Costa Rica Expat Forum

lindyluvsCR
Joined 2017
Posts: 1349

4 years ago

Labor Prices

4 years ago

For those of you who have been here a good while, I have a question. I always heard that labor is cheaper here than in U.S.

My neighbors roof had a leaking problem the other day. They fixed it with some goop hopefully. But being a roofer they recommended it being time to repaint the roof. From a distance I could see no flaws but I understand that maintenance is good idea.

I asked him if he would look to see if my gutters needed to be cleaned out, and he did and said no problem. But said I also need to repaint, and the guy on the roof either sent the boss on the ground pictures for me to see (or maybe just keep same ones handy for everyone).

All that looked like it needed it was on the seams, and told him so but did not give me a price just for that. Other than from an airplane, there is no view of the top of my roof, so my thinking is just the seams.

For my neighbor he quoted $1150 who has steep angles. Mine is just slightly sloped for $1050..

I know that interior paint is not cheap, and really don't know how many gallons it would take. I don't know if roof paint is more expensive. It is a 2BR 2BA, big porch and bigger than Tico sized rooms.

I would do it myself if I didn't hate ladders and heights and wasn't as old as dirt.

My neighbor thinks that the roofer is honest because helped build his house. To me part of being honest is to not take advantage of us Gringos. I do not mind paying a little more, but I do think his price off the wall. I cannot imagine any Tico paying that much, many are mostly rust and obviously cannot afford at any price.

What do you think?

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Costa Rica Guide

Our Living in Costa Rica Guide is a primer on everything about living in Costa Rica: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Costa Rica Forum
Join our Costa Rica forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Costa Rica.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

If you're dreaming about living in Costa Rica, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica in 2023.

Healthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has both public and private healthcare systems. When you become a resident, you must enroll in the public healthcare system (CAJA). Many expats use the public system for routine healthcare and have private expat health insurance for specialists, surgeries and emergencies.

Cost of Living in Costa Rica

If you're moving to Costa Rica, you'll want to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica. Lifestyle, location and health insurance are part of the formula.

Moving to Costa Rica Guide

Moving to Costa Rica has become more popular among expats. Making this choice requires a lot of research to ensure the expat experience you hope for will be realized.

Real Estate in Costa Rica

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Costa Rica.

Pros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Costa Rica.

Retiring in Costa Rica

Advice for people retiring in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Visa & Residency Guide

Applying for residency in Costa Rica can be a daunting process. Which type of residency is right for me? Do I need an attorney? Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? What is a cedula? This article answers these and many other questions.

10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica

If you've recently arrived in Costa Rica, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Costa Rica.

Additional Information:

Visit our Costa Rica Index for a Full List

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Costa Rica by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.