Stella B. Says:
My husband and I have always dreamed of restoring an old farmhouse in the Italian countryside. Do you have any advice on this?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Stella,
That’s a wonderfully romantic dream to have. And not as unattainable as you might think.
Italy abounds with farmhouses for restoration. Some are partially habitable, without modern comforts, while others may be described as “structurally sound” shells. There may not even be a roof. Many farmhouses are ruins that would require months of restoration work.
How much will it cost to make a farmhouse habitable? That depends on how good the structural condition of the building is to start with. If there is no roof, the chances are it will require complete restoring. Each project, in each region, will have its own cost, but the average rate-range for a complete restoration is around €140 to €190 ($154 to $209) per square foot. If the roof is decent and the walls are sound and dry, the cost can come down considerably.
The restoration of farmhouses and other large properties generally consists of transforming the ground floor into a living area, restoring the upper floor to a sleeping area, and installing bathrooms. Current regulations need to be adhered to, as well. Protection against seismic shifts and energy efficiency need to be considered.
Plus you’ll usually need new windows and doors, new plumbing, new electrical installations, a new water system, and a new heating installation—often gas contained in big tanks provided by the gas company and positioned under the ground outside the house. Unless the property is in a remote location, it’s generally possible to get the water from the public line. If not, there will almost certainly be a well somewhere on the property.
You can read a detailed breakdown of the process and costs of restoring a farmhouse in Italy in our Escape to Italy guidebook, available on the IL Bookstore.
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