The Reality of Restoring an Old Portuguese House in Goa (2025 Cost Sheet)

The dream is iconic: A 100-year-old Indo-Portuguese mansion with Balcaos (porches), oyster-shell windows, and high ceilings. The listing price is often tempting: ₹3 Crores for a 500 sqm built-up house on 1,000 sqm land. Compared to a ₹6 Cr matchbox villa in Assagao, it feels like a steal.

It is not a steal. It is a project. In 2025, restoring a heritage home in Goa costs significantly more than building a new one. Here is the unvarnished math.

The Cost of "Charm" (2025 Estimates)

• New Construction Cost (Luxury): ₹3,500 per sqft.
• Heritage Restoration Cost: ₹4,500 - ₹6,000 per sqft.

Why? Because you can't just buy cement sacks. You need craftsmanship.

1. The Roof (The Cash Guzzler)

Old houses have Mangalore tiles on timber rafters.

• The damage: Termites. Rot. Leakage.
• The fix: Dismantling the entire roof, treating/replacing the timber (Teak/Matti wood is expensive), and re-laying tiles with waterproofing sheets.
• Cost: ₹15 - ₹25 Lakhs.

2. The Walls (Laterite & Lime)

These houses breathe. They are built of mud/laterite rocks with lime plaster.

• The mistake: Putting cement plaster on mud walls. It traps moisture, and the walls "explode" (spall).
• The fix: You need specialized "Lime Plastering" masons. They charge 2x the daily wage of regular masons.

3. The "Hidden" Infrastructure

• Plumbing/Wiring: It doesn't exist. You have to channelize through 2-foot thick stone walls without cracking the structure.
• Damp Proofing: Old houses have no DPC (Damp Proof Course). Rising damp is a guarantee. Injection grouting costs ₹3-5 Lakhs.

The Investor's Case: Why Do It?

If it's so expensive, why are Heritage Homes the hottest asset in South Goa?

1. Scarcity Value: They aren't making any more of these. A restored heritage home commands a 30-50% premium over a modern villa in resale.
2. FSI Advantage: Old houses often exceed current FSI limits. You get to keep the built-up area that legally couldn't be built today.
3. The "Airbnb" Premium: Tourists pay ₹50k/night for "History". They pay ₹20k/night for "Luxury". The Yield on a restored home is unbeatable.

The Checklist Before Buying

1. Termite Inspection: Drill test the rafters. If 50% are gone, walk away or ask for a ₹20L discount.
2. Sanad Check: Is the land Settlement or Orchard? Even existing houses need a Settlement zone to be legally modified/expanded.
3. Title Search: Portuguese inheritance laws (Inventory Proceedings) are complex. Ensure all 30+ heirs have signed.

Final Word: Buy a Portuguese house with your heart, but renovate it with a spreadsheet. If you don't have the patience for a 12-month project, buy a ready-to-move villa in Siolim or Parra instead.