Nick

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Update --- Looking for house-sitting, dog-sitting, renting, or other more permanent & independent ways of living for the 2nd half of 2025 in Galicia. Ideally with a place to park a van & a small workshop area ---

I'm a 28-year-old professional carpenter from the Netherlands that has left home to start my own carpentry and woodworking workshop, and find a place to call home in the south of Europe. I have prior travelling and Workaway experience from 2021 and 2022 where I travelled France, Spain and Portugal for 2 years, doing about 12 different Workaway projects.

After 2,5 years of being back in the Netherlands and working as an interior builder, doing high-end custom kitchens, cabinets, and furniture, I thought it was time to go back to realizing my dream of starting my own workshop. For 9 months I converted a van into a workshop on wheels with everything I need to take on professional carpentry and interior building projects, and since April 2025 I am on the road, ready to take project requests.

Projects I am interested in range from interiors, kitchens, flooring, staircases, tables and other furniture, to framing, veranda's, outdoor constructions, decking, doors, windows, and small roofs. I carry a range of professional (power) tools like a plunge saw with rail, router, planer, multitool, sanding machine, drill, hammer drill and impact driver. So ready and equipped for a bunch of project. In the long run, I would love to go back to guitar building, which I have done professionally for 5 years, and have a place where I can build my own instruments and give workshops.

I am mostly interested in the northern regions of Spain (Cantabria, Asturias, Galacia) and Portugal (Viseu, Guarda, Coimbra), but open to other areas (especially in winter). I drive a Peugeot Boxer L2H2 in which I can sleep and cook, so I am independent and self-sufficient in electricity. I do need a good (more or less) levelled parking spot on private land that's fairly easy to access.

Next to all the woodworking stuff I enjoy nature and the outdoors, I like cycling and hiking, photography, activism, music and playing guitar. I'll be carrying my self-built guitar with me while travelling, so would really like to meet other players on the road and make music together! Will also be available to give guitar/ music lessons!

In general, I'm a calm, relaxed, and respectful person. Practical and straightforward as the Dutch tend to be. Motivated to work and learn about alternative lifestyles, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

Please get in touch if you have any serious building or carpentry projects, in an interesting area with more opportunities to take on projects and work in the surrounding area. Also looking for properties suitable for starting a workshop, either renting or buying. I am on the road for an indefinite amount of time, so ready to stay longer term.

Interests

Mountain

Van life

Vegetarian or vegan

Winter sports

Sustainability

Self development

Politics / Social justice

Photography

Outdoor activities

Nature

Music

Hiking

DIY & crafts

Cycling

Culture

Camping

Carpentry

Art & design

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I have focussed on learning Portuguese the last years, able to hold up a conversation now but still looking to improve. Mostly looking to learn Spanish now. Can teach Dutch & English.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Languages

House sitting

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Art Projects

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Able to teach about:  

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

Graduated Industrial Designer from the TU Delft
Worked as a guitar builder, freelance designer and interior builder. So lots of practical design and building experience in different workshop environments.
Longtime guitar player.

Also good with computers, social media, websites, and digital design software like Photoshop & Illustrator. I still do some freelance website building and graphic design on the side. Have a look on nvanbalken.com to get an idea.

Age

28

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  Preferably Vegetarian