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Building A Home in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica you can build your retirement dream house since land, labor and materials are inexpensive. However, think twice about undertaking such a project because you could be flirting with disaster. Many foreigners who have built homes complain that it sounds easier than it really is. They would not do it again because of costly delays, unreliable labor, fussy building inspectors, different laws and building codes and many other unforeseen problems. Be sure to talk with foreigners who have built homes to see what obstacles they encountered. Costs depend on location, materials and the size of the home you want to build. You generally pay between $500 to $1000 a square meter or $45 to $90 a square foot.

One common mistake some newcomers make is to hurry to build their dream home while they are still on their “honeymoon” with the country. Many have been shocked by substantial cost overruns. Months or years later, they realize too much of their capital has been spent on their new home.

If you do decide to build a home on your land, there are several steps required. First, conduct a preliminary study, which should be completed before you buy the land. Also, be sure to see if your lot has access to water, drainage, electricity and telephone services.

The law says you have to hire an architect or civil engineer to file all of your construction permits.

A building permit must be obtained from the municipality where you plan to build. An architect can usually handle building permits and work jointly with the contractor to supervise the construction. It may take a couple of months or longer to get all of the permits in order. A reliable contractor will also have to be hired. You should get several bids and ask for references. Expect to visit the construction site almost everyday to ensure things are getting done. If you cannot be there have a reliable person inspect the construction site for you on a daily basis.