Calheta is a municipality on the southwest coast of Madeira and the largest on the island by area, with eight civil parishes. It stretches from the town of Calheta beside its marina to the western tip at Ponta do Pargo, taking in the plateau around Prazeres and the coastal villages of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar.
The area
Farming still matters here, with bananas near the sea and vines and vegetable plots higher up. Old stone houses fill villages wedged into the slopes, alongside holiday homes and rural tourism around Prazeres, Fajã da Ovelha and Arco da Calheta. A share of owners are not on the island all year, so maintenance tends to be booked in advance and done with a key handover.
What people look for here
- Maintaining holiday homes between stays
- Clearing land and pruning vines
- Roof and gutter repairs
- Exterior painting on old stone houses
- Pool and outdoor space upkeep
- Handyman jobs grouped into one visit
Parishes and neighbourhoods
CalhetaArco da CalhetaEstreito da CalhetaPrazeresJardim do MarPaul do MarPonta do Pargo
Most requested services
ElectricianPlumberHandyman / hourlyHome cleaningFurniture assemblyGardeningPaintingMoving serviceAir conditioningAppliance repairBabysitter / nannyTutoring
Other municipalities
Frequently asked questions
Will a professional travel out to Paul do Mar or Ponta do Pargo?
They will, but allow for the distance from Funchal and the descent into the coastal villages. Give the parish and the exact place in the job, and say whether there is parking by the house. Grouping several jobs into one visit makes the offer considerably more attractive.
I own a house here but do not live on the island. How do I handle upkeep?
Settle everything in writing in chat: what needs doing, who hands over the key, and where the consumer unit and stopcock are. Ask for photos before and after. Booking periodic visits, rather than only calling when something breaks, prevents bigger problems in a closed-up house.
How is the price agreed when there is a long journey involved?
The price and the travel are agreed directly between you and the professional before they set off. Ask whether the journey is included or charged separately, and what happens if a return visit is needed. Payment goes between the two of you, with no commission.