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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.
“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..
Like I mentioned before Construction work in the Guanacaste area averages higher then in the rest of the country, so cost in your area will be lower. Here higher material costs, and/or transportation costs, higher labor costs, and also there is more demand for quality construction here so in general prices here a typically 15-20% higher. Also the price I mentioned included preparation work including backhoe, compaction and drainage works with almost always need to be done.
If I was doing work in San Jose given the lower cost of many expenses, and doing simple slab pour on a already prepared surface, the cost could come around $20-25/square meter ($1.90- 2.40 per foot). Site preparation work can account for 25% of the this kind of project’s cost so of course that would make a big difference in cost and depends on the job.
We are a full service company including architectural/engineering services so all designing and planning would have been also included in that rough cost.
Here in Guanacaste Ready mix pours almost never happen (given the poor quality of product and service in our area, and in many cases difficult delivery situations) so that price quoted was for a driveway poured in sections using concrete mixed on the site which can be done anywhere in Costa Rica.
I hope that makes things more clear and gives you a better idea regarding costs
I own a Construction company and do general contracting in the Guanacaste area. These are the costs in our area if I was to do the work (including profit for the company) cost would most likely be less in San Jose..
Driveway construction (4″ slab on grade, reinforced with steel grate #2 steel reinforcement and additional rebar if done in seperate pours) over a compacted lastre base. Using structural use cement (red bag) for additional strength/higher PSI. Brush finish and control joints every 2 meters.
Costs approx: Driveway less then 100 square meters: $40.00 per square meter. Driveway 100-300 square meters $38.00/per sq meter. 300 square meters plus: $35.00/square meter.
Driveways are not very time and labor intensive compared to other construction work and the cost of materials can at some times be higher then in the US. So the difference in a driveway cost compaired to US work is less, but not the same cost difference as a house, pool, or more “labor” intensive projects which cost less here because of the cheap labor..
The “assessed value” of a concrete driveway reinforced with steel is just under C10,000 per meter. Good luck finding someone who would do it for that and do it correctly though..
From what I read, in addition to the front and back windows needing to be clear glass, the tinting on the side windows must have 70% visibility.. now Im not sure how that is determined, but thats what the law says.
Yes of course.. the FDIC, though it currently is not funded by the government, it soon may be. I like to watch what banks are closed on “FDIC Friday”, I love how they pick the end of the week to close banks, as there is less notice on the news.
Also what I was refering to was the Bailouts, which was money that went to large banks to “prevent” bank failures, such a large sum had to be printed somehow and was indeed funded by the US government. If those banks failed, the FDIC would be wiped out/bankrupt. So because it prevented that situation, I look at it as pretty much the same thing..
I feel the safest place to hold investments right now is in precious metals.. but thats just my own opionion
Found a little article.. :
Coopemex depositors may face a long road to get money
By Saray Ramírez Vindas
and the A.M. Costa Rica staffThe case of Coopemex is beginning to look a lot like Banco Elca, which was taken over by regulators in 2004.
Coopemex, more correctly the Servicio Cooperativo Nacional de Ahorro y Crédito de los Trabajadores Costarricenses, came into the hands of regulators last week, mainly because the percentage of reserve funds held by the bank fell below the required 10 percent threshold.
The savings cooperative has 18 branches and nearly 90,000 depositors. Many are in areas populated by expats like Arenal.
Elca was taken over June 29, 2004, and depositors had a grueling period trying to get their money.
If Elca is any guide, Coopemex depositors with less than $10,000 on deposit can expect to get their money in a short time. Those with larger deposits will become involved in a committee of creditors, extensive meetings and a great deal of paperwork to prove who they are and that they had accounts at the institution.
A panel of overseers will be elected to sell off assets.
Foreigners who had funds at Elca had to provide the same form of consular validated paperwork that applicants for residency do.Carlos Alvarado Moya, the president of Elca, faced trial on fraud. A three-judge panel found him guilty April 30, 2008, almost exactly four years after the institution was taken over. Elca, too, suffered from a shortage of funds.
