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Super Savvy Italy
123 members • Free
5 contributions to Super Savvy Italy
2d •
Electric works
We are in the renovation process in Trieste. I had my OMG moment. FYI I live in Hungary. I am used to doing things in a precise way. I am use to electricity wiring following a horizontal and then cables come down vertical. I was not ready for diagonal cables, cables following skirting. I call my wonderful agent Jessica. She is calm and caring. She listens to my concerns. She calls the builders. The explanation is to avoid bureaucracy, the new electric works should follow the same scheme as the existing one (new wires; same place). I accept this explanation. The works continue. My take away from this instant is to understand that there are different ways of doing things. To seek explanations. I try to treat people with respect even though things are not going the way I expect it. We are all good. I have photos of the wiring before the walls are plastered. This will help me when it comes to drilling to hang pictures / tapisteries.
0 likes • 12h
At the end of the day, it is nice to hear that the alternative strategy, long with avoiding any bureaucracy issues, is very likely going to result in an outcome that not only works, but is cost effective. My greatest fear is what may go wrong in the future if the alternative approach to a system repair or upgrade, should have a costly outcome. But having said that, my personal hunch is that most old school Italian Artisans and Masons, by comparison, are more specialized and savy than similar tradesman here in California, where the cost of the same work is so much more expensive and the risk of a mistake or future problem, especially if not performed a licensed contractor is much more likely. Thanks for posing your feedback on this part of your project. Assuming my wife and I purchase in Tuscany which is our plan, I will not go through the necessary repairs and renovation without a local Geometra. Emphasis added. I actually hired a well qualified and capable Geometra to assist me with my pre-purchase due diligence, but I would not use the same Geometra for post purchase project management. It would be great to hear more about your project including photos if that work with you.
28d •
Live Q and A Today!
Hi Guys! Quick reminder we have our live Q and A today at 9:00 am PST and 6:00 PM Roma time. Here is the link to join in! Looking forward to chatting with you guys! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87424763982?pwd=TsbvToOxhUEHos88OtfFd96RwZABYW.1
0 likes • 27d
Hi Chris & Pete - Today’s Q&A call was nothing short of fantastic. I might have briefly missed a few minutes during the technical difficulties on my side, but I have to say, I wasn’t going to miss this call for the world. My wife, yes. But not for the world. Your Italian tips about the two, arguably most important verbs from where I see it, the verbs To Have, and To Be, are going to be my immediate focus in leaning simply the present tense, past tense, and three or four others eventually, so that I can get respectable working knowledge. If anyone who doesn’t already have prior learning experience with Romance languages such as French or Spanish, don’t be afraid to embrace the Italian language. As for the purchase, restoration, renovation and need, like it or not, to work with a local Geometra, you gave me great confidence in having that resource, which if that cost can come in around 3% - 5%, my worst fear, especially if your Geometra, is also an architect and a structural engineer, they might charge 5% - 10% or more. For a future Q&A, it would be interesting to discuss, when if ever, building an outdoor trellis or covered patio, just because your house is made of stone, might you use wood posts and framing, which could be substantially less expensive than stone. Enjoy the rest of your evening in Italy.
0 likes • 24d
Hi Chris - Thanks very much. Sorry about the technology glitch on my side. I have my homework cutout both both the Italian language and the Geometra. Italian Language Ground Zero - Studying what are arguably the two most important verbs; To Be (Essere) and To Have (Avere) , without which, good Italian conversation is ever going to happen for me personally or most others who are learning Italian for the first time. Geometra - This was my big takeaway from last Saturday’s Q and A. Unless you live in Italy full time and know how to repair and renovate? Even then, you are going to get into serious bureaucracy issues with, you name the municipality,, SCIA, CILA or…. I did not realize, until talking to you that 3% - 5% of construction fees for what is basically a lower level Architect, or step below, who knows “the system”, where and who to get to,do,the repairs, more or less like a wedding planner, which if that can be had for 3% of total cost, get me what I want and need, that is a no brainer for me. For a future Q and A, could be a couple months or more from now, possible topics might include a) property has some land, not necessarily 1/4 acre or more b) property has zero land except where your villa sits 3) If you add an outdoor patio or trellis, assuming you have some land and don’t have to much house, is that realistically doable?
