Geometra charges

Here is a page from Emilia Romagna where you can download pdfs of various 'standard' charges (for 'standard' works). http://www.geometrire.it/news_home.php?id=1728If you wanted something local to you then google search on onorario geometri and you will probably find something similar for your provincia.

Pamela Presumably you are looking to have work done in Italy?  Apply the same method that you would if having work done in England - find a couple of geometras, outline what you need doing and ask for a loose estimate of the likely costs. Obviously they would need to do a serious survey in order to give a full estimate but you might get some idea. If you procceed then make sure that the quotation is referred to on a regular basis, as you would for any work undertaken in U.K.  Do as Fillide suggests and research as described.A personal comment here but... if you have that attitude to geometras does it also apply to all other workmen in Italy? If so then perhaps you need to speak to others who have had work done and realise that not everybody is out to get you! Good luck

In fact it is German friends of ours who are asking for permission for work they want done and we are helping them as they speak very little Italian. They are querying a bill from a geometra that have already employed. I asked this question as I was under the impression that there is a scale of standard charges for work that could be found, as Fillide points me to (thanks Fillide!) The Germans are suspicious that it costing them more than it should but I am not sure this is the case at all!  

Two observations. The pdf I linked to (a bit more tricky to follow than I had imagined!) talks about employing a geometra 'by the hour' (though this is frowned upon by the geometra's associations), and quotes a rate of €45 per hour. That's less than I pay the mechanics who service my car.The second misapprehension (certainly for UK people in Italy) is that there is some "independent"  disinterested state control system over building works. There isn't. The geometra (if he is direttore di lavoro) takes upon himself the responsibility (okay, in theory, they are difficult to take to court) for the building standing up. Thus he insists on devolving some of this responsibility to his "engineering" or geological consultants. It's all about professional indemnity insurance (aka financial institutions want their cut) coupled with the threat of incarceration by the state if the geometra is found culpable of a collapsing buiding which kills someone.The sort of people (Germans probably the same as Brits) who want to build/restore their dream house in Italy are often 'hands on' types and they really do not want to be obliged to pay for a 'full service'. Unfortunately (IMO) it is almost impossible in Italy to avoid handing over a huge amount of money, but more importantly, choice to a geometra (or architect or engineer). Add to this legal framework loads of health and safety stuff coming out of the EU, and lots of trade protectionist measures which Italian politicians love, and it is a wonder that you can even paint your own ceilings! But that's how it is.

Thanks again Fillide - very helpful (as always!)