Just bought a house in Abruzzo

[maisie21]

Hi Barry
Thanks very much for the info, we will make a trip there when we visit at the end of the month.
We are still struggling to get our gas supply connected even though we paid for the meter in April, I am just hoping that it is connected when we visit next so that I can have a hot shower.
Judy.

[Barry]

Let me know how long it finally takes to get the gas hooked up. Is your house already set up with the gas lines or do you still have to get a plumber in after the meter is installed.
We don't have a meter either and I haven't looked into getting hooked up yet. We have 2 electric hot water tanks, one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom so are set as far as hot showers go. Our next concern is getting some heat! We have 3 kerosene heaters and the fireplace but it's not the same as central heating.
Barry

[Goingtoitalia]

Hello to All,
I am making my purchase with HAI on July 7th. So far they have been a pleasure to work with, I liked my agent Paola (candid and funny), the scout Maurizio and Sara has kept me informed as the slow pace of Italian paperwork winds it's course. Walter has been nothing short of amazing!
I would like to get several rooms renovated, I am looking at adding a bath and renovating another. Does anyone know of a good contractor? Also, I will need a heating system. I am not in a super big rush, but would like to get started. I thought of ading a terrace on my roof, has anyone in Ofena made such a change? I know that in Tuscany nobody ever seems to get a permit for any type of change. It is not my first order of business and I plan on staying a while in September. Do I just have to ask the Town Counsel and await their decision? How detailed do the plans need to be?
I am looking forward to a pleasant stay in Ofena for years.
Bruce

[Barry]

Hi Bruce
You will need a geomtre to prepare the plans and submit them for approval. We have been told because we are in a National Park we can't make any changes to the outside that would not be in keeping with the historical aspect of the building. We were also thinking of a second floor terrace but haven't yet pursued planning permission as everyone has told us it probably won't be allowed. You can do anything to the interior you want as it is not visible.
Walter is great and he was born in Bussi just down the road so he is familiar with the area. He's the only one in the bank who speaks english!
If you go to Marini's in San Pio they have show kitchens and bathrooms set up so you can see what is possible as well as stocking everything under the sun!

We hope to be there in September so you will have to show us your house!
Barry

[Goingtoitalia]

Thank you Barry,
I look forward to meeting you and giving a tour. It is so small it will not take long Much easier to talk in person. I have seen some amazing showrooms in Lunigiana. They have two in a small town, which I found amusing. The temperature should be nice in September, probably will not need any heat. The property I am buying comes with a small plot of land, I am guessing 7 meters by 15 meters. Does the consel have to approve plans for a garden? I would like to make a patio and small scale English garden.
On another note is there any type of property insurance? I don't want someone to get hurt while I am not there, whether it be a contractor or friend. ????
Bruce

[maisie21]

Hi Barry
All of the lines for the gas, water and electricity were already in place but we are still waiting for the gas supply company to fit the meter.Apparently the plumber has to be present at the same time as the gas company so that they can provide a safety certificate.We applied in April to have the gas connected and paid 540euros for the meter, which is a standard charge as the mains gas supply was only supplied to Ofena 10 years ago and they are now trying to recoup the cost of laying the pipework.There is a lot of paperwork involved and we had to go to the council offices to meet with the agent from the gas company who only visits once a week.
Hope this helps
Judy.

[Barry]

Bruce
I think you are ok with the garden but you could check with the mayor. Her name is Rita and she is always driving around in her Mercedes convertible!
As to insurance I am not sure. None of the locals seem to carry it and none of the companies I deal with in Canada will touch it. I have heard that some English firms do offer house insurance. As you say it might be worth pursuing a bit of liability coverage.
We've only been in May and October. May has always been perfect but the 3rd week in October last year we actually got snowed on so we thought we would try September for a change. We aren't used to high humidity so we find a bit of heat in the house at night tends to dry it out a bit and make it more comfortable when the temperature drops.

[Goingtoitalia]

Hi Barry,
Thank you for the information on the garden and the Mayor's name. I never heard anyone talk about insurance, so I assume most people don't carry it. In California, where people are a little crazy, it never hurts to carry it. I will probably be "roughing" it for my first stay, sleeping bag and camping supplies. Indoors as opposed to outdoors will be welcomed. I read a thread about water pressure, I never thought to ask after seeing a meter, if the water supply was constant and good?

[Barry]

Judy

Yes we have the line right up to our front door but would have to have the interior lines done as well. We have a butane stove (I think) and we went for 6 weeks on a tank of gas (18 euro). We don't use the oven as I picked up a barbecue so we probably won't bother with the hassle of installing gas right now. The electric water heaters work fine and the kerosene heaters work even though at 40 euro for 18 Liters it is expensive.
The next hurdle I think will be getting a phone and ADSL for email. We both have Italian cell phones but they don't work inside the house (I think it's the 2 feet of rock in the walls). We were also thinking of getting a satellite dish as we don't get any TV reception, although I notice some people have large antennas, the lack of which may be our problem.
Barry

[Barry]

Bruce,
I don't know about Ofena but in Carrufo the water comes from a spring. We've never had a problem but we do have a 250 gallon tank and pump under the stairs! They tell us that by august the springs start to run dry and you need the tank to ensure you have enough. It's tied into the water system and stays automatically full and if the external pressure drops then the pump kicks in and supplies the tanked water. At least that's the theory.
We usually fly into Rome, Ciampino, rent a car and then hit Ikea at the next exit. If you need bedding etc it's easy to transport. Furniture has been a bit of a challenge as nobody wants to deliver up to us. They say going to Ofena is no problem but the extra 5 Km up the mountain to Carrufo is impossible!
Barry