Services

The professional offering

The professional services offered by a qualified technical professional (such as a degreed building surveyor, agricultural expert, engineer, or architect registered with their respective professional body) in the civil construction sector are extremely extensive and crucial at every stage of a project.

The qualified professional is the only individual legally authorized to attest—that is, to certify under their own liability—that the works comply with current regulations.

The following are the main areas covered by these professional services:

1. Design

Architectural Design: Conceptualization and drafting of the building (floor plans, elevations, sections), taking into account client requirements as well as urban planning and building regulations.

Structural Design: Calculation of load-bearing structures (foundations, columns, beams, floor slabs) to ensure the project’s structural and seismic safety.

Systems Design: Design of building systems (electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation) and energy efficiency certification.

2. Administrative Procedures and Permits

The professional manages the entire bureaucratic process required to start and complete the work, signing and certifying the necessary documents:

CILA (Certified Notice of Commencement of Works): for “minor” extraordinary maintenance (e.g., reconfiguring internal spaces without altering structural elements).

SCIA (Certified Report of Commencement of Activity): for more complex projects, such as extraordinary maintenance involving structural changes, restoration, and “major” conservative renovation.

Building Permit (PdC): required for new construction, urban redevelopment, or major building renovations that alter the building’s footprint or volume.

Cadastral Procedures: Cadastral updates, initial registrations, subdivision of properties, and topographic/cadastral surveys.

Certificate of Conformity/Habitability: Final certification confirming that the work was carried out in accordance with the approved design and meets safety and hygiene requirements.

3. Construction Supervision and Safety

Construction Supervision (DL): Technical, financial, and administrative oversight of the project’s execution. The supervisor ensures that work is performed to professional standards and in compliance with the design and contract, and is responsible for the acceptance of materials.

Safety Coordination (CSP/CSE): Mandatory appointments on many construction sites for safety management:

CSP (Safety Coordinator during the Design Phase): Prepares the Safety and Coordination Plan (PSC).

CSE (Safety Coordinator during the Execution Phase): Coordinates and verifies the implementation of the PSC on-site.

Final Inspection/Testing (Collaudo): Final verification of the work to confirm it was executed in compliance with regulations and the design (e.g., structural stability testing).

4. Specialized Consulting and Services

Expert Appraisals and Valuations: Assessment of properties, damages, construction costs, or market values.

Technical Consulting (Court-Appointed Expert – CTU / Party-Appointed Expert – CTP): Technical assistance in legal disputes.

Energy Audits (APE): Energy Performance Certificates and energy efficiency projects (e.g., Superbonus and other incentives).

Building Compliance: Analysis and verification of a property’s urban planning and land registry conformity.

In summary, the qualified technical professional is the key figure who designs, obtains permits for, oversees, and certifies the legality, safety, and quality of any construction project.