Home Renovation
When I look around our home today, I’m constantly amazed by how far we’ve come. To say it was a “fixer-upper” would be a huge understatement.
When we bought it, the house was painted in bold, clashing colors—hot pink (Rosa Mexicana, to be exact), turquoise, lime green, and purple. The kitchen and bathrooms had traditional Mexican tiles, but they didn’t match the fluorescent palette. There was no dining room, no dedicated office, a teeny-tiny kitchen, and certainly no rooftop terraza.
And yet, despite all that… the house had great bones.
There were boveda ceilings in every room, a beautiful formal living room, a gated community with security, and a stunning shared park where our daughter could play—without us having to maintain it.
Why San Miguel Made Sense for Us
We travel a lot. That lifestyle was a big reason we moved to San Miguel in the first place—it’s a perfect home base for people with a bit of wanderlust. I tell my clients this all the time. I’m lucky to work with well-traveled, curious people who are drawn to San Miguel for many of the same reasons we were.
Our lifestyle includes:
Four kids (our daughter and her three cousins who live down the street),
A husband who works remotely full-time,
Frequent travel,
A desire for Centro living—but with parking and privacy,
A love for entertaining and welcoming visitors.
In our price range, this house ticked almost every box. It just needed some love.
A Little Real Estate Wisdom…
One thing I always share with my clients is this: no property will check every box immediately.
Maybe you want to walk everywhere, but also need access to nature.
Or you dream of sweeping views, but don’t want to climb dozens of stairs.
You’d love a yard and a pool, but also need a “lock and leave” home.
So here’s my advice:
Buy a home with the things you can’t change. Then change the rest.
Don’t walk away from a solid house just because it’s painted hot pink. You get me?
The Renovation:
What to Expect
So, how hard is it to renovate in San Miguel?
Honestly? It’s very doable—with the right team and expectations. Labor here is affordable, and while material costs can fluctuate (especially depending on the strength of the U.S. dollar), building is still relatively inexpensive. You can also space out your renovation to match your cash flow—add a room now, take a break, add another later.
Here’s what you need to know:
Permits Are Required.
If you’re planning to do significant work, you’ll need to submit permits through an architect. Find a solid architect and a trustworthy contractor—and ideally, a team that works well together.
Important: Always do things by the book. Without proper permits, the city can shut you down.
Be Smart About Money.
Expect to pay in cash. Before handing anything over, request a full financial breakdown. Our contractor had us buy a large amount of materials upfront (like concrete and bricks), and we paid for labor weekly.
You’ll also need a Mexican bank account, which now requires legal residency—don’t skip this step.
Stay Involved.
Supervise your project. Don’t assume everything is “probably fine.”
If you’re not available to oversee the work, hire someone you deeply trust.
And never make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the results. That leverage matters.
For example:
We added a rooftop deck that required a three-story metal staircase. When the team installed it, the helix ran counterclockwise—causing major layout issues. Thankfully, my husband was onsite and asked them to reverse the installation. Problem solved. Yes, they were annoyed—but it saved us a ton of trouble.
If You’re Buying in the Historic Center…
You’ll likely need special permits from INAH (Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History). These can take months and approvals are never guaranteed.
If you’re dreaming of adding a rooftop room or terrace in Centro, consult a qualified architect or engineer before you buy. You don’t want to invest in a view you can’t legally build on.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering a fixer-upper in San Miguel, don’t be intimidated. With the right approach, a good team, and a bit of patience, you can create something truly special. We did—and I help my clients do the same all the time.
Looking for a home with good bones in San Miguel de Allende? Let’s talk. I’m happy to share insights, referrals, and even a few renovation stories (the good, the bad, and the colorful).
