From Run-Down House to a Dream Home in Mallorca: Dave’s Camp Takes Shape

In the previous chapters, we followed Dave on his journey from searching for a property in Mallorca to beginning the reconstruction of his future home. What started as a renovation project became a much more extensive undertaking when the condition of the house meant that almost all the walls had to be demolished, with only two substantial exterior walls remaining.

While the construction work continues, a practical question arises: where will Dave and his team stay over the coming weeks and months?

Hotels and holiday rentals in Mallorca can be expensive, particularly during the high season. Dave therefore decides to set up a temporary camp directly on the property. The tents are already in place, but after the first nights there, it becomes clear that a few essentials are still missing.

The goal of this episode is to make the camp more functional. A proper kitchen, a more practical water supply, faster internet, an outdoor shower and a small pool are all on the list.

At the same time, progress is being made on the construction site itself. During the weekly meeting, the team discusses the next steps for the roof and moves forward with the window planning. Dave also manages to find an excavator operator to help with the planned groundwork.

This episode shows how everyday problem-solving and construction planning go hand in hand. As the camp becomes more comfortable, the next important phase of rebuilding the house also draws closer.

[INSERT THE LINK TO DAVE’S ORIGINAL VIDEO – CHAPTER 5 HERE]

A Place to Sleep Is Only the Beginning

Dave and his team have already spent their first two nights on the property. During the first night, they sleep on a mattress on the floor. By the second night, the tents have been equipped with beds and additional furnishings.

However, having somewhere to sleep is only the first step when planning to stay on a property for several weeks or months.

The internet connection is not yet suitable for all their needs, the power supply is still being organised, and there is no proper kitchen or adequate refrigeration setup. Showering is another challenge that needs a practical solution.

Dave wants to create more than a few tents. He needs a camp where the team can live, work, cook together and follow the progress of the construction project directly on site.

Making Practical Use of the Property During Construction

The idea makes sense from a practical point of view. While the house is being rebuilt, the spacious plot offers room for a temporary living area.

Instead of relying entirely on accommodation elsewhere, Dave invests time and effort into creating a temporary setup of his own.

The camp is not intended to replace the future house. It serves a different purpose: allowing Dave to stay close to the project and experience its progress first-hand.

More Than Just a Barbecue

The kitchen is one of the first major projects in this episode. Dave does not want to settle for a barbecue and a small work surface. His goal is a practical outdoor kitchen with a sink, fridge, hob, barbecue and enough space to prepare meals.

Another advantage is that the kitchen units can potentially be reused elsewhere once the main house is finished.

The team uses a modular kitchen system. Niklas helps with the organisation and planning, while Lasse assists with installing the sink. The barbecue has been brought over from Germany because the model Dave wanted was not available in Spain.

Gradually, the individual units are assembled and arranged to make the kitchen as convenient as possible for everyday use.

The sink is positioned at one end, with working space alongside it. The barbecue and gas hob form the cooking area. The result is a practical setup with a view across the property.

Water and Connections Present a Challenge

Assembling the kitchen units is only part of the job. To make the kitchen usable, the team also needs to organise water, electricity and gas.

The property has its own well. Water is pumped into a cistern and then distributed around the land using a submersible pump.

Dave tries to use this existing system to supply the new sink. With a selection of adapters and hoses, he creates a temporary connection.

The first test shows that water is flowing, although the pressure is lower than expected. The existing pump can support basic tasks such as washing hands and using the sink, but the setup could still be improved.

The wastewater arrangements are also not fully resolved at this stage. For the time being, the kitchen is set up to make basic everyday use possible.

Despite these challenges, it is a significant step forward. After several days of work, the team can finally use the kitchen to prepare meals more conveniently.

Why the Satellite Connection Is Not Enough

Dave does more than manage the project on the property. He also produces videos and documents the entire building process. This requires an internet connection capable of handling more than ordinary day-to-day browsing.

The existing satellite connection works, initially providing approximately 200 Mbps download speed and 30 Mbps upload speed. That is sufficient for many everyday tasks, but it does not fully meet the team’s needs.

More than a terabyte of video footage has already been recorded in the first few days, and the files need to be processed and transferred.

Since there is no fibre-optic or conventional cable connection available on the property, Dave starts looking for a more powerful wireless solution.

A 5G Router Makes a Difference

After searching for alternatives, Dave finds a Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G router. The device can combine multiple mobile connections and other internet sources to improve the available bandwidth.

Getting everything working proves challenging. The device, originally designed for use on a boat, needs to be adapted to the camp’s power supply. Dave works through the connections, wiring and configuration.

After several hours of testing, phone calls and adjustments, the setup finally delivers the desired result.

The connection reaches approximately 600 Mbps download speed and 80 Mbps upload speed. This gives the team a much more suitable connection for its video production work.

For Dave, this is an important improvement. He can continue working, transfer large files more efficiently and remain on the property while the house is being rebuilt.

Preparing for the New Roof

One of the key topics is the new roof structure. The required sandwich panels are expected to arrive in approximately ten days.

The team also discusses when parts of the existing ceiling structure can be removed. The timing must take into account the necessary drying periods and the expected delivery dates.

The aim is to coordinate the individual tasks so that the roof can be installed during the next stage of construction.

This brings the project closer to an important milestone: giving the house a closed roof again and providing better protection against the weather.

However, the building envelope will not be complete yet. The windows must also be planned, ordered and installed.

Planning the Windows Around the Future Layout

Al has travelled from Germany to help coordinate aspects of the interior work. During his visit, the planned window positions and measurements are reviewed.

The discussion is not just about dimensions. The way the rooms will eventually be used is also important. How will people move through the house? Which way should the windows and doors open? What arrangement will be most practical in everyday life?

