Renovating overseas? Get the experts in

Renovating a ruined property is the dream of many overseas homebuyers, but the reality often falls short. Getting planning permission for changes to the building, hiring local workmen (who may not speak English) and keeping track of the job's cost and progress when you're not on site can become a major nightmare.

One solution is to hire companies to do all the work for you, from getting architect's plans and local-authority permissions to completing the entire renovation. It may mean you're paying more than the knockdown price you initially imagined, but when you take into account the stress such a project brings, it could be worth the outlay.

Italy is a renovator's dream, with hundreds of abandoned farmhouses and crumbling palazzos ripe for restoration. As a result, there are numerous companies offering complete makeover packages for UK clients. One of these is Abalisse in Tuscany, which will take your property from first-stage plans to completion.

"People have aspirations to own a renovated character property," says the Abalisse's Stefano Fusi, "but it's a very complicated task. You need to know how to alter the building while retaining its character, and where to find reputable contractors that specialise in restorations." Once briefed by the client, Fusi's team keeps in constant contact regarding progress. He says that owners should allow around 15 months for a complete restoration, though it may take longer if problems arise; you'll be notified of any issues or additional costs upfront, though. He says to allow between £600 and £1,300 per square metre to cover work and materials, depending on the size of the project. Unless you get an absolute bargain, which is rare now, renovation projects are often not as cost-effective as buying new, but for many people the charm of an old building simply can't be beat. "Sometimes it's cheaper to build something new," says Fusi, "but British buyers always want homes with character and history."

It isn't just country homes that can be rejuvenated this way. In the Alps, for example, outdated chalets can prove a bargain compared with more expensive new homes. "We're getting more requests for renovations," says Edouard Clavel of the chalet-construction company Grosset Janin, "because new property in the Alps is very costly. Also people only have a short holiday period, so they want any work done for them." In addition to turning traditional dark and dated interiors into something more spacious and contemporary, Grosset Janin spruce up the exteriors, often by installing panoramic windows, adding extensions and upgrading the wooden façades. Clavel says an average job takes around four months – but this is once the company has worked through the planning bureaucracy with the local authority, which can take up to five months. Clavel estimates owners should budget for around £1,500 per square metre, including materials. It's a price many people are happy to pay to get a character home with the upgrades they want, minus the DIY headaches. "We know the process and people involved in getting building approval," says Clavel, "so we can save clients time and trouble." Now that sounds like the sort of restoration experience most people are looking for.

Abalisse and Grosset Janin can be contacted in the UK through Chesterton International: www.chesterton-international.com; 020-3040 8210

Makeovers abroad: Rules of thumb

* Ask to see a company's previous work and references

* Check exactly what a quote includes (eg, planning permission, materials) and agree a completion date, all of which should be in the contract

* Firms will give free quotations but be clear about what you want

* If you're paying separately for materials, ask to see all the receipts