We're often asked what it's like to design and build
a home in Baja.. what designs work best, how are the
building techniques, and what are the costs. Since we
completed our first house on the property in 2003,
we thought you might be interested in some of the
facts about this project. Other owners who have
built since then can share their experiences with you
as well.
a home in Baja.. what designs work best, how are the
building techniques, and what are the costs. Since we
completed our first house on the property in 2003,
we thought you might be interested in some of the
facts about this project. Other owners who have
built since then can share their experiences with you
as well.
Design Choices: For our home, we chose a southwestern design, accented with Mexican
touches. Since the ocean breezes can cool the house effectively at most times of the year, we
also planned for large windows and patio doors. Insulation from the cold certainly is not an
issue here, so we didn't waste money on raising the "R factor" of walls, doors and windows.
Finally, accessibility is a concern for us, so we planned for a single-floor design with a
minimum of steps. We designed the house ourselves, using commonly available home design
computer software. When we had created what we liked, we consulted our local architect,
Jose Luis Benson Rosas, and modified the design as he recommended for structural soundness,
construction simplicity and cost savings.
touches. Since the ocean breezes can cool the house effectively at most times of the year, we
also planned for large windows and patio doors. Insulation from the cold certainly is not an
issue here, so we didn't waste money on raising the "R factor" of walls, doors and windows.
Finally, accessibility is a concern for us, so we planned for a single-floor design with a
minimum of steps. We designed the house ourselves, using commonly available home design
computer software. When we had created what we liked, we consulted our local architect,
Jose Luis Benson Rosas, and modified the design as he recommended for structural soundness,
construction simplicity and cost savings.
Building Materials: We planned on using concrete as much as possible, to
minimize cost and to accomodate the climate and environmental concerns. We
used concrete beams for structural support, poured concrete for the foundation
and floors (covered with ceramic tile), concrete blocks for the walls, and
concrete roofing.
For interest, we added wood beams in the main living area. The veranda's roof is
wood, overlayed with Mexican roof tiles. We added a double row of decorative
tile to the exterior of the building and used tile frequently in the interior.
minimize cost and to accomodate the climate and environmental concerns. We
used concrete beams for structural support, poured concrete for the foundation
and floors (covered with ceramic tile), concrete blocks for the walls, and
concrete roofing.
For interest, we added wood beams in the main living area. The veranda's roof is
wood, overlayed with Mexican roof tiles. We added a double row of decorative
tile to the exterior of the building and used tile frequently in the interior.
Because we are making our own electricity from the sun, we planned for very efficient lighting fixtures and
appliances. And because we are interested in minimizing our water usage, we planned for water-saving shower and
kitchen fixtures. We are using propane to power the water heater, stove and refrigerator. And "grey-water" is
directed to a holding tank for use in landscaping.
appliances. And because we are interested in minimizing our water usage, we planned for water-saving shower and
kitchen fixtures. We are using propane to power the water heater, stove and refrigerator. And "grey-water" is
directed to a holding tank for use in landscaping.
Professionals and Craftspeople: There are experienced and responsible
professionals in all the building trades available for building projects in the area.
We contracted the rough construction through our architect, Jose Luis Benson.
He and his crew made the foundation, built the walls and roof, installed the rough
wiring and plumbing, installed the septic system and got the house to the point
that it was ready for finish surfaces and fixtures.
When the rough construction was done, we contracted separately for the finish
work. We arranged directly with a carpenter for building and installation of
doors, windows and cabinetry.
professionals in all the building trades available for building projects in the area.
We contracted the rough construction through our architect, Jose Luis Benson.
He and his crew made the foundation, built the walls and roof, installed the rough
wiring and plumbing, installed the septic system and got the house to the point
that it was ready for finish surfaces and fixtures.
