Repairs & Restorations
Preservation Buildings

Ownership of a listed building has advantages, or rights, as well as obligations.

The advantages include

• Increased commercial value
• Exception in case of road widening or expropriation
• Exemption from paying ENFIA (property tax) for properties over 100 years old.

As well as intangible benefits such as

• Moral satisfaction, as such a building contributes to promoting the cultural heritage of the place and honors the past.
• High aesthetics in texture, craftsmanship, and architectural mastery of another era.
• It adds to the urban landscape, offering beauty for pedestrians and even visitors.

The obligations are just as numerous. Any intervention in a listed building must be approved by the competent authority. Each approval can be time-consuming, so it is good to keep this in mind when deciding to renovate or repair a listed building. Unauthorized interventions may include, for example, construction work, interventions inside or outside the building, installation of air conditioning or solar systems.

At CITY ENGINEERING, with many years of experience in the repair and restoration of listed buildings, we will provide you with a reliable schedule based on the restoration study we will carry out. Everyone’s time is valuable, and our team respects that!

In order for a building to be classified as preservable, it must have been built after 1830, according to the law.

The reason why many such buildings, despite their aristocratic air, have not been restored is probably because their repair and maintenance costs exceed the cost of a more modern building. Let us mention some of the reasons that “drive up” prices:

• A special study is needed to preserve the original building without interventions that could alter its characteristics.
• A Static Adequacy Check must be performed.
• There are problems with the plumbing and/or electrical installations.
• There is a problem with the roofs or the exterior facade of the listed building.
• Energy problems

Talk to us and we will find the solution that suits you best.

• First we must check whether the structure of the listed building is stable.
• This is followed by a restoration study based on our findings. What does this mean? For the problems we found during the inspection, we conduct a study on how to resolve them in the best possible way. We then draft our proposal for the architectural and structural restoration of the building and obtain the relevant approval from the *competent authority based on our plans.
• Our first concern is to repair and reinforce the masonry. This is, of course, so that “the sky doesn’t fall on our heads”!
• The next step is to make the necessary repairs where they are deemed necessary, e.g., on the floor, ceiling, or even wooden surfaces. In order to proceed with these repairs, approval from the competent authority is again required.

By restoration, we mean the restoration of a listed property without any interventions that alter its original form when it was built. This includes the interior and exterior of the building, its characteristics, its morphology, and anything else that contributes to its cultural heritage.

Study of Structural Adequacy for the restoration of the property. Here we will identify structural and other problems in order to ensure the safety of the building.

Modern methods and techniques to restore and highlight the building’s distinctive features, both inside and out, based on specific quality criteria.

Specialized personnel in all phases of restoration, such as craftsmen, inspectors, engineers, etc.

Our work includes

• Maintenance and repair of wooden structures inside the property.
• The reconstruction and repair of stonework (masonry)
• Maintenance and reconstruction of floors
• The coatings and coverings of vertical surfaces
• Maintenance and repair of roofs/ceilings

The process followed includes tasks such as monument identification and historical research, architectural study with floor plans, sections, analysis of the different stages, etc. It also includes a structural adequacy study to identify any damage, analysis and recording of the building materials and decorative elements of the building.
Repair/restoration and renovation solutions for the listed building are then proposed, including all elements such as mechanical equipment, statics, and decoration, while always preserving its traditional character.

Our work is always carried out in accordance with the provisions of Law 1469/1950, “on the special protection of listed buildings,” and we faithfully follow the recommendations and instructions of the approved plans by the Modern Monuments Services.

If you are interested in purchasing a listed building, either for investment purposes or for personal use, we can conduct research and studies on your behalf so that you are aware of the repair and restoration costs. This will definitely save you time and money.

If you are the owner of a listed building and wish to sell it, we can conduct a study and provide you with a file containing the estimated repair costs so that your property becomes more attractive when you provide all the information to interested buyers.

For the restoration and renovation of listed buildings, we work with the relevant authorities to meet the requirements of the government subsidy scheme.

Our team includes specialized partners in all the necessary fields—craftsmen, inspectors, and laborers—for every step of the restoration process. Please note that before any work can be carried out, the necessary permits must be obtained from the competent authorities listed above. [See competent authority]

Contact us and we will answer all your questions about your listed building. We treat each case individually and with respect for your needs and requirements.