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bledito
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Posts: 420
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finally got all the info so my finance guy could wire I believe it is all correct now will wait to here from the mexican side when it arrives. So
starts the plans, figure it will take a month or so to get them all finalized and signed off on. trying for an October start if the builder is not
busy.
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bledito
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Posts: 420
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Hooray. First hurdle jumped. Our architech recieved the wire transfer. The builder sent us email today saying Angel will start our drawings as soon as
he finishes up some other work. still shooting for the October start. Still have to verify if Humberto will be able to start then. Awaiting the first
drafts for veiwing and revisions as we see how they look. Need to make sure all is right with outlets and switches in all the right places. Do any of
you do dual systems for electricity? I was thinking of having the outside lighting on solar with timers for night time use. was wondering how little I
could get away with as for as panels for this. figure the usage to be sundown to say midnight for the bulk of say 8 outdoor lights around the home.
then a few motion sensor lights for security at four points around the home. that would total 12 bulbs at 60 watts per bulb. 720 watt total output at
any given time. what would i need for a solar system for this set up.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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for outside ...no timer...just an outside switch and plug
i use good quality ($10usa) dusk to dawn screw-in sensors
with 10w yellow color (bugs) refrig lightbulbs
these are the only bulbs i've found that last with dusk to dawn sensors
very little load on any battery bank
no timer needed
garden solar lights ($7usa) work great for a great portion lighting the yard
buy extra rechargeable batteries...they don't last forever
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bledito
Hooray. First hurdle jumped. Our architech recieved the wire transfer. The builder sent us email today saying Angel will start our drawings as soon as
he finishes up some other work. still shooting for the October start. Still have to verify if Humberto will be able to start then. Awaiting the first
drafts for veiwing and revisions as we see how they look. Need to make sure all is right with outlets and switches in all the right places. Do any of
you do dual systems for electricity? I was thinking of having the outside lighting on solar with timers for night time use. was wondering how little I
could get away with as for as panels for this. figure the usage to be sundown to say midnight for the bulk of say 8 outdoor lights around the home.
then a few motion sensor lights for security at four points around the home. that would total 12 bulbs at 60 watts per bulb. 720 watt total output at
any given time. what would i need for a solar system for this set up. |
Congratulations!
A couple of suggestions from someone who has already been down this path and assuming you are building with block/masonry construction...
1. Floorplan/Layout - Take some time between when he gives you the plans and giving your final OK. Take LOTS of time looking at them, thinking about
your lifestyle and how this home will fit you, now and in 20 years. MUCH easier and cheaper to make changes before ground is broke.
2. Foundation - Whatever they specify for the size rebar in your footings, ask for 1 size bigger and foundation 6" deeper. Also another extremely
important step that you must be present to witness that it is done properly and they don't "cheap out" on the concrete/rebar. Cheap footings = house
with lots of cracks over time.
3. Wiring - Think of everything you might possibly want to install in the way of electrical, internet, satellite, surround sound, telephone, security,
etc, etc. Even if you leave the boxes with a flat cover for now, it will be MUCH easier than trying to install it later. You will probably have to be
onsite for most of these things that are not standard down here to get it done right.
4. Plumbing - Check on your appliances that you want to install for any size requirement in pipe - most instantaneous water heater require 3/4" CPVC
but down here they install only 1/2" standard. Also think ahead of time all the hose bibs you will want to have around the property, including for
your landscaping. Don't forget the gas outlets for your BBQ on the patio. If you are on a septic system you probably won't want a garbage disposal.
Some differ but my experience in years past is that it is a BAD IDEA.
5. Doors/windows - decide what type and quality you want before you sit down with the architect and specify BEFORE any plans are drawn.
6. Insulation - if you are on the SOC side in BCS I would strongly recommend you consider paying the extra $$$ up front to insulate. Some seem to
think you can only insulate a framed home but I have seen block/mason style construction where they insulate on the outside. It made a HUGE difference
in their energy bill and inside temperature in summer.
7. Saving Money - Express to your builder that quality of the build is important. I have seen a few homes down here where the homeowner gloated how
"cheap" a price they had managed to build their home, only to be be asking for help how they could "fix" all the cracks that were appearing around
their doors and windows, outlets that had permanent grounds, plumbing problems, etc. You pay now or later. Later is more expensive and extremely
frustrating.
8. Solar - solar works GREAT down here in Baja. We are currently off-grid and loving it! In spite of the fact that CFE has been out here a couple of
times lately telling us that electric service is coming, I know that we will continue to use our wind/solar generation to produce the bulk of our
energy needs. Electricity down here is not the same quality as found back home and is known to go out when you most need it. The more you can create
an independent/self sufficient lifestyle, the better IMHO.
Feel free to email me if you have more questions...
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Just a few more things to add to what Ron suggested:
1. Floorplan/Layout - Take your floorplans and some sidewalk chalk to a large parking lot and draw out the rooms. You may find that you want some
smaller and some larger.....and check the location of doors, windows and fireplace
2. Wiring - You may want to have someone double check all of the wiring to insure it is connected.......like TV cable and phone outlets. Also suggest
you place weatherproof outlets outside each exterior door (including garage)
3. Plumbing - Insist on service to the house being 1". Use 3/4" for interior supply runs and try and use continuous runs of PEX roll piping. A little
more expensive, but fewer joints (PEX comes in red and blue for hot/cold, easy to work with). Also put a hose bibb outside each door, including the
garage. Also stub in for solar hot water, easier to do it now.
