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Current minimum hourly wages (plus caja & INS) to obtain experienced tradesmen in the central valley are as follows. If you provide housing and meals the wages can be reduced. Based on a 10 hour day with 2 x 15 minute cafes and 30 minutes for almuerzo paid by builder. If the construction site location is off local bus routes, builder may need to pay transportation costs.
cocinero = 800
ayudante de cocina = 700
albanil = 1000
carpintero = 1500
fontanero = 1500
maestro de obras = 2000
operario = 1200
operario with tools = 1500
peon = 800
electricista = by contract“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.” Dr. Adrian Rogers, American pastor, conservative, author, and a three-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Not a politician.
Those who decide to liquidate their US based assets will have to be more creative as to how to move their funds to a safe haven. Costa Rica being on the blacklist of non cooperative tax havens is in the favor of those who intend on keeping their hard earned money. However, opportunities do not last forever and the democrats are closing in on the banking industry. Get out while you still can…
You can read about Obama’s new tax proposals in the following publications:
Obama seeks tax hike, higher Medicare payments
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/25/budget.healthcareObama to propose raising taxes on wealthy for health-care fund
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/politics/story/62855.htmlObama Tax Raise: Looks To Raise Taxes On The Affluent To Pay For Health Care
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/26/to-pay-for-health-care-ob_n_170129.htmlImxploring. As usual, you are top of your game.
Some economists are predicting that the Obamarxist takeover of the US economy (with its inevitable stagflation catastrophe) as well as the increased taxation of wealthy US citizens will become a major stimulus for many folks to move themselves and their assets offshore.
I would imagine that politically stable Costa Rica, with it’s OECD blacklist status appeals to intelligent folks who intend to keep as much of their their hard earned money as possible.The Services Sector in Costa Rica is comprised of Call Centers, Shared Services and Back Offices
The most dynamic segment in the services sector in Costa Rica during the last few years has been Call Centers which can be categorized into two main areas:
Customer Service: Customer service call centers require from its workforce the ability to speak English fluently. All of these companies find in Costa Rica’s labor force the quality and the language skills that enable them to provide world-class services worldwide.
Technical Support: Choosing the right location for a service operation requires considering many critical factors, such as: proximity to market, availability of a highly ethical and skilled labor force, a good technological infrastructure and a stable political and economic environment.
In a recent A.T. Kearney survey, Costa Rica was classified among the best 25 countries in the world to establish offshore operations, based on an index that considers people skills and availability, as well as the business environment and its financial structure. Costa Rica, which ranks as the 16th ideal location in this study, is cited as a country that “offers competitive costs, the best English-language proficiency among the Latin American countries surveyed, and a relatively friendly business environment – for example, the government has set up free trade zones that offer tax and other benefits”
Corporate strategies worldwide oriented towards reducing operational costs have been the driving force behind most of the big companies’ decisions to establish shared services off-shore operations. Finding a location with the right combination of skilled bilingual labor force, telecommunications infrastructure and adequate proximity to main offices, are the key factors for these type of projects. Specifically, the skill set demanded by these enterprises vary in a wide range of specialized areas that typically include finance, accounting, information technology, legal and human resources, in most of the cases. That, of course, comes in addition to the English language proficiency requirement, and even other languages such as Portuguese.
The Global Business Services operation that Procter & Gamble opened in year 1999 in Costa Rica showcases the possibilities and opportunities that this country has to offer. Today, from San Jose, Costa Rica, the GBS provides services to P&G operations and their business relations throughout the Americas, as part of the global strategy of the corporation. Other Shared Services operations include Chiquita Brands, GTC, Baxter Americas Services and British American Tobacco SSC. There are many other outsourcing operations of companies such as Hewlett Packard and IBM that have created a platform to serve their clients from their centers. Costa Rica also hosts regional offices and headquarters for several Fortune 1000 companies such as Motorola, Pfizer, Roche, 3M, Kimberly Clark, Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle, among others. Lastly, the availability of a very productive work force enables the operation of data processing centers in Costa Rica, such as the ones operated by Equifax and Maersk Americas.Here in CR, we are less than 10 degrees from the equator and the suns rays take their toll on exterior surfaces, especially wood products.
Having a wood deck in an area like Arenal is like having a wood boat in salt water. Since you’ve already invested in your wood deck, consider re-finishing instead of covering it up.
Exterior wood installations finished with marine varnish retain their beauty if maintained as needed depending on UV exposure and humidity. A quality marine varnish has UV protection and is made for outdoor exposure.
Even a quality marine varnish, such as Sur Marine Varnish, Barniz Marino, El Lagar codigo 601-1006 will probably need to be reapplied at least every two years, depending on the amount of direct sun exposure.
