I need a surveyor for the project.
je-O-me-tra — four syllables; stress the second; 'ge' makes a soft 'j' sound.
Use this when your renovation project requires a professional to draw up plans, obtain permits, or supervise work. In Italy, a geometra is a draughtsman-surveyor who handles most routine building projects; larger or structural works require an ingegnere (structural engineer) or architetto (architect).
The geometra (surveyor/draughtsman) is a specifically Italian professional qualification — a technical specialist who designs and supervises building work, surveys properties, and manages planning applications. They handle SCIA submissions, catasto surveys, and most residential renovation projects. For structural work or listed buildings, an ingegnere or architetto may be required.
Serve un ingegnere strutturale per la relazione tecnica.
A structural engineer is needed for the technical report.
Required for any work on load-bearing elements; the relazione tecnica is a structural assessment document.
L'architetto si occupa del progetto estetico.
The architect handles the aesthetic design.
Distinction between architetto (design and aesthetics) and geometra (technical and regulatory matters).
Il geometra fa anche la pratica catastale.
The surveyor also handles the land registry procedure.
Geometri are qualified to update the catasto when work changes a property's layout.
The geometra is a uniquely Italian professional figure, with no direct equivalent in most other countries. About 100,000 are registered in Italy (albo dei geometri). They handle the vast majority of Italian domestic renovation and construction administration — filling a role that in other countries is split between architects, surveyors, building inspectors, and permit agents. The order is currently debating whether to merge with architects and engineers.