What Happened To Me at Dalianis Architects in Corfu Shouldn’t Happen to Anyone
I worked with Dalianis Architects, led by Dimitrios Dalianis his son Konstantinos Dalianis, on a residential project in Corfu. Unfortunately, my experience involved significant unexpected cost escalation attempts, delays, and disruption that caused considerable stress and frustration.
In early 2024, I was given an estimate of €45,000 for the construction of a small swimming pool. This estimate played a key role in my decision to proceed. After paying 66% of the planning phase, I was informed months later that the actual cost would be €95,000—more than double the original amount. I was told to "forget" the earlier price and that the increase was due to a misunderstanding - or I can "wait another year and then we might find it at a better price" (*what does this sound like?)
This dramatic change came after I had already committed financially and invested months into the process. It created a situation where I was left feeling boxed in—either I accept the new price or abandon the project entirely. The timing and presentation of this shift felt deeply unfair and left me with very limited options. While no one used the words directly, the structure of the situation resembled something much closer to pressure than partnership.
In early 2025, excavation work was carried out on my property for archaeological clearance. This took place before confirming whether the legal and topographic requirements for the permit were fully in order. As a result, part of the paving was broken up. While the clearance may have been necessary, the timing and lack of certainty around the permit process left me with damage and costs that might have been avoided with a more coordinated approach.
Eventually, a major administrative issue was raised that blocked the building permit. At that point, I was again presented with a narrow choice regarding how to proceed—another situation that added to the overall feeling of being cornered at each turn of the process.
After many months of uncertainty, a refund was eventually issued. While that provided some financial relief, it did not account for the property damage, the emotional toll, and the significant disruption to my plans.
If you're considering Corfu construction or engaging with Corfu architects, I strongly recommend ensuring:
1. Use a lawyer from Thessaloniki or Athens to review all documents and contracts.
2. Make sure estimates are part of a binding contract, with clear penalties for time delays and protections in place before committing to any financial outlay.
To make matters worse, after all the delays and damage, I was presented with a new condition from the local authorities that had never been disclosed at the outset. I was told that the building permit would only be granted if I gave up a portion of my own land. After everything that had already happened, it felt like a form of institutional extortion—a last-minute demand introduced when I had already invested heavily in the process and had little room to push back. Regardless of who was responsible, the outcome left me feeling cornered once again, with my project hanging in the balance.
Had I been told upfront that the true cost would be €95,000 for a 30SQM pool, along with the risk of extortionate licensing conditions appearing late in the process, I would never have proceeded. What I experienced was a slow unraveling of trust, clarity, and fairness—and no client should ever be subjected to this kind of ordeal.
I genuinely did not want to write this review. These were supposed to be trusted professionals—even family friends—which makes the experience all the more disappointing. But after everything I went through, I feel a responsibility to speak up. No client should ever be put in a position like this.