Progress Report
October 16-22, 2005 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #54
Contact phone numbers
Internet Phone:
New York 315-279-6711 // Toronto 416-907-5758
Costa Rica:
Cell 506-305-3965 // Land 506-282-4142 Ext. 101
NOTE: our land line in CR has changed;
we are now integrated into the compound network.
Pictures: misc. of all areas under construction.
The story this week is RAIN: we got the WILLMA
sideswipe-more than normal rain but no wind.
Normally, about 16 hrs.; only the mornings were dry.
CONSTRUCTION
RAIN!!!! Progress suffered on areas not yet covered;
other areas advanced unaffected.
114, 115, and 116: 115 is substantially
finished-only the final coat of paint and final
cleaning. We ended up changing the color scheme and
beneficially so. While I was never particularly happy
with the color I had chosen, the need to change was
prompted by the granite supplier changing the bathroom
granite from what I had ordered to what he had.
Instead of making him eat it, I decided to look for a
solution. That solution resulted in the change of
color all round. The granite installed in the kitchen
was done in record time and was what I had ordered.
The previous granite supplier worked hard at getting
himself fired and he was successful! I now have a new
supplier and a new opportunity for ...???? I give
people lots of feedback so they know how they are
doing (in my eyes) and just what they have to do to
improve if they are falling short. It's amazing the
people who can't change...
Unit 106: Progressing nicely. The sub roof is
completed on both upper units-we now have a dry area
in which to work. The one step parging system by
Intaco (a building supply company here) works great-it
saved a lot of time and gives a good product. The
first white coat is finished on both ground floor
units and the drywall framing is now completed.
Rough-in ceiling electrical is completed and ceiling
boarding will start next week.. Kitchen designs have
been finalized and approved by the purchasers. Floor
tiles have been selected and secured.
Units 121, 122, and 123: The collar tie and 2nd.
floor as well as the ground floors of 123 were poured
today. We had hoped to be ready to do the same for
122 but the rain delayed us-we were not ready. I
bought them a chicken lunch and they are working into
Saturday afternoon-we got an additional 45 min. before
the rains started but the chicken fortified them so
they are continuing. We now move on to the steel
framing on 2nd. floor, of 123--weather permitting-the
welders are nearing completion of their work on 106.
Units 117-120: All drywall boarding has been
completed and taping has started. Window installation
has started. All finished roofs have now been
installed.
Misc: We started cleaning up a number of areas-the
triplex (114/5/6), the east roadway, the front of
117-120, and 106. We're at the stage now where clean
up is feasible and certainly all looks better as a
result. We will soon be moving to the landscaping
stage-first with the triplex and shortly there after,
117-120-I'm thinking about it and looking to see what
I can harvest and relocate from what I currently have.
Reconditioning of 110 and 111: both are now
completed.
Units 101 and 102: No progress.
Electrical System Up grade: It's been messy..and
continues so. We're preparing to connect all the
underground PVC conduits and to pull the cables.
Marketing: the anticipated offer on 123 came through.
It was purchased sight unseen by a woman who trusted
her representatives; she is using our legal group. I
understand she / they are now interested in purchasing
113 for their daughter. We'll see.
Units 107 / 108: haven't yet closed but will do so
this next week; funds have been wired.
There continues to be a significant level of interest
and activity. We'll see.
My brochures are not yet in-hand-this was the Tico 5
day promise. We'll begin distribution next week.
I'm not a graphic artist nor do I claim to be
competent in marketing. I received some advice along
the way and hopefully the product benefited from it.
We now have what I feel is a fantastic brochure.
The e-mail marketing campaign will also begin next
week. I have some more thinking to do on it. My
website people have made some great suggestions and
have married together the scripts and products I've
sent them into a seamless presentation. It's sooooo
great to find responsible, pleasant, service oriented
people who add value to your product!!!
I would like to think the leads generated from this
project might transcend Los Jardines into the next
project
Other:
CableTica, the cable TV company didn't like the way we
wired the TV access. They seemed to want us to buy
their cable------I'm not sure what the outcome will be
but so far we've said, "no" you want customers, you
supply and install YOUR cable. We'll supply the leads
to each house. We're waiting for their response...
Next Project
I was offered two other pieces of land
and had one follow up inquiry on the piece near here
that I love. The intended use doesn't fit the terrain
so I don't think it's going anywhere. The 8 lots near
Arenal don't interest me as it rains too much there
and I've had enough of that in the Central Valley.
Re. the 2 hectares in Escazu: I haven't had a chance
to check it out. I drove the area but as usual,
couldn't locate the lot and the RE agent was
unavailable and continues not to return my calls. Useful Websites on Costa Rica
http://www.therealcostarica.com/default.html
http://groups.msn.com/CRLeBoard
http://www.arcr.net/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CostaRicaLiving/
http://welovecostarica.com
OUR LIVES
"el gripe" Sickness happens even in paradise!!
Lita and I continued our recovery from colds which
seemed to consist of recovery/relapse/recovery..The
cycle seems to have been broken at the recovery phase.
Time will tell. Recovery and rain dampened any
personal life however we did have a chance to confirm
that Gino still makes fantastic pizza rivaled only by
Lita's recent version of spaghetti and meatballs.
The boat: it sits while the purchaser's finance
people twiddle and diddle; It's getting cold.
Whoever says that N. Am. is more efficient than Latin
Am. is not entirely accurate.
Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon
toed parrot.
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