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divingdave
  12/31/2018 18:15 EST

Hello everybody.
My name is Dave. I am a licensed contractor in California and yes I am moving to Belize soon. If you need help to build a house or any part of a project I would love to here from you. I will be offering Construction Management Services. Looking forward to herring from you.

Dave

terrific
  1/1/2019 02:58 EST

Do you already have the legal work permits, and/or business licences ( with the required Belize partner) in place so you advertise your services on this forum or else where?
Have you any contracting experience of building in the tropics?.
Will you be starting this as a full business with Belizean workers, or hoping to be a one person business?
What dates are covered by 'coming soon'?
What district of Belize are you planning on working?
If all this sounds harsh it is because your post is Just too vague to be helpful to anyone.
Licenses from the USA ( or anywhere else in the world) count for nought in Belize, even if, as you are hoping, expats may be impressed.

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divingdave
  1/1/2019 03:54 EST

Yes all good points. Just putting it out there not meant to impress. That is very true it don't mean much to Belizeans but it will to expac's. So if you don't need help from an experienced builder then you can not respond that's ok.
Dave

mcagun
  1/1/2019 05:09 EST

Diving Dave
There are plenty of contractors, Belizean, Mennonite & Gringo, already established in all areas,
I've been coming going to Belize for over 15 year now
I have a construction consultancy business in the U.K. Offering management services to multimillion projects in the U.K.
I have looked into doing a bit of work on the side whilst here
Not worth it, trust me, better to earn your $$ in your own country and bring it here to spend

Besides all the hassle of legally working here
Tell me, who you gonna hire for your crew
How much is it per Sq Ft right now Concrete or wood
Where you gonna buy your material and don't get me started with QA here
Water??????
Tools
Labour
Oh and good luck with that Gantt chart and MS Project
Architects or Engineers to draw up your plans or both,,,,, now that is a question
CBA/PUC
Who's your wireman
Who's your plumber
Try to get a team together to carry your concrete up to the second floor roof and how much per bag you gonna pay to each man + the machine, water, water, water',,,,,,,,,',,,,,
To pile or not to pile that is the question
Geo surveys lol,

Sorry for being so blunt, but I would do a bit of research before offering your services in here, in fact I wouldn't

mcagun
  1/1/2019 05:09 EST

Diving Dave
There are plenty of contractors, Belizean, Mennonite & Gringo, already established in all areas,
I've been coming going to Belize for over 15 year now
I have a construction consultancy business in the U.K. Offering management services to multimillion projects in the U.K.
I have looked into doing a bit of work on the side whilst here
Not worth it, trust me, better to earn your $$ in your own country and bring it here to spend

Besides all the hassle of legally working here
Tell me, who you gonna hire for your crew
How much is it per Sq Ft right now Concrete or wood
Where you gonna buy your material and don't get me started with QA here
Water??????
Tools
Labour
Oh and good luck with that Gantt chart and MS Project
Architects or Engineers to draw up your plans or both,,,,, now that is a question
CBA/PUC
Who's your wireman
Who's your plumber
Try to get a team together to carry your concrete up to the second floor roof and how much per bag you gonna pay to each man + the machine, water, water, water',,,,,,,,,',,,,,
To pile or not to pile that is the question
Geo surveys lol,

Sorry for being so blunt, but I would do a bit of research before offering your services in here, in fact I wouldn't

belizelenny
  1/1/2019 10:46 EST

Be sure to get your work permit in order.

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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bobbyveee
  1/1/2019 10:54 EST

Dave you wont do any building work for locals , your only market is with expats and they always pick builders to a good local record and references. You will be wasting your time and money.

ENJOYIT
  1/1/2019 17:29 EST

hey guys go easy on him. he can always do wood piers........he just needs a post driver which he can do by hand or a sledgehammer

bobbyveee
  1/1/2019 17:49 EST

He still needs all the permits and know where to get the timber , and be paid like a Belizean , peanuts

terrific
  1/1/2019 21:02 EST

Actually I have two great houses, built by local Belize contractors and am extremely happy with them. Why should one because you are an expat assume another expat is going to be any better in Belize than a local builder. Whatever the nationality of a builder the best recommendation is seeing any builders previous work and talking to his past customers.

njgjbj
  1/1/2019 21:42 EST

It's good you aren't aiming to impress. With your spelling and grammar I am left to assume you are not educated and unprofessional.

William RussellWilliam Russell
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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Fairytales
  1/2/2019 08:12 EST

Happy New Year everyone!

