Despite this the quality of work rivals any in the world. Often in Italy families live and work together in respected family businesses passed down from generation to generation. These families often inherit age-old skills hard to replicate anywhere else. You only have to look inside one of our finished restorations and inspect the hand carved staircase or kitchen carved out of solid rock to appreciate Italian workmanship.

Restoration work takes time but is justified. Materials used are often sourced and are of an optimum quality to maintain the authenticity of the restoration. Despite this, as long as the work is supervised the total time for the restoration is reasonable.

The work would take just as long if not longer in other countries where it is much harder to find builders experienced in working with such materials and in buildings with walls a meter thick! Invariably they would cost more.

All European countries require you to apply for planning approval to renovate or modify an existing building. Contrary to what most people believe, Italy is no more bureaucratic than any of these other countries in granting planning approval. As with other countries older buildings carry stricter planning approval regulations to protect the authenticity of the building. In Italy there just happens to be more historic buildings that qualify for stricter planning approval regulations.

A work stage may require more work than originally projected and re-negotiations will there for have to be made before the builders will continue to work.

This is where a service such as that provided by Italy Assist comes into it's own not only do we over see the work in your absence we relay any potential delays as soon as they are known. As we are on hand, we can communicate your decisions for you.