4. Propane - use 3/4" yellow gas line (plastic???) continuous runs for interior propane lines.
Lights - On-grid or off-grid use LED's wherever possible. I have LED bulb PAR 38 90 watt equivalent floodlights in outdoor motion sensor housings, LED
yard/porch lights and have replaced all of my interior lights with 40, 60 and 100 watt LED bulbs from COSTCO, Home Depot and Lowe's (US)
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Just a few more things to add to what Ron suggested:
1. Floorplan/Layout - Take your floorplans and some sidewalk chalk to a large parking lot and draw out the rooms. You may find that you want some
smaller and some larger.....and check the location of doors, windows and fireplace
2. Wiring - You may want to have someone double check all of the wiring to insure it is connected.......like TV cable and phone outlets. Also suggest
you place weatherproof outlets outside each exterior door (including garage)
3. Plumbing - Insist on service to the house being 1". Use 3/4" for interior supply runs and try and use continuous runs of PEX roll piping. A little
more expensive, but fewer joints (PEX comes in red and blue for hot/cold, easy to work with). Also put a hose bibb outside each door, including the
garage. Also stub in for solar hot water, easier to do it now.
4. Propane - use 3/4" yellow gas line (plastic???) continuous runs for interior propane lines.
Lights - On-grid or off-grid use LED's wherever possible. I have LED bulb PAR 38 90 watt equivalent floodlights in outdoor motion sensor housings, LED
yard/porch lights and have replaced all of my interior lights with 40, 60 and 100 watt LED bulbs from COSTCO, Home Depot and Lowe's (US)
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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I would recommend using 3/8" rebar along with the regular wire mesh in your floors, it makes the floors way more resistant to cracking. +1 to using
pex, if your contractor doesn't know a plumber who installs it, do it yourself, it's super easy.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Whale-ista
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Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Great suggestions and recommendations. Thank you all for an educational topic. (I'm still deliberating what to do with a project in San Miguel, so
this is helpful.)
Question: Is insulation routinely placed inside cinder blocks, e.g., foam type material? I'm thinking of what we did with Our traditional tract house
in San Diego. We had foam injected 30 yrs after original construction- makes a huge difference. Likewise added insulation in ceiling/attic.
How much insulation is done in MX projects? Or do you need to plan on supervising/adding it to the plans?
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Whale-ista
Question: Is insulation routinely placed inside cinder blocks, e.g., foam type material? I'm thinking of what we did with Our traditional tract house
in San Diego. We had foam injected 30 yrs after original construction- makes a huge difference. Likewise added insulation in ceiling/attic.
How much insulation is done in MX projects? Or do you need to plan on supervising/adding it to the plans? |
Typically they don't add much insulation if any is my experience down here. We injected insulation inside of the cinder block and that has worked very
well here on the Pacific side of the NW end of the peninsula. The more south you go, especially if you are on the SOC side, probably a better idea to
add insulation outside of the walls in addition.
The more time you can invest onsite to personally supervise will pay enormous dividends...
YMMV
[Edited on 7-22-2014 by BajaGringo]
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monoloco
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Posts: 6667
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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There is a company down here that manufactures a block made from recycled foam and concrete that insulates very well. It's a good product and only
adds $3-5000 to the cost of an average home. If you use a/c in the summer, that's a pretty short payback.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Interesting concept. Do u have a Company name?
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
There is a company down here that manufactures a block made from recycled foam and concrete that insulates very well. It's a good product and only
adds $3-5000 to the cost of an average home. If you use a/c in the summer, that's a pretty short payback. |
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Whale-ista
Interesting concept. Do u have a Company name?
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
There is a company down here that manufactures a block made from recycled foam and concrete that insulates very well. It's a good product and only
adds $3-5000 to the cost of an average home. If you use a/c in the summer, that's a pretty short payback. |
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Here you go:efblockpacific@gmail.com
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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bledito
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Posts: 420
Registered: 7-6-2013
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Wonderful, Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming. For the solar water heating would the stubout for that be on the roof top or at ground level?
the pex hot cold pipe and fittings can they be bought at the home depot in san jose or cabo? what about yellow propane tubing and fittings are they
also a home depot item. what type of cistern pump whould anyone recommend? as for insulation would it be sufficient to insulate the rooftop and
southern facing walls ones that recieve direct sunlight with EF Block only.
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bkbend
Senior Nomad
Posts: 693
Registered: 11-27-2003
Location: central OR or central baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bledito
as for insulation would it be sufficient to insulate the rooftop and southern facing walls ones that recieve direct sunlight with EF Block only.
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At the end of the day my west wall radiates as much heat as the south wall (both uninsulated cinder block), so consider insulating that. Also make
sure your roof ends up with a bright white finish. Red tile may look nice but it will absorb heat.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
1. Floorplan/Layout - Take your floorplans and some sidewalk chalk to a large parking lot and draw out the rooms. You may find that you want some
smaller and some larger.....and check the location of doors, windows and fireplace
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Love this idea, but suggest you use calcium carbonate or white flour.
If your building lot is small include its dimensions, too, as well as outbuildings & parking spots.
Maybe even take a picture(s).
Bring a broom to sweep up after you've decided, written everything down and are satisfied.
Also, go around and take photos of various architectural elements you like. Keep 'em in an online photo file. Colors, too, in their own file.
Indulge in your Dreamtime-- it's important.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Genecag
Nomad
Posts: 118
Registered: 6-13-2011
Location: San Diego, TJ, La Paz
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I have found that US banks give very poor rates when converting to Pesos. Look at exchange firms like www.xe.com: they offer the best rates and will
receive your dollars and send in pesos. This can save you 2 to 4% which is a lot of money.
We built 2 homes in Mexico and made these mistakes which were annoying.
Review the layout of your rooms and make sure that the electrical outlets are where your appliances will be.
Check the AC drain tubes to see that they really drain. I would pour water down the tubes to verify.
Go with vinyl double windows for the heat and to keep the dust out. Also, no rust.
If you go with a double lot, get separate meters. They will save you lots of money.
Make it a Great Day!!
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