Building Costs In Costa Rica

Funny that you ask about building costs in Costa Rica. Yesterday a customer came back discouraged after having spoken to an architect in Costa Rica. I had given a price of $600.00 per square meter and the architect quoted a price of $850.00 in San José and more on the coast. I immediately called a trusted builder who is a well established builder in the Municipality of Santa Cruz who constructs on the beach areas and we met at 9:00. The prices that he quoted were nearly identical to those that I had quoted.

There are some things that someone considering builoding should know. First, itis built into the law that and architect for predesign, design and supervision of construction is due a fee of 10 1/2%. I never accept this structure and have no problem letting them know of my disdain. Second, they will charge what they think they can get away with. Third, those seeking services often think they are smarter than anyone else. In a foreign country with its own culture, laws and customs cannot be rather tricky waters to navigate. To those I can only say "good luck".