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I’ve lived in CR since 1992 and have written a few useful articles about Costa Rica’s diverse regions and some of the local activities that may be of interest to you at,
http://groups.google.com/group/TomRosenbergerAuthor/webApparently one large private firm feels confident in the future of Costa Rica. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is providing $105 million for two projects that will assist first-time home buyers and small to medium-sized enterprises. http://www.opic.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/pr100108.asp
More good news is that foreign trade is boosting the outlook for Latin America amidst the worldwide economic crisis. Latin American exports to the US increased by 18.1 percent and trade with Asia and Europe is growing at a faster pace than with the United States, providing new markets to offset any potential U.S. decline.
Additionally, Hilton Hotels Company is planning to quadruple its presence in the Caribbean and Latin America over the next five years. The company’s growth is expected in all of the region’s capitals, as well as secondary markets such as Liberia, Costa Rica; David, Panama; and Leon, Nicaragua. This will be complemented by active pursuit of opportunities in the principal resort destinations of Guanacaste, Costa Rica; Antigua, Guatemala; Atlantic coast of Honduras and Belize; and Pacific coast of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama. The company recently debuted three hotels and resorts in Costa Rica and has six approved deals in the Central America pipeline. Opened in January 2008, the company welcomed three hotels to Costa Rica: Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa; Doubletree Resort by Hilton Costa Rica – Puntarenas; and Doubletree Cariari by Hilton San Jose. Six recently approved transactions include: Conrad Los Micos in Tela Bay, Honduras; Hilton San Jose, Costa Rica; Hilton Panama; Doubletree by Hilton Panama; Embassy Suites by Hilton San Jose, Costa Rica; Embassy Suites by Hilton Panama City, Panama; and Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport, Costa Rica which opens later this year. http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2008_3rd/Sept08_HiltonLatinAmerica.html
Moreover, U.S. based energy and technology conglomerate Emerson is growing strongly in Latin America, where its sales increased more than the total growth of the entire company. Emerson Latin America President Leo Rodriguez said, “This is an excellent time to be in Latin America.”
During an inspection of Costa Esterillos lots last week, I was pleasantly surprised with several miles of smooth winding brick paver roads with concrete gutters rolling through the hilly terrain. I saw many pallets of brick pavers stacked on the road in the furthest portion of the development and heavy construction equipment and laborers were working on the drainage, bridges and roads beyond the finished infrastructure.
If you purchased a lot, with the idea of constructing your dream home in Costa Rica, that dream is now reality, depending on which phase of Costa Esterillos you purchased in. I saw several dwellings being constructed and miles of the projects infrastructure have been completed. So far, Costa Developers has been doing a good job of completing attractive subdivisions in Costa Rica, given all the obstacles that occur down here in the jungle.
Sometimes when land speculators buy lots with the idea of making a profit, they become concerned when the project doesn’t proceed as quickly as they would like. Prudent investors exercise patience when speculating on lots within land development projects. In essence, the preconstruction buyers become partners in the development, because their purchases provide the developer with the necessary funds to advance the construction of the project. As with all new subdivisions, anywhere in the world, the developers control the buyers market with large-scale marketing, advertising, financing and their sales forces. Speculators, who have purchased with the idea of selling at a higher price than they paid, will be competing with the developer for buyers. Most re-sales do not occur until homes have been constructed and residents move in.
Additionally, on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, there are various developers with many subdivisions containing hundreds of lots for sale. Purchasers have a wide selection of lots in many subdivisions to choose from and most times the developers offer low down payments and attractive payment options, to lure entrepreneurs to invest. The same principal of supply and demand applies in Costa Rica, just like anywhere else in the world.
Regardless of why you invested in Costa Esterillos, it would be wise to exercise patience and keep in mind that Costa Developers needs to navigate the maze of Costa Rican bureaucracy in order to complete the project.
Here in CR, we are living less than 10 degrees from the equator. Certainly, good medical advice and preparation for those who have a history of skin problems may be a good idea. I know that I have spent most of my life outdoors, working and playing and therefore have been tan for at least 50% of my life. After 10 years of being outdoors in CR, without sun block, I developed a skin irritation of small red spots that itch and burn. A local doctor recommended that I use a 100% skin block. If I’m outdoors for more than an hour in the Costa Rican sun, the red spots return primarily on my chest and shoulders. The itching and irritation lasts for a week or so and I must apply expensive cream to relive the itching and burning. I have had tough skin for most of my life and I believe that being located so close to the equator here in CR has caused my skin irritation. However, perhaps as we get older, our immune systems become worn out and these irritations are to be expected.
