My friend Domenick Buonamici is an American expat who lives in Ecuador. He also writes about his experiences in Ecuador. When this one passed by me, I couldn’t help but relate it to common similar mistakes we see here in the United States.
I see it all the time here on the coast of Ecuador.
Foreigners spending WAY more than they should to build.
But the mistakes are common. Here they are:
1. They start building before they determine the “build line” (linea de fabrica). You have to know from what point in your property you can begin building and make sure that the guy who comes to check from the Municipal actually takes photos that you can get a copy. From that you build the fence first.
While most of us “think” we know where our property lines are, the reality can be far different than imagined. My oldest step-son, Jake, found this out when he went to build on the rear of his property in Tennessee. I’ve written about property lines and setbacks in the past: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2014/04/setbacks/. The moral: unless you are absolutely positive where the property lines are, hire a surveyor to find them.
2. They don’t get building permits. I think they think it’s harder than it really is then have problems later. Really, mine took a week or two to get approved and cost a few hundred dollars total for everything. It’s easy. Do it.
Begging for forgiveness is rarely a good policy when it comes to building permits. Even if the Building Department tells you a permit is not required, get it in writing. Bad things can happen to those who do not acquire the necessary permits – like having to tear down, remove or resize buildings under construction.
- They pay one price to an architect for the build. Don’t! I know these guys, they will skimp on everything, it’s better to buy the materials for your own place and just pay the labor costs. Besides, you will see that the architect will often NOT EVEN be on the job site, just the same maestros as if you hired them yourself. Use the architect at the beginning for the plan and foundation work and then maybe for very specific jobs you don’t feel comfortable leaving to the maestro(lead builder) of your choice!
The United States version of this is hiring a General Contractor. You will want to sit down before reading more about this: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/04/general-contractor/
4. They pay per week. Forget that or you may set a record for longest home build duration in the history of Ecuador. They get sucked into the low ticket price (usually lead builders (maestros) ask for around $130 a week while albaniles (assistant builders) make around $90 a week.) Always best to reach a contract for a set price per project and that’s it unless of course you really know construction and will be there every second of the day. Reaching a contract will keep the builders working fast and motivated to finish as soon as possible.
If you enjoy watching your building take seemingly forever to build, and don’t mind throwing budget out the wind – go ahead and build without a fixed price contract for labor.
5. They pay way too much up front. When you reach a contract for a job many foreigners will pay a lot up front and then… ciao! The builders take off. It is particularly common right in the middle or towards the end of a job when you’ve paid almost all of the amount due and the builders decide its not worth it to finish and just bolt on you. Always try to pay about 50% once about 85% of the job is done. I usually split the job by how long it will take and pay by the week in weekly intervals and no more even though they may pressure you for more. Keep the balance in your favor always.
Most post frame buildings can be completed in a week or less. For larger projects, there is nothing wrong with a well regulated schedule of progress payments for labor.
6. They think any builder can lay tiles. Most builders say they can lay tiles but really when you examine their work, its sloppy. You wouldn’t want that guy tiling your whole house when you’re not there! Just have them do half of one room and you can get a good idea if they can do it or not. Don’t be afraid to rip it out and boot them to the side.
The post frame equivalent is not every builder can do good “tin” work. It takes some thinking to get steel trims cut neatly – it doesn’t take any longer.
- They let the builders too close to their valuables. Got that nice iphone 6, don’t leave it on the counter with a bunch of workers around, that puppy will be gone. A lot of the workers are subcontracted by the guy you gave the contract to and are just there for the day and they know it.
Along with this – don’t lend your tools and/or equipment to a builder. This is a quick way to find out they have been permanently borrowed.
- They carry a middleman translator type. A lot of us gringos will often have a person be the liaison between them and the builders, problem is, often this person will find every which way to to get in the middle of the transactions pushing the price up for you while he seeks kickbacks and bribes from all your providers. Learn some Spanish, kiss this middleman goodbye.
In the U.S. the general contractor takes the place of the middleman/translator….the reality is, you can hire the ‘technicians’ to erect the building, without the need to kick in the added dollars to the general contractor.
