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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Don't pay them all the money in advance
So often that message is heard, and so often it is true. Only pay a deposit up front, and never the final payment until the work is done and passes
inspection! No doubt about it, that is the way to do business---well, maybe not always. That a firm handshake can still cement a contract brightens
the spirit.
The price was determined; we paid a deposit, shook hands, returned to the states, and immediately wired all of the money for our bodega and
guesthouse. The work began and has not stopped. Armando is a man of his word. We just felt that to be true the day we met him and negotiated to buy
the unfinished home he had built for another who no longer had the money, and no longer wanted the home.
Now there was more to be built on a handshake. Before our money rode the sky wires to his bank account, Armando stopped work on the other homes above
us and focused on our dream project. We returned to Bahia Asuncion to find much work accomplished, and to find a friend. An honorable businessman
describes Armando, but only in part.
On our last trip here Armando brought his brother to us who shared his pulpo fishing with us. This trip, Armando shared his home, and introduced us
to his wife and daughter. Our business handshake was the beginning of more than a building contract.
Armando also owns the small hotel in town that includes the small restaurant where a couple of his sisters cook delicious meals. If the door is open,
the restaurant is open. There are only a few tables, no menus, but a very friendly attitude, and good food.
We are glad to know and work with Armando
John and Diane
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
Member Is Offline
Mood: wait and see
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"Musico pagado toca mal son."
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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He is a man of Honor, An Honorable Man.
Iflyfish
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BirdDog
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 3-9-2007
Location: Iowa
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Mood: Desperate to move to Baja
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Glad to hear your experience has been so positive. Hope that all keeps going well. Just goes to show that their are still honorable people in the
world. Keep the great pictures and posts coming. Can't wait to be down there with you guys enjoying the good life.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
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Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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I contracted more than 70 major custom home projects in the East Cape over a 15 year period, it was a very enlighting experinse that I would not have
traded for anything, (even though I will never do it again, I am done!). And I promise that I mean what I am about to say in the most positive sense.
Here being some of my favorite reminders for clients, masons and myself as we worked along on a project:
The shell taking one thru roof, plastering and slabs being the bulk 70% to 80% of the work taking about 4 to 6 months on a major home project, the
finishes 20% to 30% of the total volume, another 6 to 8 months.
Those last little s representing maybe 2% to 5% of total project would be at least 2 months of the 6 months on finishes I named above.
Paul Simon's "Closer to your destintation, the more you keep slip sliding away" was always my favorite finishing theme song.
Always included in my contract that You will have additional work orders. Like no one is going to have yet another great idea over the next year? I
don't think so. Although, I always found that the client who saved the most money and was just as happy when it was all done was the one who stayed
away, and just let us basically work on the plans as originally drawn up.
If Vos Otros, (that being client, masons and contractor), expected it to go this way, no one felt hassled and all were happy, and we got it done
within the contract time, Additional work orders not taken into consideration. We always asked 50% up front to break ground and obtain bulk of
material, than we didn't have to worry about the price of materials going up on us during the project. The rest was worked on on a per completion
schedule in relation to value of the work as named in bid, holding off on last 10% until completly done and gone. That way we always had something to
look forward to at the end of the project. It wouldn't be any fun for me the contractor if I was just working off what I had already been paid.
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Diane, from the great spirit you show in your posts, your KARMA MOJO is working big time for you. Congrats and thanks for your leadership.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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I think that the proper term in Mexico is Gentleman. That term carries great gravitas. I first ran into the term many years ago in Melaque, on the
coast of mainland Mexico, the coastal playground of Guadalajara. They had just put the paved road in and we were very excited to take one of the
Primera Classe busses with reclining seats and Coca Cola handed out by sweet young hostesses. That was really living!
We were staying at what was at the time new and now pancake grand Melaque Hotel. The Earthquake dropped it to its knees and it remains to this day, a
tumbled pyramid of its day. It was the going place at the time with two or three swimming pools and the first white bread toast that we had run across
in Mexico. That change happened the second year we stayed there and we lamented and mourned the ubiquitous sound of clapping hands, the incessant
working of the maize and the frying of fresh corn tortillas. This was a classy joint and they were nothing if not trendy. “Toast, jam and Café on the
veranda senor?” The wealthy Mexicans who stayed there no doubt appreciated this amenity and entree into the “good life”.
The owner of the place was a sixty something, well dressed man of impeccable taste. He took great pains to see that his “gringo” guests were provided
with the best that his establishment and tow had to offer.
I don’t know if you have ever had the experience of flying in and out of a small airport in Mexico. At that time it could be a human lottery. Over
booked flights, long lines in non air conditioned marble echo chambers. One found long lines of sweaty, angry, hostile tourists clutching their
luggage in serpentine lines around the merciless heat of the tropical sun. The occasional Mexican traveler, with the twine tied cardboard box,
brimming to the seams with local treasures found their occasional homes beside the polished Spanish leather bags of white clothed, sun burned, elegant
European and American travelers.