When the rough construction was done, we contracted separately for the finish
work. We arranged directly with a carpenter for building and installation of
doors, windows and cabinetry.
| The walls take shape. |
A tile setter installed the floors, surfaces and trim, using tile that we purchased from various Mexican sources. An
electrician/plumber installed the finish electrical and plumbing fixtures and appliances. A skilled local carpenter
constructed the doors, windows, cabinets and several pieces of furniture. All workers on the project were respectful,
responsible, experienced and hard-working. The average work day began at 7AM and ended at 6PM, and the crew
generally worked Saturdays until 2PM.
electrician/plumber installed the finish electrical and plumbing fixtures and appliances. A skilled local carpenter
constructed the doors, windows, cabinets and several pieces of furniture. All workers on the project were respectful,
responsible, experienced and hard-working. The average work day began at 7AM and ended at 6PM, and the crew
generally worked Saturdays until 2PM.
Project Duration and Steps: The project started in early January, 2003. By
February, the foundation had been dug and poured. Walls and structural support
beams followed in March and April. By May, the main roof was on and the
concrete floor was poured. Finally, in May and June, the plastering and stucco
was added, the electrical and pluming systems were installed, and the floor tile
was laid. In June, the local carpenter completed the windows, doors and
cabinetry. By July, the doors and windows were installed and the final tile work
in the kitchen and bath were completed. October and November saw the
installation of kitchen appliances and bath fixtures, and the solar system.
Everything was checked out by the end of November.
And now, we're comfortably settled in our new house! All the systems - solar,
electrical, water, propane, etc. - are working fine. The kitchen, while not fancy,
is quite functional. And the deck is a perfect place for a morning cup of coffee.
February, the foundation had been dug and poured. Walls and structural support
beams followed in March and April. By May, the main roof was on and the
concrete floor was poured. Finally, in May and June, the plastering and stucco
was added, the electrical and pluming systems were installed, and the floor tile
was laid. In June, the local carpenter completed the windows, doors and
cabinetry. By July, the doors and windows were installed and the final tile work
in the kitchen and bath were completed. October and November saw the
installation of kitchen appliances and bath fixtures, and the solar system.
Everything was checked out by the end of November.
And now, we're comfortably settled in our new house! All the systems - solar,
electrical, water, propane, etc. - are working fine. The kitchen, while not fancy,
is quite functional. And the deck is a perfect place for a morning cup of coffee.
| Plaster covers interior and exterior walls. |
Project Costs: Our objective was to build a small, attractive house that
was not elaborate and that could be added on to later. We wanted the
project to come in somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 US per square
foot. We came close to meeting our expectations, but we learned some
things along the way.
Rough construction - the basic roofed-in house and veranda - presents the
biggest expense, for us, about $35/sf. Factors that would raise this price
include complex foundation, wall and/or roof systems, fancy materials and
specialized construction skills.
was not elaborate and that could be added on to later. We wanted the
project to come in somewhere in the neighborhood of $50 US per square
foot. We came close to meeting our expectations, but we learned some
things along the way.
Rough construction - the basic roofed-in house and veranda - presents the
biggest expense, for us, about $35/sf. Factors that would raise this price
include complex foundation, wall and/or roof systems, fancy materials and
specialized construction skills.
| Almost any morning in Casa Cardonal |
We spent an additional $20,000 on finish materials and installation labor - not included in the rough construction
costs because they can vary greatly. These items included doors and windows, cabinetry, tile, appliances and fixtures
including the solar system.
All in all, the project came in near $75,000, or about $47 per square foot. Construction costs have risen in the three
years since our house was finished, and now (mid-2008) are about $80 per square foot. Still, this is significantly less
than the standard US new construction costs. We're sure you will be as happy as we are with your house at Costa
Cardonal.
costs because they can vary greatly. These items included doors and windows, cabinetry, tile, appliances and fixtures
including the solar system.
All in all, the project came in near $75,000, or about $47 per square foot. Construction costs have risen in the three
years since our house was finished, and now (mid-2008) are about $80 per square foot. Still, this is significantly less
than the standard US new construction costs. We're sure you will be as happy as we are with your house at Costa
Cardonal.
| Click any photo to enlarge. |
| Costa Cardonal ..a desert sanctuary beside a tropical sea. |
| Casa Cardonal |
| Work on the foundation and walls is underway. |
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A case study on building in Baja