Profession

Architects in Italy: the Albo Unico Nazionale

Italian architects, planners, landscape architects and conservators are listed in the Albo Unico Nazionale. What it holds, its terms, how to check a name, and why no fee figure exists.

Checked on against the official sources at the bottom of the page.

In short

In Italy, architects are listed in the Albo Unico Nazionale, which “censisce gli architetti, pianificatori, paesaggisti e conservatori iscritti agli Ordini provinciali italiani”. It lets you search by name and by provincial Order. The page describing it was last updated on 8 February 2022, and we did not find the address of the search itself, so we point to the description page. Its notice says “Ogni uso non autorizzato dei dati presenti sull’Albo Unico Nazionale è perseguibile a termini di legge”. The law sets no fee scale. Payotte does not list firms yet.

What an architect does in an Italian purchase

We did not read an official text that lists an architect’s tasks, so we give none as a legal fact. In practice a buyer turns to an architect when the purchase involves works or a change to the building, and should ask the person to say in writing what the assignment covers. For a technical check of an existing building you can also consider a surveyor. The architect does not draw up the sale: see notaries and estate agents.

How the title is organised

The Albo Unico page says the information in it is supplied by the national council of architects (CNAPPC) “in collaborazione con gli Ordini provinciali e sulla base dei dati da questi ultimi forniti”, and that wrong data should be reported to the provincial Order. It states that the data are public under the legislation in force, made up of art. 3 of Royal Decree 2537 of 23 October 1925, art. 16 of Law 526 of 21 December 1999 and art. 3 of Presidential Decree 137/2012.

How to check an architect yourself

  1. Ask the person, in writing, for the provincial Order and the registration number.
  2. Open the Albo Unico Nazionale from the description page at https://www.awn.it/servizi/albo-unico-nazionale (its “Link al servizio”), and search by name and provincial Order.
  3. Compare the name and the Order with the documents you receive.
  4. If the person does not appear, ask the provincial Order: the page says the Orders provide the data.

The Albo shows that the person is entered and where. It does not say how good the person is.

Terms of use of the register

The Albo Unico Nazionale page says, word for word: “I dati sono resi pubblici in base alla normativa vigente composta dall’art.3 del Regio Decreto 23 ottobre 1925 n.2537, dall’art. 16 della L. 21 dicembre 1999 n.526 e dall’art.3 del DPR 137/2012. Ogni uso non autorizzato dei dati presenti sull’Albo Unico Nazionale è perseguibile a termini di legge.”

It gives no other conditions. For this reason Payotte does not copy, collect or republish the Albo: it links to the description page and asks you to search yourself. The page is dated 2022, so reread it before you rely on it.

What it costs

No fee figure here. Art. 9 paragraph 1 of Decree-Law 1/2012 says “Sono abrogate le tariffe delle professioni regolamentate nel sistema ordinistico”, and paragraph 4 says the fee is agreed when the assignment is given, with the complexity of the assignment and the expected costs stated “in forma scritta o digitale”, the details of the professional liability policy given, and a prior estimate listing “per le singole prestazioni tutte le voci di costo, comprensive di spese, oneri e contributi”. Paragraph 2 keeps ministerial parameters for fees fixed by a court and for public tenders: they are not a price list for your project. Ask for a written estimate, line by line. The purchase costs calculator covers the taxes of a purchase, not an architect’s fee.

Questions to ask an architect

  • Which provincial Order and which registration number?
  • What exactly does the assignment cover, and what does it leave out?
  • What is the fee, line by line, with expenses and contributions?
  • What professional liability insurance do you hold?
  • Which approvals or permits are needed, and who handles them?

Which professional to consult

For the price and the seller’s side, an estate agent. For a check of the building’s condition and records, a surveyor. For the deed and the taxes, a notary. For the loan, a mortgage broker.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a national list of architects?

Yes, the Albo Unico Nazionale, which lists architects, planners, landscape architects and conservators entered with the provincial Orders and allows a search by name and by Order.

Can I copy the Albo’s entries?

The page says that any unauthorised use of the data “è perseguibile a termini di legge”. Payotte does not copy it.

Why can’t I find someone I know is a member?

The data come from the provincial Orders. Ask the Order, which the page names as the source for corrections.

Is there an official fee scale for architects?

Not in the text we read. Art. 9 of Decree-Law 1/2012 abolished the tariffs and requires a written estimate; ask for it.

Does Payotte recommend architects?

Not today: Payotte lists no firm in Italy yet and never ranks architects. Firms can ask for their spot; Payotte will then select one firm per trade and area on public data under a published scale, never on its ability to pay, and the registration stays for you to check yourself.

Sources