Insightful observations that most of the free world seems to ignore in exchange for a tarjeta verde or visa to visit the famosa Ustados Unidos. “American citizenship, or staying in the USA 4 MONTHS A YEAR OR MORE THREE YEARS IN A ROW results in selling your soul to the devil. American citizenship is maybe not what many think.” Da…
However, upon arrival, its very simple for immigrants to acquire the knowledge to work the swollen social programs that feed and cloth the masses and require the working folks to fuel the system that eventually bites the hand that feeds it. I personally know many Ticos that have lived in the USA and for one reason or another have returned to Ticolandia. 99% of them have no desire to return to Uncle Sam’s backyard so they can be herded like cattle and used as a commodity for taxation without representation.The recommendations of vbcruiser are insightful and would work well if installed according to his explanation. Accomplishing this using the local workforce will be challenging, unless you are an experienced and hands-on supervisor, all day, everyday, during the construction process.
Many of us have heard the phrase “mind over matter.” I believe this concept promotes using your common sense and experience to overcome matter, such as building materials that may or may not be available here in CR. Many ideas sound good, but implementing them down here in the jungle can be frustrating. With the cultural and language differences, many foreigners become frustrated when trying to communicate their desires to the locals.
Vbcruiser has obviously overcome the typical cultural and language barriers and certainly has been very helpful to point out practical solutions to locally accepted construction methods. He would be an excellent builder for your home and hopefully he will be available for consulting work in Guanacaste.
However, many folks do not have the advantage of having an experienced hands-on supervisor from the real world to assist them with their local construction projects. Here in CR, and especially in Guanacaste, you need to take into consideration the capabilities of the available local laborers. Getting them not to torque down roofing screws into the laminates so the washers do not get damaged is a full time job.
The phrase “if you want to get the job done right, do it yourself” comes to mind. Since most folks cannot do it themselves, and Costa Rican construction continues in spite of its deficiencies, I have searched for practical solutions, so the average person can overcome the differences between international construction standards and those construction standards understood and practiced by the local laborers.
In the absence of an experienced handyman, just about anyone can apply a thick liquid waterproofing product over the top of metal roofing components. You can first clean the roof with an old broom and a regular garden hose with a high pressure nozzle. Then with a normal, thick paint roller, apply several coats of the highest quality waterproofing product you can afford, on top of all your roofing components. If you are able to climb a ladder in order to view your roofs surface, you can decide for yourself when your roof will need another application. If not, you can use binoculars to inspect your roofs surface and keep your home dry all year round.
If you want to apply one of the finest waterproofing sealers to your roof, Thermotek MAX 7 is available in CR for $125.00 per five-gallon bucket. Two coats is the recommended application and each five-gallon bucket will cover about 20 m2 with two coats.
http://www.grupothermotek.com/clientefinal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=48It is a wise decision to seek the most suitable roofing products, not the most cost effective.
THE SECRET OF A WELL-SEALED ROOFING INSTALLATION – Once the metal roofing system has been properly installed; all components should be covered with at least two coats of a quality roofing paint. The paints surface should be inspected annually to make sure it is still intact and that the screws are still tight. If you maintain this roofing paint, which is thick and covers all metal components, humidity will not be able to enter your roof.
You may find the Inspection/Construction section on WLCR helpful.
https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/department62.cfm there is an article about roofing in CR. https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1743.cfm?sd=62.
David’s experience is the real deal and his recommendations are sound. The botaguas (the right-angled metal “trim” that forms the fascia on the roof edge and overlaps the sheet roofing on top.) and cumbrera (ridge cap) should be oversized and the outside metal piece angled down to be flush with the surface of the corrugated roofing laminate. Adding a bead of flexible silicone under the flashings is another preventative method of keeping driving rain from entering under the flashings.
Additionally, I have seen with my own eyes, two-inch metal roofing screws; unscrew themselves as a result of metal laminates moving, during one seasonal change. Most people do not understand that metal laminates respond to temperature change just like wood, by expanding and contracting. This causes the fastener holes size to increase, resulting in leaks. Dark colors will experience the largest thermal movement.
According to the manufacturers of metal roofing laminates, panels installed over Metal Perlin should not harm the roof system with thermal movement. However, I can tell you from personal experience that the manufacturer’s installation recommendations, of attaching the metal laminates directly to a Metal Perlin structure, with screws provided by the manufacturer, still expand, contract and move.
Here in Costa Rica, over the last 15 years, I have seen driving rains attack roofing installations, vertically and horizontally. The wind blown rain can be forced under roofing laminates and tiles as well as flashing and drip edge installed on the facias of buildings. If adequate underlayment and flashing have not been installed, thousands of dollars of interior installations as well as personal possessions can be damaged.Acclimating hardwood flooring involves much more than placing it at the building site for five weeks. Any type of wood flooring will expand and contract in the environment where you are building. There is no doubt that it will be less expensive to nail or screw Almendra into whatever type of floor joists you have selected. There are many methods to cut corners when constructing housing. What you should do is determine what amenities you need to satisfy how you envision living in your new home. Without a flooring underlayment, the outside elements and insects will have open access into your living areas. If you envision living in a dwelling like Tarzan and Jane, then perhaps wood floors will work well for you. Keep in mind, that with an open flooring system, not only will your wood floors develop moisture related issues, everything else inside your home will be exposed to the elements as well. When building in an area with heavy precipitation, sealing the building envelope is very important. The exterior siding, roofing and in the case of a home built on piers, the flooring system, should be well sealed in order to keep the relative humidity inside the dwelling stable. You will then be able to control your living environment by opening windows and utilizing your ceiling fans as needed.
