Hi everyone Well after 41 years of

Hi David and welcome. You picked a lovely region, but not quite the right province :)
I would think again about doing the work yourself if you are planning on staying, I'm sure you can (at a cost) get it certified if need be. If you have not already done so I'd look up costs of heating here (yes, I'm sure you will have). Failing all that, have a look for a more local forum, as well as this one of course!

I agree. Find a decent Bricoman store and do it yourself. The electrics are bit different with the Italian zeal for relays but you can rewire it UK style.

Bunterboy you may be right as we’ve had quotes for the Plumbing, Electrical and building work and they add up to nearly what we paid for the house! The problem is that to drive my truck to Atessa and back will cost upwards of £1000, I would loose two -three weeks worth of work every time I come out to do the work which is another £5k lost in turnover. All of which is worrying. But I have to say that 27,000€ to change 4 windows, 3 doors and to turn 2 windows into doors strikes me as a bit much! And this is work that I don’t do as I’m a plumber and electrician not a builder. On our next trip, the 15th Nov, we plan to meet some more tradesmen let’s hope their prices are a little more affordable. Or does the Italian building trade think we English are minted. I certainly am not. All I want to do is leave England before Brixit really cocks the country up! 

David I doubt it would go down well here if I posted a link to the local Abruzzo forum. If you have not found i, have a search, there are a number of people on this local that live in or around your area. Even getting down to a regional level would help as I think you do need more quotes!

I would be asking around town to anyone you know there for recommendations. It seems locals would have more experience than most of us on this forum.

Your problem s that many Italians think the Brits are all money and luittle sense - some are of course, and prices reflect this when given.Talk to locals, and use local [recomended ] tradesmen.Last job on my house [couple of years ago] - done by friend of neighbour.  Neighbour thought that quote from his own uncle was too high and got a verbal from his friend as well.Job entailed remove 3 internal unsafe glass panel doors to bedroom and replace with solid, plus making good., replace 3 external double glazed windows, replace double glazed patio doors and side panels, kitchen exterior double glazed door and make one external doorway into window [double glazed] with a new wall below.  all widow frames etc in woodLeft him the keys - came back 6 weeks later - perfext job [neighbours wife had popped in and given it a proper clean after the men had finished their clean up!] - cost about 11,500.00Euros [cash of course].  never acyually met the builder at all - all done on trust.  Thats how its done in Italy