Davve, as many are trying to tell you, this might be a case of the cart before the horse in a couple respects.

I am a contractor as well outside DC for nearly 40 years so I know what you do and what you need to make a business survive.

Belize ain't the place my friend. The first thing you need as a Contractor is money in the population.

There is no money in Belize. That's it in a nutshell. No offense to anyone of course but go and vacation there, maybe even rent a home for a while....but trying to erect a business there is a fool's errand to me.

Best of luck to you though, no matter what you decide!

jeff

brekeen
  1/3/2019 11:52 EST

Hello,
Hypothetically speaking, what if one were to require a contractor to build a Resort in Belize. How would they go about it?

Brett

bobbyveee
  1/3/2019 12:17 EST

Plenty of high class resorts been built or being built , a lot of the materials are shipped in tho.

divingdave
  1/3/2019 12:28 EST

Yes I can.

Dave

brekeen
  1/3/2019 13:29 EST

This project will be primarily constructed of concrete and block. Will this be required to be shipped in as well?

brekeen
  1/3/2019 14:28 EST

Hello Dave, We believe we have developed a newly enhanced paradigm for Community. This project will be very large in scope. And as previously mentioned, primarily concrete based. The overall concept requires to be completed in steps and definitely will require crowdfunding although a Philanthropic Angel investor or investors would be preferred. The vast majority of the revenues generated will be reinvested in the Community and its ventures. That said construction may likely be a few years ahead. Originally we were thinking of Costa Rica or Columbia where I have connections, well potential Country Managers. Belize fascinates me and this is the purpose for the inquiry. Feedback from anyone is appreciated...

belizelenny
  1/3/2019 15:41 EST

Ask around for referrals and get references. Where are you looking to build?

terrific
  1/3/2019 21:43 EST

Brekeen, have you actually followed this thread? Dave is NOT in Belize, He has not said if he has ever visited Belize. He would have to get Legal work permits to do any work in Belize if/when he moves to Belize. So perhaps not the best person to ask about your project.
Belize is not short of good builders and contractors who could answer your questions.

belizelenny
  1/3/2019 21:45 EST

Contractor here 6708724

Conmurphy
  1/4/2019 06:14 EST

The words Paradigm, Crowdfunding, and Philanthropic Investor, when it comes to developments in Belize all raise big red flags.

Good luck,

ENJOYIT
  1/4/2019 10:14 EST

but I should have tons of money soon cause I'm emailing my info to a Nigerian prince that just needs my help

belizelenny
  1/4/2019 11:59 EST

Look at websites, forums, Facebook comments by owners.

See they have their paperwork in order.

brekeen
  1/4/2019 12:20 EST

Thank you

brekeen
  1/4/2019 12:21 EST

Thanks to the idiot

brekeen
  1/4/2019 23:11 EST

Excellent then...free advertising. Once the website is completed I'll make it available. I will also be visiting prior to 2020.

Brett

brekeen
  1/4/2019 23:13 EST

I follow everything...

brekeen
  1/4/2019 23:14 EST

Thank you I will. The goal is 2020.

divingdave
  1/6/2019 11:49 EST

Good Morning
Hi Brett

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Just got back from fishing.

First of all my first trip to Belize was 30 years ago. I am a scuba instructor and worked at a dive shop in Florida A investor sent me down to build a resort that fell through. Sense then I have been to Belize (ALL Parts) many times.

It is true materials are a challenge along with labor but its done all the time.

I just completed a project in San Diego (8 four story Town Houses) from the dirt (Grading) to the roof. This was a difficult project to build with no off site storage. So yes I can build in Belize. Of course they have rules and somewhat of a permit process and work permits to be gotten.

I have been working hand n hand with the Architect on to many project to mention. If you would like a copy of my resume just let me know.

There seams to be a lot of talk regarding my post that I will not get involved in. I have more important ways to spend my time.

Rest assured I am moving to Belize and I am very up to date with the problems, rules,

I have mutable License as well as a License building inspector.

Anyway please let me know if you would like.

divingdave
  1/6/2019 11:49 EST

Good Morning
Hi Brett

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Just got back from fishing.

First of all my first trip to Belize was 30 years ago. I am a scuba instructor and worked at a dive shop in Florida A investor sent me down to build a resort that fell through. Sense then I have been to Belize (ALL Parts) many times.

It is true materials are a challenge along with labor but its done all the time.

