Here are selection of Testimonial extracts of recent Clients

Ed and Deanna Orsi - (San Andrea di Compito, Capannori, Lucca)

In a culture of excuses where promises are often made and not kept, it has been refreshing to see David Collins of Our Toscana follow through in professionalism, character and quality. His initial assessment of our property and due diligence gave us a definitive understanding of what we owned and what could be done from a remodeling/rebuilding perspective. All in all, he has saved us thousands of Euro's and a multitude of headaches. Thank you is not enough for all your help and expertise!

Rachel and Max English - (Pescaglia, Lucca)

We are in mid-project adding a pool to a house we have owned for four years. We asked David to be our project manager knowing that it would be a difficult task owing to the unusual circumstances of our location: steep slopes, narrow road, poor access and of course remote. David has been able to organize experienced local builders who are familiar with the difficulties in this area, and although we have met some problems David has been brilliant at coming up with solutions. Without a doubt he is 100% competent in his work. He has been extremely willing to do research into the project and has always made himself available. David is very personable and considers as a number one priority the complete satisfaction of his clients. We strongly recommend him to anyone in search of a project manager.

Patrick and Nancy Lumb - (Centro Storico, Lucca)

David was a great help to us. With his thorough step-by-step approach he helped us through the buying process and protected our interests along the way. His in depth knowledge of structural as well as legal matters in Italy was indispensable and we would never buy anything without his services. We whole-heartedly recommend him to anyone who is contemplating a purchase. Call him first not after!!

Joanne and Ian Coke - (Near Pescia, Pistoia)

A new Country, a new language, 3 small children and a husband spending more time in the air than on the ground is not what the text books recommended for your first property development. More than a "dream" but a real investment we had to be sure that the development was a success. We obviously needed somebody to manage the project for us but we also had strong ideas on what we wanted although sometimes lacked the imagination and experience on how to make them reality. Having our project manager on site gave us more than peace of mind that the development was progressing but the almost daily feedback and photo updates on all the details made us feel we were still in touch with the project. The ability to talk to somebody with experience, who not only ensured the work progressed but could offer suggestions and ideas on how to enhance the project (both in terms of an investment and "wow factor") meant the development never stalled at the first sign of a problem. David's ability to take a concept (we were not very good with plans) enhance them and make them reality has taken what could have been a good investment but ordinary development,  to another level. Working on our behalf with the red tape and making sure the project avoided the pitfalls which could stall of even stop the development demonstrates that a good project manager is more than go between  but an integral part of the development and in our opinion absolutely essential.

Caroline and Rod Swail - (Bagni di Lucca, Lucca)

It's hard to write about David Collins and Our Toscana's services without sounding cheesy and gushing, which isn't my style, but the bottom line is David does make dreams come true! We found a bit of a wreck with a fantastic view and lots of ‘potential' and our dream was to turn it into a classy B&B. In truth, we probably wouldn't have had the confidence to go ahead and buy it if we hadn't found Our Toscana. David did a survey, which was very thorough, detailed and most importantly personalised as it took into account our plans for the house. The survey was certainly better than any UK survey we've had in the past. Thanks to the survey we knew what the issues with the house were and how they could be solved and so we felt we could go ahead with the purchase without the ‘fear of the unknown'. Once we moved in, David oversaw all the building and renovation work as Director of Works. He organised the planning and paperwork side of the build with the Italian geometra and recommended an excellent team of builders and tradesmen, who were all very reliable, competitively priced and a pleasure to work with. When one reads and hears all the horror stories so many foreigners seem to have of trying to renovate property here, especially of unreliable builders, I know how very lucky we were to have them. David came frequently throughout the work, sometimes several times a week at crucial stages, and put a great deal of thought and effort into the project when not on site, being in constant contact by ‘phone and email. When I reflect on the amount of time David personally spent on our project his own fee seems incredibly reasonable. If we'd paid double it would still have seemed a fair price! What was also refreshing was David's willingness to work with our rather too small budget and adapt the plans according to this. He was always supportive of our project and shared our vision for what the house could become. It was really helpful to feel we had someone on our side, who knew what they were doing-when we so clearly didn't! David and Our Toscana did make our dream come true. We have just enjoyed our first summer running a successful B&B in Bagni di Lucca in Northern Tuscany. We can't wait to get David and his team back for the next phase-and maybe even a swimming pool soon! I certainly wouldn't use any other company, and I would recommend Our Toscana without hesitation.

