Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

tony

Nov 29, 2005, 5:37 PM

Post #1 of 20 (4543 views)

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Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Hello,
After years of learning of "how the system works in Mexico", we have decided to start
building near Tula, Hidalgo. I am NOB but my father in law will be overlooking the project.
Unfortunately I won't be able to provide the type of details as if I were to be building it
myself, but I will try to answer questions. And I will have more questions myself!
So far we have bought 50 x 50 meters and had an architect draw up plans for a house.
He also offered to build the house but things started getting flaky so we opted for plan B
which is to have my father in law use his contacts for getting the job done. The was designed
using a CAD system so it should be relatively accurate. Plus the plans can be emailed.
Finally the time has arrived and we are getting excited. PS I am alittle too young to retire
but once we get this thing finished - who knows? Tony

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

TlxcalaClaudia

Nov 29, 2005, 7:13 PM

Post #2 of 20 (4533 views)

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Re: [tony] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Congratulations.

When you find out, please post the price of your cement (a per bag price, not total) and those long steel posts I see used on the houses (sorry, don't know the name).

Also, who makes the plans for you that you said can be emailed out? May I have this contact also or is this a personal friend doing you a favor?

We are considering building a 2nd house in Hildago (Pachuca). I am NOB until July 2006. Curious of prices.

Thanks
Claudine

(This post was edited by TlxcalaClaudia on Nov 29, 2005, 7:16 PM)

tony

Nov 30, 2005, 6:36 AM

Post #3 of 20 (4505 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Thanks Claudine,
I will post the cement, sand and gravel as I get the info. The long steel bars (rebar) is called varilla.
I will try to nail down labor prices but this may be hard.

Although my architect has good credentials, (he built the plaza in his small town, does alot of big jobs out
of state and uses a CAD system), he was lacking in delivery. Things got even flakier when we asked him for
a price for his labor to oversee the building of the house - he never gave us a price. Then when we gave up
on him and started with plan B, he asked if he stop by periodically to watch the construction. Go figure?
Things have only progressed because my inlaws can literally knock on the guys door. So while he is a very
nice guy, you would have to babysit him every step of the way. Also he speaks no english. If you are still
interested, I may be able to find some contact info. Tony

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

TlxcalaClaudia

Nov 30, 2005, 9:45 AM

Post #4 of 20 (4487 views)

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Re: [tony] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Hubby is Mexican thus can communicate with him plus I speak some Spanish. I would like your firend's info; sounds as if his design skills are worthy. We have labor already from the first house we built in Mexico. But I want to turn that house into a business for family to run thus will need to build a 2nd house once we sell the house here in the USA. Pricewise, I hear things have changed since the first house (Mexico) was built within the last 6 years and we still have yet to finish it all though it is nearly finished. I have a job coming up in Pachuca. If I like it there, it may become the location of MExican house #2. Hubby can take care of the labor issues but I get to be in charge of the design of the house. I have some ideas in mind regardless if the house will be built in Pachuca or another state. An architect with email capabilities and CAD is ideal for me since I am stuck NOB for another 8 months.

Thanks!
Claudine

Cynthia7

Nov 30, 2005, 12:35 PM

Post #5 of 20 (4467 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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I have been told that architects in Mexico are more like draftsmen in the US and and you really need an engineer for stress and plumbing and electrical. Many houses are built with or without Professional people (mine was) but many people have problems with their houses ..not enough electric service, too small or poor plumbing connections. My biggest problem is with little things..floors and shower floors don't slope toward the drain so you must sweep the water to get it out; not enough room left between the wall and the faucet and the lavatory bowl to clean; shower heads that are 8' high so you must wash your hair; no shut off valves under the sink: no grounded electric plugs: built in planters with no drainage holes;no overhang on the tile counters so you can put your hand under to catch the stuff..not wanting to prime and sand the wood before painting. Nothing earth shaking but just things you would not accept NOB in a quality house. Do you have any quirky things that are irritations that are typical and/or universal in Mexican houses??

