House refurbishment in Italy, by Davide Mengoli

Don’t DIY following the instruction will save you money and time.
If your property requires major restoration, your first step should be to find a reputable geometra, a professional (probably unique to Italy) whose job is a combination of those of an architect, engineer and surveyor. Geometre are listed in the yellow pages (www.paginegialle.it) under Certificati Agenzie.
A geometra’s main tasks are dealing with the paperwork involved in planning applications (a local geometra may know the ‘right people’ in the ‘right places’), drawing up the plans and specifications for the restoration and overseeing the restoration work. His help is vital if you’re a foreigner and don’t speak Italian fluently - even if you do, you can save considerable time and stress if you employ one.
The geometra will be your right-hand man in practically the entire restoration process and you should choose someone who’s highly recommended and who you can trust, particularly if you cannot be on site to supervise restoration work yourself.

[@Myhappyplace65]

Davide, You are awesome. THANK YOU for what you do. I am still in the dreaming stage but rest assured I have found the guy to help me make that dream a reality. I will be in touch soon. In the meantime I am enjoying all your videos. I am grateful to Dauvo for helping me find you.

[@salentowithlove3314]

That’s great news! I’ll be super happy to help at any time! 😉

[@bomaddox4771]

instablaster...

[@joelchamberlain9620]

Excellent information! Thank you Davide for sharing this knowledge and experiences.

[@salentowithlove3314]

Real pleasure 🙏

[@pamjacobson6236]

Excellent information, thank you Davide!

[@salentowithlove3314]

Thank you 🙏

[@lisazochert3465]

Thank you for this video. I especially appreciate that you are so mindful of someone's budget. So many times you hear about projects going way over budget- that may be great if you can afford it; however, many people want to be able to fulfill their dreams without the added stress of trying to come up with extra cash they just don't have available.

[@salentowithlove3314]

I have developed over 15 properties for myself and many more for others, staying within the budget is the N1 priority for me. Not having a plan and a strategy in place, will always lead to additional stress and unforeseen costs. Planning is the ABC of Real Estate, the saying ‘’we will deal with that later’’ is the most reckless approach you can have.

[@davidjosias7486]

This was awesome, thanks so much🙏🏻👏🏼👍🏻

[@szilvianagy9112]

Love this video! I agree with every single word!

[@salentowithlove3314]

Hi Szilvia, there are so many variables in tackling a renovation project. To date I’ve done over 40 projects Worldwide and the formula is always the same, get a professional to help you through the process

[@giulianocorbisiero5004]

Nice to have the process explained well done.

[@salentowithlove3314]

You know me well, I love to get my hands dirty!

[@msmolyneux3169]

Thank you for posting. I would love to buy a property and refurbishing it.

[@salentowithlove3314]

Easily done 🙏

[@danecaldwell9470]

Wow, the cost of the Architect in N.A. is about 50% if they are managing the work! I’ll be contacting you for a consult. So impressed with your educational videos and we have a very simpatico view of architecture.

[@salentowithlove3314]

Thank you!! I’m struggling with time so much, I would love to do more educational videos!!

[@VelkePivo]

A wealth of knowledge presented very clearly. Thank you. A question, if you will: can one do light landscaping without permits? Nothing requiring machinery; just things like planting flowers, rosemary bushes, maybe a few cypress trees…maybe even a patio? Thanks again!

[@salentowithlove3314]

Thank you for following the channel 🙏 In theory yes although the location always dictates the rules. I would say in normal circumstances, landscaping and adding a patio wouldn’t require any planning

[@quent94181]

Dear Davide, I’ve seen two of your videos today. They are simply great. Thank you so much for the knowledge you give!! Could you please suggest someone as knowledgeable and as professional as you are in the north of Italy (Piemonte, Aosta)?

[@salentowithlove3314]

Hi Quent, thank you so much for your kind words, I must say that in the last few years since producing this material, so much more has happened 🙏 Unfortunately I don’t know of any company throughout italy doing what we are doing here on the ground, although I’m sure you will be able to find people specialising in the area you’re currently in need of. Have you purchased a property already, what type of support are you in need of Best Davide

[@briangudas1420]

Hi Davide. Really enjoying your content and we may reach out to you in the future as we make relocation plans. One question - you mentioned getting quotes before you get an architect. Is the architect the one that helps with the design and layout? How do you know the specifications of the quotes without the architects design? Appreciate your insight. Thanks

[@salentowithlove3314]

The video is quite old, I can’t remember what I said 😂 But if you can get some quotations for the work, it is always a good idea. You will need an architect or geometra by law to supervise the work and sign off.

[@mariadigiovanni1168]

You are a font of information! The 110% government grants I had heard were for various seismic zones and it covered most of Italy with exception to the heel of the boot (Salento). Are there still programs in place for all areas? Also, another vlogger had mentioned that the application closing date was October 31, 2020. Was this program continued? It was also outlined that in order to qualify for the heating upgrades, the property must already have a heat source. Would a fireplace be considered a heat source? I am several months behind, catching up with your videos. You have become my bible for my planning process. Thank you so very much for your content. You make it understandable and practical.

[@salentowithlove3314]

Hi Maria, please don’t call me the bible is too much 😊 I really try to help by sharing my knowledge and this new tool (KZbin) has allowed me to make so many new friends and clients, opening incredible opportunities. Now in reply to your question, I am scheduling a video together with some experts in this field, in the next two weeks. The program has been extended and to be honest it is a minefield worth exploring. If you would like to conduct the interview of my video, please send me a list of all relevant questions. [e-mail] I’m sure the audience will appreciate!! I can bring you on a virtual stage. [e-mail]

[@francinemoloney2437]

Ciao Davide. What if the architect has his own workers. A lot of them do. Would you use them. Granted you trusted the architect. It seems much easier. Would love to hear your answer. You are very helpful to me Grazie. Best Regards, Francesca Marino

[@salentowithlove3314]

Hi Francesca, to be honest getting an architect to follow and deliver is the best way to guarantee success. In doing that you want to make sure you have a full quotation and getting at least 3 architect to quote is my recommendation! Quotation should include, floor coverings (average price per sqm) bathrooms accessories, kitchen and doors and windows.

[@angelabarry4432]

What do you think about choosing a contractor who does a good quotation and wants to take care about all the works?

[@salentowithlove3314]

What I think is not that relevant. References of the contractor, a very tight contract and a schedule of payment that reflects the different stages is very important. To many horror stories out there to comfortably just give an opinion 🙏

[@jain070809]

In quali opere strutturali dovrebbe essere coinvolto un architetto? Se riesci a gestire molto lavoro da solo e il lavoro è limitato all'interno, allora? Grazie

[@salentowithlove3314]

Se si tratta di opere strutturali, serve un ingegnere edile e un geometra o architetto per seguire i lavori. Non importante che il lavoro sia all’interno o all’esterno, serve sempre presentare una SCIA, e per questo serve un tecnico

[@antoniodelbeneUtube]

Ma tu vendi agli inglesi/,solo proprieta in Salento?

[@salentowithlove3314]

Non vendo a nessuno, noi facciamo gestione immobiliare

[@thecrafts0301]

Most of the people like to refurbish and have now clue about technical skills get sheeted by high quotations . Think twice before doing that if you have no clue about construction with missing qualified labours.

[@salentowithlove3314]

Refurbishment is the most delicate part of the deal, if you’re not Italian or a local, best to have an architect to supervise the entire project 🙏