Recently, I started the renovation of Villa Vittoria, a famous holiday villa I know well. I have managed it for several years and have helped generate bookings for the owner. Situated on a coastal hillside near Cefalu, with a pool and panoramic sea views, it is a famous holiday villa which books well.
Here is a quick Q&A about the renovation project. It will give you an idea of what my team and I can do as part of our management service:
What was the main reason for renovating Villa Vittoria?
The villa owner and I agreed that the interiors and exteriors should be upgraded as the existing design was starting to look old-fashioned and tired.
If you own a holiday villa for rental, regular renovations and updates are essential to keep it in tip-top condition and ensure that your guests have a wonderful holiday. From replacing tired fabrics and equipment to painting and landscaping, there is no doubt that keeping your property up to date is a vital part of ensuring the smooth running of your rentals and attracting bookings.
Did you change the layout?
Unlike previous projects, we did not have to change the layout as it worked well.
What changes and upgrades have you made?
We have added a new porch to the main entrance and changed the pool liner to a more contemporary grey one. The garden around the pool was improved too. The most significant change may not be appreciated by guests, but it helps the structure – we improved the facade to give the villa more protection from the elements.
How long did the renovation take?
It took five months which was a bit longer than anticipated, due to Covid-related delays.
When did you start it, and when was the first booking in the renovated villa?
We started the work in December 2020 and finished in April 2021, in time for the first booking in May 2021.
What is the next phase of the project?
We will be upgrading the furniture, taking inspiration from the interiors of other sought-after, contemporary villas in the area.
What was the most challenging part of the project?
Each project has its challenges. Usually, the main challenge for a villa owner is that they are not present to oversee the project. Happily, in this case, I was able to be present throughout to ensure the smooth running of each stage.
Did you manage to stay within budget?
Staying within budget has not been easy since the cost of materials has increased significantly since Covid hit. We have, however, managed to keep it down to a 10% increase.
Could the owner have done this renovation project without your help?
No renovation is possible if you don’t have someone you trust to manage it on your behalf, so in this case, the answer is no, as the owner was not in a position to be there. I have been managing the villa for several years, so we have built a good trust.
What difference has the renovation made to the owner’s rental income?
In this case, not a lot of difference because they were essential updates. Put it this way, without the ongoing renovations; bookings would have started to drop as guests would choose to book other more up-to-date properties instead. When the interior upgrades are complete, we will look at increasing the rental prices.
Was it possible to do all the renovations you planned for Villa Vittoria?
Villa Vittoria is a visually stunning house in the Sicilian countryside, where the surrounding context is agricultural. The goal was always to have a modern design, but we did have to revise some elements due to local restrictions.
Villa owners regularly ask me to coordinate their villa renovation projects in Italy. Typically, the villa owners I know tend not to live near their villas, so they ask me to do it because I am local and experienced so that I can manage the work efficiently.
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- If you own a villa in Italy and are interested in how I can help you with your villa renovation, please contact me to set up an initial consultation.