Progress Report

August 14-20, 2005 // CONSTRUCTION LOG #45

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: advances in 106 and 114-116.

CONSTRUCTION

Permit: We've been jumping through hurdles this week but are told that we will have it at 1PM Monday. At that time we will have to show that we have paid the equivalent of workmen's compensation insurance. The amount is based 35% of the total cost of construction as estimated by the college of engineers and architects. In our case, this is a bit over $6,000. The last payment will bevfor the construction permit itself. It is calculated at .25% of 1% of the total cost of construction. In our case, it works out to be about $4,000. So for 10 houses, the cost for both insurance and permits is about $1,000 per house.

New Construction: On the triplex (114, 115, 116). Drywall framing and boarding work has continued as well as the creation of the entrance to 115-the corner unit. Much of the interior boarding is done and the first coat of taping is done. In Unit 114, the interior grey work was covered by several coats of a white wall finishing compound. In addition, the valances in 114 were mostly framed. These valances provide direct and indirect lighting at a height which is useful and which allows bulbs to be changed. The soffits and facias are mostly completed and the moldings around the windows, both interior and exterior, are also mostly completed. I've let the contract for the roofing and am waiting on suitable quotes for windows and closets.

Unit 106: The re-bar columns were set in place along with the other re-bar needed for the block work. The footings were poured and block followed. We are probably about 35% finished with the block work on the ground floor. Next week we will continue with this work as well as fill, level, and compact the interior substrate in preparation for the concrete slab which will follow the installation of the plumbing and wiring.

Unit 107: Mainly cleaning and decorating. We added a bit more "eye candy" to the exterior and got the sandblasted parrot window installed to the back terrace. The granite around the Jacuzzi needed a bit of tweeking but that is now done so final installation and cleaning will be completed this week.

Marketing: We had some guests on site who are considering moving from Phoenix to CR. We just lead them to the airport so they could catch their return flight. Unfortunately for them, they spent most of their time here lost -the decided to lease a car and drive- so weren't able to get as much done as they had planned. Costa Rica is a difficult country to drive in because there few signs, no road names or street names or number. This besides a rather chaotic system and incomprehensible system of roadways.

Telemarketing campaign: it appears he's run into a technical glich which he's having to resolve. We'll see.

Next Project: We've focused on this to some extent. My partner has walked the land (loves it like I do), he's met with the owner, we've reviewed it with one of several architects. We are preparing an offer and have a meeting with the owner on Monday afternoon.

We currently figure that the best use of the land is to developed free hold lots for houses in the $175-$250K price and where the lot is steep, to put condominiums which would be tiered down the fall of the land with parking at the top. Elevators would be required. All condos would have a fantastic view, a large front terrace and we'll figure out a way to put in a swimming pool in each, Again, the target price would be in the same bracket.

OUR LIVES

Weather: It hasn't rained much this week.

Canuk: while he's not getting any younger, his skin condition is clearing up.

Boat: I'm waiting for the current survey from which certain things are suppose to happen. I was suppose to have that last week but it didn't happen. I'm again promised it for Monday. We'll see.

Saturday last Lita had her hair cut by a Cuban guy who was staying on the property. Sunday she went back for "highlights". She returned a virtual blond -heavy on the highlights. Anyway, she is now getting to experience life as a blond, something she's always wanted. She was immediately threatened with the dumb blond jokes. In the morning she said to me: "I don't want any blond dumb jokes"... (English is not her first language and never paying attention to "dumb blond jokes" she did a number on her self.

Parrot: It is now confirmed (even Lita has to admit it).. Vicka is a moron -or in politically correct speech- she's mentally challenged. She was doing a "walkabout" in the little garden area in front of us which consists of a variety of trees, flowers, palms and orchids, etc. One palm is a "fan palm" having huge (2+' diameter) leaves. We had a torrential downpour for about 20 min one day in which at least an inch of water fell. Lita was worried; I said don't bother, she'll get under a leaf; parrots have to get use to this in the wild. When the rain let up, the bloody parrot was found clinging to the top, top palm leaf, soaked through, looking like a real, drowned, scrawny parrot. I almost felt sorry for the little bugger until she tried to bite me.

Thursday was another "client appreciation night" at our main materials supplier-great snakes / dinner, open bar-wine, beer, scotch (Old Parr). Paul, Mike, the site superintendent as well as the electrician were invited. We had a great time and made out own little party out of it. I also saw a new product that I'm really excited about; it solves a number of problems for the next project.

Brian, Lita, Hugo and irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot.

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