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Hi Kittersasp, I am an architect, from UK, living in Italy. I often work on projects on Lake Como, but I can honestly say that I have never come across an ex-pat builder in the area.If you need one for small works I can try to recomend some that may be suitable - for larger works - it is better to carry out a competitive tender process, getting prices from at least three bullders, as builders in the Lake Como area are not famous for being cheap, if they do not need to be competitive they will end up charging you a fortune.Best of luck Conor

" we ....... would be doing quite a lot ourselves as I am an electrician and Mel is a joiner. ..."What little I know about the �������� system - you could have problems doing it yourself. I know of 1 UK electrician that managed to get his qualifications/experience 'accepted' by �������� Authorities - it took years - speak to your Comune about what they will accept from a non-italian registered 'expert'

Thanks all, the estate agent works closely with a Technician who she as recommended . We are back in Italy in 2 weeks and will be meeting up , I will keep the forum posted and really appreciate advice as we progress nigel 

This seems really nice..

Hello Nigel,I don’t know if you have already commissioned your “tecnico”, but on the same lines as choosing a builder  it is advisable to speak to more than one option, and get a written quote for their services and a good written description of what those service entail, so as to instill some competition in the process and understand what you are getting for your money.We will be more than happy to offer you a price for our services and our services would include appointing the right builder for your needs, on the basis on a detailed cost estimate produced by chosen builders based on the detailed description  of works and specification produced by us, also we will manage the building contract for you, to ensure that costs and time are kept to minimum.It is to be avoided like the plague the choosing of a builder that is recommended by a local tecnico, which at first seems a cheap option, then when works start there are a lot of surprises and extra costs and so often proves to be very expensive.Best regards, Conor

Thanks Conor Thats great advice, we shall possibly be over in December and let you know a detailed plan of what is required. I shall contact you via email if that's ok? Many thanks Nigel 

Conor, "avoiding like the plague" is a bit strong! I've restored 2 properties using 2 different contractors recommended by the same tecnico and had excellent results. Caution, yes but avoid like the plague, no.

Hi Maurice,I have no problem with clients opting for a local tecnico. From your message I cannot understand if you used two different builders that the tecnico recommended after a tender process based on prices from more than one or that he simply recommended a builder to you.  What I dislike, and which seems to be pretty common practice in Italy, is to approach only one builder for a job, unless for small jobs, this is just not done outside Italy, and for very good reason, because: (i) the client cannot hope to get a true competitive price; (ii) there is also a possibility of the tecnico getting a backhander from the builder and (iii) finally it is always good to talk to more than one builder about how they would do the job resolving the various logistic and other problems, in order to be better informed.I don’t know in which part of Italy you have your house, but I was also referring the Lake Como building market, which has a limited amount of good builders and there is a pretty big demand, very often with foreign clients. I know of a certain Lake builder whose business plan appears to be to exploit foreign clients – locals never use him, I know of other good honest builders in the area - but I would still not trust them to give me a competitive price if it were not clear to them that other builders are competing for the same work – the areas is very touristy and awash with money – the more money around the more greed there is. Anyway it is heartening that you have had a positive experience with refurbishment, as I have heard from so many (�������� and non-��������) who have had bitter experiences with builders if not managed well.   All the best Conor

Connor,The first was competitive, but only 2 prices, the second was a single tender. I know this is not perfect but, being a retired Quantity Surveyor, I had my eyes open. After the 1st refurb I had absolute trust in the tecnico and could also see from the computo metrico that prices were reasonable. I think it is a) almost if not more important to take care in appointing a good tecnico as a good contractor and b) not to rely too heavily on the headline tender cost - that is not always the best value. Perhaps, different to Como, our rural area has contractors who have to perform well to survive. It is not a wealthy area where they can dictate terms. 

Personally, I always use local designers and Contractors - based on recommendations from neighbours.The advantage of doing so is that they [both designer and contractor] know how the local Comune works - its 'local interpretaion' of standards etc etc.Using locals keeps your neighbours happy - no 'foreigners' working on their patch. [by foreigners, i mean anyone who lives more than a couple of kms away], money being kept local etc etc Still ......................................... each to his own.

Hi I completely agree with Conor and his advice is good. We took on a massive restoration project 5 years ago and are possibly about 2 thirds complete. There are many things I learnt along the way but the most important is to find yourself a reliable geometra or architect . We have had both and if you care to read my blog www.juliasitaliangarden.com especially all the early stories you can see how we learnt by experience, we like yourselves wanted to do as much as was physically possible but there are many regulations here that must be adhered to.My other advice which you will know being in the building trade is that builders are no different here as in the uk. They must always be watched even the best We have lived on site through the whole experience and although sometimes it was exceptionally difficult. The end result more than pays for all the pain.Also being able to converse in their language opens many doors. We after some bad experiences went down the local tradesman route and have never looked back.I am aware that there is a shortage of builders in your area as my own builder is sub contracted somewhere around Lago como.Hope this is some help.julia

Hi Nigel, Joining into this conversation a bit late, and I don't know if you have everything sorted in the way of trades yet, but I am an English Carpenter about 5 mins drive from Como. Drop me an email, where you are based, what work you have etc, maybe I can be of some help. DannyDowning@outlook.comThanksDanny

Thanks Danny i have forwarded an email to you, let me know if you receivekind regards nigel 

Hi NigelI wonder if you found that expat builder? I am assuming you didn't.I thought about asking everyone here if they know of an expat certified asbestos removal contractor..but, I won't even bother ;)But I am looking for a local stonemason for a property renovation just outside Menaggio, if anyone can make a referral?Apologies for hi-jacking the threadBest wishes,Simon