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

Tim

May 17, 2002, 7:56 AM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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I just finished building a house in Oaxaca and am trying to determine the range of construction and labor costs across Mexico for a story I am writing about the project.For example, laborers on my job got paid about 500 pesos a week. Is this less/more than other parts of Mexico? Any estimates on the range of costs for skilled labor -- plomeros, carpinteros, maestros? Trying to get a sense how much prices rise in more populated (or "gringo-ized") areas. Also, I know what it cost to build my place, but would appreciate any comments on what might cost more or about the same as U.S. prices. For example, tile is much less here. But does anything cost more. Thanks for any help.Tim Porter

Rolly

May 17, 2002, 8:21 AM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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Hi Jim,I have an on going building project for which I am posting progress pictures and cost summaries. Click on the link below to view.The going rate here (Lerdo, Durango) for brick masons is $1,300 (pesos) per week - 5 1/2 days. Helpers are $700, and the night guard is $600.This is absolutely not a gringo area.I can give you some material costs if that is of interest.Rolly

Tim

May 17, 2002, 8:41 AM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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Thanks, Jim ... I'll take a look at your site.
I would appreciate any information on materials costs so U.S. readers could attempt a comparison. BTW, prices seem higher in Durango. Could be because it's further north.

Jim in Cancun

May 17, 2002, 9:32 AM

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And in Cancun...

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Esteban

May 17, 2002, 3:11 PM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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Not including social security or infonovit costs, the maestro was charging 1500 pesos a week, a skilled mason 1350 a week, laborers 900 a week. This was for a 5 1/2 day work week about 8 hrs a day. This is in Mazatlan and with a very skilled work crew who worked as a team on other projects. The plomeros I worked with, were giving bids on complete jobs as were the electricians as were the folks doing the A/C work. Sometimes the albiniles were giving bids for certain work. I like the bid process better because it takes the tension off everyone involved. I find it easier to pressure for other things than to have to worry when the guys show up and when they leave and how fast they are working. I was overseeing a job for a friend and the workers were getting twice as much done as they did when working for the owners ex wife who was a screamer, humiliator and @%^&*. They were working by the week at that time. They told me it was because she pissed them off so bad they worked half fast.

Rolly

May 17, 2002, 3:35 PM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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I agree with what you say. The attitude of the owner/boss makes lots of difference. On my project, we treat our guys very well, and they respond very well. We have a little food and beer party at quitting time on Saturdays. We even furnish a radio so they can have music (that I hate). Our first crew was too slow. When we spoke with about it, they wanted more money, so we fired them. We are very pleased with the current guys.I would like to have a contract for the work rather than weekly wages, but we couldn’t work that out.

Esteban

May 18, 2002, 6:27 AM

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Drawing the line in worker relationships

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Personally, I don't go along with the idea of beer and food on Saturday. I've seen it done here in Mazatlan but here is my take: I don't want to establish a friend to friend relationship with my workers because it makes it more difficult to keep control. I can't stand their music (banda) either and that sort of sums up how different our tastes are and why they don't want me as a friend any more than I want them as friends. However,I RESPECT them completely. If they are working 5 1/2 days a week, then I think they should be home, after work, with their families. The beer and food after work becomes an obligation for both the boss and the workers. Of course, if you live in a small town where everyone is related and your workers are very near, it makes it more difficult to draw the line. My situation is also not like having a special one or two man crew that works at your home over a period of one, two or 5 years doing various tasks. I'm talking about building or remodelling homes, taking more bids and moving on to another project.

Cynthia

May 19, 2002, 7:46 AM

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Chiapas

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(San Cristóbal) is a little bit cheaper than what you post for Oaxaca. What has really risen in the last three years are land costs and rental property costs. I don't think this is so much a reflection on more foreigners moving in to the area (the number is still quite low, actually, for a city of 100,000) as it is on the projected finishing of the autopista (someday...) between Tuxtla and San Cristóbal. The one thing that I have found that costs more (and actually, I haven't been able to find) is a cast iron stove...I drove two old ones I got at a yard sale down from the States last time I made the drive. Pipes are also more expensive than in the States, as is any kind of wood/beams. Just curious--are you the same Tim Porter who wrote the books on Mexican houses??: I just finished building a house in Oaxaca and am trying to determine the range of construction and labor costs across Mexico for a story I am writing about the project.: For example, laborers on my job got paid about 500 pesos a week. Is this less/more than other parts of Mexico? Any estimates on the range of costs for skilled labor -- plomeros, carpinteros, maestros? Trying to get a sense how much prices rise in more populated (or "gringo-ized") areas. : Also, I know what it cost to build my place, but would appreciate any comments on what might cost more or about the same as U.S. prices. For example, tile is much less here. But does anything cost more. : Thanks for any help.: Tim Porter

