Having just paid 10% (of outsourced works) for a geometra to plan and manage my own project, and chatted to many other stranieri in the area. It seems that most are failing to finish projects on time or budget and that there are many dissappointed and desperate expats out there.

It seems that many geometras are juggling too many balls, providing the architectural plans and little else as they dedicate there time to chiave in mano projects (that earn them significant sums) at the expense of the small players with tight budgets. There also seems to be an element of exploitation of the lack of language skills and of local practices (including sharp ones!)

Wanting to do something about the situation,
I have just negotiated a 7% fee with a geometra for a project for someone buying locally in Macerata province. This is only payable on the structural works under his responsibility and not services (water/ elex), fittings or any other internal works that we will be doing ourselves. On a project of €200k we estimate a max €70k of structural works or a €5k fee- has anyone out there done better.
Also, I will be managing the project (tenders, contracts, works, orders, planning the project, schedule, resource plans, financial plans and budgets)as this is was my job in the UK. What have others paid for this kind service. Personally I have heard of a 10% fee, the chiavemano fees that geometras charge (which seems to work out at over €1000 a day


http://www.villasanraffaello.com