Full disclosure, we are still at the very beginning of our building journey. We have a finalized floor plan, permits and are in production for our building materials (locally sourced bricks!). We break ground August 1, 2017 if all goes as planned, but I’ll try to highlight the most common questions I have gotten thus far.

Q: “How much does it cost to build a house?”

A: This will greatly depend on your builder, but in BCS, you can assume you’ll be paying $100 – $125 USD per square foot to build a house. This cost should include everything you will need to build the structure (permits, materials, labor). Additional costs could include separate water systems, solar power, running municipal water/power to the property, land clearing and building prep, pool/jacuzzi, garden/landscaping, etc.

Q: “Are there restrictions on what you can build?”

A: Every area in Mexico is different, but in general, Baja is the wild west compared to US permitting and building processes. In BCS, properties do have light zoning (commercial vs. residential), so if you plan on running a business on your property, make sure to let your real estate agent know. You also might run into limits on the amount of stories you can build.

Q: “What is the permitting process like?”

A good builder will handle this for you. Our builder and designer had architectural plans drawn up and then submitted for permitting in LaPaz. This is when you will need a permanent residency card.

Q: “How did you choose a builder?”

A: I’ll have to say we got a bit lucky on this front. My husband found a picture of a house he liked in Todos Santos and identified the builder through a bit of research. In talking with locals and reading reviews, we’ve heard that he is typically on-time and on-budget, which is pretty unusual for the area. He also gives realistic estimates. If you are working with another builder and they have given you a quote that is dramatically lower than $100 – $125 USD a square foot, take that as a red flag. We’ve heard many stories about cost increase during the project. Get references!

Q: “Do you need to be present for the build?”

A: Aside from the obvious need of permanent residency, being present for your build is a good idea if you can swing it. There are many decisions that need to be made on a daily basis. If you care about your end-product, being there is the only way to get what you really want.