Once You Find A Good Handyman, Treasure Him!

How to find a good builder has been discussed so often on WeloveCostaRica and although those of us who are happily settled don’t ask the question any more, we’re always intrigued about who is building in our neighbourhoods.

In the past year we’ve watched a number of new Tico homes take shape but two have had us all transfixed – we’re less interested in who’s doing the construction than who can afford them! The two featured here are both being built by wealthy Ticos; though the country’s economy might be suffering like so many in the world, there certainly are Ticos who are prospering.

We’re never likely to see if these homes are well built, or know if their plumbing and electrics are sound – two common sources of complaint for foreigners who buy finished homes here. But from the roadside, we can admire two things that Ticos do really well – faced stonework and metalwork.

Walls faced with river stone or cut / faced stone are common; its always fascinating watching the skilled men who do such superb work with apparent ease, but that’s the sign of an expert.

Unlike the UK, homes with open frontage onto the road or street are very uncommon, most homes here have walls or fences, and gates.

Whether the original style was about defining territory I’ve no idea but nowadays everyone says its about security, even if any self-respecting robber could jump the fence in seconds. Whatever, the demand creates a lucrative market for metalworkers.

Back home, the wall would usually be built to accommodate the size of available ‘ready-made’ gates but here in Costa Rica, they’re most often designed and made to measure.

I stopped to speak to the men installing this gate, mainly because I wanted to find some small business willing to make simple metals racks to raise plants pots off the ground (where they’re susceptible to ant invasions).

Though they were willing to make them, chance works in mysterious ways. Friends had been looking for someone to make a rotary clothes dryer – not available in this neck of the woods where clothes are often still dried on the hedge or fence!

They found a small workshop where the owner took Bill’s design and measurements and did a perfect job – on something pretty complex they had never seen, far less made, before.

With that experience, the decision was easy and within a week I had my racks – six for around $80 and I couldn’t have been happier with the quality of the workmanship. Had I wanted these in the UK, I’ve no idea where I would have found someone willing and able to take on such a ‘simple’ job, skilled artisans are a dying breed.

During the dry season, there’s always a rush to get external repair and maintenance jobs done before the rains return. Last year we had some gutters renewed; that job completed well, the contractor’s assistant, Pablo, stayed to paint all the fascia boards and gutters.

He proved to be a gem; College trained, he can turn his hand to most building trades but, exceptionally, he had a work ethic that is often lacking in Costa Rica.

Always on time, meticulous in planning his work, pays attention to detail and cleans all his tools at the end of the day. Add to that he has taught himself English and is keen to have more immigrant clients with whom he can chat and develop his fluency.

That kind of commitment deserves reward. We’ve just had him back for this season’s jobs, including re-tiling the patio and repairing concrete at our driveway entrance.

An amusing twist though – Willie, our local water man drove past and registered we were doing the work because his men had done such a lousy job after installing new water pipes last year. Instantly he turned, drove back to the village and appeared 15 minutes later with a bag of concrete!

That simple gesture is just so characteristic of the truly good people we have in our community. Once again Pablo did a great job and we’re pleased to have another skilled worker we’re happy to recommend to new expats.

Getting the house built might be step one but finding all the expert tradesmen needed for longer term maintenance can be equally challenging. Six years down the line, we’re getting the game pretty well taped – the fact that our daft postman drove over the wet concrete is another story!

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You can see more about John and Sheelagh’s very affordable B&B outside San Isidro here and photographs and prices here and you can also see a free online video interview with John & Sheelagh Richards here.

If you have a serious interest in buying a home, a farm or land that’s for sale in the San Isidro area, please contact our Recommended Costa Rica Realtors: Daveed Hollander, James Drews and John Wieland, by using the simple form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.