Jul 19 •
Learning Italian - Good Working Knowledge?
You have captured my full attention Chris — with your understanding, command and fluency with the Italian language. It would be nice to know when, during COVID? Or perhaps way back high school? Or somewhere in between? As Americans, many of us struggle with understanding our own language, which is probably why a large percent of us will generally just stick to one language. I am itching to get started, and would also love to get your take on the do’s and donTy’s, not to be at your level, but just good working knowledge, so the locals don’t stereotype me as….. I may not know (yet) much about Italian, more like nothing, but what I did learn 40 or so years ago, through the help of a couple tutors who could help me understand English Grammer, let alone French Grammer, I kind of found my way, and now I am ready to try my like at Italian. You probably have some good thoughts and insights about the regular verbs, irregular verbs, key ones of course, assuming Italian is not very different from the other Romance languages. One thing is for sure, if you ever get tired of Italy, you could run the Italian language department over at UC Davis, and on the side, help Americans just like me, who have (or had) no idea what a direct or indirect object is, or for that matter, what an object pronoun or subject pronoun is. One step at a time, I am looking forward to learning the Italian basics.
0 likes • Jul 21
Looking forward to this Saturday’s Zoom call at 9am pst. I will start dabbling with some of the very basics of Italian. Particularly as it relates to the past tense usage of the verb “to have” as the auxiliary verb for most regular verbs when speaking in the past tense, as compared to the verb “to be” for those other irregular verbs, which in French they call “The House of Etre”. Maybe an Italian study group or something similar can be on the bucket list. I am actually very interested in learning more about what could be substantially more affordable restoration and repairs, compared t Canis, as well as not spending too much time with municipal approval to get the work done.
Jun 15 •
New to the Group
Hello everyone! My name is Eric, and I'm from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I travel to Italy two or three times each year and am currently looking to purchase a home in Ascoli Piceno in the beautiful Marche region. Italy has become a big part of my life, both personally and professionally. I do genealogical research for a few companies that assist people with obtaining Italian dual citizenship, and I also study Italian through online classes. I'm part of a free Italian language class that meets every Tuesday, so if anyone is interested in learning or practicing Italian, I'd be happy to share more information. I'm new to this group and wanted to introduce myself and hopefully make some new friends, especially people who enjoy traveling to Italy or who live there. I have cousins in Italy whom I visit whenever I'm there, and over the years I've had the opportunity to visit many towns throughout northern and central Italy. So far, I haven't spent much time exploring southern Italy, but it's definitely on my list for future trips. I look forward to connecting with everyone, sharing experiences, and learning from the group. Feel free to say hello!
0 likes • Jul 20
Hello Eric. I am also new to the group, so it is very nice to meet you as well. I did email Edwin and did let him know that I know you, sort of. Since I have quite a few relatives in Pittsburgh, know the best place in the world to get the best greasy pastrami sandwich with french fries and coleslaw (Primanti Brothers), you and I just might be distant relatives. I will forward you the email that I sent to Edwin, just to be safe. Go Steelers.
Jul 9 •
Live Q and A call
Hi guys! I am looking to do a live Q and A call on Saturday the 25th July. Can you let me know if you are available and want to join? It will be 9:00 PST. Thanks guys!
0 likes • Jul 15
Hi Chris - I am looking forward to the upcoming Q and A. I have noticed that highly trained Artisans and Masons are a potentially good alternative to a general contractor, depending on the type of work, whether you are renovating within the envelope .
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@mark-bendick-7904
My wife Francisca and I, are counting down 3 years to retirement and we just celebrated our 30 year anniversary on June 15th—In Tuscany. To be cont’d.
Online now
Joined Jul 13, 2026
San Mateo, CA