Angela Melin - (Lucca)

My experience from collaborating with David Collins in order to buy estate in Tuscany has been very satisfying. He has been professional, straight forward and a very good advisor. I can warmly recommend him as a partner to anyone who considers buying property in Tuscany. He has contacts and knowledge to support you with whatever you needs may have which have proved to be very helpful and valuable in all aspects of the process. 

Clive and Lucy Woollard - (Colle di Compito, Capannori, Lucca)

We came to Italy 12 months ago; we looked at a few houses including some horror stories, which David Collins helped us to investigate, we've bought, renovated and are about to move in. Without using the services of Ourtoscana we would not have been able to do what we have done within our timescale and budget.

A. Kalmanoff and C. Wong - (Perpoli, Garfagnano, Lucca)

My wife and I were benefited by a small inheritance and wanted to use it, if we could do so "safley", as both an investment for our daughters' educations as well as a family summer home in Tuscany. To say we were fearful was an understatement.  David Collins helped us eliminate several choices and then to buy our dream house; his evaluations were perfect for our needs, and he later was able to give us major estimates and referrals to chose amongst, and they all held up perfectly.  He lead the purchase of several small adjacent parcels to give us a needed road, settled a dispute with a neighbor, and then held our hand throughout, including indepdendent inspecting of the work of our contractors. His fees, in the end, were less than a bathtub, yet he saved us nearly euro 50,000 and protected a larger cache.  Coming out the end of dangerous beautiful rapids one can realize thereafter what risks existed and what skill was used to come through.

S. Delaney and S. Chene (Monteguidi, Casole d'Elsa, Siena)

David Collins' expertise & unique understanding of the 'Italian way' gave us the confidence that was lacking elsewhere. He saved us over 5000 euros at purchase with a comprehensive survey report and we retain his consultancy services to give us control over the ongoing refurbishment

John and Barbara Dunne - (Near Montecarlo, Lucca)

When we commissioned a survey on the property three years back, we were then dubious about the results. David Collins came back to us with an in-depth 10-page report that made us really open our eyes and demonstate that there was still room for negotiation on price. After getting a 15,000 euro discount, he took us through the conveyancing with a mortgage attached. 10 weeks later we had a new home!

I. Jacobsson and G. MuirCarby - (Near Todi, Umbria)

After six solid months of house hunting in Umbria we thought we'd seen it all. While a few agents were highly organised and professional others had a creative disregard for hard facts and figures, would forget to mention the toxic waste dump next door (yes it did happen) or overlook the susceptibility of the site to annual flooding. We became used to hearing agents propose a quick signing of the compromesso as houses which had been on the market for years suddenly attracted other bidders who were willing to pay E100,000 over the asking price.  Add to this surveyors who took their information from the agents rather than do site visits, notaries who planned to charge one price for foreigners and other (substantially lower) price for locals, and expensive London lawyers who would never give a firm opinion when asked, and it's not surprising that our resolve was slipping. When a purchase fell through because the seller demanded payment in cash on the Swiss border we decided we needed on hand, professional help. We found the Our Toscana website and after a meeting with David Collins asked him to take our third and final target to completion. He prepared contracts, directed price negotiations, found an independent notary who would undertake a thorough search, conducted a full structural survey, and steered through negotiations with a seller who had a leisurely approach to completion. Our Toscana paid for itself three or four times over. Thanks to David we moved in precisely on time, very substantially under budgeted cost, with a minimum of frustration and with a clear understanding of the structural, legal, and planning issues. As this was to be our main home this degree of comfort was vital.

Mike and Becky Carson - (Near Aulla, Lunigiana)

After an 18-month nerve wrecking experience with a local Geometra that got us absolutely nowhere (and incredibly frustrated), we decided to call up Ourtoscana in a bid to get our renovation project back on track. David Collins guided us through every step of the planning process with outstanding ideas and suggestions constantly improving both design and layout. He had the plans submitted to the Comune within two months. He gave us great advise on the selection of a construction outfit that proved to be very reliable with remarkable artisans. Thank you Ourtoscana!!

Paul and Chris Osman - (Ancaiano, Umbria)

We'd just like to express our thanks for your truly excellent and detailed professional advice, regarding anti-seismic measures and costs for our project in Umbria. We especially valued  the fact that you were able to outline a range of alternative solutions, all of them showing sensitivity to the building and its context. The  explanatory material that accompanied your advice was incredibly helpful: sufficiently detailed for us to proceed in confidence, with  an informed decision; but not so technical that we felt out of our depth. Your comments on what is currently considered best practice were invaluable and it was very reassuring to be able to speak directly to an impartial expert with a wide experience of how things actually translate in terms of local practice and procedures.