Communicating with Contractors

From the Series: "Home Construction & Maintenance in Mexico"

By J. Brad Grieve, P.Eng. MBA © 2008
His Web Site

So what can you do to help protect yourself?

Let's look at the construction business here at Lake Chapala. This is like many businesses in that just about anyone can hang out a sign and call himself or herself a contractor. I believe the freedom here in Mexico is great and allows young entrepreneurs to start up a business easily, with little or no bureaucratic intervention. But on the other side of the coin, there is little regulation governing their business, which could help protect the consumer.

 

Recently, I heard a local contractor describe the construction business here at lakeside as the "Wild West." His concern was that there were unqualified people claiming to be welders, electricians, masons, plumbers and even building professionals - and this applied to both the Mexican and foreign nationals. As a result, clients were sometimes not receiving the quality of service they demanded. In some cases, the workers were performing work beyond their capabilities and were not seeking outside help. Sometimes the problem derived from a lack of supervision of inept workers. In other cases, an ignorance of the scale of the problem and of potential solutions prevented finding a quality solution and result. And sometimes, it was ego that stopped these so-called professional from seeking help.

So what can you do to help protect yourself? Simply stated...

Brad Grieve is an expert in Mexican construction with lots of practical tips. To read all his articles all the time, we invite you to join our family of subscribers... it isn't expensive. A monthly subscription is just $5.00 USD - that's $1.15 per week. An annual subscription costs $30.00 USD - only $2.50 per month or 58 cents per week. If you're interested in living or retiring in Mexico, we think you'll find it's money well spent.

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