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I don’t know how practical it would be to plan to organize that many people together to purchase a suitable property. However, if you are able to do so, there is a legal process, which enables individuals to subdivide raw land into lots that is much simpler than going though the condominium law process. Therefore, you will incur less time to complete as well as lower legal fees. Ask your lawyer if Article 292 of the Costa Rican Civil Code would be suitable for your new concept. Good luck!
I have been building housing in CR since 1992 and feel that concrete block and steel reinforced monolithic concrete columns with tie beams, commonly referred to as CBS construction (Concrete Block Structure), makes the most sense.
When concrete block is not practical and lightweight methods must be utilized, then the best alternatives are galvanized steel tubing with a vapor barrier, such as TYVEK and insulation, such as PRODEX and then USG brand DUROCK or FIBEROCK, depending on the desired exterior finish.
NOTE:
1. When applying a stucco finish on Durock, always use BASE COAT by Formulated Solutions, as the exterior stucco coating. All other products will crack, leak and become maintenance nightmares.
2. Never use the yellow laminates of DensGlass for sheathing when a stucco coating is specified as the exterior finish.Steel reinforced columns in concrete block construction are necessary to support the weight of the block walls as well as the roof structure and/or second floor. If you want to build with only wood bolted to two courses of concrete block and use diagonal bracing at the corners for shear, you can do so. You do not need to use the concrete posts for code if you’re building with wood. However, before you pay an architect to draw your construction plans in order to obtain your building permits, it would be prudent to source and price suitable wood for the structure. If you’re planning to construct a second floor, you’ll need plenty of 2 x 10’s or 12’s for your band and floor joists. You may find these a rare and expensive commodity down here. The assembly of the wood structure will take less time to complete, if you have experienced carpenters to frame the structure. The majority of the construction down here is concrete block with steel reinforced concrete columns; therefore, we have many experienced masons but not many wood framers. Keep us posted, as to how your construction project works out.
Sprite. What you have heard is not correct. You need to acquire permits to construct dwellings under and over 70m2. The requirements for construction under 70m2 involve less documents to acquire the permits.
I agree with yoder. Crime occurs everywhere in the world, everyday. Maybe the victims should be considering, not the place where they live, but how they live. I have lived in CR since 1992 and have never experienced a break in. I am not a law enforcement trained person or have a military background. I’m accustomed to using common sense and I do not feel the need to display wealth. Apparently, the thieves here have never had any interest in mine, or my neighbor’s possessions. I live and work in a Tico pueblo where I have gotten to know most of the locals and we all watch out for each other. Every once in a while, some wise guy from outside our pueblo comes here, usually intoxicated, and tries to start a fight or take something that is not his. Most times, the wise guy ends up leaving in the back of a rural guard pickup. In Belen, we have our own municipal police force that responds fast to any requests for help.
Perhaps those paranoid about crime where they live should consider exploring positive solutions with neighbors.
•Organizing a community security watch has proven to help.
•Paying your municipal taxes on time, can also help your community to be able to afford more and better public security.Economics + Education = Understanding. I can remember back to when I was a kid in the USA and many people littered. That was until the government allocated a couple billion dollars to begin an anti-litter campaign. Likewise, drinking and driving as well as abusing women and children. Crimes deterrent is supposedly the justice system which in the USA as well as in Costa Rica is saturated. Most of the theft here is non-violent and drug related. The real issue is educating the kids so that they understand that crack cocaine is an addictive vice and is definitely not cool. If there was no crack cocaine there would be much less crime. Now all Costa Rica needs is a more money for social programs to help the uneducated understand more about social responsibility. Read the article in AM Costa Rica from Friday, Jan. 10. 2008,
Special appropriation pledged to fight growing crime wave
Both the executive and legislative branches moved Thursday to act against the rising wave of criminality.
During a Casa Presidencial meeting, Rodrigo Arias, the minister of the Presidencia, promised 7 billion more colons ($14 million) to the Judicial Investigating Organization. That will be enough to add 500 agents to the existing staff of 1,000 agents, said Casa Presidencial.I have lived in CR since 1992 and have never experienced a break in. I am not a law enforcement trained person or have a military background. I’m accustomed to using common sense and I do not feel the need to display wealth. Apparently, the thieves you are concerned about have never had any interest in mine or my neighbors stuff. I live and work in a Tico pueblo where I have gotten to know most of the locals and we all watch out for each other. Every once in a while some wise guy from outside our pueblo comes here and tries to start a fight or take something that’s not his. Most times, the wise guy ends up leaving in the back of a rural guard pickup. In Belen, we have our own municipal police force that responds fast to any requests for help.
Perhaps you should consider exploring positive solutions with your friends and neighbors.
1. Organizing a community security watch has proven to help.
2. Paying your municipal taxes on time, can also help your community to be able to afford more and better public security.Looking for lawyers can be like shopping for cloths. There are a lot of them and their prices vary. I have had several since moving here back in 1992. Over 10 years ago I was lucky enough to find a family law firm with three brothers, a sister and the father all practicing under the same roof. They now have various associates with expertise in different areas of law. The nice thing about this arrangement is that if you’re not communicating well with one of the brothers, you can ask to speak to their sister or one of the other female associates who may better understand your issues. The majority of them speak several languages and one of the other sisters is a certified translator. Over the years they have referred me to other family members that practice medicine, provide services such as insurance, customs brokering, etc., and I have pleasant experiences with all of their referrals. Their primary office is in San Jose in Barrio Dent and they have opened up an additional office in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, to service all their new clients who live and work in that area.
