After a lifetime in the construction industry, Thomas Hassa was looking forward to doing something else. Together with his wife Annika, he was excited to finally make a career change. They had rented out their house in Stockholm and moved to Spain in order to run a hostel. But then life took a new, unexpected turn.
- The hostel we were planning to buy had not been managed correctly by the previous owner, so we decided not to go through with it, Annika explains.
Meanwhile, Thomas had done a few construction projects for a few people from Sweden that were living in Spain, and that’s how it all started.
- I had brought all my tools and machines when we moved, and I ended up doing some projects for a couple of Swedish clients down there, he says.
Then things took off, and the word spread quickly. There are many Swedes living there, and they appreciated having a Swedish contractor they could turn to. Plus, you can make use of the ROT tax deduction within the EU.
The Hassa family left Spain when their daughter was off to start high school. They also had a grandchild on the way back home in Sweden. However, they decided to keep their business in Spain. After returning to Sweden, they founded their company, TeHå Renovation AB, in 2021. Since then, they have established themselves as a knowledgeable and reliable construction company that manages everything from bathrooms and kitchens to custom-built interiors and extensions.
- We have a large network and can easily bring in others if it’s needed, like plumbers and tilers, Thomas explains.
The long list of happy customers speaks for itself. In Spain, the company has, for instance, been highly regarded by Pernilla Wahlgren, for whom they have completed several renovations at her house.
Thomas and Annika manage their business together in Sweden, while their partners, contractors Francisco and Benjamin, along with Annika, handle the Spanish side. It’s a setup that works optimally and delivers the best results for the clients, Thomas explains.
“Our two partners handle all our construction projects down there, and it works great. They are incredibly skilled, fully aware of all the regulations, and know which subcontractors are reliable. It has been important for us to work exclusively with Spanish partners to support them; after all, we are on their “territory”.
Running a business in two different countries is not for the faint of heart. Laws and regulations naturally differ, but there are also differences when it comes to
construction, Thomas explains.
- The climate is entirely different, for example, so you can’t build with wood in the same way we do here in Sweden.” Annika adds:
“They build in a certain way down there for a reason, just as we do here. Like how we in Sweden use waterproofing throughout the entire wet room; you can’t do that in Spain because there’s a high risk of mold due to it being too sealed. It takes a lot of knowledge to learn the construction and working methods suited to this hot and humid climate.”
Now that we’re sitting with such an experienced contractor, there’s one question that must be asked. What should you think about when hiring a construction company? Thomas responds instantly.
“References are obviously something you want to look at, but I’d also say it’s important to book a meeting with the handyman to get a sense of your chemistry. That’s really important, even for us as builders. You’re going to work closely together, so it has to work. Get two or three offers and see what feels best. Often, the cheapest offer isn’t the one that ends up being the least expensive in the long run.”
Once you’ve made your decision, there’s still a lot left to consider to ensure the renovation runs as smoothly as possible. One particularly important point that Thomas and Annika emphasized is to think through what you want and maybe even purchase the materials needed in advance.
- It’s really common sense that if we have to start by ordering materials with a five-month delivery time, the project is going to take unnecessarily long, Thomas explains.
“So, think ahead and plan – then it’ll go quickly and smoothly!”