Banking industry sources suspect that Coopemex will never again open its doors. They also express concern about other cooperatives, although those in the financial area of the government discount such fears.
Elca’s Alvarado was convicted of playing fast and loose with the bank’s money. Coopemex, on the other hand, appears to have been caught by extensive delinquencies from its 40,000 or so loan customers. There has been no suggestion of irregularity, even though these cases usually are remanded to prosecutors for investigation.
The Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras did say in a statement issued last week that Coopemex was being administered in a way to affect the solvency, transparency and security. Outside auditors who looked at the Coopemex books in December were unable to issue an opinion as to its stability, said the Superintendencia.
I also use Cordero & cordero, they are based in San Jose but have a full working office in Liberia. They are a law firm which has been around for over 50 years here in Costa Rica, I I have been very pleased with their services.
I just noticed the part about your location. You mentioned in a very diffucult location in the South Pacific. How difficult of a location? THat of course increases costs overall for materials, and labor if workers need to be brought in. Also your builder may want to charge more for the distance to travel and the headache to build in a area like that.
He may have at first just given you prices “off the top of his head” for what things normally cost without thinking of your specific situation – it would not suprise me that once he actualy caluclated the costs, that he realised what the actual added costs would be to build in a “difficult location”.
If this is someone from the San Jose area you may have better luck searching for a local builder in your area. Anyone from San Jose will charge a high premium to build in a area far away.
Do you have a contract between yourself and the Architect? Do you know what you payed for and what you may not have paid for – it should all be listed in the contract. If there was no contract written that is against the CFIA rules and regulations and you could file a complaint.
It is true that the CFIA has a set “percentage” fee to be charged, but in the end its the Engineer/Architect who decides what they will charge. There is a percentage fee for each the possible jobs a Architect/Engineer would provide for you:
– Preliminary Studies (1.5% – 2%)
– Conceptual Drawings, Home design, 3D drawings (2-3%)
– Bluepint creation (required for permits)(4-5%)
– Application for permits (can be done by owner)
– Inspections of work (required during construction)(4-5%)In Costa Rica for full service including all the items above, typical charges are 10 – 15%. I am a general contractor and work together with a Architectual/Engineering firm which charges 8.5% for complete service and have a proven track record. They are based in Heredia but do lots of work here in Guanacaste (were I am located). I have worked with them for 4+ years and they provide complete stamped plans within 3-4 weeks (given there are no chages made from the plans decided apon).
The Engineer also runs his own construction company and I am sure you could get a very reasonable bid from him for your construction, I figure you are in San Jose?
If you have had a negitive experiance with any Architect/Engineer you can file an offical written complaint against them at the CFIA. I hope you have a contract though..
Standard unheated pools require electricty for only two things: water pump and pool lights. With the water pump using over 90-95% of the electric demand (as the pool lights are normally not used for long periods).
The size of your water pump depends on the size of your pool. On average a 1.5 HP (horse power) pool pump, turned on for 4 hours per day, would costs about $50 – $60.00 a month in electric costs (in our area, Guanacaste). Thats a 100% acurate calculation, at least in our area..
Of course your entire electric bill will depend on the demand for your property, which depends on many things.. Remember the more electric you use, the higher cost per kilowatt/hour, which causes even higher electric bills for consumers with high demand.
We have a small to average sized pool, with a 1.5 horsepower 220V pump, and a 2000 square foot house, and our bill is around $150.00/month.
Yeah Montezuma is at the very tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, near Santa Teresa and “Malpies”. Some nice beaches and a few waterfalls, a classic hippy town, though bigger then it was before. I’ve heard of some attempts at organic gardening co-ops but have no personally checked any of that out.
In terms of chiropractic’s, we know of a great one in the town of Huacus, which is about 5 minutes away from us. They can be found, you just need to ask around.
Regarding Soy Tofu, milk, etc.. Like everyone said here, with some luck you will find some of those items in the larger supermarkets. My Mom drinks a lot of that stuff and just brings it down with her when she comes.
Are you a Vegan or a Vegetarian? Vegan meaning you don’t cook any food as well.. meaning you just soak your rice and beans?
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.