I’ll recommend to initially speak to Carlos (cel-830-5432) or his sister Alejandra (cel-836-7808) who both speak perfect English and can explain everything you need to know. If you don’t get through to them on their cellular phones you can try the office numbers in San Jose at 280-5478 or in Guanacaste at 670-1165. You can take a look at their website. http://www.bufeteecheverria.comIt’s best not to try the Do It Yourself method. Some people, in trying to save some dollars in legal fees, avoid the work of finding a good attorney to write a thorough construction contract that is in your favor. There is no yellow brick road in Costa Rica. Do your homework, just as you would do in the real world. Find an attorney you feel comfortable with and stay with him for as long as he continues to do good work for you. Then, you won’t get stuck with an employee liability problem.
Usually when newcomers are asking for the “Tico” construction costs, they are fishing for prices that are too good to be true. The bottom line is that building costs per square foot or meter are determined by the building contract and construction specifications agreed to between the owner and the contractor. Without careful planning by a builder who has years of experience here in CR, the costs usually end up increasing as the construction process progresses. In Costa Rica, the construction problems that can cause delays and end up costing more money are not predictable problems anyone from another country could have anticipated based on knowledge acquired elsewhere.
In the case of the waggoner41, he sent me the website of his construction company in Ohio and indicated he would be on-site everyday in order to supervise the work and planned on completing most of the interior finishes himself. It is my belief that for $38 per sq. ft. he will be able to complete a basic structure in CR, since he is acting as his own contractor.
What he probably does not know, is that the lack of Spanish language skills and understanding of the local culture has ruined more than one Costa Rican Dream.
We can try to lead the horses to clean flowing rivers, but if they decide to jump into muddy puddles, that is their option.
Many people ask; How much does it cost and what do you get when you build a Tico style home?
If you have not spent much time in Latin America, you may not initially notice the lack of basic amenities that you have taken for granted your whole life.
Many times, it isn’t until after a foreigner has purchased a typical Tico home, and had the time to live in it for a while, that they realize the amenities they are missing.
Down here, there is much less attention paid to details by the local contractors and architects. The average Latino feels that many of the amenities, which North Americans include in their homes, are extravagant and unnecessary.
Such as;
• Hot Water from all Faucets
• Vented Plumbing
• Drains with Traps and Clean Outs
• Sufficient Electrical Outlets
• Screens on Windows that Open
• Shower Sprays located above our Heads
• Garbage Disposals
• 8′ Minimum Ceiling Height
• Interior Doors that are High Enough for Adults
• Countertops that are Large Enough to Work On
• Cabinets Finished Inside with Sufficient Storage
• Ample Closets with Cleanable Surfaces
• Insulation in Walls, Ceilings and Attics
• Contiguous Roofing, Facias & Soffits that Prevent Moisture and Rodent IntrusionSo if you’re willing to live without the above amenities, plan on spending about $38 dollars per square foot to hire a Tico contractor to build you a structure to live in.
Keep in mind, that when you decide to sell your Tico style home, the buyers market will be primarily Latinos, who don’t usually have enough money to purchase without some seller financing.
7 cents a minute from the USA to Costa Rica from a local access number and 8 cents from their toll free phone number.
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I added my parents and sister’s phone numbers to my account, so they can pick up their phones and call me anytime in Costa Rica.
Tel 3 Advantage customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you can charge your long distance account with a credit card.
You can begin calling Costa Rica for only 7 cents a minute right now, when you sign up on-line at; https://www.tel3advantage.com/jsp/newSignUp.jsp?agentnumber=866307' defer onload='
Construction Sector Positively Affected By The Change in Exchange Rate
The change in the exchange rate of the colon to the dollar of the past several weeks by the Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) – Central Bank – will have a positive impact in the construction industry, according to the president of the Cámara de la Construcción, Jaime Molina.
The positive effect of the reduction in the “bandas cambiarias” set by the Central Bank will mean lower costs in construction sector, with lower import prices for items like ceramic tiles, floor finishings and fittings, for example.
Molina said that those who are constructing or remodelling their homes will notice the difference in the coming weeks.
The exchange rate change meant a reduction of some ¢20 colones per each US dollar, mainly due to the weak dollar.
Molina assures that many builders are now reviewing their costs and an increase in construction projects may be experienced before any upward changes may occur.
Another change that is being notices, according to Molina, are that contracts are now being made in Colones instead of Dollars.
Molina added that there will be a definite drop in the price of imported goods for the construction sector in the coming months and that is good for the economy.
Additionally, a new $2 million incentive to produce organic pineapples
Pineapple growers are getting a financial incentive to produce exports that can be called “organic.”
The Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería said Monday that a deal had been signed to allocate $2 million toward organic pineapple production. Some $300,000 more is being directed to an estimated 400 smaller producers to improve their methods with technical assistance.
The vast pineapple fields have come under criticism for the runoff of agricultural fertilizers and sprays. Although all
pineapples are organic, the term is now used to describe products grown without added chemicals.The agreements announced Monday are between the ministry, the Programa Agroindustrial de Desarrollo para la Zona Norte y Chorotega and the Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. Ministry officials said that European markets have a preference for organic products, including pineapples, and that the investments would allow Costa Rican growers to exploit that niche. Some 80 percent of the production under the Programa Agroindustrial de Desarrollo goes to Europe, officials said. Just 20 percent heads north to the United States.
Next year the organization’s growers expect to export 1,800 shipping containers of their products. Each container holds 1,400 boxes of 12 kilos each or nearly 40,000 pounds of pineapples.
Swimming pool maintenance questions should be directed to one of the many pool companies here in the Central Valley. Try these companies:
Tecno Piscinas – 270-4527- http://www.tecnopiscinas.net
Piscinas Genesis 288-4146
Piscinas Modernas 249-2711
Piscinas Oasis 219-8950
Piscinas y Accesorios 297-3731
Piscinas y Equipos Greojara 451-0356Tratagua 224-1197
