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PROPERTY

Expert tips on renovating your Italian property

Thinking of buying an Italian property to renovate? It can be a lot of work, but local property experts have some tips.

Published: 13 February 2019 12:05 CET
Updated: 12 December 2019 08:57 CET
Expert tips on renovating your Italian property
A property renovation project in Marche, Italy. Photo: D&G Design

When deciding to buy an Italian property for renovation, there are all kinds of things to consider; from location to budgeting to finding the best supplies locally.

Renovation projects can be enough work in your home country, so adding foreign laws and language to the mix can make the idea seem daunting.

But plenty of people have done it before, and there's help and advice available if you're thinking of making the leap.

We spoke to Italian home renovation experts David and Gary from D&G Design, based in the Marche region, who renovated their own property in Italy and now assist others doing the same.

”Homes, just like ours, offer fantastic potential and could be an attractive option for foreign buyers,” said Gary. “They can easily be transformed into stunning second homes, holiday rentals or even bed and breakfasts.”

A renovated dream home in the Marche countryside. Photo: D&G Design

They gave us their top renovation tips for anyone thinking – or already in the process – of buying a home to renovate anywhere in Italy.

Find a geometra

When carrying out major restoration works, you’ll need to enlist the services of an ingegnere or geometra (civil/structural engineer) who will oversee the project and provide a quote for all works, Gary said.

A good one will provide an accurate estimate for the job at hand, and work with you to arrange tradespeople or builders to carry out the works.

Get planning permission

Look out for the hidden extras. “Anything that requires planning permission will need to have an ingegnere or geometra submit these applications, required by law,” says Gary.

“There are fees for planning permission, so have your ingegnere/geometra provide you with a full cost of these prior to purchasing the house.”

Check your costs

“Check your local government guidelines on costs of each aspect of a renovation/restoration project. Make sure that you are aware of these so that you can cross-check any quotes you receive.”

Don’t forget anti-seismic work

You might come from a country where this just isn’t a consideration, but in Italy it’s vital.

“A good ingegnere/geometra will insist that anti-seismic works are carried out to homes needing renovating – this is a requirement by law.”

Photo: D&G Design

Budget realistically

We often hear about restoration projects with runaway budgets, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you’re realistic from the outset.

“A good way to determine the cost of a project is to anticipate spending €1,000 per square metre of the home on full restoration projects where rebuilding, rewiring, plumbing, heating, etc is needed,” says Gary.

For smaller renovation projects, he says €600-€800 per square metre is a good guideline to budget.

“Then add 20 percent to your estimate to cover any hidden surprises, taxes and fees. With any luck, you’ll have money left over!”

Make use of funding schemes

There are some good schemes in place for residents who restore historical homes, usually receiving some of the costs of the project back via deductions on your taxes.

If your plan is to become an Italian resident then investigate whether these schemes exist in your area before work commences. 

Consider a project manager

“If you’re not going to be present during the renovation works, enlist an English-speaking project manager who can be on site and work together with your ingegnere/geometra to provide you with full details and updates weekly,” Gary advises.

David and Gary in Italy. Photo: D&G Design

Choose tradespeople carefully

“Don’t be afraid to ask to meet with builders and tradespeople beforehand. Ask to see other projects that they have worked on,” says Gary.

You should also beware of quotations that seem to be lower than government guidelines.

“All quotes are estimated and chances are that a lower quote will increase as the work progresses. Ask your ingegnere/geometra for a worst-case scenario quote so that you budget for all eventualities.”

Get to know your neighbours

Making time for the neighbours is invaluable, Gary says. “They will appreciate you making the effort, especially if you can use a few Italian words and phrases, and they will be very knowledgeable on where to find the best items from trusted local suppliers.”

Seek out local artisans

This has to be one of the best parts of restoring a property in Italy.

“There are some amazing hidden talents in Italy, artisans producing work that may be dying arts in your home country.”

“Have fun finding local ceramics makers, flooring specialists, carpenters, etc. After all, Italians have produced some of the world's most famous art and architecture, and many are still creating works of art even in the smallest of towns.“

Go antique hunting

When it comes to decorating and finding furniture for your new Italian home, you can be very creative.

One of Gary’s favourite pastimes is visiting Italy’s famous antiques markets, where he says you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces for a fraction of the price you would pay elsewhere. 

The famous monthly antique market in Arezzo, Tuscany, is a good place to find unique pieces. Photo: Clare Speak/The Local

Have you renovated your own property in Italy? Do you have any of your own tips or stories to share? Get in touch at [email protected]

READ ALSO: The best renovation properties you can buy in Italy for less than €50K

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PROPERTY

Five pitfalls to watch out for when buying an old house in Italy

Tempted to snap up a little slice of Italy at a bargain price? The older the house, the more potential issues you'll need to be aware of.

Published: 29 March 2024 10:17 CET
Updated: 29 March 2024 12:03 CET
Five pitfalls to watch out for when buying an old house in Italy

Italians themselves may have very little interest in buying or fixing up Italy’s many unwanted old houses, but international visitors are often swept away by the charm of these rustic buildings in romantic settings.

It’s easy to see why. The quirky structures, period details, and picturesque surroundings – not to mention low asking prices – inspire countless people worldwide every year to investigate buying an Italian home of their own, often as an investment or retirement property.

MAP: Where in Italy can you buy homes for one euro?

International interest in cheap Italian property has only intensified in recent years, with dozens of idyllic villages advertising ‘one euro’ homes and other low-cost property offers aimed specifically at foreigners.