Rolly / Moderator

Nov 30, 2005, 1:16 PM

Post #6 of 20 (4460 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Even in the USA architects rarely do their own structural, electrical or plumbing work. They may have these specialists on staff, or the may hire outside consultants for specific jobs. I made a living for many years as an outside consultant to architects.

Rolly Pirate

TlxcalaClaudia

Nov 30, 2005, 2:07 PM

Post #7 of 20 (4451 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Not really, but to be truthful, I didn't make a comparison to what we have NOB. Our current NOB house in no way compares to our home in Mexico. Those annoyances are part of the adventure. On a side note, we have a plumber in the family and some construction gurus too. My father-in-law looks over the building process and my mother-in-law handles paper work for us there so I can't say I relate though I am sure others may. Maybe that topic should be moved to another thread if you want to discuss the "quirky things" as I am sure that is a topic of interest to some. I hope to get more responses on the original topic of prices (a comparison) and architect references. Thanks!

Claudine

Esteban

Nov 30, 2005, 3:24 PM

Post #8 of 20 (4439 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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I would have to disagree. Architects, in Mexico, WITH a STAMP are trained in structural design. They also act as a "general contractor" and usually charge a set percentage of ALL monies paid out. Architects in the USA are rarely trained in structual design. I've seen general contractors or "building designers" in the USA, who know the code for residential and can usually design a home that will fit your needs. Most general contractors, in the US and even most albiniles in Mexico, know the size of beams and other basic designs to modify the structure to make it work. However, certain designs, in precarious situations will need special engineering. If you are building on relatively flat ground without severe ground water or other soil issues, your Mexican architect will suffice.

tony

Nov 30, 2005, 8:24 PM

Post #9 of 20 (4407 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Hello
Here is the info: Enrique Arellano
Casa: 773 732 1715
Cellular: 773 739 2435
email: evarellano1@terra.com.mx

Good luck trying to contact him as we have had little. He does have some good ideas and is a nice guy. You have been thru the house building before
so you know what to expect. Tony

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

TlxcalaClaudia

Dec 1, 2005, 6:48 AM

Post #10 of 20 (4388 views)

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Re: [tony] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Thank you. If he doesn't respond, I'll just have to wait until I get to Mexico to find another. Can't hurt to try now though, so i thank you for this info.

Claudine

bfwpdx

Dec 3, 2005, 3:39 PM

Post #11 of 20 (4338 views)

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Re: [tony] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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I am curious, Tony, to know how you chose this particular area for building your next Mexican home (Tula Hidalgo). Does it have some special characteristics we should know about?

patricio_lintz

Dec 3, 2005, 4:09 PM

Post #12 of 20 (4334 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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In Chapala, a tonelada (40 bags @ 50 kilos each) delivered to my lot was $1740 pesos MXN. An ARMEX castillo, quince (15 cm X 15 cm X 4 meters) was $86 pesos MXN. This is recent data.

TlxcalaClaudia

Dec 3, 2005, 4:50 PM

Post #13 of 20 (4326 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Thanks! More for a comparison of cost.

C

tony

Dec 4, 2005, 9:21 PM

Post #14 of 20 (4285 views)

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Re: [bfwpdx] Why Here?

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Hello bfwpdx,
We have spent the last 15 years of summer months using the Tula Hidalgo area as a home base while visiting other more beautiful parts of Mexico. Tula is approx 1.25 hours from Mex City. It is almost a distant suburb with working class and
"country" people. Hidalgo has the largest population of
Otomi indians, something we can appreciate. It is moderately
polluted by the local refinery, cement factory and the horribly
polluted Tula river. We are downstream from DF.
My wifes relatives are generally middle class. Her grandfather was one of the earlier settlers of local town El
Carmen. Some of her relatives are well known cockfighters.- a dying breed. I have been able to fit in pretty well by being
half mexican myself, as well as doing what many Mexicans
do. Eat what is put in front of me, go to cock fights, rodeos, drink beer tequila, be respectful, dance until 3am etc.
We were able to buy some old family property which
helped maintain family ties (very important to the both of
us). I have not had the family problems that many have experienced on
this board. I appreciate the help, respect and acceptance
that my inlaws have given me. Things have not been perfect either. My wife and I value family more than we do beautiful
scenery and we have seen some awesome places in Mexico.
Sorry about the long winded explanation of why we are
building in very nondescript area, but it has almost become
a second "home". Tony

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

TlxcalaClaudia

Dec 5, 2005, 7:32 AM

Post #15 of 20 (4270 views)

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Re: [tony] Why Here?

