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What do you guys figure is the going price per square meter for building a new home along the Central Pacific Coast near Parrita? We only want very basic construction and nothing fancy or to North American standards. Have any of you ever heard of a company called Prefaconstruccions? http://www.prefaconstrucciones.com/ We are thinking of building a prefabricated home or one made of Superblock next month. Any builder recommendations in the area would also be appreciated.
There is a couple of separate posts if you search for it, regarding the thoughts of some of us on the pro’s and con’s of prefabricated homes.
Yes, I searched and found some info that was a little old. With the economy in the shape that it is I was hoping to get a better idea of the current market’s going price per sq meter for Tico style construction. If you know of any prefabricated construction companies on the Central Pacific, I’d also appreciate any referals. I’d prefer to use a company based closer to our property in Parrita and not San Jose.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]There is a couple of separate posts if you search for it, regarding the thoughts of some of us on the pro’s and con’s of prefabricated homes.[/quote]
There are some recent ones, we really exhausted this subject 😀
$50-$200/SF in the valley const. cost; completely dependent on location & socioeconomic make-up: Escazu vs. Tibas. Land is common denom for location cost. Santa Ana Piedades = $250K-$275K/HA. San Ramon much less.
$100 per square meter is most likely a safe figure to plan for these days. Remember this does not always include everything like permits, surveys, water faucet selection, light fixtures, countertops, cabinets, doors, door hardware, toilets, vanities, exhaust systems or appliances. Remember that any built-in furniture, gates, metal barandas, driveway, security system, gutters, perimeter fencing are normally extras. Make sure you have a strong electrical system and strong water pressure system, and good septic treatment with vents and P-traps at all sinks, drains, showers and toilets. All of these are essential for living tico style or other. Try to find a local builder or 2 or 3 and interview carefully with references and make sure to look at their prior construction examples.
GreciaBound has it exactly right. Were I in this position, I’d be using a cost of $100 per square foot as a reality test. If what you wish to build is (say) 3,000 square feet and $300,000 is twice your budget, something is going to have to give.
You can likely bring it in cheaper, but there are always unforeseen costs, changes of plan, etc. And remember the old saying, “If it seems cheap, it probably is.” Don’t underestimate the ultimate cost of a cheap approach.
Remember, too, that the fixed items (roofing, foundation, water, electricity, septic systems, site preparation, access, workers’ compensation insurance, etc) will be about the same whether you build something fancy or plain. Too, the most expensive parts of the house, the kitchen and bath, will cost what they cost regardless of the size or number of the other rooms.
In the end, the only “cost per square foot” figure that matters is the one you settle on with the builder of your house-to-be. What mine cost, what Scott’s cost, what maravilla’s or GreciaBound’s or anyone else’s cost don’t matter. So figure out what you want, what you can afford, and get a reputable builder to cost it out. Be sure that everything (I mean everything) is included. Then decide if it’s feasible for you.
Oops, I meant to write $1000 per square meter, everything included. In other words, For a 300 m2 construction, this would end up at $300,000. Not cheap but you can get what you want without surprises at the end, which can be crippling. Good planning will get you through the hard parts.
$1,000 per square meter?? That is almost double what my Tico friends pay for prefabricated construction. I’ll make sure to document our process completely and post pictures with prices on this forum for others who are thinking of going down this road.
Yes $1000 complete. Better check closely, prefab might save you a little but not half. Save your receipts and make clear copies before the ink fades away. I for one will be very interested in the prefab “difference” you find. Keep posting!
[quote=”PuraVidas”]$1,000 per square meter?? That is almost double what my Tico friends pay . . .[/quote]
The two questions I would raise are: When did your Costa Rican friends pay $50 per square foot?
And . . .
Are you actually prepared to settle for the type of construction and finish that they’ve done? For instance, are you prepared to forego cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom?
Are you willing to forego insulation in the roof. If yes, have you ever been in an uninsulated, metal-roofed house in a downpour?
Are you prepared to do without window screens to keep the crawlies out?
Are you prepared to go with a single bulb hanging from the ceiling in each room and a single electrical outlet (or not) in each room?
Are you prepared to go without hot water?
Are you prepared to walk on very inexpensive, very slippery, and therefore very dangerous floor tile?
And are you prepared to skimp on some of the hidden, but nonetheless important, construction details that go into making a house earthquake-resistant?
My guess is that you can, indeed, enclose space and roof it for around $50 per square foot, but will the result be someplace you’re comfortable to live?
“Tico” Construction is a term that lacks true definition. It normally means a house lacking most American amenities such as hot water, electric and plumbing to US codes, and poor quality finish work.
However there a big differences between “Tico Homes”, some have dirt floors, wood framed walls and tin roofs. Others have tile floors, gypsum or wood ceilings, nice cabinets and even granite counter tops – and are just a small step below “American” standards..
