BajaNomad

Cost of cinder block

drzura - 12-20-2010 at 12:50 PM

Hello all. I was wondering if anyone in the Santa Rosalia area could give me a good ballpark figure how much cinder block costs (the size of the cinder block at Home Depot: 16" x 7.625" x7.625"). I am trying to price out building a casita that is about 950 square feet, made up of about 1128 cinder blocks. I have a friend that builds houses up in Alaska, so he would be able to give me a hand building the structure. I would need to hire a local conctractor to pour the concrete. Thanks....

mulegemichael - 12-20-2010 at 01:06 PM

i think we paid about 7 pesos a block last month here in mulege

drzura - 12-20-2010 at 01:19 PM

Thanks for the info Mike. How do they install the roof's on cinder block homes? We would be able to have wooden trusses built down there or do they use some other technique?

Santiago - 12-20-2010 at 01:56 PM

One thing to be aware of - all blocks are not equal. I think Shari (via Juan) has info on this.
BTW - I'm clueless on how to tell the difference.

Hook - 12-20-2010 at 02:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
One thing to be aware of - all blocks are not equal. I think Shari (via Juan) has info on this.
BTW - I'm clueless on how to tell the difference.


Absolutely right. Pick them up. They vary tremendously in weight. Check multiple sources if you can. Some are only intended for building things like small pump houses, outdoor kitchens, etc. and not for large buildings.

Blocks

tehag - 12-20-2010 at 03:13 PM

9 pesos per block at Nomar in Loreto, with La Paz sand. Local arroyo sand is too full of silt and beach sand is full of salt. In blocks the quality of the sand is critical.

dtbushpilot - 12-20-2010 at 04:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
One thing to be aware of - all blocks are not equal. I think Shari (via Juan) has info on this.
BTW - I'm clueless on how to tell the difference.


One thing I was told is to hold one out shoulder high and drop it. If it breaks look for a different source. Not very scientific I know but better than nothing.

longlegsinlapaz - 12-20-2010 at 05:09 PM

DT, that's my block test too!! :tumble: But I don't think I even hold it shoulder high, but a minimum of 4' off the ground! If it disintegrates when dropped on sand :no:....don't buy it, or send it back!!

If a lot of corners are broken off when you go to the supplier to buy it....or when it's delivered....if loading & unloading disintegrates it, then you don't wanna be using it to build your casa! :no:

Edit....Last block I bought in La Paz was 3 years ago & $7.5 peso each

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by longlegsinlapaz]

oladulce - 12-20-2010 at 07:20 PM

In May we paid 13.8 pesos per 8" block- 9 for each block (made in Constitucion) and 4.8 pesos a piece for delivery. 20 miles of washboard dirt road and 100 miles from town- delivery makes everything cost more here.

Out of 3000 block we only lost 5 to damage during transit and unloading so the must be pretty good quality without even subjecting them to the "drop test".

At the end of a very slow drive down the dirt road the flatbed semi gets to back up our driveway.

comitan - 12-20-2010 at 07:22 PM

If your building a building with doors and windows, There would be a header of concrete over them, you also have a foundation, then you have a cadena at the roof line, you also have columns. So if you can picture this the blocks are only filling a hole, they should never be used structurally therefor the strength of the blocks is not as important as most people believe. They can be used structurally if you fill with concrete and rebar.

longlegsinlapaz - 12-20-2010 at 09:38 PM

I've personally never seen anyone here fill block with cement for casa walls....only for a swimming pool. I understand your theory of foundation, columns, cadenas & headers framing the block, but there's a lot of stuff that gets hung on walls outside of those areas. I certainly wouldn't want to test that theory by having the weight of kitchen cabinets being mounted on poorly made block....especially when loaded with heavy dishes, possibly canned goods, etc. Mini-split air conditioners, heavy wall decorations, curtain rods, interior & exterior lamps/light fixtures, etc....if there is no solid base, how could you even trust taquetas (wall anchors)? IMO, it'd be like driving a nail into sand & expecting that nail to hold wall-mounted things in place.

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:19 PM

I'll send you some photos from Loreto area 4 years ago with our building project. Thought about it for some time as my neighbors built quickly. I going to tell you something about mason block / mason walls.... They hold heat, like a heat sink 24 hours a day in the summer. They do not cool down when the sun goes down.. If this is a living area or worst case a bedroom you might want to re-think it and do the new "age" method. I did. steel trust verticle and roof trusses. 4'x4' fire proof, tile style red composite roof panels. Do the concrete slab with verticle columes re-bar/ concrete corners and door/window holes. Wire supported styrofoam 4x8 panels w/stucco / concrete scratch coat in fills..

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:25 PM

photos

5-6 years ago.. building roof

DSCF0328 (350x263) (330x248).jpg - 45kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:29 PM

walls.. Oh chit. Thats why we use fire proof materials... the roof

martysfire (2) (330x248).jpg - 41kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:35 PM

the walls

lasttrip2008 007 (330x248).jpg - 27kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:38 PM

I have some photos on my work computer that shows the walls early in the build. I send some tomorrow newer shots

lasttrip2008 021 (330x248).jpg - 33kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:41 PM

open all the way around top inside view...

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by msawin]

baja oct 2010 047 (155x116).jpg - 19kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:52 PM

an other shot

DSCF0649 (155x116).jpg - 15kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:55 PM

more ?

lasttrip2008 029 (155x116).jpg - 14kB

msawin - 12-20-2010 at 10:57 PM

or less? no more trailer..

