AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Getting Supplies Way North

You gotta go up there everyday anyways. Just never go emptyhanded.
It does take a lot more planning and scheduling.

It is a challenge to build a custom home, anywhere. Folks who look to the internet or at bars to get advise on logistics and building are probably not going to be on site everyday.

We have all had conversations with people who have island fever and think they can oversee construction via email. Or in a remote location. Or for half the price of what they have been quoted. And they never want to fully listen to those of us who have been here and done it.

It's all about $$$$, logistics and planning when building or living so remotely. As some can verify, I know a thing or two about this.

Live and Learn - live and learn! I am 'on site' and still have problems. Unless I am sitting watching the work there are misunderstandings. Yes, this is an English speaking country but we don't all speak the same English.

For example: when I was having my condo built I asked for a light over the toilet and one over the sink. I even had picked out nice wall mounted fixtures. What I got was one in the ceiling OVER the toilet and one in the ceiling OVER the sink. I thought drawers in kitchen cabinets were standard (4 drawers). I got one regular size drawer and two BIG BIN LIKE drawers below that.

For months big trucks were coming across the bridge delivering sand, gravel, blocks, etc. The day my stuff arrived the town board shut down the bridge and I paid an outrageous amount to have the stuff barged up.

I am building my house now just north of the Palapa Bar and loving doing it but I have to watch every little thing. AND it always costs more than estimated. Even more than contracted. For instance when I got a contract to build my roof little did I know that this was labor only and I am paying through the nose for material. Live and Learn.

Good luck.

Sorry Colleen,
You folks shot yourselves in the foot on that one.

I don't know how I "shot" myself in the foot. We've been living the dream in our house for over four years now. The building process was everything we expected, money, time and hassle. Because we did our research (not in bars or online), were involved through out the building process and over saw every detail.

I was just trying to give a heads up to anyone else who thinks it will be easy or cheap to build and live in Palm Bay. During the high season I tend to have this conversation about every other week with someone with island fever. My mantra to them is research, research, research.