Building in Costa Rica doesn’t have to be a crazy thought…it can be your reality and it’s not as hard as you think!

I broke ground on my home back in August and it should be done by  first week of April. If you are doing math, that is about 8 months of construction build time. I am building in a 750-acre development called Mar Vista near Playa Flamingo in northwest Guanacaste.

Since this is the 2nd home that I’ve built in the country, I already knew what I wanted and what I didn’t. For me, it wasn’t about having the biggest house out there (just more to clean!)

It was about having a great layout, use of space and having an amazing outdoor area and pool. Most of us in Costa Rica spend most of our time outside, so I never understood why sometimes that area is the most ignored.

Other important factors included making the home energy efficient and taking advantage of the elevation and ocean breezes. Of course, the views are beautiful, and the positioning of the home on the lot is also of high importance to get the maximum views. 

The lot was already cut out and rather easy to build on. No retention walls were needed, which saves a lot of money, especially when you are on a budget.

I would say that the architectural plans took about two months in total. The permits took about another month to get. It’s really the plans that in my opinion that take the longest, because we are prone to make changes…. Even I was making them or my builder suggested small changes for cross ventilation, for example. 

The most difficult thing was choosing a builder. I have used two different builders in Costa Rica. I loved them both. I must say that if you have a great builder, building in Costa Rica might be the easiest thing you’ve done. However, if you choose the wrong one, things can look very different. 

Make sure you ask lots of questions, ask for referrals of happy clients, ask to see other homes that the builder has built. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

For this home I chose a local builder who has built many area homes within the project and has a good reputation for getting the job done right and on time.

I opted for steel frame construction method as opposed to the typical concrete block you see in most of Costa Rican homes. Steel frame is a newer concept for residential homes in Costa Rica. 

Advantages including quicker build time, lighter construction weight (less slab work), and energy efficiency (doesn’t radiate heat like concrete block), were taken into consideration. All my interior and exterior walls are insulated, as well as the roof. 

The steel structure is a quality building material that resists corrosion (coated in pure zinc).

Other energy saving and/or eco-friendly features of the home: Self-contained waste water treatment system that will also provide irrigation using grey water, solar technology for the pool pump, energy efficient windows, salt water pool and volume ceilings.

I hope to be moved in next month to my new home and look forward to enjoying the ocean and mountain views in sunny Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica. 

[custom_script adID=186]

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.