TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Building your Baja dream home

We know that you all have been waiting for our construction thread, so let's get started!

Well, that's a start & it's about time! Stop surfing & let's see some activity on your little slice of paradise!

Really looking forward to your photos and construction narrative. So are you waiting for the popcorn to pop or what???

....maybe they realized they are out of compliance with OSHAMex and stopped to drink a half rack so they could replace all the silver cans with RED tecate cans...

JUST KIDDING!

Glad y'all are down there and getting things rolling.

Hmmmmm...did I start this thread?

We're still in limbo waiting for the EIS. I "hear" it got submitted to SEMARNAT just before the holiday break. If that's the case we should have the permit at the end of February. I have to call the guy preparing it to confirm.

We still need to get the local permits, and we need to find a Mexican Architect to make plans from our architects conceptual and floor-plan drawings.

Going to be at least two months before we get things going.

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Well, that's a start & it's about time! Stop surfing & let's see some activity on your little slice of paradise!

Unfortunately the picture hasn't changed. We don't want to have to deal with PROFEPA. Not one rock is moving until we get the EIS!

Originally Posted by BigWooo

Hmmmmm...did I start this thread?

You MUSTA....who else could start a thread in your name?

Originally Posted by BigWooo

We're still in limbo waiting for the EIS. I "hear" it got submitted to SEMARNAT just before the holiday break. If that's the case we should have the permit at the end of February. I have to call the guy preparing it to confirm.

We still need to get the local permits, and we need to find a Mexican Architect to make plans from our architects conceptual and floor-plan drawings.

Going to be at least two months before we get things going.

Oh yeah!! EIS paperwork!! Those PROFEPA people have NO sense of humor, they carry big sticks & don't walk softly! I guess that lets you off the hook for continuing this thread....for the moment!!!

Local permits? Truly local? Or local applications that end up coming to La Paz for processing & issuance? Or do you know? I'm guessing they get processed & approved in La Paz.

I know several Arqs. here in La Paz....how's your Espanol? I worked with an Arq. student to finalize my plans & she spoke NO English & I speak muy malo Espanol, but we got along fine with lots of small drawings & minimal intelligible conversation! I know a Prof. at the Arq. school here. I worked with one of his students to formalize my plans & the Prof. signed for permits. He speaks fluent English. So if you want referrals, just say the word!

Originally Posted by BigWooo

Hmmmmm...did I start this thread?

Well of course you did silly. Who else could have done it...

Here's a little construction progress:

We didn't put a window on this side of the casita because we were trying to be good neighbors and prevent light from bathing our neighbors porch. Unfortunately, that side is where the wind comes from on the hottest nights. The way the house is situated there's no airflow with wind from the south. We decided to install a window and asked our contractor when he could do it. How about now? I was thinking may be a week from now, but no time like the present. We scrambled to move everything out and put up plastic to keep the pulvo at bay, and off he went:



Concrete mud sling guard:


Tacho:



It's also amazing how much brighter the casita is!

I can't even imagine the permits and red tape involved in doing something spontaneous like this in the U.S.!

You're either going to regret having started this thread....or be eternally grateful for the comments you receive!!

Is it my old eyes....or is that new window opening HIGHER than the existing window on the front wall? It's less obvious on opposing outside walls, but much more obvious from the inside. If that slipped past you in the thrill of the moment, now is the time to correct it. If you don't care, or had him place it at that level intentionally, then I'll shut up!

Legz - don't tell me that you are one of those who insist that all windows must top out at the same height, are you? I thought we are part of the NO RULES generation???



Light and air are extremely important in planning your house as they will dramatically affect the temperatures inside your home here. I spent a lot of time working on our design for those very elements...

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

You're either going to regret having started this thread....or be eternally grateful for the comments you receive!!

Is it my old eyes....or is that new window opening HIGHER than the existing window on the front wall?

It's higher on purpose. We're working around furniture and people height rather than making them match. It''s around the corner, so from outside you can't tell.

The other window is lower than normal so Ola can see out the window while sitting at the computer desk that will eventually be there

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Legz - don't tell me that you are one of those who insist that all windows must top out at the same height, are you? I thought we are part of the NO RULES generation???



Light and air are extremely important in planning your house as they will dramatically affect the temperatures inside your home here. I spent a lot of time working on our design for those very elements...

BG....yeppers! To a certain degree. But if I'm going to violate my own rules, I do it big-time & blatantly! Rather than clutter Wooos thread with other pics, go to: http://nvpat.com/la_paz_house/index.html to see what I mean. I put arches only on the front....look at MBR interior shots & you'll see an arch top slider & arch top window at one level & a flat top wider window high over the bed! All the other windows & sliders on sides & back were flat top!

Like you, I plan extensively for light, light avoidance & cross-ventilation. Even the skylite that I couldn't afford to have you re-install was vented....but builder recessed the sceened section into the roof pour....thus only water, no air circulated! Installed correctly, that little bit of screening makes a world of difference in that tiny interior room! The slightest breeze pulls the heat out. And it doesn't leak!

Wooo, I actually DID wonder if you'd done it intentionally for furniture height & placement. But I HAD to ask....just in case it had escaped your notice while you were so engrossed in looking for your tools!!

Just pulling your leg legz...

After nearly two years of delays, we FINALLY have our Environmental Impact Study and construction is moving along rapidly. I'm pretty overwhelmed and haven't / don't have time to post much yet.

Here's a few pictures of how far we've progressed in just a couple of weeks:





More to follow as time permits....

It must feel good to finally get the construction phase started. Good for you. Looking forward to more photos.
Larry

Good deal... and hope it all smooths out the rest of the way...

Is it OK to be a bit jealous?

Hot damn!!!!

Just wondering, what is the construction cost per sq foot in Baja? Are the masonry blocks walls concrete filled? I used to build swimming pools and we filled the blocked walls with concrete an re bar for the deck attachment.

BigWooo, Looks like the construction is on its way. Good luck!