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During my last visit to CR we purchased some property which we’ll eventually build on. We surveyed a couple builders and some realtors. We were told costs per finished Sq Ft vary depending on quality from $65 to $120 finished.
One thing seemed odd as most stated that cost per Sq Ft included covered patio/rancho and/or garage space. It seems a little strange that this space would cost the same as interior finished space.
Appreciate feedback thanks.
Sounds like a rip-off. This is the same price ($65/ft sq) that we were quoted two years ago in the US for a finished house, including an insulated roof, R-19 walls, triple pane windows, hardwood floors, a deep foundation (northern winters) and all kitchen cabinetry. The work was to be done by unionized labor. I can’t believe that non-union labor costs and material in CR are the same as unionized labor and material in the north-eastern US. We are looking forward to responses to your post.
The cost of construction for patios, etc, really isn’t much different than the cost of finished interior space. The roof’s the same. The concrete floors are typically tiled, the same as interior space. The only real difference is the placement of the walls. Whether the walls enclose (say) 1,200 square feet or 1,600 doesn’t affect cost very much.
Suppose you build a 30′ x 40′ house. That’s 140 running feet of wall. If that house has a 10′ deck running the length of one 40′ side and you were to enclose that deck (making the house 40′ x 40′ = 1.600s/f) the additional footage of wall would only be 20′. Everything else would be the same.
Point is, the incremental cost, once the footings, floors and roof are in place, is minimal.
What’s more, there are many, many factors that come into play in the cost of a house. You can zero in on a “cost-per-square-foot” number, but it’s meaningless. The number you need to pay attention to is the “cost-for-the-house-I-want-to-build”.
If one builder is prepared to contract to build your dream house for (say) $100,000 and you’re confident that the work will be acceptable and everything is included (an important consideration), then go with him. If another guy, with a better reputation quotes you $125,000, and it’s more inclusive, but you feel better about him and can afford that, go that way.
[quote=”Blade Runner”]Sounds like a rip-off. This is the same price ($65/ft sq) that we were quoted two years ago in the US for a finished house, [/quote]
Please tell us where in the northeast you built this house for $65 per square foot two years ago using all union labor. It seems very, very cheap.
In 2002, we built a house on the beach in North Carolina (no basement or deep foundations, but built to exceed the Miami/Dade County hurricane code), using all non-union labor, for $127 per square foot. The house was well built and well insulated, just like yours was.
Regarding building costs, $65 – 120 seems a bit high.
For a nice, basic home finished can start at $50 – $55/foot and go up to over $100/foot depending on how fancy you get. It all depends on what you are looking for. However a well built home with a good design to American Standards still can be built in the $50’s is some areas.
Yes covered balconies are calculated the same as interior home space, lighting/electric/floors/roofs/walls (or columns, beams, etc.) are still needed and they are normally finished to the same standards as the interior.
Building costa also vary depending on your location in the country.
Thanks for all that feedback, it does answer my question re: finished space. I see also prices do vary depending on location and several factors. I believe one must also budget for architectural/engineering costs which can be up to 10% of completion costs I’m told.
Additionally it was recommended to purchase/bring furniture, fittings, car etc and container ship to CR. I would imagine San Jose would have all these things as I don’t think there is a Home Depot type retailer there.
Thanks again.
While I’m a firm believer in bringing your household belongings and car, I don’t think it’s necessary to bring plumbing or electrical fixtures unless you have very specific wants. There’s a good selection of such items here. The secret lies in finding them.
There is a Venezuelan (I think) chain, EPA, that has three or four stores in the San Jose area. It looks and feels much like a Home Depot but, in my opinion, the selection isn’t as good. Remember, too, that anything imported will be expensive.
Architectural fees will vary depending upon what you want the architect to do for you. You can have him or her draw plans and you can submit them to the Collegio and the municipalidad yourself. Or s/he can get you through the “permit” stage. Or s/he can help you identify and select a builder. Or s/he can supervise the actual construction with weekly on-site visits and also help you find and select finish items (plumbing and electrical fixtures, tile, windows and doors, cabinetry, countertops, etc).
The standard rate for the full-blown service from preliminary drawings to move-in ready is 10.5% of what the Collegio says the project will cost. Note, please, that the Collegio’s projection of the cost will have no relationship to the actual (and reasonable) cost. It’s just a figure they use.
We have met a terrific young architect in the San Ramon area. He offers a “menu” of services, as do architects in the U.S. We were able to tour one of his recently finished homes and he welcomed us to do so. We also had access to the owners who expressed their happiness with his work. For these clients, he provided on-site supervision which far exceeded the once-per-week visit and his fees were 10.5% for the whole project.
After WA-A-AY more years than I wish to admit spent in the construction trades, I was very impressed with him and his expertise. We will use him if we build and were very happy to find him.
Hi all,
In Guanacaste (north pacific) between Liberia and Sardinal (playa del coco) (on county road 151 off of HWY 21) you have a super large DO IT CENTRE that I found was well stocked and very comparable to Home Depot, and growing. Tool selection etc was of course limited but still you had your “toys or light duty items and your heavy duty tools, building materials, lumber, wiring, plumbing, locks, doors, furniture, appliances, etc.
In playa del coco, there is also Don Carlos — a contractor’s depot and a houseware store a block away.
We have been quite fortunate to find almost everything we need –mind you, we bought a furnished condo and I am making improvements and minor changes to it.We’ll actually be building in Central Valley east of Cartago in Orosi area. We really liked the temperate climate and green valley along with the friendly people.
Second choice was Atenas although a little warmer in the dry season. We have met with a recommended realtor Steve Riley from Scott’s list and will likely work with him, he’s a great guy and very tuned into that area.
It will take some time but just busy gathering data and comments from those who live and work there.
Thanks.
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