BajaNomad - La Casa construction allowed?

La Casa construction allowed?

yankeeirishman - 1-7-2005 at 01:25 PM

Is it true that we (American) cannot construct our own home, that we must hire out to the Bajaians? We are lessees on a lot in San Felipe south. Also?. where is the best place to buy construction material (I be going thru Mexicalli). Good to back on the board again! Thanks all.

bajalou - 1-7-2005 at 01:49 PM

Home depto - Mexicali is pretty good for const. mats. Better prices than here in San Felipe. In town here, there are different places for different materials ie; lumber, plumbing, cement, etc. Some Campo owners have restrictions on construction. As far as the law, I believe that I as the owner/leasee of property can work on it. But I must be here legaly - FMT, FM3 or FM2.

:biggrin:

Dave - 1-7-2005 at 02:18 PM

ONLY you or any of your immediate family can build your home. (No friends or relatives)

There is a catch:

Your plans must be approved and all building permits obtained.

You do realize that unless your landlord decides to renew, at the end of your lease he could own your home.

Maybe you should discuss your plans with him. That way he won't have to do a lot of remodeling. :biggrin:

MrBillM - 1-7-2005 at 05:40 PM

The bottom line is what your landlord says is allowed is the way it is.
My lease states specifically that all construction work must be approved by the owners and be done by persons they designate.

Dave - 1-7-2005 at 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
The bottom line is what your landlord says is allowed is the way it is.
My lease states specifically that all construction work must be approved by the owners and be done by persons they designate.

And you SIGNED that? :lol:

Leases are negotiable. If yours isn't...walk away.

Bruce R Leech - 1-7-2005 at 06:47 PM

Be careful with the advice you get sometimes people are so eager to help that they give you an answer even if they don't know.

you are not allowed to do any of the labor on your house with out permission written in to your FM3 or 2 booklet.

when ever you have a question about immigration Law, ask at the immigration office that is what they are there for. if you do this you will stay out of trouble.

Bruce R Leech - 1-7-2005 at 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
You as an owner can work on your own house construction and your family can help...but it is best to hire a contractor for the most part. Like I did.

tell her she has a Job here whem you are finished.

Dave - 1-7-2005 at 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
you are not allowed to do any of the labor on your house with out permission written in to your FM3 or 2 booklet.

Not so.

In Mexico your home is your castle and unless restricted by covenant or lease, you ,as the owner, can do whatever you damn well please. Fact is, the authorities, unless witnessing a crime or with legal writ, cannot even ENTER your property without your permission.

You're telling me that you can't repair a wall, replace your roof or paint your house without a work permit? No way, Bruce!

The Migra is scamming you.

[Edited on 1-8-2005 by Dave]

Nikon - 1-7-2005 at 07:20 PM

It doesn't get any better than this! An argument about something as oxymarooonic as "Mexican Law" :lol:

Dave - 1-7-2005 at 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nikon
something as oxymarooonic as "Mexican Law" :lol:

I must admit you have a point. Especially when applied to gringos. :biggrin:

Bruce R Leech - 1-7-2005 at 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
you are not allowed to do any of the labor on your house with out permission written in to your FM3 or 2 booklet.

check in your immigration law Book , its right there in black and white.

Dave - 1-7-2005 at 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
check in your immigration law Book , its right there in black and white.

OK, I call. Show me! post the law.

keep it coming in

yankeeirishman - 1-8-2005 at 08:37 AM

so far, so great. very useful info coming in. Pompano had the best reply....ah, sent her to me when she's done with you.

Bruce R Leech - 1-8-2005 at 08:39 AM

David the law states only that no foreigner shall do any work while in Mexico. this Leaves it open to a lot of interpretation. that is check in your immigration law Book , its right there in black and white. why I say you should git all questions an sered at you local immigration office. this way you will be working under there interpretation. thus staying out of trouble. don't take your advice from me or any other person other than your local immigration office. even this can and will change on a regular bases. as you know if you have lived in Mexico long.

I have learned over the years to not Blurt out advice quickly to a new person because you can do them grate harm if things have changed sense the last time you did something.

The best advice is to get your info from the local officials that you will be working with for years to come.

Anonymous - 1-8-2005 at 09:07 AM

I think the correct answer is somewhere in between Dave and Bruce's Posts. You can certainly act as general contracter using a Mexican foreman and Mexican Labor (with proper plans and permits of course). You can most likely get away with doing some of the labor, but be aware the first electrician or mason who goes to immigration and complains about the gringo doing the work that he could do while his wife and children are hungry can cause you problems..and it will depend on the local immigration office on how it is handled.

A lot depends on how busy the local laborers are, your relationship with them and the rest of the community and local immigration attitudes..which can change with the wind

Dave - 1-8-2005 at 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
David the law states only that no foreigner shall do any work while in Mexico.

Bruce, I know....and Migra knows the definition of work. If you think it means what I think you think it means then I hope you never break down 100 miles from nowhere. You could die waiting for a national to come and "work" on your car. :biggrin:

bajalou - 1-8-2005 at 01:01 PM

I have a FM2 - it "con prohibicion para dedicarse a algua otra actividad de lucro o remunerada diferente a la senalada" The local migra told me that means I can't work for pay without a work permit. If you can find someone to pay me to work on my house etc, let me know, I'll get a work permit.

:biggrin:

Dave - 1-8-2005 at 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
The local migra told me that means I can't work for pay without a work permit.

Exactly

I would go one step further. Without pay, you can ONLY work for yourself.

For instance, you couldn't plumb your neighbor's house....even for free.

[Edited on 1-8-2005 by Dave]

bajalou - 1-8-2005 at 01:12 PM

I believe you're correct in that also Dave - so don't ask.

:biggrin:

Dave - 1-8-2005 at 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
I believe you're correct in that also Dave - so don't ask.

:biggrin:

I have a work permit and for you, the price is right. FREE! My only requirement is that my helper, (pictured above) joins me.

I estimate 1-2 years job completion.

? And I signed THAT ?

MrBillM - 1-8-2005 at 03:14 PM

The reason I have never been concerned with that clause in my lease is that I know and respect my Patron well and consider him my friend. In 23 years I have never had a disagreement with him.
As far as the actual interpretation on the workers clause, it's one of those things that is there to use if abuse is noted. I have built all sorts of things, including storage units, enclosed patios and carports and have always gone to him for the heavy construction work and concrete jobs. Whenever I've done a job, it has always been me and family members or close friends. No problem, but if I were EVER to go out and hire help on my own, I would be made aware immediately that it was not acceptable. I've known (2) and there are probably more persons over the years that were thrown out of camp for insisting on ignoring that requirement.

Anonymous - 1-8-2005 at 11:14 PM

Hey Boys & Girls - what country do we reside in? Leave your Norte Americano ways back in the states! Your Patron of your ejido makes the rules. Remember that and develope a good relationship with him. For those who just can't abide by that or enjoy bucking the system, why are you even down here?

viabaja - 1-8-2005 at 11:17 PM

Sorry, I forgot to log in!!

Again-

Hey Boys & Girls - what country do we reside in? Leave your Norte Americano ways back in the states! Your Patron of your ejido makes the rules. Remember that and develope a good relationship with him. For those who just can't abide by that or enjoy bucking the system, why are you even down here?