Understanding the Costs Involved in Renovating a House in Italy

PART 163: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.

We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!

We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then return again in the Spring, and spend the rest of the time in California (as I explained in a previous blog, we only live in Italy part of the year).

Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we discover some gems worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing. 

This week, let's examine the costs associated with renovating a house in Italy. Note that the focus of this blog is primarily on the cost of materials rather than contractor or labor costs.

Step 2: Occasionally, blog readers send me suggestions for future posts, and this is one of them. I appreciate these suggestions.

Here is the reader's question and context:

"I am open to renovations, especially since I come from a family of builders. However, I would like to gain an understanding of the actual costs involved. For example, I'm interested in the cost per square meter to replace tiles, install new roofing, or add a small bathroom in my apartment. Additionally, I'd like to know how plumbers charge—do they bill by the hour or by the job? I'm also curious about the costs of replacing windows and shutters. Even rough estimates would be helpful."

Step 3: I do not know the precise numbers for most of these questions, but I can share some of our experiences that may clarify some of the answers.

Step 4: Cost of materials

The cost of materials for a home renovation varies based on the specific choices made.

Recently, we completed a home renovation in Tuscany, gaining valuable insights throughout the process. One of the most significant lessons we learned was that we wasted a lot of time searching for materials. This was mainly because we were unsure where to find tiles, faucets, bathroom vanities, kitchen cabinets, and other essentials. We visited numerous small businesses, big-box stores, and unique shops, and consulted with many people about where to source these materials. I want to share some of the lessons we learned during this journey.

Step 5: Start from the basics and work your way up

If I'm starting a house renovation with a fixed budget and looking for materials, I would begin at Tecnomat, similar to Home Depot in the US.

The advantage of pricing materials at a store like Tecnomat is that I can establish a baseline for the costs of basic materials. The store offers a wide range of products, including tiles, showers, and staircases.

We are about to begin our second renovation and have already completed the following step: I created a spreadsheet listing all the materials I need, such as toilets, sinks, mirrors, faucets, paint, and more. Then, I visited Tecnomat to input the prices of these materials into the spreadsheet. This process provides a clear understanding of the baseline costs.

However, this method may not be effective if I'm renovating a space that requires new walls, plumbing, electrical work, or structural changes. This may also not apply if a contractor is purchasing the materials and including them in his charges. More on that later.

Link to Tecnomat: https://www.tecnomat.it/it/prodotti/?srsltid=AfmBOooG6nUyMvm-FNL59F73mjg4MfPUHmRxT6O5FKXgu2IJJgFIflqq

Step 6: Working my way up

Once I have my baseline materials from Tecnomat, I will be able to assess how much of my budget remains. This allows me to start substituting the basic materials selected at Tecnomat for more specialized items that may be more expensive.

Step 7: Purchasing a Kitchen

Buying a kitchen in Italy can be a straightforward process, as kitchens are typically sold as complete units that include appliances. Many larger kitchen distributors also offer installation services and plumbing connections to ensure everything is properly set up.

Similar to other countries, the cost of a kitchen varies based on the type and manufacturer.

To estimate the cost of a kitchen, one can start by exploring options at big-box stores in Italy.

1. Mondo Convenienza offers a variety of affordable choices.: https://www.mondoconv.it/cucine.html?srsltid=AfmBOooS1_uHo7YpR590BYXmnpX9VLp4Gkx-NQ3P75W2tv0BDnMaFBuO

2. Next, consider mid-range or higher-end options like Scavolini, which provides more stylish designs: https://www.scavolini.com/it/cucine

3. IKEA is another popular option; however, our experience with their kitchen planner in Florence was disappointing. The planner did not listen to our preferences and presented a design that did not meet our needs. https://www.ikea.com/it/it/customer-service/services/planning-consultation/#db2b95d0-e7e0-11ec-a0d5-e1fc3d38e3c9 

4. Additionally, Italy boasts numerous upscale kitchen showrooms that feature modern and sleek designs, typically located in major Italian cities.

All of these retailers offer kitchen planning services and will provide an estimate once you've chosen your cabinets and countertops.

Step 8: Contractor Costs

The cost analysis for renovations can be quite complex, especially when it comes to larger projects such as roof replacements, adding a bathroom, or major renovations involving walls, drywall, plumbing, and other elements. The costs for these projects can vary significantly based on location and the specific type of work being performed.

In our experience, the plumbing work we had done was paid by the job rather than by the hour, which is a different practice from that in the US. The costs in Italy were generally lower for similar work compared to the US.

We undertook several renovation projects, including adding a bathroom, demolishing our old kitchen to install a new one, replacing a bathtub with a shower, and other related work.

One of the key factors that contributed to the smooth progress of our renovations was having an honest, knowledgeable, and professional realtor. He has lived in our area his entire life and genuinely cares about his work and the relationships he builds. He referred us to two trusted contractors and an architect, with whom we initially met over Zoom and then in person to discuss, finalize, and agree upon a budget and timeline for the work.

I can't emphasize this enough: in Italy, everything relies on relationships. This principle is essential.

Surprisingly, the cost of adding a bathroom, swapping our windows for double-pane models, installing a new kitchen, and painting the entire interior of the house turned out to be less than what it would have cost in the US.

Sometimes my partner would express disbelief, saying, "How can it cost that little? Are you sure?" However, it's essential to note that we reside in the Monte Amiata region of Tuscany, which is situated outside the major tourist areas. As a result, costs for housing, labor, and services, etc, tend to be lower than in more tourist-heavy locations.

Step 9: Where does that leave me?

The reader might be wondering, "You're not providing any facts or numbers. What does that mean for me?"

That's a great question.

It means that both the reader and future home renovators have a starting point to begin their journey. While I can't predict labor costs or material prices for various regions in Italy—or even within our own area—I can share our experiences which can help illuminate ones first steps.

Here's a summary of the steps one could follow:

1. Price out materials at large home improvement stores.

2. Visit specialty stores to replace some basic items with higher-end options, like special tiles.

3. Seek referrals from trusted locals for contractors, architects, and laborers.

4. Interview the referrals, either in person or via Zoom, using Google Translate if needed. Direct contact is essential.

Step 10: Being Present

I have known a few people who delegated their house renovations to a local contractor, returned to the US, and found that the renovation was moving slowly or not progressing at all.

We decided to be present during our renovation. In fact, we lived in the house while it was happening, which I wouldn't want to do again! However, we found that being present was essential. It kept the work moving, allowed us to resolve issues quickly, and ensured that the flow of materials continued without interruption.

For example, during the renovation of our main bathroom, we suddenly realized that the tile chosen by the contractor for the shower would not match the existing wall tile. Since tile installation was scheduled to begin the following afternoon, we woke up early, drove two hours to Tecnomat, purchased the matching tile, and returned just in time for the contractor to install it.

This is how renovations go—unexpected issues arise that need to be addressed. If I am not present, things take longer, and problems are not resolved promptly.

Being present during the renovation helps move it forward.

Insights:

I am no expert on home renovation in Italy, but hope that our experiences can benefit others and that they will join us on this adventure.

More next time.

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