cost of building materials

[chuckrobin]

Does anyone know the cost per square foot to build a house now? Does anyone have the cost for 16″x8″ block, Cement, and rebar. I am trying to come up with some figures. I am going to start building my house in December and I am in the US right now. Thanks Chuck

[maravilla]

Costs quoted by my contractor in September 08 were $60 – $65 sq ft. Costs for ribar, cement, and the other basic construction materials are going up almost daily. What will really determine how much your house will cost are the acabados.

[sprite]

Back in february of 2007, I spoke with an engineer on the job site of a luxury home under construction ina neigborhood of Palmares. He quoted about $75 per sq ft back then. Of course, it was a North American style house with granite counter tops and tiled floors. Today, that cost has to be near $90 a sq foot for the same quality. Tico style house might run between 50 and 60 dollars per sq ft now. Pehaps a slightly less luxurious north american house might cost between $75 and $85 per sq ft today.

On the other hand, commodity prices are falling again. I don’t know if there are special circumstances for construction material in Costa Rica, and the Colon is suffering from inflation right now, but we have definite DEflation setting upin the States. If this spreads to CR, prices should mitigate.

[mcsolas]

Just call some of the regional hardware stores and ask. Prices are going up daily and not all materials are easy to come by, so if they quote it and you dont buy it that day.. dont expect the prices to remain static.

Edited on Nov 22, 2008 09:01

[costaricafinca]

We spoke with employees at a small hardware store and they told us the cost of blocks, rebar and cement have come down, and in January expect a sharp decrease.

[chuckrobin]

Thanks for everyone’s input. Does anyone know an approx. cost of the 8×16 block, a bag of cement mix and rebar?

[crhomebuilder]

I just bought materials for a remodeling project here in the central valley.
Here’s some cost comparisons for materials purchased at El Lagar.
Block, August 2007
40 x 20 x 12 = 246, $.51
40 x 20 x 20 = 466, $.90

Block, November 2008
40 x 20 x 12 = 454, $.82
40 x 20 x 20 = 709, $1.28

Re-rod, August 2007
1/4″ lisa 6mts. 659, $1.27
3/8 deformada 6mts. 1818, $3.51

Re-rod, November 2008
1/4″ lisa 6mts. 1185, $2.15
3/8 deformada 6mts. 3024, $5.49

Block, August 2007
40 x 20 x 12 = 246, $.51
40 x 20 x 15 = 331, $.64
40 x 20 x 20 = 466, $.90

Cement, August 2007
Cement 50kg sacos 4165, $8.05

Cement, November 2008
Cement 50kg sacos 5508, $10.00

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