I digress. It is my want in situations like this to call ahead or preferably visit the airport to insure our passage and place on a plane. It was a
Thursday and we were to fly out of Manzanillo Airport the next morning. We were torn as an opportunity to fish for marlin presented itself. We went to
the front desk of the hotel and inquired if someone could por favor call us a cab so we could go to the airport and secure our places. The don of the
hotel heard our discussion, interrupted us and ask if we would be so kind as to “give me your tickets so I can handle this for you”. “You are here to
go fishing, not to spend your time in the airport”. Our jaws dropped and after a brief deliberation and mucho muchas gracias later we accepted his
kind offer and had a wonderful day of fishing.
The next morning as we checked out he was there with abrazos around and he handed me his card.
“Mi casa es Tu Casa” etc. and off we went to the airport.
The airport was a zoological garden of human delights, something out of Hieronymus Bosch. Screaming kids, yelling gringos, outraged and depressed
people way down Conrad’s river, a descent into hell. We waited patiently in line, handed the tickets to my brother who has the best noble bearing of
the crew. He finally gets to the front of the line and is informed that no, we are not booked on this flight and that we should look around us at all
of the other people who are patiently awaiting their places on the over booked plane. It was one of those typical “act of gods”, “ne modo” situations
that one runs into from time to time in commercial transactions in Mexico. Well, my brother, not to be undone, and in his most unflappable fashion
asked to talk with the supervisor. The guy he was talking with threw down the clip board with the list of passengers supposedly ahead of us in line
and marched off, shoulders hunched to get his boss. My brother reached into his pocket and showed the manager the card proffered from the man at the
hotel, the one who asked if he could handle this for us. The manager parleyed with his staff, called them all over, showed them the card and said “es
un Gentleman” and after profuse apologies we were put at the top of the list and escorted to the waiting plane. My Spanish is terrible, but the
meaning was clear. A Gentleman had given his word and his word was law.
The card has long ago disappeared in the detritus of my many moves, but the look of the people who held that precious card will never leave my memory.
“This man is a Gentleman” and that was enough!
Iflyfish
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Eli
We always asked 50% up front to break ground and obtain bulk of material, than we didn't have to worry about the price of materials going up on us
during the project. The rest was worked on on a per completion schedule in relation to value of the work as named in bid, holding off on last 10%
until completly done and gone. That way we always had something to look forward to at the end of the project. It wouldn't be any fun for me the
contractor if I was just working off what I had already been paid. |
I concur. That is exactly how our lastest arrangement went with our contractor. A win-win for all.
Did someone say "Mojo"?? Yea Baaaaby!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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hey Eli!! good to see you here. what's your schedule to be back in Los Barilles?
i sure wish you still built - did the biz go to your hijos? still in biz?
Diane - can you tell me more about Armondo's motel? rates, proximity to the beach and centro zona for bars/rest.?
amenities - in the rooms etc.
i'd like to meet him soon.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Capt. Mike, I have written enough contracts for one life time, I am sooooooooooo Done. One reason being is VOS has passed on to more capable hands
than my own, My daughter is now the designer architect and her husband is the Engineer responsible for project. I thought I did a great job, but they
have evolved the company to yet another level, awesome, you never seen nothin like what they are putting togeather.
Well, worth seeing what they have built over the last couple of years in order to get an idea of what the Best Builders in the East Cape are doing,
no one even comes close to them on excellence in originality in desigin and entegrity, VOS contiunes to set the mark to achieve too in our our area.
VOS is busy, plenty of work and the complany is staying small, so anyone wanting to build with the kids had best contact them the sooner the better
for future projects.
If You ever have a chance, come by La Casa de VOS in Los Barriles and take a gander at the art of this structure and you will understand fully what
I am talking about.
Espero to return to Los Barriles some time after Dia de Muerto, Nov. 4th, or so. Oaxaca is still the greatest place I can imagine for celebrating that
holiday, and with any lucky my daughter will join me for a week and we will fly home togeather.
[Edited on 7-20-2007 by Eli]
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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IFLYFISH,
We arrived in Malaque by bus several months after that earthquake. That hotel was spooky, and the town was still practically empty. What was really
strange, however, was arriving at the bus station in Manzanillo. As the bus pulled in the stall, all that was left of bus station was a floor, and
some vender stands.
Our guest house, bodega and wall in back are going up at remarkable speed. A few weeks ago it was just an old foundation and today the roof is on.
Eli,
Oaxaca is also the best place for Christmas, IMHO. It is one of my favorite memories staying at the Hotel Senorial downtown---the breaking of pottery
and all, just a great place to be.
