Aldaia and Alaquàs sit side by side. They share an industrial estate, a Metrovalencia stop and the same kind of housing stock: blocks built in the 70s, 80s and 90s with bathrooms that have well and truly had their day. If you own or rent here and you’re thinking about a bathroom renovation in Aldaia or its neighbour Alaquàs, this is worth reading — the l’Horta industrial corridor has its own quirks, and knowing them before you ask for your first quote will save you time and money.
We’ve been renovating bathrooms across this area for years. There’s a clear pattern: similar flat sizes, bathrooms between 3 and 5 m², and owners who are ready to finally get rid of that old built-in bathtub. Let’s get straight to it.
Bathroom renovation in Aldaia (and Alaquàs): what you’re typically working with
The standard bathroom in these two towns is classic l’Horta Sud: narrow, tiled floor-to-ceiling in period ceramics, a built-in bath and a single central light fitting. Perfectly functional in its time — not any more.
The most common renovation we carry out here is straightforward: replace the bath with a walk-in shower, retile walls and floor, swap out the sanitaryware and taps, and redo the bathroom electrics. In flats of that age the wiring is almost always stretched thin — not enough sockets, and often no dedicated RCD (residual current device) for the bathroom circuit. Beyond that, every property has its own story.
One thing that does differ from central Valencia is access. Many blocks in Aldaia and Alaquàs are four or five storeys with no lift, and that matters: carrying rubble down and a full-size bath up the stairs by hand adds labour time and an extra day to the job. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it needs to be in the quote from day one. We always include it. Any quote that doesn’t mention waste removal and skip logistics is an incomplete quote.
Real prices for the l’Horta corridor
Actual figures, not catalogue ranges. Here’s what a full bathroom renovation costs in Aldaia and Alaquàs depending on scope:
| Type of renovation | What’s included | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Bath-to-shower conversion, new taps and screen, existing tiles kept | €2,500 – €3,800 |
| Mid-range renovation | New shower, full retiling (walls and floor), new sanitaryware and vanity unit | €4,500 – €6,500 |
| Full renovation | Everything above, plus new plumbing runs, electrics and lighting | €7,000 – €9,500 |
These prices are for a standard bathroom in the area, 3 to 5 m². The applicable VAT rate is typically the reduced 10% for primary residences over two years old, in line with Agencia Tributaria rules (worth bearing in mind if you’re an expat homeowner — Spain taxes renovation work at a lower rate than many countries). If the bathroom is larger, you go for premium materials, or demolition uncovers a nasty surprise — damp behind a soil stack, lead pipework — the price will go up. That’s exactly why we insist on seeing the bathroom before committing to a final number.
For a quick ballpark without waiting for a site visit, try our bathroom renovation cost calculator — it gives you a realistic range in about two minutes.
How long will I be without a bathroom?
The question we get asked most. A full bathroom renovation in an Aldaia or Alaquàs flat takes between 7 and 12 working days. Ten days is about average. Three things determine the timeline: the drying time for screed and grout (you can’t rush chemistry), the lead time on the materials you choose, and whether the block has a lift or not.
One piece of advice we always give: if you’ve only got one bathroom, try to time the work around a few days away, or arrange to use a family member’s or neighbour’s. In these towns people tend to live close to their support network, which makes a week without a shower a lot more manageable.
Materials that hold up against the local water
The water in l’Horta is hard. Very chalky. It plays havoc with taps and turns a shower screen into frosted glass within months if you choose the wrong products. For this area, we specify taps fitted with ceramic disc cartridges from established brands, and shower screens with a factory-applied anti-limescale coating. The upfront cost is a little higher, but you won’t be replacing them in five years.
For tiling, large-format porcelain is becoming the go-to choice for a practical reason: fewer grout lines means fewer places for limescale and mould to take hold. Spanish ceramic tile remains the global benchmark — according to ASCER, the sector’s trade body, Spain exports tiles to more than 180 countries, and a large share comes from Castellón, less than an hour from here. Having the manufacturer on your doorstep means shorter lead times and easy replacement if you ever chip a piece years down the line. For more on dealing with hard water in your bathroom, see our guide to limescale on taps and shower screens in Valencia.
Aldaia, Alaquàs and the surrounding towns
The l’Horta industrial corridor doesn’t end at these two towns. Manises is to the north, Quart de Poblet to the east, Torrent to the south — all with the same type of housing stock and very similar renovation dynamics.
We work across the whole strip. You can see how we approach bathroom renovations in Manises, which involves pretty much the same conditions as Aldaia day-to-day. And if you want a detailed cost breakdown — what each trade actually charges — our real bathroom renovation budget breakdown covers l’Horta Sud just as well as central Valencia.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission to renovate a bathroom in Aldaia or Alaquàs?
For a renovation that doesn’t touch the layout or structural elements, a standard notification or responsible declaration (comunicación/declaración responsable) at the local town hall is enough — each municipality has its own process. If you’re moving walls or repositioning soil stacks, you’ll need a full building permit (licencia de obras). We’ll advise you on what applies to your specific project.
How much does it cost to just replace a bath with a shower?
In flats in this area, between €2,500 and €3,800 if the existing tiling is kept, including the shower tray, screen, taps and removal of the old bath. It’s the most popular single job we do in the corridor.
Does a block without a lift push the price up much?
A little, yes — mainly the labour for carrying materials up and rubble down. It usually adds about a day’s work and a small uplift on waste disposal. We include it in the quote from the start; it never appears as a last-minute addition.
Can I access regional grants for bathroom renovation?
At various points the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencia’s regional government) has run grant schemes for accessibility improvements and energy efficiency. It’s worth checking the current offerings on the Generalitat Valenciana website before you start, as programmes open and close. Accessibility-focused renovations may also qualify for the reduced VAT rate.
Will I have a single point of contact throughout the project?
Yes. One project manager for everything — you won’t be passed between trades or left chasing different teams. We think that’s the bare minimum a professional company should offer, and in a ten-day renovation you’ll feel the difference immediately.
These bathrooms deserve better
Aldaia and Alaquàs have been making do with tired bathrooms for decades. Renovating now isn’t a luxury — it means a proper shower, a space that stays clean with half the effort, and a flat that’s worth more when it comes time to sell or let.
If you’ve got one of these bathrooms in mind, get in touch. We’ll come out, take a look, measure up and give you a fixed written price — waste removal included, no small print. See how we handle bathroom renovations in Valencia and drop us a message: we’ll give you a real timeline and price for your specific situation, with no obligation.
