Hi everyone, first post here.
My experience up here in Lleida (Catalunya) is there is still work for people who do quality work. Problem is you have to do it for naff all and then hope you get paid in the end. I am lucky that my missus is from here and have contacts. Speaking the lingo is a given otherwise the only work you'll get is teaching English if you're lucky.
You have to offer something that the locals don't otherwise the work/job will go to Juan, or around here Jordi. It would be better for you if that something is better work or soething of added value otherwise you will have to compete on price alone.
Good Luck to anyone who is coming.
I've been here 6 years now, I was lucky enough to catch the tail-end of the boom.
Pat
I think the days of handymanning for the retired Brits, of coming over and seeing what you can pick up, of "I'll do anything even cleaning" (as if cleaning was the worst you can do!) have come to an end, at least for the moment.
As Pat Lleida says you have to think what you can offer Spain, not what you can get out of the country. If you can offer something different, that is required, you may be able to get your foot in the door.
This is a country with deep set problems that are not going away any time soon. If you have a permanent contract job to come to, you might want to think about it. If not you are taking a tremendous risk