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Tony-
I have been able to fit in pretty well by being
half mexican myself, as well as doing what many Mexicans
do. Eat what is put in front of me, go to cock fights, rodeos, drink beer tequila, be respectful, dance until 3am etc.

lol, that made me laugh because I relate (Mom is Mex-American). No cock fights, rodeos or drinking expected of me, but yes to the dancing to 3 am and I did adapt to the walking to the mercados daily, preparing every person's plate before sitting down myself, and going to the family soccer games (even played once, but only once- ouch!).

I have not had the family problems that many have experienced on
this board.
Same here, but like you said, there are things not so perfect all the time, but somehow we too managed to deal with issues peacefully in my Mexican fam.

When are you in Hildago? We go July 2006. I hope to meet you and your family if we are in the same vicinity (is Tula anywhere near Pachuca?). I want to go to Tula at least once to see the archaeology there.

Claudine

tony

Dec 5, 2005, 4:01 PM

Post #16 of 20 (4244 views)

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Re: [TlxcalaClaudia] Why Here?

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Hi Claudine
I am around Tula for about 4-5 weeks every year during the summer. The archeology
in Tula is not that spectacular but very important.
We hope to be in Tula next year. We were in Pachuca 2 years ago on the way to Real del Monte.
Let try to set something up next year. Sincerely, Tony

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

bfwpdx

Dec 6, 2005, 9:06 AM

Post #17 of 20 (4223 views)

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Re: [tony] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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Hi Tony,

I think you did a fine job of explaining why you are in that area....I haven't travelled a lot inside Mexico and admit to woeful ignorance on different areas (outside the main tourist spots). Thanks for the information and description....

Barbara

Judy in Ags

Dec 27, 2005, 7:39 AM

Post #18 of 20 (4146 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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We have a bricklayer who is much, much more and many of the things you mentioned wouldn't have happened even if he had been left alone to build. BUT even at that, as much as possible, we are there EVERY day to hold his hand. There are just too many things he would do differently that wouldn't be satisfactory to us. For instance, the placing of doors. Mexicans do not customarily leave enough room when a door is placed next to a wall, to allow for trim on that side. That's just one of many things!

I designed our house using common house-design software. The structural, electrical, plumbing things weren't a problem because my husband is really knowledgeable. That only thing that drove us crazy was that there was not any way to print out the elevation views with the dimensions on, so we'd have to look it up on the computer, or just figure it out.

To all who are building, I wish you all well! Our experience for the most part has been pleasant (our workers are great!), but it is a very demanding task.

Cynthia7

Dec 27, 2005, 9:39 AM

Post #19 of 20 (4135 views)

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Re: [Judy in Ags] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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We had an 18 month building project where I was on site every day. Our workmen were good craftsmen but they weren't knowledgeable about some of the things we NOB liked to have in our houses. I still was unable to get them to leave room on the top counters for me to put my hand under the top so I could wipe the crumbs in my hand and not down the front of the cabinets. My faucets are jammed against the wall so it is difficult for me to clean behind them. My tile floors are perfectly level as is the floor of the shower so water doesn't naturally drain in to the drain but as Guadalupe, my wonderful jeffe said, let Rosa sweep it into the drain. Most times Rosa is not here when it rains!! We love our house and we have learned to live with the little inconveniences. Nothing are perfect!! I keep asking other people building if they have gotten these few things and so far..they have the same experiences..

Judy in Ags

Dec 28, 2005, 8:46 AM

Post #20 of 20 (4109 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] Ground Breaking Anouncement

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I know what you mean. I decided long before we began to build that I had to be content with less than perfect. Of course we continue to strive for perfection.

Some times the imperfections are our fault, too. For instance, we changed the way a door was going to swing and then forgot to change the light switch. It's not a problem because we have a remote light/fan and the remote control is right as you come into the room.