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I was there for a 6.4 a few years ago, we were up near Poas. I believe it was centered near Parrita. I was surprised there was very little damage, even at our beach house in Playa Hermosa/Jaco.
Just trying to point out that prefabricated construction is a viable option. No hidden agenda and certainly no need to convince myself of anything, that’s silly.
My point from jump street was its simply an option. Some of you seem to firmly believe it is just crap. I wonder how much investigation you have actually done into this type of construction before you made your decision? One experience with your neighbor is hardly compelling evidence.
Look at the buildings on the website I posted, read through the technical and seismic data. Compare it to other prefabricated buildings, go on site and have a look. Otherwise your opinion is just founded on, well not much at all.
I still am interested in hearing from people that have actually purchased a prefabricated home and can post a link to the company that built it for them.
I guess I am just a little more in tune with alternative housing. I have lived in and built a yurt as well as built my own cabin in the Northern Catskills.
Most conventional building can be quite wasteful and inefficient. Building a home from rebar and concrete may provide shelter, but it is hardly forward thinking.
For instance check this out:http://www.garbagewarrior.com/
Also regarding wind blowing through the house. I can assure you if the seams are joined and filled properly this wont happen any more than wind blowing through a properly chinked log cabin.
There are lots of interesting ways to build efficient cost effective homes in twenty ten. Not looking to argue for arguments sake or out of stubbornness. I am looking for empirical, data driven ideas to help me formulate the best possible plan. Me likes options.:D
I was referring to this quote regarding government built, it was meant to be a bit cheeky:wink:
“I am under the impression that the Tico-Type Prefab was ment to be used on those “Bono-Houses” that the government donates to poor people.”
I agree that all gated communities are not the same. Ours literally just has a gated entry. The rest is paver roads, lighted streets and 1+acre lots with wonderful views. There is also just one way in and out, not the easiest place to rob.
Not all prefabricated homes will blow over in a wind storm. Um this was not meant to be taken literally.:(
Great options for someone looking for a cost effective second home. I have seen the home on here in Punta Leona. I don’t think Casa Presidente is building most of these homes for the poor.:wink:http://www.moduloscr.com/proyectos/proyecto1.html
Just do your research and understand your needs.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]When we spoke with builder than have used this system, the comments were always the same, that if you are in a windy area, problems will arise.
And most [i]’qualified builders'[/i] are not in favor of these buildings.[/quote]I agree. If you can afford to build from the ground up it’s best. But of course most builders are not in favor of prefabricated homes…:wink:
Some of the systems are certainly better than others, do your research, make sure the crew assembling it knows what they are doing. A friends brother in Hermosa/Jaco built one for his family. I have not been inside, but did drive by. Looks good and I am told he is happy with the results. He actually put it together with his own crew. He is a Tico and a carpenter in the area, his brother is in RE Development and a good friend/surf buddy of mine.
I also took a look at one built in Punta Leona, again looked solid and nice from the outside. I cant remember the builder, but it was listed on their website, so I drove over and had a look.
I don’t know if I would build a large house this way, but for my 800F2 starter I’m comfortable with the system. I will be there during construction. One thing I found while there in December, lots of “qualified” builders looking for work…pretty quiet on the construction front.
[quote=”jdocop”]We have some friends nearby who wanted a pre-fab, and they could not be sorrier for having gone that route. I know that they paid way more than we did, and have way less. Plus, they have serious problems – their walls are not straight, the walls leak, and since the winds hit very hard where their home is located, the rains that come with those winds go right through the walls. They ran out of money (mostly because the contractor really didn’t know what he was doing) with an unfinished house, and are having to do what they can, when they can, to complete it. They have been in the house since late 2008, and have no idea when it will be complete. Our home, of cement block, went up in 10 weeks, and we have now been in it for nearly five months, with only minor adjustments to make. I’d say forget pre-fab, especially if you’re thinking of building at a distance from major population centers, since one of the biggest costs will be the transport and operation of a large crane, which doesn’t come cheap![/quote]
I think like anything else in CR you have to make sure you are using qualified people who have an understanding of what they are doing. I could also site many examples of those that went the “conventional” building route and it ended in a disaster! Many examples exist on this site. You must research the builder and make sure you have an experienced team to construct it. Prefab can be a cost effective way to build your house, but educate yourself first to avoid problems later.
Thanks Tom! I know you’re not a big fan, but it seems like a cost effective solution for our initial “guest” house.
In seven years Dollar has always been great, never an over charge after the fact. Unless you are going off the beaten path a small car will do just fine. For instance on our last trip we drove from San Jose to Playa Hermosa/Jaco and from PH to Dominical with little side trips, no problemo. Certainly a 4×4 can come in handy if you are in remote areas. We use our CC card to cover our “collision” insurance. In December we paid a total of $400 dollars for 13 days.
Here are a few, you can use Google to translate the page for you.
http://www.infocr.com/index.php?cat=1516Relative to the price of prefabs or even building a home from the ground up, I found the container homes not such a deal. I did look into them and have spoken with one guy down there that has been building them.
I think most hardcore vegetarians/vegans would agree that any form of animal killing is inhumane. So no point arguing, been there done that. (I am a vegetarian) who does not think it is morally wrong to eat animals.
But after having visited various pig farms, dairy farms, chicken farms and slaughter houses, I have found significant differences in the quality of “life”, (meaning while the animals are alive) in what some would call sustainable farm operations v. factory farms.If you have no regard for the quality of living conditions for the animals we eat, then there is no point going on.
But if you do, then an examination into conditions at these various factory farms may interest you. Not only do the horrific conditions affect the animals, they also affect the environment and our health. Just a little bit of research via google will be quite eye opening.
Turns out “The Jungle” is alive and well today.
“according to one of our Forum members, “brutality and home invasion are the norm”.
LOL@DavidWe just returned, we should have stopped by (David and Marcia) to say hello. Unfortunately I almost broke my back surfing in Hermosa/Jaco and barely made it home! Its getting harder and harder to leave, hope to have our little casa built in a year or two!! Had a great time though and paid our property taxes myself this time. What a breeze, took five minutes at the municipality in Jaco.
In Arenal we stayed at the Lost Iguana. Beautiful grounds good restaurant nice but simple rooms with direct views of Arenal. http://www.lostiguanaresort.com/navegadores/eng/home.php
Nosara is beautiful, though we rented a house a short walk to Playa Guiones. We stayed in Ocotal at this place, views were great and if just one of you wanted to dive it’s nearby. My wife went on a dive and was disappointed,very limited visibility..
http://www.ocotalresort.com/