For best results, clean the existing surface by sanding the surface with #120 sand paper, in the direction of the grain and then smooth sand it with #220 sand paper, between as many coats of varnish as are needed to achieve the finish you desire. Allow the varnish to completely dry between coats and only apply on clean, fully dried wood with a light brush or roller, scoring the surface between coats with #220 sand paper or steel wool to insure adhesion.I do not know of any Trex type products distributed in CR.
As far as installing underlayments to support ceramic tile over the existing deck, your decks structure will need to be inspected by someone who understands load bearing requirements. Millions of dwellings throughout the world have been constructed with wood floor joists and decking, therefore this type of structure could be suitable for cementious underlayment and ceramic tile.
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. Plan on spending about $50 per square foot for a modest and comfortable dwelling.
When concrete block is not practical and light weight methods must be utilized, then the best alternatives are galvanized steel tubing, vapor barrier (TYVEK), insulation (PRODEX) and DUROCK or FIBEROCK, depending on the desired exterior finish. This construction method is quicker to frame but experienced tradesmen will need to install expensive finishing products such as Durock and its proprietary plaster in order to finish the dwelling. Plan on spending around $60 per square foot for this type of construction.
All of these building components are readily available in most building suppliers throughout the country. The steel and Prodex insulation are manufactured here and do not incur freight or import duties.
Steel = http://www.metalco.net/content.aspx?tipo=productos§ionID=3&pid=7&len=es
Insulation = http://www.prodexcr.com
USG & TYVEK Distributor= http://www.tecnigypsum.com/Proveedores.php
ICF building systems sound great and make sense on paper, but here in CR all the input I have received from contractors who have used the various systems over the last 10 years has been negative. Most builders have discovered that it’s more practical and structurally sound to use traditional concrete block and solid concrete columns. Because of the ICF’s energy efficiency there is now new interest as related to “Green Home Building”. However, the proprietary installation and finishing methods are challenging when the majority of the local tradesmen are accustomed to traditional concrete construction. Expect to pay at least 10% more for an ICF home here in CR where the materials are not widely accepted. Additionally, ICF construction requires subcontractors to follow certain proprietary installation methods and the electrical wiring, A/C, plumbing, and drywall installations are different than with traditional construction. This will cause labor prices to be higher because finding subcontractors that have experience working with ICF systems is not easy. Another consideration for building with ICF’s is their resale value. Most buyers, when given the choice, prefer traditional concrete block dwellings. What type of ICF are you considering?
Don’t let old stuff slow you down from your new adventure. Store it in shipping crates in a convenient facility that is able to send the stuff here when and if you’re ready for it. Foreigners who do manage to stay for a long time in Costa Rica do so because they possess patience and flexibility. People who become frustrated here and decide to go back home don’t do so because they couldn’t find their favorite beverage or a suitable appliance. They leave because they couldn’t adapt to the local culture
If you’re expecting things to be the same as in your home country then you’re bound to get disappointed. A move to another country allows you to start over with a new life and experience a new culture in a new environment. Most foreigners have become accustomed to things such as promptness and efficiency. That’s baggage from the industrial and technology driven world you’re leaving behind. If you are serious about living in Costa Rica you should first and foremost learn to speak Spanish, then you’ll be able to understand and adapt to the Tico culture.
It’s been said that our unknown is tangible, if we go for it, and life’s gusto will be found where its least expected! Taking risks without understanding the outcome, not knowing what’s next or how it’s going to go is the gusto of life. If you don’t take risks, be them large steps or full bungee jumps, you’ll miss the excitement of the journey.
Few things in life are more rewarding than using all your creative juices to become who you really are and achieving all you’re truly capable of. Some folks are adventurers, blessed with entrepreneurial instincts, while others get stuck conforming to life dictated by industrialized societies; buried in more stuff than they need.
It’s not because life is boring that we don’t go for it, it’s because if we don’t go for it, life is boring.Every new political administration blames the previous for inherited problems. The smiling Hollywood cowboy turned politician, Ronald Reagan and his star studded gang of politicians, supported by the media won the 1980 election.
The gullible American taxpayers foot the bill and likewise consume the hyped up advertising spread by the media giants.
As a result of Jimmy Carter’s inability to deal with the Iranian hostage crisis and soaring inflation, Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980, supported by 44 states. Reagan’s presidency began with the exhilarating news of the Iranian hostage’s release and the brainwashed kidnappers said they released the hostages because they feared that Reagan might deal with them “like a cowboy.”
The media directs political campaigns and the politicians who influence Hollywood, have their way with the American public.
