Directory
Trusted Professionals
Buying property in Italy means working with professionals whose roles don't exist in the UK or US. A geometra is not a surveyor. A notaio is not a solicitor. Understanding who does what — and who works for whom — is the difference between a good purchase and an expensive one.
Why registered professionals matter
What “in regola” means
A professional working “in regola” (by the rules) has a partita IVA (tax registration), is registered with their professional body, holds insurance, and issues fatture (formal invoices) through the SDI electronic system. Every fattura is automatically reported to the tax authority. It cannot be faked.
What a fattura gives you
A fattura is not just a receipt. It's a legal document that proves the work was done, who did it, and what you paid. With a fattura you have: legal recourse if the work is defective, warranty on construction, eligibility for renovation tax deductions (up to 50%), and proof of expenditure for insurance claims. Without one, you have nothing.
The cost difference
Working “in regola” costs 10-20% more than cash in hand because the professional declares the income and pays tax on it. On a €4,000 job, that's €400-800 more. The question is whether €400 of savings is worth losing your legal protection, your tax deductions, and your ability to hold someone accountable if the roof leaks six months later.
How to verify
Ask for their partita IVA number. Geometri can be verified through the Collegio dei Geometri of Foggia. Architects through the Ordine degli Architetti. Builders should be registered with the Camera di Commercio and have DURC (certificato di regolarità contributiva) confirming they're current on tax and social security. If someone hesitates to provide these, find someone else.
Who works for whom
This is the thing most foreign buyers don't understand until it's too late. Not everyone at the table is working for you.
Works for you
Your geometra
Hired by you. Paid by you. Their job is to tell you the truth about the building — even if it kills the deal.
Works for you
Your avvocato
Hired by you. Reviews contracts. Checks title. Represents your interests, not the transaction.
Works for the transaction
The notaio
A public official. Makes the transfer legally valid. Flags issues that would invalidate the deed. Does not advocate for either side.
Works for the deal
The estate agent
Paid by both buyer and seller (3-4% each). Their income depends on the sale completing. Useful for finding properties. Not your advocate.
The professionals
Geometri
Property surveyor, building inspector, planning consultant.
What they do
Surveys the building. Checks the catasto plan against reality. Checks planning compliance at the Comune. Spots building irregularities. Prepares the Relazione Tecnica Integrata that the notaio needs. Files renovation permits.
Typical cost
€350-1,000 for a pre-purchase compliance check. €300-500 for a physical survey.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Are you registered with the Collegio dei Geometri of Foggia?
- Do you have any relationship with the seller or the estate agent on this property?
- Will you check both conformità catastale AND conformità urbanistica?
- What happens if you find irregularities — can you handle the sanatoria?
Watch for: A geometra who also found you the property has an interest in the deal completing. For independent due diligence, hire one with no connection to either side.
Notai
Public official who handles the legal transfer of property.
What they do
Drafts the rogito (deed of sale). Reads it aloud (legally required). Checks title, cadastral conformity, and tax obligations. Collects taxes on behalf of the state. Registers the deed. Mandatory for every property transaction — you cannot buy without one.
Typical cost
€1,500-3,000 professional fee for a typical Gargano purchase, plus the taxes they collect on your behalf. Total out-of-pocket including taxes: €3,000-6,000.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Can you provide a written preventivo separating your fee from the taxes?
- Will the deed be bilingual if I don’t speak Italian fluently?
- What’s your timeline from compromesso to rogito?
Watch for: The notaio serves the transaction, not you personally. They will flag issues that make the deed legally invalid. They may not flag issues that are merely bad for you. That’s what your geometra and lawyer are for.
Avvocati
Property lawyer. Represents your interests.
What they do
Reviews the proposta and compromesso before you sign. Checks title independently of the notaio. Handles inheritance complications, disputes, and anything unusual. Translates legal concepts into plain language.
Typical cost
€1,000-3,000 for a standard purchase. More for complex situations (multiple heirs, disputes, usucapione).
Questions to ask before hiring
- Do you specialise in property law (diritto immobiliare)?
- Have you worked with foreign buyers before?
- Will you review the proposta BEFORE I sign it?
Watch for: Not legally required for a straightforward purchase. But if you don’t speak Italian fluently, if there are inheritance complications, or if anything feels off — an independent lawyer is worth every euro.
Imprese Edili
General building contractor.
What they do
Handles renovation: structural work, plumbing, electrical, plastering, tiling, roofing. May subcontract specialists (electrician, plumber) or employ them directly. Manages the build on site.
Typical cost
€500-1,800 per square metre depending on scope. A 70m² old town house: €35,000-126,000 depending on condition.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Do you have a partita IVA and will you issue fatture for all work?
- Can you provide three references from recent renovations in the area?
- Will you give me a written preventivo with a timeline?
- What’s your payment schedule?
Watch for: Get three written quotes. Expect to pay 30% upfront, 30% at structural completion, 30% at finish, 10% retained for 30-90 days as final settlement. Never pay 100% upfront.
Architetti
Architect. Required for complex renovations.
What they do
Designs renovations involving structural changes, heritage properties, or anything needing Soprintendenza (heritage authority) approval. Handles Permesso di Costruire applications. Required when the geometra’s scope isn’t enough — load-bearing walls, volumetric changes, properties in the national park.
Typical cost
8-15% of construction cost for full design and project management.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Have you worked on properties within the Parco Nazionale del Gargano before?
- How long does Soprintendenza approval typically take in this area?
- Will you manage the builder on site or just design?
Watch for: Not needed for simple renovations (painting, new bathroom, rewiring). The geometra handles those. The architetto is for when walls move, roofs change, or heritage rules apply.
Before you sign anything
Read it three times
The proposta d'acquisto, the compromesso, the rogito. Every document. Three full reads minimum. If it's in Italian and you don't read Italian fluently, pay for a translation before you sign. The cost of translating a compromesso is €200-400. The cost of signing something you didn't understand is unlimited.
Check what's not in the contract
Your offer should be conditional on: satisfactory survey by your geometra, clean title, and conformità urbanistica e catastale. If these conditions aren't in the proposta, ask why. A seller who resists survey conditions may have something to hide. Walk away and find another property.
Understand the deposit
A caparra confirmatoria means: you pull out, you lose it. The seller pulls out, they pay you double. A caparra penitenziale means: either side can walk away and only lose/pay the deposit amount. Know which one you're signing. It will be in the compromesso. Read it.
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