Costa Rica Forum

CaseyHalstead
Joined 2012
Posts: 5

11 years ago

Constuction Materials Information Needed Please help

11 years ago

I have 2 sets of questions

1) I am going to start a hobby farm/reforestation project and build a small off grid home with minimal tourist infrastructure (a couple roofs with platforms for camping and a "Cabin" or two with a shower house) in September. I am going to use alternative and sustainable/local materials but cant get any idea of the cost of things like that.

Does anyone know the cost of: -a dump truck of crushed concrete or gravel or sand or lava rock or wood chips or river rock or sawdust or rice hulls (w/delivery w/o delivery)
-Per kilometer delivery cost (heavy vs light items)
- Borax treated Bamboo Posts; 2" vs 4" vs 6" (3 or 4 or 5 meter)
- Simple thatch roof cost per square foot or meter (1000 sq/ft or 100 sq/m) or just the thatch material cost.
- Bags of cement
- Pallets
- How easy is to find cheap used/salvaged materials like windows / glass panes / kitchen or bath fixture / sliding glass patio doors. Do they have good recycled material stores like we do...in San Jose or smaller cities.

2) I have decided I am going to ship as little as possible but I know I will have to take a few key items.

Would you buy these things here or there:
- Solar Panels and Batteries and ac inverters
- 2 man auger (3 to 5 hp) w 6" and 12" bits
- Memory Foam mattress (and another thin one for making seat cushions)
- Generator
- Low watt or DC appliances for off grid
- Lawn mower / weed wacker / wood chipper
- uv water sterilizer (I cant find out if these are common or unheard of)
- Glass panels 3' x 3' or 4' x 4' or 3' x 6' or 4' x 8'
- Can you get pallets for free there like you can here

I know everyone says bring your tools but does that include things like gas powered auger/mower/chipper/generator

I'm pretty sure the appliances need to come from here but I could order them online and have them delivered there as part of the $500/6 month import exemption

The solar and accessories are a big one. What are the odds I find a deal on it all there (or find someone jumping ship and selling a system). This is by far my biggest expected expense.

I would expect the glass and foam would be the silliest to ship. But I already have the mattresses and could probably get glass free on craigslist. I saw a $700 sliding glass door for free yesterday! Any idea what kind of duties you pay on a $700/free door

I am hearing good things about shipping a pallet with a company that handles customs...does anyone know a good one or agree that it is the best way to get the large heavy essentials.

I am 35, have "lived" in Costa Rica and the Bay Islands (a total of about 1 1/2 years of mixed tourism/school/work between 5 trips). I'm a river guide, ecologist, ski bumb and divemaster thats gonna go native. I have decided on a remote property East of Quapiles near the west border of Tortuguero.

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