Diane
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Diane, I agree, Oaxaca is very special at Christmas. I have seen some lovely nativity scenes and proccesions at that time of year. I hope someday your
life will permit you to return to that special magic the you can only find in Oaxaca.
One of my favorite picture taking days there is Dec. 11th, I have a great series of children all in costume lined up to be blessed with the Virgin
Lupe.
Ah but, I have promised my daughter that if she will come play with me for a week, I will come home to Baja after Day of the Dead. And, in the end my
favorite holiday anywhere in Mexico is Dia de Muerto.
Oh yeah, for sure, I agree, the quickness with which the mass of work completed in the shell is amazing to watch. Seeing the picture of your stove
Alter on another thread, I assume your principal home is completed and you are prepared for the slow down that occurs during detail work.
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Encantada
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Eli
If You ever have a chance, come by La Casa de VOS in Los Barriles and take a gander at the art of this structure and you will understand fully what
I am talking about.
[Edited on 7-20-2007 by Eli] |
Hi Eli!!!
I love the colors! The brickwork & painted concrete
I just edited this post to get a bigger picture
[Edited on 7-21-2007 by jeans]
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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Another kitchen shot. All the counters and shelves are concrete...You could probably hose the place out! I have a pic of the domed, brick ceiling
somewhere....
[Edited on 7-21-2007 by jeans]
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: Worried...
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John and Diane
So great to hear of a positive building experience...we hear of so many neg. ones!
We were also blessed by using a local family business in TS(The Ochoa's) and have been thrilled by their continued attention. The last 10% was
requested when there still were a few "details" left to do. With much hesitation, we paid the amount as they had been so honest and attentive... we
decided to trust them to finnish the job. They have gone
over and beyond their comitment to us and and even before we left in May, they were re-sealing polido, and wood, that had been completed the year
before. Repairing cracks and re-painting!!!! They made wooden hurricane shutters for us and before we left sent 2 of their workers to put them up and
told us just to give us a call and they would send somoene to take them down when we return!!!! We feel like we have a more than a business
relationship...they are friends!
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Yep Jeans, it has been a few years, but I remember well when you visited my daughters kitchen. There have been many more changes around the homestead
since you were last there, hopefully someday, I can again share time and space with you in Los Barriles.
La Casa de Vos, where the family business is still located went thru a major remodle last year. Besides my Art Gallery there is now a restarant in the
front of the building with seating in the upstairs terrace. Someday Jeans, you and I will share a meal there, and catch up, too much time has passed,
ya know.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Eli et al,
Do you think that Oaxaca is a safe place for gringo tourists at this time?
Oaxaca is indeed the "Flower of Mexico", I love that city and it's wonderful people. I too cannot imagine a better place to celebrate Christmas,
pagents, naciemento's, parties, fiestas, all in a beautiful historic Colonial City. No wonder Cortez chose it to build his palace after he left Mexico
City in ruins.
I have followed the Teachers strike and know that it is not to this day resolved. I travel by motor home and would be interested in your take on
safety.
I know this is a bit off topic, but from Nomad to Nomad, what is your and others take? I will post as a seperate topic if there is much interest, I
don't want to hijack this wonderful post and hope jd doesn't mind the question.
Iflyfish
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Iflyfish. I know what you mean about hijacking threads, boy, can I stray. I expect it is like all good conversation, one subject trails to another,
than another, and one has to go back to the head of the thread to figure out what it was all about anyway.
So, I will try to keep it short, my answer as to is Oaxca safe, well, I a not presently there, BUT, I am in contact with people there, and yes they
feel safe. For sure, I would not heistate to go, and plan to do just that no later than end of Aug.
When I was there last year, living downtown, my neigbors were APPO 2 blocks one direction and the federal police 4 blocks the other way, they were
always ALL most kind to me. It was soooooo easy to avoid confrontaion the few days that it occured, Police- Strikers on the same block, ya just exit
left.
I think the most dangerous thing in Oaxaca or any Colonial City, is those dang uneven sidewalks and with so much to look up at. If I could just get
thru one trip to Oaxaca without tripping and landing flat on my face. O.k, now we have reallllllllllly strayed. Hasta, Sara
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Eli
I think the most dangerous thing in Oaxaca or any Colonial City, is those dang uneven sidewalks and with so much to look up at. If I could just get
thru one trip to Oaxaca without tripping and landing flat on my face. O.k, now we have reallllllllllly strayed. Hasta, Sara |
Not to mention the open manholes, the missing drain grates, etc. It is difficult in all of the colonial cities to walk---too much to enjoy, and too
many walking hazards. Glad to see I am not the only one who trips-----but those cities are soooooooooo beautiful. We have lots of favorites.
Diane
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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Yes, Eli...it's been way too long. As for walking hazzards in Mexico..that's a whole 'nother thread!
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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