DSCF0329 (155x116).jpg - 18kB

durrelllrobert - 12-21-2010 at 11:11 AM

Let's see - @ 8 pesos per 16x8x8 block stacked 8 foot high = 96 pesos ( or about $8) every 16 " + mortar, rebar, cement and a bunch of labor Vs about $5 for a metal stud every 16" and very little labor. Me, I'll go for the steel studs @ 16 " centers every time and they dont warp, twist, spit, get eaten by termites or burn. Same goes for metal roof trusses; you can go a much longer span for alot less $ than wood. also, metal studs are light enough to haul in your truck and won't break on bumpy roads.

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by durrelllrobert]

drzura - 12-21-2010 at 02:02 PM

"Let's see - @ 8 pesos per 16x8x8 block stacked 8 foot high = 96 pesos ( or about $8) every 16 " + mortar, rebar, cement and a bunch of labor Vs about $5 for a metal stud every 16" and very little labor. Me, I'll go for the steel studs @ 16 " centers every time and they dont warp, twist, spit, get eaten by termites or burn. Same goes for metal roof trusses; you can go a much longer span for alot less $ than wood. also, metal studs are light enough to haul in your truck and won't break on bumpy roads"


So how would the construction go... with a metal stud every 16", is concrete block still used for the wall or styrofoam with chicken wire and concrete?

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by drzura]

DENNIS - 12-21-2010 at 02:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by drzura
So how would the construction go... with a metal stud every 16", is concrete block still used for the wall or styrofoam with chicken wire and concrete?



No. Wood or metal frame...same thing.

drzura - 12-21-2010 at 02:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by drzura
So how would the construction go... with a metal stud every 16", is concrete block still used for the wall or styrofoam with chicken wire and concrete?



No. Wood or metal frame...same thing.


I understand the frame would be metal or wood, but the actual wall would be made from the new styrofoam reinforced with chicken wire then covered with shot crete? About how much would it cost to construct a 900 square foot home in your estimation? I have a friend that would be able to help me with the actual construction.

DENNIS - 12-21-2010 at 02:32 PM

I think you're mixing different construction procedures. Here's some steel work:

http://tinyurl.com/2fcccnr

longlegsinlapaz - 12-21-2010 at 03:37 PM

drzura, to see progress pics from the ground up using conventional block construction techniques, to go:

http://www.talkbaja.com/showthread.php?&t=82

To see progress pics from the ground up using interlocking foam block construction techniques, to go:

http://www.talkbaja.com/showthread.php?&t=447

I don't recall anyone having documented their construction using the metal stud and/or wire-wrapped foam panel method, but I'm sure there are product manufacturers websites showing the process.

I think it'd be in your best interest to research materials best suited for weather conditions for the area you're going to build. Also check cost & availability of various materials in that particular area.

Order of availability, or ease in getting materials in Santa Rosalia will most likely be:

(1) Cement blocks
(2) Foam blocks or foam panels
(3) Steel stud framing

If it's not available locally, you're going to be paying appreciably more for your materials due to shipping/delivery costs.

There are pros & cons for each of the different materials. You need to do some research on the structural integrity of the various materials, insulation factors can have a huge impact on your ongoing cooling & heating costs, local workers will not be familiar with foam or steel stud construction techniques. Materials will not be readily or rapidly available if you under-order materials or accessory supplies, which can cause work stoppages until you can get more materials delivered.

Unless your friend is building with comparable materials & techniques in Alaska, all the wood construction experience in the world won't make him qualified to built using other materials & techniques. Not to mention that the climate is a tad bit hotter here than the temperatures he & you are likely used to working in. More remote areas don't use (or have!) shotcrete equipment for applying the finish plaster, it's applied manually here.

Look at the progress pics in each of the above URL's to get an idea of techniques used with these two materials & do major research based on location, your expectations, your budget, as well as you & your friends experience or skill levels before you decide on what materials to use & who will be doing the bulk of the work on your casa construction.

Gaucho - 12-21-2010 at 03:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by drzura
Hello all. I was wondering if anyone in the Santa Rosalia area could give me a good ballpark figure how much cinder block costs (the size of the cinder block at Home Depot: 16" x 7.625" x7.625"). I am trying to price out building a casita that is about 950 square feet, made up of about 1128 cinder blocks. I have a friend that builds houses up in Alaska, so he would be able to give me a hand building the structure. I would need to hire a local conctractor to pour the concrete. Thanks....


If you're interested in foam panels this is a good website to check out. The panels are made in Mexicali (no duty) and have distributers in BCS.


http://www.tridipanel.com.mx/contents/ingles/index.htm

BajaGringo - 12-21-2010 at 04:49 PM

We used the cinder blocks in construction and really like how it came out. All the walls were supported with rebar and filled. The porous cinder block sticks together much better than the standard cement blocks IMHO. Found that out after wanting to remove a row that was laid the day before. Not nearly as easy as prior jobs using cement blocks.

After the big Mexicali quake a few months back, all my neighbors with the standard cement blocks showed some cracks around the house. Not a single one in ours.

Of course a good maestro is the key ingredient...

durrelllrobert - 12-22-2010 at 10:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by drzura


So how would the construction go... with a metal stud every 16", is concrete block still used for the wall or styrofoam with chicken wire and concrete?

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by drzura]

dura rock (yellow board) comes in /2" x 4' x 8' sheets and is screwed directly to the metal studs then the joints are taped (like drywall), a thin coat of stucco like cement is applied and after that dries a very thincoat of colored stucco is applied.

ElCap - 1-30-2011 at 10:06 AM

Does anyone have any information on the Tridipanels that Gaucho mentions = anyone ever built with them in Baja? Costs vs. block method? Gracias.