To put things into perspective.. A very nice Tico style home(which could be compared to a affordable American style home) can be built for under or around $500.00/per meter.
That does not include blueprints, permits, insurance, appliances or furniture. “Construction” Cost for “Tico” style home construction should range from 400 – 500$ per meter, finished.
Most people here would not recommend prefab construction. For the small amount of money and time you can save, most people would rather have a home built with 6″ thick walls instead of 2″ thin panels, for many reasons..
David.. I don’t know where you are getting your numbers. Are you in the construction business and when was the last time you prepared an actual cost estimate to build a home similar to the one PuraVidas is asking about?
I own a Construction company in Guanacaste, and I am preparing a budget for a similar home’s construction as we speak. So the numbers I am using are recent.
$50/square foot should build you a pretty decent Tico home if done by a qualified contractor who is not charging more then 20% to manage the project:
– 6″ Concrete block wall construction with concrete columns and bond beam, as required on any legal set of construction plans in Costa Rica.
– Paint Finish on both interior and exterior (no stucco on exterior, no plaster on interior).
– Steel or Wood framed roof structure with Plain Zinc metal roof.
– Plumbing and Electrical work to CR (and US) standards including mid range value toilets, sinks, faucets, and vented plumbing.
– Gypsum Ceilings (green gypsum in outdoors), some wood accents, with paint.
– Tile Floors (C5,000 per meter price) and standard bondex (not super bondex)
– Cabinets in kitchen and bath made from Melina wood, stained, with tiled coutertops. Doors made of Melina, Pine or teak.
– Wood framed windows assembled on site.
– Affordable Ceilings fans ($100/ea) in each bedroom and in the living room.
– 1 Hot water tank and hot water in kitchen, bath and showers.
Like I mentioned before that does not include blueprints, site preparation, permits, taxes, insurance, furniture or appliances. In a house like this that could add an additional 30% (Approx) if done on a budget like the home’s construction.
[quote=”DavidCMurray”][quote=”PuraVidas”]$1,000 per square meter?? That is almost double what my Tico friends pay . . .[/quote]
The two questions I would raise are: When did your Costa Rican friends pay $50 per square foot?
[b][i]They paid roughly $350 per square meter about a year ago.[/i][/b]
And . . .
Are you actually prepared to settle for the type of construction and finish that they’ve done? For instance, are you prepared to forego cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom?
[b][i]Yes, I would rather wait and hire a local craftsman on his day off at half price.[/i][/b]
Are you willing to forego insulation in the roof. If yes, have you ever been in an uninsulated, metal-roofed house in a downpour?
[b][i]Yes, I have been living in one for the past 3 years. Don’t try and watch TV or talk on the phone. Reading a book and making love to your wife can still be enjoyable and help pass the time in a downpour.[/i][/b]
Are you prepared to do without window screens to keep the crawlies out?
[b][i]I am quite skilled in the art of making screens. It’s actually a simple process.[/i][/b]
Are you prepared to go with a single bulb hanging from the ceiling in each room and a single electrical outlet (or not) in each room?
[b][i]Yes, I’ve been living in a home like this for the past 3 years. I prefer to have at least two bulbs hanging from the ceiling and not just one. Although, I plan on putting fixtures up after adding wood paneling to the inside of the ceiling.[/i][/b]
Are you prepared to go without hot water?
[b][i]We’re talking about Esterillos not Coronado. I can install my own suicide shower head. Electrical tape and all.[/i][/b]
Are you prepared to walk on very inexpensive, very slippery, and therefore very dangerous floor tile?
[b][i]Nope, I’m going to leave a slab at first and do it myself or find a skilled Nica to do it for me after the “gris” phase is complete.[/i][/b]
And are you prepared to skimp on some of the hidden, but nonetheless important, construction details that go into making a house earthquake-resistant?
[b][i]It will be up to code. A student of mine is a structural engineer and will make sure there are no shortcuts made.[/i][/b]My guess is that you can, indeed, enclose space and roof it for around $50 per square foot, but will the result be someplace you’re comfortable to live?[/quote]
[b][i]Yes, but I’m going out on a limb and guessing that you won’t want to come over and spend the night in our guestroom.[/i][/b]My “rule of thumb” of $100 per square foot is, as I said, meant only as a rough reality check. I also said that a house could likely be built for less.
You’ve quoted $50 per square foot plus thirty percent. That gets us to $65 without unforeseen circumstances, upgrades, etc, and I’m talking Central Valley. Maybe things are cheaper in Guanacaste. I dunno.
Point is: We’re not that far apart, and I’d rather someone estimate high and come in low than the other way around. What a mess it would be to run out of money before the house is finished.
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