Santana is a municipality on the north coast of Madeira, with six civil parishes spread across river valleys and mountain slopes. It is known for its traditional thatched houses, now mostly heritage buildings and visitor attractions. People live dispersed across farming hamlets rather than concentrated in one town.
The area
Detached houses with land dominate, many of them old and still tied to farming and livestock. The northern exposure brings frequent rain, low cloud and high humidity, which shows up as mould on walls, swollen timber and roofs that need watching. Because homes are spread across distant hamlets, grouping several jobs into one visit makes practical sense.
What people look for here
- Treating mould and damp on walls
- Roof and gutter repairs
- Maintaining timber exposed to rain
- Clearing and pruning farmed land
- Interior painting with anti-mould paint
- Electrical repairs in older houses
Parishes and neighbourhoods
SantanaFaialSão JorgeArco de São JorgeIlhaSão Roque do Faial
Most requested services
ElectricianPlumberHandyman / hourlyHome cleaningFurniture assemblyGardeningPaintingMoving serviceAir conditioningAppliance repairBabysitter / nannyTutoring
Other municipalities
Frequently asked questions
Will professionals travel to the north coast?
They will, although the drive from the south takes longer than the distance on a map suggests. Give the exact hamlet and a landmark when you post the job. Where you can, group several tasks into one visit, which makes the journey much easier to justify.
Why do houses in the north get so much mould?
The north coast takes more rain and stays humid for much of the year. Without enough ventilation and heating, that moisture condenses on cold walls and feeds mould. Fixing the source, ventilating and only then painting lasts far longer than painting over it again.
Do thatched houses need a specialist to maintain?
Yes, thatch is a craft rather than an ordinary roof covering, and it is replaced periodically. If you own one, describe it clearly and ask for examples of similar work. For everything else, the usual professionals working in the municipality are enough.