Savvy buyers are aware that non è tutto oro quel che luccica (all that glitters is not gold), and quickly realise that these long-neglected buildings really cost somewhat more than one euro to buy and renovate. Still, some of The Local’s readers tell us these offers are worth taking advantage of.

But whether you’re looking at spending a couple of thousand euros or much more on your dream Italian property, there’s always a lot to consider – including some issues that you’re unlikely to experience when buying a home in your home country.

These unexpected issues can turn the Italian dream into a bit of a nightmare, and sometimes lead to buyers having to abandon a purchase, losing money in the process.

But if you’re aware of potential pitfalls in advance, you’re far more likely to be able to complete the purchase process with no major problems at all.

Property taxes and fees

Of course you’ll be expecting tax as part of the property purchase process, but Italian property taxes are particularly steep.

Experts say the total cost of buying in Italy will add approximately ten percent to the purchase price, and advise prospective buyers to budget accordingly.

There’s stamp duty, which is between two and nine percent of the cadastral value (valore catastale) of the property, with a minimum threshold of €1,000 even on the cheapest homes. Plus VAT at four or ten percent, land registry tax, and, if applicable, mortgage tax.

You can also expect to pay between one and five percent of the purchase price as a fee to the estate agent. In Italy agents work for both the buyer and seller – and collect compensation from both parties once the deal is done.

Then you’ll likely need a couple of thousand euros for the notary, plus a similar fee for any other agents you use, such as a mortgage broker, plus legal fees if a lawyer is involved.

See more about the ‘hidden’ costs of buying property as a foreigner in Italy.

Bickering relatives

It may sound unbelievable to non-Italians, but it’s not unusual to find that even the smallest old properties, or parts of them, are legally divided up between dozens of family members due to Italy’s inheritance rules.

One buyer The Local spoke to found herself having to deal with 22 people, all relatives, who each turned out to own a share of a small property she was buying in Mussomeli, Sicily; one of the first places in the country to sell off old properties for a euro.

Toti Nigrelli, the mayor of Mussomeli, said “having to negotiate the sale with multiple owners” was normal.

While this buyer impressively managed to negotiate the deal with all 22 parties, in many cases similar sales fall through because relatives – distant cousins, great-aunts, long-lost nephews – are often not on good terms, disagree over the sale, or can’t be traced.

At the very least, you will need to check the property’s records carefully to make sure there are no surprises in store – such as long-lost relatives who might turn up to claim the property back after you’ve bought it.

A trullo house before renovation in Cisternino, Puglia. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Illegal builds

Another thing that often astounds foreigners who buy property in Italy is the enormous number of illegal builds – homes that were built entirely without permits – on the market as well as the even greater number of houses featuring modifications which were never officially approved or recorded.

Illegal housebuilding in Italy is often thought of as a decades-old issue, but recent data shows that, in 2021, 15 houses were built illegally for ever 100 authorised. Illegal building is twice as common in the south of the country as in the north, and thousands of cases are detected every year – though few people are ever prosecuted.

If you buy a house with undeclared modifications, the buyer is usually held responsible for paying to regularise the paperwork with the town hall. If you catch this issue early enough – and not all sellers or estate agents will inform you about them – you may be able to negotiate for the seller to cover these costs before you make an agreement.

If however you end up unknowingly buying a house built without the correct permissions, or if you never regularise any unauthorised changes, the property will likely prove very difficult to sell on.

This is one of many reasons why buyers need to carefully check the catasto (land registry or cadastral records) of a property themselves, and have a notary check everything is in order.

Conservation rules

When you initially view and fall in love with that charming stone house in the historic centre of a gorgeous Italian hilltop town, rules and regulations are probably not the first thing on your mind.

But it pays to know that old homes featuring frescoes, loggias or ancient stone cellars, as appealing as they are, are often protected by Italy’s cultural heritage authority – meaning more red tape for their owners.

One reader was forced to give up her dream of buying a portion of a two-floor 1700s building in the village of Civita Castellana, Lazio, because it needed renovation work to make it livable – but the frescoed walls, decorated fireplaces and elegant stonework entrance were vincolati (under restrictions) due to Italy’s historic conservation rules.

READ ALSO: Tuscany or Basilicata? How Italy’s international property market is changing

In many cases, this means renovation work can’t be carried out at all, or will be subject to reams of paperwork and close monitoring from authorities known as the sovraintendenza belle arti. To make things trickier, rules can also vary by local authority.

If you think a property you’re interested in might be subject to these rules, it’s always wise to consult the local sovraintendenza at an early stage. And of course, you’ll want to get hold of the records of the property from the catasto (land registry).

Resale prices

The high taxes and costs involved in buying and selling a property in Italy are often said to be one reason why, for most Italians, the concept of climbing the property ladder doesn’t really exist in the way it does in some countries.

Italy’s property market is unusual in Europe in that house prices on average are relatively stagnant. With the exception of some types of property – such as new-build apartments and luxury homes – overall prices have risen little over the past decade.

This is partly because the Italian market is weighed down by a large volume of old, neglected properties in need of major work – hence schemes like the one-euro sales and the (formerly popular but now-unavailable) 110 percent ‘superbonus’ for renovations.

But overall, if your main motivation for buying an old Italian home and renovating it is profit, you’ll need to consider that the resale potential may not be what you’d hope. The exceptions to this are at the pricier end of the market, in most major city centres, and in tourist hotspots.

See more in The Local’s Italian property section.

Do you have any more tips on buying a property in Italy? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

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