Reagan, supported by Hollywood, won the 1980 election with his smiling optimism. Barack Obama, supported by millions of Hollywood’s dollars has mirrored Reagan’s success with the American public.
The Obama brand is now the jewel of mainstream advertising and media. According to the advertising agency with the highest worldwide revenues, DDB Worldwide, “Barack Obama is three things you want in a brand, he’s new, different, and attractive. That’s as good as it gets.”
Obama has his greatest strength among the young, roughly 18 to 29 years old. Advertisers and the media purvey their wares to this group of young Americans known as millennials. They will outnumber the baby boomers by 2010. They are black, white, yellow, and various shades of brown and they eat, drink and sleep with the new media and online social networks, such as Facebook and My Space. The millennials don’t trust traditional methods of advertising, but if you’re connected to the online media, they believe in your brand and Obama’s the new brand they believe in. The stimulating brand Obama. You can pick one up at your local market or shop on-line.Nationalization of Insolvent US Banks – As the recession drags on and banking losses pile up, investors have been concerned that the administration could step in and take over some large banks, effectively wiping out stockholders, analysts said. Those concerns gripped markets on Friday after Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, told Bloomberg Television that a short-term nationalization might be necessary. “All these banks are becoming insolvent,” David Kovacs, chief investment officer of quantitative strategies at Turner Investment Partners, said of the broad banking system. “These banks are undercapitalized.” Read all about it at; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/business/economy/21markets.html?tntemail1=y&_r=1&emc=tnt&pagewanted=print
There is very little wood frame construction in Florida for all the reasons previously mentioned. Concrete block construction is predominant as it is a natural heat barrier and insects do not find the concrete appetizing.
If you’re searching for useful information about building housing in CR, you can click on Inspection/Construction in the Trusted Providers section in the right hand margin on the WLCR home page. Or just click on this link.
https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/department62.cfmEdited on Feb 19, 2009 09:59
I’ve been inspecting hardwood floors for many years and here in CR almost all hardwood is installed directly to the concrete slabs or floor joists.
There is no doubt that traditional hardwood strips or planks will absorb the moisture in the concrete slab and eventually expand and contract causing the floors to cup. Sanding and refinishing will not solve the problem, because as long as the hardwood is in direct contact with the concrete slab, the floors will continue to absorb moisture and cup.
If hardwood flooring is to be successfully installed on concrete, the moisture content of the concrete slab needs to 3% or lower and then follow these installation procedures.
• Apply a waterproof concrete sealer to the concrete slab.
• Place two layers of 15 lb felt paper, then 6 mil plastic vapor barrier on top of the sealer.
• Nail 5/8″ plywood into the concrete slab with 1-1/2″ concrete nails.
• Place another layer of 15 lb. felt paper on top of plywood underlayment.
• Install 1-1/2″ nails into the tongue of the (minimum ¾” thick) hardwood flooring strips or planks so it adheres tightly to the felt paper and plywood underlayment.An experienced builder will help you plan ahead to accommodate hardwood flooring as the thickness of the underlayment and moisture barriers need to be accounted for when installing the concrete slab or floor joists. If not, your hardwood floors will be approximately 1″ higher than adjacent floor coverings.
Likewise, with a second floor hardwood installation on joists, the hardwood will consistently expand and contract leaving obvious spaces between the planks that will permit dirt and noise to pass from one floor to the other. In homes where hardwood is to be installed on the second floor, it’s also advisable to follow the above installation procedures (minus the concrete sealer) over the floor joists.
You can review an inspection report of defective hardwood floors in a million dollar home in one of the most exclusive subdivisions in CR at,
http://groups.google.co.cr/group/housing–property-inspections/web/water-infiltration-inspection-report?hl=enBuilding Material Price Comparison at El Lagar in the central valley.
You can see that basic building material prices rose since 2007 and only slightly reduced in the last three months. The synthetic plastering materials have risen substantially in the last three months.Rebar August 2007 November 2008 February 2009
1/4″ lisa 6mts. C659=$1.27 C1185=$2.15 C918=$1.65
3/8 deformada 6mts. C1818=$3.51 C3024=$5.49 C2500=$4.49Block
40 x 20 x 12 C246=$.51 C454=$.82 C410=$.73
40 x 20 x 20 C466=$.90 C709=$1.28 C668=$1.20Cement
Cement 50kg saco C4165=$8.05 C5508=$10.00 C5509=$9.90ImperPlaster
Grueso C2434=$4.41 C3113=$5.59
Fino C2434=$4.41 C3243=$5.83Intaco Repamax
Grueso C2772=$5.03 C3245=$5.83
Fino C3134=$5.68 C3343=$6.01
