How to Build a 3000 sq. ft. House in Nicaragua in 100 days (or Less)
We’re currently building a house behind the Colorado surf break, in the Popoyo area north of San Juan. Building a house in Nicaragua is a simple process. In fact in many ways it’s easier than building in the US. But we’re building with no general contractor and few subcontractors, which means being onsite and supervising almost every day.
One problem with running a project yourself is you’re often tempted to make big changes at the last minute, something you would rarely do after you signed a contract with a general contractor. For instance, our house has a three story tower, which was originally square, the easiest shape to build. Two weeks into construction the design was changed to round, which meant a complete redesign of that corner of the foundation and half the beams and columns of the house. Another last minute change was a 14 foot long arched entryway leading into the courtyard. Bathrooms have been enlarged, windows added, and rooms rearranged, all after construction was started.
Day 17
Day 23, finishing first floor
Day 30. This shows the scale of the project. The central courtyard will have a pool and poolhouse when finished.
Taking the crew home, on some days up to 12 of them will ride in with me
By the time the project is finished, we will have used enough steel to build a dump truck (or a half dozen Honda Accords)
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
My husband and I returned to Calgary,Alberta last May after traveling Central America for 6 months. Although we both have good jobs and a lot of good friends here we can not get the tropics out of our blood. We talk about moving down south for good everyday and have decided to start saving for it. Our 5 year plan. The trouble is we have no idea how much we will need to save to be comfortable long term. Can you help me out? I am curious as to building costs, land that is not through an American company, how much approx. to build a pool and living expenses. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I hope you are as happy in Nicaragua as we plan to be.
Thank you
June 6th, 2007 at 7:00 am
can you, please, refer me to a good constraction CO. I am looking to build in Tola development called Guacalioto.
Your referral is greatly appriciated.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:28 am
We get the question on cost of living in Nicaragua from many investors researching the market here.
We have done some formal calculations (based on dollar purchasing power parity- PPP) as well as informal adding up of our own expenses. The theory behind PPP is that exchange rates should adjust to equalize the price of a basket of goods and services around the world. In the United States $1,000 is the equivalent of, well, $1,000. But in Nicaragua, it rounds up to a hefty $4,144. An average monthly budget here is around $800-$1000 for very good living.
On construction costs - these average at around $69 ft2 to $80 ft2 for high end quality construction with hardwoods, granite countertops, etc
Hope this helps.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:44 am
I JUST BOUGHT LAND IN GIGANTE & WAS WONDERING ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO BIULD A 2 BEEDROOM 1 BATH MAYBE 1200 sq.ft HOME? iF YOU COULD MAYBE POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I’LL BE THERE MAY 29TH. MAYBE I COULD COME CHECK OUT YOUR HOUSE? IF YOUR LIVING THERE FULL TIME I’M SURE WE’LL MEET SOONER OR LATER. LATER BRAH..
July 13th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Hi,to everyone, my wife and I, bought 3 acres outside Boaco, in Nicaragua about 10 minutes out, and we are planing to bulit a house, but we do not know were to buy building materials, because there are not Home Depots, where ca we go? there is a
any place that we can go and buy everything
we need from one company,so we can
buy everything at once, and cheap?
Thanks
please can someone help us?