byoungquist
Junior Nomad
Posts: 41
Registered: 2-4-2010
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
|
|
Building in Baja
I'm looking at building a simple cement block, cement floors w/ tile in kitchen and bath, 2000 sq. ft. house in Baja south of San Quintin. The first
quote to come in was at $400/sq. mtr., i.e., $40/sq. ft. Does this sound reasonable? Quote includes connection to water, elec., septic sys. etc.
Thanks,
Bob
San Diego
|
|
|
noproblemo2
Super Nomad
Posts: 1088
Registered: 4-14-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Bob, Check your U2U
|
|
|
Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty
|
|
$40 a sq/ ft/ is a very fair price if it does in fact include what you mentioned.
Get it it writing, don't pay in advance and try and be there when work is being done. Do your home work, stay on top of things and you just may get
what you pay for...operative word is "may"...good luck!!
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
|
|
|
oldjack
Nomad
Posts: 350
Registered: 1-26-2006
Location: Los Barriles
Member Is Offline
Mood: retired
|
|
the above says it seems fair... opinion?... not trying to start argument... but in Los Barriles the price would be substantially lower... I am sure
costs/expenses are more local than generic... multiple inquiries in YOUR area will tell you more than opinions from far flung baja experiences... our
local contractors are begging for business... hence the competitive pricing here... I am currently getting bids for a similar project and the pricing
is very different.... My biggest concern is getting ALL the specs and getting them in writing... and being legal.... the last project I started the
builder got the foundation/half the walls/water hook-up and then said he couldn't finish at the price he signed up for... call a lawyer was his
parting shot!!!! the details of the project are where you will find nasty surprises if you are not able to closely supervise.... be agreesive..!!!!!!
|
|
|
Trueheart
Nomad
Posts: 155
Registered: 1-31-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
byoungquist:
On the surface, $40 per square foot sounds fair. However, as with any building project, there are a lot of details that need to be weighed, so it all
depends on the "ingredients". Be prepared not to get the ingredients you are expecting if it isn't spelled out in spades ahead of time.
Terry28 offers good advice ... get a contract in writing (not just Spanish, get an English version you can understand translated by a reliable source)
and be there while work is being done. This second recommendation is critical. Don't assume that the Mexicans build to US standards, because they
don't, unless you have a contract that states this and a contractor with a rep and capability for doing so.
Electrical wiring is a classic case in point. There is no guarantee they will use the correct type, gauge, or color coding you would expect in the
states. And when they are running the electrical chases through your concrete walls, sometimes the concrete will kink the chase, rendering it
unusable, and this won't be discovered until it comes time to pull wire. Then, if you aren't there to discover the problem and/or supervise the
correction, there will be rather creative solutions deployed to cover it up. Just an example. Something similar can be said for plumbing, tile work,
proper amount and type of rebar, and so on. Being there is the best way to track the integrity of what you are getting. Don't assume anything!
Holding a sum back until after completion (retainer) is a great idea. Be aware that labor taxes are supposed to be paid on the labor used on your
project, and typically the contractor is in charge of doing this. However, in the event they don't, be prepared for a knock on your door from the
authorities well after the project is over and the contractor gone and paid,
asking to see records of this. If you can't produce them, and the contractor can't either or didn't pay, you will get the bill.
OldJack makes good points as well ... get competitive quotes, research which contractors have the reputation for good work, completion, and paying
their bills. The contractors are super hungry right now ... take advantage of this, but be careful to keep the payment of money "behind" the progress
% of the project. Unfortunately, some of these "contractors" are so depleted that they need the money up front to get started. Beware! Sometimes
the cheapest price is not the route to take! See OldJack above for warning!
I have been making plans to build for a few years now. I have spoken with several contractors and more importantly, people who have already built.
They have been a fantastic source of good information, particularly in the area of "things I wouldn't do the same if I had it to do over", or "this
contractor is good, but you need to watch out for him when he does ________". Find some of these people who have already built in your area and talk
with a lot of them! I can't stress this enough! You'll be surprised what you'll learn and it will save you headaches down the line.
Finally, you won't get exactly 100% what you are expecting. No one does. But if you can get close, you'll be doing better than a lot of folks.
Good luck.
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
IMPORTANT READING
Before anyone builds in Baja, you need to read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/God-Mr-Gomez-Building-Dream/dp/0884964...
|
|
|
Trueheart
Nomad
Posts: 155
Registered: 1-31-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
bajaguy:
I just ordered the book. From the reviews, sounds entertaining to say the least. Thx. Steve
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Trueheart
bajaguy:
I just ordered the book. From the reviews, sounds entertaining to say the least. Thx. Steve |
It's true!!!!......anyone who is thinking of building needs this book. Anyone who has built will recognize the plot line.
My suggestion is to get an easily understandable set of plans, and be on site while construction is taking place......you get what you inspect, not
what you expect!!!!
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
True, for sure. Jack Smith was, and still is, responsible for luring an immense amount of people to Baja to realize their dream. It may be dated, but
it's still a textbook for the heart and soul.
|
|
|
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
my 2 cents...
so you got a bid...good
do you own the land yet?
did you look at the completed houses he's done
how long did they take to build?
lots of mexican houses are NEVER done...EVER
I would talk to the owners of COMPLETED houses after they moved in
...here is where you can make a choice... yes or no
who is the architect ?
remember the builder works for the architect and
he is the building inspector
does he have completed houses
what do they look like
does that $40 sq foot include the sign off of the architect?
do you have the enviormental permit to build?
better get one first...big fines
Does your lot have CC&R's
are you going to comply
Social Security NEEDS to be paid by you
YOU are responsible
it's due monthly by the 15th
take pictures and post them here so we can follow along
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
my 2 cents...
|
I think you just took all the fun out of it, Bob. 
|
|
|
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
no we're still having FUN!!!
the hobie is going in the water today
it just needed a new line installed this morning
my nephew assisted
|
|
|
classicbajabronco
Nomad
Posts: 226
Registered: 1-2-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
do what bob/susan suggest....and inspect daily! if at all possible or hire someone to do it for you. If it is a mistake is made, it will a mistake you
pay for in one way or another. Stopping the mistake in the beginning stages always is a cost saver
$40 is a good price....on the eastcape, (not barriles or bv) the cost is substancially higher... a few years ago it was near $200 including materials
. However all materials labor, need to be trucked out a long ways. Your water for construction also has to be trucked!
does $40 include materials?Tile...Etc?
we are currently building a casita. that is really rough/unfinished and it is $40 No tile, no windows, doors, fixtures..etc. Just concrete floor,
walls and concrete ceiling.
remember don't take the first price you hear...shop around before saying SI!
[Edited on 6-9-2010 by classicbajabronco]
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
