Restoring a farm house
This section deals with various topics for those interested in buying properties in Le Marche. It is written with the help of professionals who work with Vinci Properties and will be periodically updated.
Here is a brief introduction from a structural engineer specialized in the restoration of houses, farm houses and historic houses in Le Marche.
Today, when restoring a farmhouse, there are various standards and requirements that have to be satisfied such as energy saving, acoustic and seismic. This means that the roof, the first floor ceiling and the walls must be insulated, that an acoustic mattress must be placed within the floors and weight distribution must be properly managed (rigid floors, ties and beams etc.)
Another important structural requirement regards the foundations, because they are often superficial and damaged by external humidity. Furthermore, good insulation on the ground floor requires an excavation of circa 40 cm so that small plastic igloo-like structures can be inserted so creating an area where the circulaltion of air is allowed.
Moreover, the ground floor is originally often used as a deposit or stable and if made habitable must have an internal height of at least 2.7 meters.
Finally it is not always a good idea to knock down the whole building because walls are often in good condition and have interesting architectural appeal.
Ing. Vitale Grisostomi
In order to help understand what the costs of restoring a farmhouse are, we have included an example of an actual restoration of a farmhouse carried out in 2005 but updated with the current building costs (as published in the official Marche Regional Price List for Work and Building Materials – BUR 2006).
The farmhouse in question, which cost circa €1.150/sqm to restore, like so many to be found in the Marche countryside, had the following characteristics:
- An outside staircase (the stables on the ground floor made total separation of the floors a necessity)
- Brick walls (internal and external)
- A terra cotta tiled roof
- Ceilings in wood and terra cotta
- No foundations
Before Renovation
Given the condition of the house and the requirements of the new owners, a full restoration had to be carried out, although the outside walls were kept and, due to local building standards, underpinned.
The new house, which covers circa 200sqm includes 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a terrace on the 1st floor and a kitchen, dining/drawing room, studio, utilities room and 23sqm veranda on the ground floor.
The external brick walls were sandblasted and a modern annex was rendered.
The costs below refer to a restoration of a high standard using natural materials where possible and conforming to all building regulations.
Building permission usually takes 8 weeks and the work about 9 months.
The architect, whose cost is circa 10% of the build cost, dealt with all planning and administration issues, provided plans, was responsible for site safety, project managed the work, organised surveys and provided progress reports.
| Plans and Associated Costs | |
| Masonry €50.800
incl. scaffolding, demolition of internal walls and plastering Sewers and drains incl. demolition and rebuilding of existing roof and floors with treated terra cotta tiles Underpinning of all supporting walls Windows, doors, frames and shutters Heating, plumbing, taps and bathroom fittings Internal and external electrical system Internal and external painting Railings Terra cotta tiles, roof, support columns €246.900 Sub total (*) including architect, surveyor and geologist |
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Swimming pool
The cost of a swimming pool will depend on the size, the shape, whether it is an infinity pool or not and how it is built (prefabricated or built on site).
The costs below are for a 6m x 12m rectangular shaped pool (not infinity) in reinforced concrete with a pvc liner and filtration system.
€32.000
Swimming pool
€5.000
Digging and 55sqm of paving
€1.500
Geologist (sampling and report)
€7.000
Architect
€45.500
Total
Pool and house maintenance
If you need someone trustworthy to periodically check your property, arrange maintenance, or broker vacation rentals of your home, we recommend Le Marche Home Services, owned by an Anglo-German coupole living in Montalto delle Marche, http://www.lemarchehomeservices.com/
Specialist work
- Trompe l’oeil and frescos. Clarissa Parish has gained a reputation for producing works of art to the highest creative and technical standards. She is known also for being able to stick to the given budget and to meet tight deadlines. She has spent the last ten years working for a huge variety of clients, in both the private and commercial sectors. She has a team of artists, all professionals in their own right, who work with her, in her studio in London and on specific sites. www.clarissaparish.com
- Ironwork. All the ironwork produced is hand forged. The range includes gates, balustrades, railings, security screens, indoor and outdoor furniture. Although traditional intricate designs are a speciality, we recognise that simpler designs, executed to a high standard are often required to complement the rustic style of the traditional Marchigiani home. www.ironworkmarche.com
Fractional
The Benefits of Fractional Ownership
Fractional Ownership is a simple way to buy a share in a luxury holiday home. It is a tried and tested formula and the legal structure for this development has been created by specialist law firm Howard Kennedy in London.
Fractional Ownership provides a real alternative to whole ownership. It is a growing market and now considered to be a financially astute way of purchasing overseas property. Fractional Ownership allows a number of buyers to collectively own a property, which is professionally managed and maintained, sharing all the costs. You own your share forever, this is not timeshare.
As a lifestyle investment, fractional ownership makes sense. Owners are investing in ‘bricks and mortar’ and an asset that can be passed on to your family. On average, a traditional holiday home owner only uses their property for 40 separate nights (approximately 5 weeks) – but pays for the whole year, whereas fractional owners don’t have the financial burden of maintaining the property all year round, as the running costs are shared between owners – making fractional ownership a truly affordable option.
When members wish to sell, gift or transfer their membership it is a simple and straight forward process and can be executed from overseas.
The purchase does not involve the complexity, or cost, of transferring property under the Italian legal and tax system.
Owners may buy a 1/10th interest (or more if they desire) which incorporates a right over the common areas (the communal gardens, swimming pool, tennis court, olive groves, lavender plantation and vineyard) and annual residency of five weeks each year.
In simple terms: ‘The Members own the Company – the Company owns the property.’