Brianm's activity

Questions Asked

Can anyone give me a rough idea of how much a 'APE'  (House Energy cerificate) should cost me here in Northern Tuscany. I've been quoted €250 plus IVA by two Estate agents.Many thanks 

Mon, 05/21/2018 - 03:32

Hi AllWe have had a property in a small village in the Bagni di Lucca area.The Local Log supplier would like to dig a small trench across our Garden to run a water pipe to his animals (goats & sheep) the other side of our property.If we said y

Fri, 05/26/2017 - 13:11

House for SaleSunny Position in its own Large Private GardenLarge Bright Sitting-room2/3 double bedrooms, (1 ground-floor, 2 1st floor)Full Bathroom (Shower & Bath)Fully fitted kitchen/dining-room with inset Halogen hob, Under counter Oven, Gr

Mon, 08/01/2011 - 10:57

After living here in the Bagni di Lucca area of Tuscany for a few years, I have just spent a glorious week in the Correglia/Modena area of Emelia, What a difference, Tuscany now feels like a backward region. I have just enjoyed some of the best Pa

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 03:29

After living here in the Bagni di Lucca area of Tuscany for a few years, I have just spent a glorious week in the Correglia/Modena area of Emelia, What a difference, Tuscany now feels like a backward region. I have just enjoyed some of the best Pa

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 03:28

A short query regarding Residency.

Sun, 05/29/2011 - 03:37

After being here as a resident for 4/5 years, things are now getting tight Financially with the loss of the £/€ exchange rate and now inflation with food, fuel and services. So, I'm looking at renting my house in the Summer as I have found a summe

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 07:33

Jusd a quick query that someone might know the answer to, do the Supermarkets here do 'Cash Back' similar to the UK. Brianm

Wed, 02/02/2011 - 05:56

I Have a 135cm diametre Satillite Dish with LNB and mounted on a Heavy-duty ground support, all in good condition.  €75 complete Thanks Brian

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 05:05

Comments posted

Wed, 06/22/2016 - 13:31

Hi JohnCan I submit our property to you which we have for sale.http://www.letstayanywhere.com/properties/beautiful-detached-villa-tuscany-from-395-to-550pw-april-sept/If you would like any more information then do not hesitate to come back to us.Brian & carole 

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 12:28

So what do you actually do for a living? which is the big problem with trying to live in Italy. 

Fri, 01/23/2015 - 15:52

And yet they are still in the Shit with very high unemployment, state industries such as ENEL rip people off due to hardly any competition. 

Fri, 01/23/2015 - 15:49

I cannot believe some of the questions people ask on here. Would you bring Vouchers from your Spainish Holiday Supermarket and expect to cash them in Tesco UK!!!!!!!I think not

Tue, 07/01/2014 - 03:45

Well said Chris, very sensible!

Mon, 06/30/2014 - 17:40

I think you have still not grasped the reply I gave to you.The Tradesmen were not dismissed because the job had not got to that stage yet, it had only got to the Geometra, his drawings and the application.The new geometra was engaged with the new drawings and with his workmen......that's how.Regarding generalisations as you put it, no one is generalising we are stating fact as it is. You seem to revolve in a certain group of Friends in Bagni with your contacts and perhaps do not realise how other Foreigner's are and have been ripped off.I have friends of several different Nationalities with house's here and all have some bad experiences. You perhaps do not know that Foreigners locally that need work carried out on their houses are refered to by some local trade's people as 'Suitcase's, as they think we have suitcase's full of money.This is not a generalisation as we also have had friends very happy with work carried out.I have read some of your previous posts and must say there seems to be an innocence and naivety in some of the posts. Italy has a reputation for being 'dodgy' at all levels, I think you need to wise up and smell the coffee.

Mon, 06/30/2014 - 14:03

GalaThe relevant certificates were obtained, as I previously stated due to the fact our Friends had to engage a new Geometra and trades people.Also, I sorry but I have to parse comment on your Statement regarding Professionals and trades people.What an insult to trades people, some of whom will have served an apprenticeship or other official training and will have had more 'hands on Knowlege'I'm a retired Design Engineer and would never assume as you have in your statement.Through my profession and dealing with the occasional Architect, I have quite often found that they think they piss 'Eau de Cologne'  and are 'aloof' with their attitude towards the Trades people.This especially so in Italy with their job hierarchy and Management......I've worked here, so I do know!

Mon, 06/30/2014 - 06:35

Yes, I must say that 'Gala Placidia' does tent to live in a bit of a different World.We had some local 'Reccommended' workmen in the Bagni di Lucca area who turned out to be a very poor standard.....had to tell them to go and walk and finished the job myself.Also, our friends had a local geometra who turned out to be an absolute 'Sham' merchant, he did the drawings and said they had been passed, by this time they had paid him €5000. He then asked for more money to take the job further.They became a bit suspicious and took the drawing to the Commune, they scanned the drawing Barcode, which did not register...turned out it was not an official barcode and the drawing was not registerd.The Commune did not seem to want to do anything about, so they had to employ another Geometra who said he would have to re apply the application.They basically lost the €5000 Gala Placidia

Thu, 06/26/2014 - 04:44

Forget Cash, I use a pair of BBQ tonge's to collect the ticket, insert it the other end and to insert my Credit card...saves queuing with all the idiot Italians trying to find the correct change!

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 02:57

I think you are pushing it with your Budget, people still seem to think houses are and should be cheap here!Since the cost of Living and the Euro this is not the case.So many People seem to think they can buy somewhere €100.000 and renovate or partial 'Do it up'....you will spend another €100.000, so buy somewhere already completed or just needs a small revamp as you would do in the UK.Itailan tradesmen are expensive, some are even expensive and very poor workmen or even rip off merchants...we have seen it some many times especially around the Bagni di Lucca and through personal experience through Friends.