The team reviews the individual windows carefully before finalising the orders.

In a bespoke building project, small details can have a significant impact. An incorrect measurement or an unsuitable opening direction can lead to expensive adjustments later.

That is why these decisions need to be discussed and coordinated early.

Balancing Quality and Budget

The budget is also discussed during the meeting. Dave explains that the overall costs of the project have increased more than originally anticipated.

At the same time, he does not want to make unnecessary compromises on the quality of the materials or the workmanship.

The challenge is to balance his vision with the available budget and the practical requirements of the finished house.

Individual solutions can look impressive, but they can also bring additional costs or practical limitations. The available options therefore need to be considered carefully.

The aim is not simply to choose the most expensive or unusual solution. It is to find an approach that works in the long term and fits the overall project.

An Excavator Operator Is Needed

Alongside the reconstruction of the house, Dave is trying to organise the groundwork planned for the pool and wastewater system.

Oliver explains that a suitable excavator operator is not immediately available. This creates a potential problem because the ground is very hard and rocky, making a large excavator necessary for the work.

A delay could affect the overall schedule. If the excavation work cannot start on time, the subsequent pool installation may also have to wait.

Dave therefore looks for an alternative instead of simply accepting a delay of several weeks.

Miguel Offers a Solution

Dave eventually finds Miguel, an excavator operator with a machine weighing approximately 20 tonnes and the equipment needed for the planned work.

After several discussions, with Oliver helping to coordinate communication, Miguel is able to take on the job.

Two separate excavations are planned: one for the future pool and another for the intended wastewater solution.

This is an important organisational step. The work can now be prepared without the project being held up unnecessarily by a lack of machinery or available operators.

The situation highlights how important flexibility and reliable contacts can be on a construction site. Even when the plans are ready, progress often depends on whether the right people and equipment are available at the right time.

Dave and Kai Work on the Design

With the kitchen and internet connection making progress, Dave turns his attention to another essential part of the camp: an outdoor shower.

He receives help from Kai, also known as Kaiphone. Having previously renovated an older apartment in Berlin, Kai now helps Dave improve the temporary living setup.

The idea is to build a simple wooden structure with privacy screens. The shower needs to be positioned so that it is as discreet as possible from the construction site and the other areas of the camp.

Small foundations are prepared for the supports. The team then positions the wooden posts, aligns them and attaches the screening elements.

A Practical Shower Area

The ground is prepared as well. The team uses stones and pebbles to help the water drain away and prevent the shower area from becoming a muddy patch.

Most of the structure is built by the team themselves. Not every step goes perfectly, and some adjustments are needed to get the posts properly aligned.

That is part of the nature of this temporary project. The shower does not need to be an elaborate installation; it simply needs to work and make life during the construction phase easier.

Dave distinguishes between the temporary camp and the main house. The future home requires careful planning and a high standard of finish, while the camp can remain simpler and more practical.

The result is a separate shower area that fits into the existing surroundings without requiring an unnecessarily complicated build.

Preparing the Pool

The team also wants a small pool where they can cool off. During the summer in Mallorca, this is a welcome addition after spending long hours on a property without a finished house.

While Dave and Lasse are away dealing with other tasks, Niklas and Kai work on setting up the pool.

First, stones need to be cleared from the ground. Protective mats are then laid down to help prevent damage to the bottom of the pool.

The pool liner and pump are installed, and the basic structure is ready.

Getting Enough Water Becomes Another Challenge

The next question is how to fill the pool without having to bring large quantities of water onto the property from elsewhere.

The land has a well and several pipes that were originally used to irrigate agricultural areas. However, it is not immediately clear which valves control which lines or which connections can be used.

The team tries different options. At first, some outlets produce no water, while others provide only a limited flow.

Dave and his helpers then focus on the area around the well. They check the existing connections and try to direct the water through a suitable line.

By closing other lines, they are able to control the flow more effectively. After further adjustments, they find a way to supply water for the pool.

The process shows that existing installations on a property are not always straightforward. When pipes and connections were designed for an earlier use, even a seemingly simple task can require extra investigation and practical problem-solving.

Making Everyday Life Easier During Construction

By the end of this episode, the camp has come a long way.

The outdoor kitchen is usable, the internet connection has been significantly improved, the outdoor shower has been built and the small pool has been set up. The water supply has presented a few challenges, but progress has been made there as well.

Dave and his team are creating the conditions they need to live and work directly on the property over the coming weeks and months.

The camp remains a temporary solution. Its purpose is to make the construction phase easier, not to replace the house they are working towards.

The Dream Home Is Moving Forward

At the same time, the reconstruction is becoming more clearly defined. The team has discussed the next steps for the roof, progressed with the window planning and found support for the upcoming excavation work.

For Oliver and Kuhlmann & Partner, coordinating the reconstruction remains central to the project. After the extensive changes required during the demolition phase, careful preparation of the next stages is essential.

Dave has two objectives: to organise daily life on the property and to remain closely involved as his future home takes shape.

Both require time, planning and the ability to adapt when unexpected challenges arise.

Chapter 5 highlights just how much organisation a building project involves beyond the house itself.

Dave and his team set up an outdoor kitchen, improve the internet connection, build an outdoor shower and prepare a small pool. Along the way, they have to work around the limitations of the existing water supply and the practical challenges of the property.

Meanwhile, the construction team coordinates the next steps for the roof and windows. Dave also finds Miguel, an excavator operator who can help with the planned groundwork.

The camp is becoming more functional, while the reconstruction of the house moves closer to its next major stages.

There is still plenty of work ahead, but every solved problem and completed task brings the goal a little closer: transforming the run-down house in Mallorca into Dave’s dream home.

In the next chapter, we will continue following Dave and the team at Kuhlmann & Partner to see how the project develops.