I just completed a project in San Diego (8 four story Town Houses) from the dirt (Grading) to the roof. This was a difficult project to build with no off site storage. So yes I can build in Belize. Of course they have rules and somewhat of a permit process and work permits to be gotten.

I have been working hand n hand with the Architect on to many project to mention. If you would like a copy of my resume just let me know.

There seams to be a lot of talk regarding my post that I will not get involved in. I have more important ways to spend my time.

Rest assured I am moving to Belize and I am very up to date with the problems, rules,

I have mutable License as well as a License building inspector.

Anyway please let me know if you would like.

Fairytales
  1/7/2019 07:12 EST

ConMurphy's response just caused my to spit coffee all over my screen while laughing out loud!

So very true my friend....yet some will chose to ignore them all.

jeff

terrific
  1/7/2019 17:19 EST

sorry Dave but what you built in San diego really counts for nothing when building in Belize. You still have to become legal and accepted into the building community before you can hope to make a living as a contractor in Belize. why are you looking for free advertising on a forum tittled for expats living in Belize when you only hve vague ideas of when you are coming and formerly were looking for help to set up a diving business. Belize is not waiting with baited breath for your arrival but I am sure you will have plenty to discuss with the poster "thinking about building a resort in 2020 if he gets crowd funding ( I.E. some one else) to pay for it.
I am not a mean spirited person but i believe Belize being a poor country has enough expats exploiting it already,
It really does not need more expat incomers having no interest in the people of Belize, and only interests in servicing what they (erroniously) believe is a wealthy expat community. All wanting to make a profit which they usually manage to export back to their home country.
Rant over I will back on my ranch in 24 hours YAY.

brekeen
  1/7/2019 18:14 EST

Ignorance is bliss...Dear poster, you have NO idea what I am doing this for but please keep up the slamming it's free advertising for once I arrive. The concept is paradigm shifting... By the way, what do you do to contribute to the people of Belize? My contribution will be HUGE. Good day, I need hear nothing more from you until possibly we meet in person one day when you apologize for your "ASS'umuptions...I've turned off notifications as you are a waste of my time...

tinabella
  1/8/2019 00:15 EST

Hello Dave,
I am in the process of researching retirement in Belize but, most places are more conducive to family dwellings. I would love to build something small, comfortable, and cost effective. Would you recommend the earth bag construction method? It really peaked my interest...Who knows, maybe you’re gonna help me build my forever home
Tina

Fairytales
  1/8/2019 06:02 EST

+++ to the above! Terrific is just telling you the hard truth. Yeah, reality dashes mine a bit too every now and then.

Look, like everyone else here, I've lived a pretty full life. We are all "part-adventurer", whether an ex-pat or not or we wouldn't even be here.

The idea of opening up a useful business in a beautiful place with nice & beautiful wom...people.. people is what I meant, is a fantastic idea and one I think I first held the very first time I saw South Pacific.

The reality is very different ...and this next part is important: Especially in a location with VERY limited building supplies & even LESS skilled labor....in which you will be competing with Family & Friends to get those limited building materials/labor from the place that might have it and they have been buying from him for a generation.

Lastly, rent a jeep and drive a few hundred miles through the country and really enjoy it....it's beautiful, varied and tropical. I promise that you will answer all of your own questions on that drive! Then you will come back and say "thanks"

jeff

tinabella
  1/8/2019 06:53 EST

Well I can say it now, thanks Jeff! I appreciate you sharing!
Tina

bradinbelize
  1/19/2019 09:47 EST

Listen to Jeff below - rent a jeep and drive the country. Have you been to Belize before?

to many people say I'm doing this or I'm doing that - and haven't even stepped foot on the ground yet.

Drive the entire country - it's small but VASTLY different everywhere and you won't even know where you want to live until you do this.

Second: Building in a rainforest is very different than building on a sandy beach. Supplies are limited here, as are some advance type materials (you will most likely have to ship things in from the US - do you have a shipper?) - once those hit customs, you will need to present your trade license in Belize (for which you will need a work permit - that will take you 8 - 10 months to get.

All possible, but takes time and money so doing some research is important, OR just say I' bought a one way ticket to France and I'm going to become a wine producer there.

Life is a little more complex than just randomly moving somewhere and thinking you can "just do it" - good for a Nike ad, not feasible in real life.

If you need help, I have started several businesses in Belize, some for others, some I operate myself and I can guide or do for you.

Best of luck

William Russell
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