Category: Blog

Permissions granted

Today, Gino informed us we had been granted the permissions for the external works with no conditions. Most importantly, it includes permission for photovoltaic panels on the roof.

As we are in a part of the village classified as centro storico, we needed to get the application approved by both the comune and the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio.

Gino warned us that the Soprintendenza would be sure to reject the request for panels on the roof, but we persuaded him to apply with two possible locations (roof and garden). Having applied, he told us the only way we’d get permission to place them on the roof is if the Soprintendenza didn’t review the request properly. Today everything got approved on the basis that there was no response from the Soprintendenza within the allowed timeframe. Tada!

The grant includes:

  • Closing the old kitchen door
  • Opening the new kitchen door
  • Repointing front and sides
  • Rendering the back
  • Replacing the windows
  • Adding the two new windows in the living room
  • Shutters in green
  • Repainting the external doors in green
  • Insulating the roof
  • Photovoltaic panels on the roof

Plastering Italian style

They set up a mixer in the garden with a stack of plaster bags. One guy just fed the plaster and water into the mixer which then pumped the mixed plaster up a pipe through the living room window. The guy at the other end piped the plaster onto the walls. The plaster was then smoothed. When it had partially set, they then went round making it flat and roughing it up. All done in one day.

Around the house with our geometra and contractors

Amonst these pictures are:

  • Gino (geometra)
  • Alex (Gino’s young English speaking assistant)
  • Elvis (builder)
  • Tafil (builder)
  • Jerry (builder)
  • Reno (plumber)
  • Plasterers (names unknown)

Others involved (but not pictured) are:

  • Stefano (technico)
  • Tambellini (falegname)
  • Daniele (electrician)
  • Klodian (construction company boss)

Closing the flue in the living room

This flue (with massive wasp nest) was discovered in the living room when the plaster was removed. While it might have been nice to use it for a wood stove, it was seen as more important to fill it in to improve the stability of the house.

March visit progress pictures

As well as showing the state of play when we visited, the pictures below form a record of where the pipes are located in the walls should we ever need to drill holes.

External

Kitchen

First floor bathroom

First floor hallway

Martin’s room

Fenella’s bedroom

Lavanderia

Guest bedroom

Second floor hallway

Kitchenette

Second floor bedrooms

Living room

Ground floor bathroom and technical room

Cantina

Ground floor hallway

Games room

Ingresso

Monster wasp nest

Gino sent through these pictures of a fireplace and flue uncovered in the living room. Inside was a monster wasp (or hornet) nest.

The flue needs to be blocked up to improve the stability of the wall.

Work has started

A very excing day!

Site setup

Living room

Plaster off (hope the electrician remembers what we marked up).

Ground floor bathroom

It appears that we have found the source of the damp on the ground floor. Gino proposes also digging from the step (bounded by the boards).