The new year has arrived and with this there are always new possiblities. Even though much is new, some feelings of dejavu continue to haunt us all, as covid just doesn't seem to want to give slip just yet. I believe we have to live with it as well as we can and look for the positives and not just dwell upon the negatives that we are bombarded with.
The positive news from the building site is that the team have not only began with the walls of the first floor, but now at the time of writing, have completed the ring beam on top. In the past weeks the reinforced hollow brickwork has been raised to carry the first floor. The beams and first floor should be in place before my visit, which will hopefully be in a couple of weeks time, in February. This is when it gets exciting. It is amazing to see the house finally grow. I know that there has been a huge amount of work and progress made the last months, but you don't get the same satisfaction, when all your money is being spent taking things down and disappearing into the ground, gone forever, so to speak.
With things moving forward rapidly, we need to get the technical trades in place. We have found an electrician for the works. They come as a trusted partner through earlier projects from our geometra, who is keeping an eye on the safety at the site etc. They have good references, so I am happy with that. They will be doing the complete electrical installation as well as the photovoltaics. I will meet them in person and sign on the dotted line during my next visit. So a good part of my free time is going to planning of light switches and sockets and researching smart systems and products to be able to control the houses' technical installations from afar.
I think I shall go for a google system, based on wifi and therefore the most important thing will be good reception throughout the house. So, it will be necessary with data points in every room to be able to set up the best wifi mesh possible. There will be a bit of trial and error here, and that's why I want all the fast wiring. There is a lot of concrete and reinforcement (to satisfy seismic code) to get by. I have not done this before, but I find it interesting. Everything from lights to heating and music to the cooling can be controlled. How smart is smart? I mean, you can become really geeky and almost get your fridge to put in an order for essentials before arrival, which is way beyond what I am thinking. Really, the essential
s ought to be the heating system, the security and perhaps some conveniences, like music and lights. I don't see the sense in talking to your faucet to enable you to fill your pasta pot! Any opinions and/or experiences? Love to hear from you.
I think we are nearing an agreement with a heating engineer/plumber also. If this works out, then we will have all the trades in place. Still lots of details to be worked out, but at least the contractural partners will be there to talk to. I always feel it is important to take into account the professional opinion of the trades. After all, it is not the first time they have done this sort of thing.
There was a lot of response to the last post about the superbonus. Unfortunately for many, it will be too late to get on board. The restrictions have been made to pretty much exclude single family homes that have not started their work. Those of you who have bought a building or bought into a building with more than one unit, may however have more luck, as the deadline for completion is December 2023.
However, remember the other bonuses, especially the renovation bonus at 50%. This can be used for almost anything and can save you money along the line. Also the normal seismic and ecobonuses will continue to be available, as is the credit transfer.
Don't just leave it as a dream. Just remember, dreams do come true, but seldom without a little proaction.
Stay safe everybody and best wishes to you all!
I hope you are enjoying the posts. Tell me what you like and/or dislike about them. I know a lot of you are Norwegian (my home), is there anything I can explain better or needs translating? Do any of you dream of a place in Italy? Can I help you begin to realise your dream?