I completed an inspection of damaged hardwood flooring in a home in Santa Ana. You can see the problems that occurred and the solutions recommended at, http://groups.google.com/group/housing–property-inspections/web/water-infiltration-inspection-report
We are on http://www.welovecostarica.com
Your inquiry is like searching on http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/GovContacts.jsp' defer onload=', for information about Costa Rica.
Perhaps you should consider providing useful advice for other adventure seekers at http://www.WeLovePakistan.com.
This site is available and working on this project at home, may be safer than shopping in Islamabad.Just like anywhere else in the world, you get what you pay for.
Some folks decide to move to a foreign country and become a builder. Many have found out the hard way, that it’s best not to try the “Do It Yourself” method. You need to acclimate to the culture and speak the local language before you can understand what you’re getting yourself into.There is no yellow brick road in Costa Rica. Building even a small project is more than a full time job and is definitely not the best way to begin your new life in paradise. Unknowing and inexperienced foreigners, getting themselves into construction projects they have no idea how to complete, have broken many dreams of living in paradise.
You must do your homework, just as you would do in the real world. Find professionals, whom you can communicate with, and stay with them for as long as they continue to provide good work. If you’re looking to educate yourself in order to build your own home, you may find the on-line forums to be the school of hard knocks.
I have been building and purchasing materials in Costa Rica since 1992. On various WLCR threads about construction in CR, you may find prices thrown around for the cost of construction materials and which distributor has the lowest prices. Certainly, buying in volume has its benefits, however, there are risks involved that the major distributors have take into consideration and factored into their pricing. The largest distributor and local manufacturer of building materials, Abonos Agro as well as the largest retail building supplier, El Lagar, were recently purchased by a multi-national conglomerate. I would suggest leaving the volume purchasing, warehousing, security and transport to the big distributors and focus on tightening up your Construction Specifications and Timetable for completing your construction. You can review articles about construction on the following WLCR threads;
https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1780.cfm
https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1718.cfm
https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1093.cfm
If you would like to review some construction specifications tailored to Costa Rica, visit, http://www.costaricahomebuilder.com and go to the Documents page where you can select the Construction Specifications document that lists many items to consider when building in CR.Prior to SETENA, you will need a licensed professional to present your construction plans to the CFIA, [ http://www.cfia.or.cr ], and then INVU, [ http://www.invu.go.cr ]
We need to create our construction plans and pay the CFIA to establish the value of our projects before the permitting process begins.
Then you must submit your plans along with preliminary approvals for water, electric and sewage to INVU in order to get the permitting process started.
Following approvals from the above, then SETENA, ICT and the Municipalities need to be dealt with.
To the best of my knowledge, current regulations state that projects under 300 m2 do not require filing of the D1 form, (evaluacion ambiental) for SETENA approval. [ http://www.setena.go.cr/pp_tramites.html ]
Unless your property is located in the ZMT, Maritime Zone. There is a new proposal being evaluated by the government whereby the municipalities will handle the permitting process for construction up to 1,000 m2, but currently it is not in effect.
You can review [ http://www.tramites.go.cr/manual/espanol/7/7-4.htm ] for additional information.
As far as consultants recommended on a government website, plan on paying US based professional fees, as they are all attempting to establish credibility in an ever-changing bureaucracy.
Ginnee. Thanks for your links to the pre-fab construction site and your blog. I hope that your satisfaction with the construction method you’re using continues.
I have been a custom homebuilder for 26 years and have been building here as well as conducting land and construction inspections on behalf of clients who value my experience and insight since 1992.
Over the years, I’ve used several construction methods; Wood frame, steel frame, CBS and the Pre-Fab concrete panel system, for construction not considered “living areas.”
Additionally, I have many satisfied customers who recommend me to others. If you care to review my experience, simply Google search, Tom Rosenberger.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, without others making accusations about their motives.
Freedom to choose and TOLERANCE of others, and their opinions, is something we all value here.
Slander and defamation are criminal offenses in Costa Rica, as is published on WLCR at; https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/forum/postnew.cfm?forum=1I’m offended by the public accusations you’ve made against me on WLCR. Perhaps you should re-consider your defamatory public statements about my financial motives that you have no knowledge of.
