I split a renovation into small permits to save time?
No. The law lets the municipality refuse new minor-works licences for twelve months when a larger job is being split up to avoid the full permit. We permit the whole renovation properly from the start.
Can you check whether earlier work on a house was permitted?
Yes. Before we price a renovation we walk the house, compare it with the registered plans and flag additions that may not have been permitted, so you know before you buy or before you build on top of them.
Can we live in the house during the renovation?
Often, yes. We phase the work so one part of the house stays usable, seal off dust and keep a clean, safe route through the site. A full kitchen or bathroom renovation usually means a few weeks without that room.
Do you renovate homes you did not build?
Yes. Casa Escazú, shown on this page, is a renovation of an existing home in the Central Valley.
What about humidity, termites and salt air damage?
We open up and fix the cause first: leaks, poor ventilation, failed waterproofing or untreated wood. Then we rebuild with materials chosen for the tropics, from treated or engineered wood to coastal-grade fixings.
How much does a renovation cost?
It depends on the scope and the finishes. Send us photos and a short description on WhatsApp, and we will visit, measure and give you a written quote. Our projects start at $350,000.
Is it cheaper to renovate or build new in Costa Rica?
It depends on the house. Renovation labour often costs more than new construction, because existing work has to be removed first. A sound house in a great location can still be the better buy. We price both before you decide.
What renovations add the most value to a home in Costa Rica?
Kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor living, air conditioning and ventilation, curb appeal and energy efficiency are the upgrades buyers notice most.
Where do you buy materials and appliances for a renovation?
Mostly from Costa Rican suppliers, so warranties and service are local. Shipping an item from abroad can roughly double its cost after freight and taxes, so we import only what you cannot find here.
Everything we do
Take the full turnkey package, or bring us in for one stage.
- Land and construction consultingLot checks, surveys, soil studies and water letters before you buy
- Architectural designA CFIA-licensed architect, 3D renders and construction plans
- Permits and water lettersCFIA plans, municipal permits and water availability
- Luxury custom homesTurnkey construction, from foundations to furniture
- Any construction systemConcrete block, poured concrete, hybrid, steel frame and more
- Pools and outdoor livingInfinity pools, terraces and outdoor kitchens
- Commercial and multi-unitHospitality, retail and multi-unit buildings
- Cost to build in Costa RicaPer square meter prices, fees and permits for 2026
Tell us about your project
The fastest way to reach us is WhatsApp. Or send the form and we reply within one business day.
Projects start at $350,000 USD
Message us on WhatsApp- +506 8733-2930
- Phone
- +1 503-994-8017
- Showroom
- Altos de Flamingo, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, by appointment
- Licensing
- CFIA certified under SIM SRL