It is no news that a substantial number of foreigners are acquiring many properties in Puerto Vallarta, the Bay of Banderas and the Riviera Nayarit, eyeing the potential, they are convinced that the region is the ideal place to invest in a vacation property or in what will become their retirement spot. The Baby Boomers’ Mexican investment boom, particularly in this region is a reality!
Investment offers in this area of the Pacific coast are quite varied and a considerable percentage of buyers tend to buy houses, villas or condominiums of a certain age. Although this type of investors have already considered making one or several refurbishments, most do not know exactly how to obtain what they wish in a country where things are handled quite differently compared to their place of origin.
Remodeling is a matter that has to be dealt with seriously; chatting with Mauricio Ibarra, an expert contractor who has long been working in and around Puerto Vallarta, we discovered that, based on his observations and experimenting on the different emotions of his clients and friends while carrying out a remodeling job, we came out with the following list of simple though significant considerations that, when taken into account, will greatly contribute towards obtaining the desired results for a fair price and without “surprises”.
Considerations:
While carrying out a remodeling job we are always faced with unforeseen situations! According to Mauricio, it is much easier to budget a new construction project than a remodeling task. A new construction always carries its blueprints, which facilitates defining spaces, shapes and material quantities, as well as a working plan and a project budget and program; whereas, a remodeling job usually does not include blueprints nor the history of remodeling jobs performed in the past as people generally make changes to their properties without updating the original blueprints.
If you want a quality job it is important to consider the new technologies and the most adequate materials to be used, taking into account the particular characteristics of the region. For instance: Vallarta is located on a seismic zone, therefore, if you must build a wall, instead of using cement blocks or bricks, “w” panel is possibly your best choice, since besides being ideal for a seismic zone, it supports a greater axial (vertical) charge than cement blocks or bricks and its polystyrene core provides great insulation from heat and humidity, therefore avoiding pest proliferation.
Mauricio recommends we focus on the useful life-span and benefits to our property from each one of the materials, before we start looking for “the cheapest” when deciding about the materials to be used.
Remodeling is a detailed investment, it is therefore essential to have a “project program”, based on the purpose of the job, be it luxury or functionality. The steps to be followed are always the same: demolish, uncover, patch, build, paint or place flooring, though not everybody follows the order. Although it may be hard to believe, some people want to start by placing the flooring and painting even before demolishing! There are also those who start to paint without protecting their floors and furniture as needed, thinking that with just a plastic cover they can be correctly protected, it is definitely not so! The use of special tools and working people indicate that remodeling is a harsh and heavy job, you must therefore invest in the adequate protection elements like corrugated cardboard, blue insulating tape to protect electric power fittings instead of the very commonly-used masking-tape, which when removed damages what it was intended to protect.
Another very important thing in this respect is knowing that upon finishing work in, let’s say, a bathroom or kitchen, what has been remodeled will always look new and different from what was not remodeled, to the extent that you will want to remodel the rest of the room, a section, or maybe the whole house! This is another excellent reason —especially when you do not have a huge budget— why you should have a project program aimed at firstly remodeling what is necessary or essential. This program will help you stay focused on the priorities, avoiding tension and anguish and going step by step, making the job even fun!
Remodeling is a job for professionals, it is therefore vital to hire a company or specialists with whom specific and adequate contracts are to be made for each remodeling job; stating aspects such as period of delivery, as well as the commitment to produce invoices (not receipts) for required services or purchases’ disbursements. By doing this, besides making your remodeling job tax-deductible, it provides you with a back-up in case an accident should happen caused or suffered by workers. Otherwise the full responsibility is due him or her who orders the remodeling project.
A problem is one which originates due to lack of foresight. Accidents happen —they are unforeseen— and one must therefore be protected, and the best way to do it is through a specific contract.
If you wish to obtain results with high quality standards, the hiring of specialists is recommended instead of someone who identifies himself as a “jack of all trades”. Of course a mason can place flooring and paint, but he is no specialist, and if you do not want a regular or mediocre result you must look for people who specialize on each of the fields of remodeling and construction.
To follow these recommendations may sound to some as something difficult and complicated, though it really isn’t; while on the other hand, not following them —though it may not impede you from completing your remodeling project— may give you some headaches like you have never had.
In future articles we will continue to deal with the subject of remodeling and all it implies in all kinds of areas and types of buildings. If you happen to have questions or require counseling to undertake a remodeling task, don’t hesitate to contact Mauricio Ibarra via: mauribamx@yahoo.com.mxEmail to a friend
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While carrying out a remodeling job we are always faced with unforeseen situations! According to Mauricio, it is much easier to budget a new construction project than a remodeling task. A new construction always carries its blueprints, which facilitates defining spaces, shapes and material quantities, as well as a working plan and a project budget and program; whereas, a remodeling job usually does not include blueprints nor the history of remodeling jobs performed in the past as people generally make changes to their properties without updating the original blueprints.
Remodeling is a detailed investment, it is therefore essential to have a “project program”, based on the purpose of the job, be it luxury or functionality. The steps to be followed are always the same: demolish, uncover, patch, build, paint or place flooring, though not everybody follows the order. Although it may be hard to believe, some people want to start by placing the flooring and painting even before demolishing! There are also those who start to paint without protecting their floors and furniture as needed, thinking that with just a plastic cover they can be correctly protected, it is definitely not so! The use of special tools and working people indicate that remodeling is a harsh and heavy job, you must therefore invest in the adequate protection elements like corrugated cardboard, blue insulating tape to protect electric power fittings instead of the very commonly-used masking-tape, which when removed damages what it was intended to protect.
Remodeling is a job for professionals, it is therefore vital to hire a company or specialists with whom specific and adequate contracts are to be made for each remodeling job; stating aspects such as period of delivery, as well as the commitment to produce invoices (not receipts) for required services or purchases’ disbursements. By doing this, besides making your remodeling job tax-deductible, it provides you with a back-up in case an accident should happen caused or suffered by workers. Otherwise the full responsibility is due him or her who orders the remodeling project.