01 · Permits
I check it's legal
I compare the drawings approved by the town hall with what was actually built, including old houses with no permit on file.
PENTA STUDIOYour Geometra in Italy|
Your Geometra in Italy
Buying a house in Tuscany?
I check it before you sign.
Permits, catasto and the building itself, checked by a licensed geometra in Lucca. Clear reports in English and video calls, wherever you are.
PENTA STUDIO · Lucca
Pre-purchase survey
What I check before you buy
02 · Catasto
I match plan and reality
The official cadastral plan must match the property before the deed. If it doesn't, it has to be updated.
03 · Restrictions
I tell you what you can change
Historic centres, protected landscapes, seismic zones: I explain what you can renovate, and what you can’t.
04 · Costs
I estimate the hidden costs
Legalising works, renovation, old systems: you know the real numbers before you sign.
After you buy, the PENTA STUDIO team of surveyors and engineers can also handle renovation permits, structural design and seismic upgrades, site supervision and energy certificates.
Process
From the listing to the report
The right moment is before the preliminary contract (compromesso), when you have not paid a deposit yet.
01
Free call
A 15-minute video call in English. Send me the listing and we go through what needs checking.
02
Archives
I request the permits from the town hall and the records from the catasto, old maps included.
03
On site
I inspect the property, take measurements and photos, and compare it with the documents.
04
Report
You receive a clear written report in English, and we go through it together by video call.
Living abroad?
Buying in Lucca from London, New York or Sydney? I'm your geometra on the ground.
About
Your geometra in Tuscany
I'm Salvatore La Rocca, a licensed geometra and law expert. A geometra is the Italian professional who knows buildings, the land registry and planning rules: the closest thing to a chartered surveyor.
I work at PENTA STUDIO, a team of surveyors and engineers based in Lucca. I help foreign buyers across Tuscany understand what they are really buying, before they sign.
Licensed geometraLaw expertReports in English
Blog
Guides for buyers
What to check before you buy a house in Italy, explained in plain English.
Your Geometra in Italy8 November 2026
Property boundaries
A 1920 Map on Today's Satellite Photo: Why Property Boundaries in Italy Are a Century Old
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Renovation bonus
Italy's Renovation Bonus in 2027: 50% or 36%? What the Budget Means for Your Home
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Your Geometra in Italy29 October 2026
Buying property in Italy
Buying a House in Lucca: the Technical Checks to Make Before Your Offer
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FAQ
Questions buyers ask me
What does a geometra do?
A geometra is a licensed Italian technician who checks buildings, cadastral records and planning rules. Before a purchase, I verify that the house is legal, that the catasto plan matches reality and what it will really cost you.
What does a geometra do?Do I need to be in Italy?
No. I access the archives, inspect the property on your behalf and send you a written report in English with photos. We discuss it by video call, wherever you are.
Buying in Lucca from abroadIsn’t the notary checking everything?
The notary checks ownership, mortgages and the documents for the deed, but does not compare the house with its permits on site. That technical check is what I do.
When should I contact you?
Before you sign the preliminary contract (compromesso) and pay a deposit. After that, every problem you find costs you money or negotiating power.
7 technical checks before you signThe house is very old and has no permit. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. Many homes were built before permits were required, and the law lets you prove they are legal with historic maps, aerial photos, old floor plans and deeds.
Old house, no building permit on file?Where do you work?
Across Tuscany, from Lucca and the Versilia coast to Florence, Chianti and the countryside around Pisa and Siena.
Book your free 15-minute call
Send me the listing or the address and tell me when you are available. I will reply within 24 hours to set up a video call, in English.
Contact Information
Address
Via Elisa 46, Lucca (LU), 55100
info@pentastudiotecnico.com
Phone
+39 0583 1234567
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