Tex from Dallas

May 20, 2002, 2:40 PM

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Drawing the line in worker relationships

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I think I had rather work for Rolly. He sounds like he really cares about his workers. Nice web page too

Esteban

May 20, 2002, 7:59 PM

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Drawing the line in worker relationships

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I think you missed my point completely or maybe you've never been involved in a management situation. I CARE and RESPECT the workers. I support the workers in every way I am able. However, I feel it's more productive for both of us if I can separate friendship from a business proposition. I come from a different culture than the workers and recognize the fact that we have different priorities. Developing a true friendship with the workers, in my opinion, makes it more difficult to communicate on a business level. If Rolly is going over to his workers homes and enjoying their friendship, then more power to all of them but for my situation, I think that keeping my distance makes my job easier. Have you ever been in a partnership with family or friends? It can be very difficult. Every person in construction has his own method. I'm not putting Rolly down. I am merely presenting a method that works for me.

Jim in Cancun

May 21, 2002, 10:57 AM

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IMHO	Can't Post \|

paul

May 22, 2002, 8:23 PM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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I was able to get tile for 53 pesos sq mtr.Maestros run about 1200, and their helpers about 800 wkIm building homes for aobut 2500 pesos/mts

paul

May 22, 2002, 8:25 PM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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I was able to get tile for 53 pesos sq mtr.Maestros run about 1200, and their helpers about 800 wkIm building homes for aobut 2500 pesos/mtsPuebla, Mexico area

Esteban

May 22, 2002, 10:05 PM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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: I was able to get tile for 53 pesos sq mtr.And what does that mean? The cost of the tile itself? or including installation?: Maestros run about 1200, and their helpers about 800 wk]Sounds close to what everyone else is paying although it all depends on what the maestro knows. There are carpenters and there are carpenters. Not all can build a wooden spiral stair case with handrail. The chemistry in Mexican building is unlike anything I've seen in the US. Polymer concrete adhesives and other layers of chemical treatment make the process more like alchemy.: Im building homes for aobut 2500 pesos/mtsYou may be building a home for 2500 pesos/mts but that is such a meaningless number. What exactly is included? Lot included? Utility hook ups included? Permits, architects drawings included? Tile or concrete floors, pressure water system? The questions go on and on as to quality and design.Tell us more!

Rolly

Jun 3, 2002, 9:32 PM

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Material Costs

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Here are material cost numbers for my project. These prices are in pesos, delivered to the job site in Lerdo, Durango.Sand $ 75/m3 (m3=cubic meter)
Gravel 75/m3
Stone 100/m3
Cement 78/sack
Lime 25/sack
Bricks 1 each
Rebar –
1/2" 50 for a 6 meter length
3/8” 27 for 6 m
Wire 6 or 7 per kilo, two different sizes used in making rebar frames

Carey on Cozumel

Jun 10, 2002, 1:33 PM

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Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

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On Cozumel a skilled mason now makes between $800 and $1000 pesos/week including social security (la segura). Ayudantes make perhaps $600 pesos/week. Electricians and plumbers are independent contractors and their prices are all over the board depending on how honest they are, how much English they speak,and if they've been spoiled by gringos who don't blanch and accept presupuestos that would be considered fair in someplace like the US but outrageous down here.Cozumel is a tourist town. There is no other industry here. And it has been VERY badly hit this past year so I wouldn't be suprised if the prices I quoted are currently a bit high for what people are actually getting here right now.

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

And in Cancun...

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Drawing the line in worker relationships

Chiapas

Drawing the line in worker relationships

Drawing the line in worker relationships

IMHO

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico

Material Costs

Labor and other construction costs in Mexico