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Is there a good time to build?


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As I mentioned in another post a week or so ago, we are currently debating the addition of a partial second floor, if it is possible.  I was just thinking that with the rainy season coming maybe it is not a good time to build when the earth is wet, as definitely we would be looking at least one wall requiring a new foundation, or maybe it is the best time!  I have no clue and would like to hear from anyone with an opinion who does not necessarily have skin in the game I.E. builder etc..

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I am involved in a building project in Chiapas that has to be done during the rainy season there because of some scheduling of the teachers..... I do not know about here but there the price of bricks just went up 50cents because the brick yards do not produce much during the rainy season. so at least down there the prices are not cheaper in the rainy season.

We are building a temporary roof over out construction to allow the morter to dry faster so we can continue the buiding. Frankly I would not build during the rainy season.

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You could ask the opinion of Gustavo Rivera, who is a Soil specialist / engineer, architect and builder.  I've found him to be honest and informative, and we like the work he has done for us.  garq.rivera@gmail.com  333.952.64.75

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We built a second floor on our house a few years ago, here in Chapala.  It took them about six or seven months to finish the project working Monday to Saturday.  I would stsrt in January to give them ample time to finish before the rains come.  Just take into consideration it will take them twice as long to build than what they initially say.  Building in the rainy season will mean a lot of  lost days and possibly having to redo stuff.  I remember last year we painted our house in the dry season and a freak rain storm came and left streaks up and down the walls and we had to repaint it.  And yes bricks are more expensive when the rains come.

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The rainy season is probably a good time to get your design done, get any permits or paperwork if they will be required (depends on the surface area to be built). I would not recommend building during the rainy season, a lot of time if lost in protecting recent work (walls, plaster, etc...) from the rain, getting rid of water accumulated and if it starts raining construction workers expect to be paid some percentage of the lost time. 

If your second floor is not urgent, I would say wait until october to get started.

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1 hour ago, bmh said:

I am involved in a building project in Chiapas that has to be done during the rainy season there because of some scheduling of the teachers..... I do not know about here but there the price of bricks just went up 50cents because the brick yards do not produce much during the rainy season. so at least down there the prices are not cheaper in the rainy season.

We are building a temporary roof over out construction to allow the morter to dry faster so we can continue the buiding. Frankly I would not build during the rainy season.

Like wise here at Lakeside price goes up during wet season, plus maybe shortage of what you need

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I'd have to disagree with the majority of responses. I built my house in 2 stages, first the ground floor, starting in late June, ran through til early October. No painting done at this time, as I wanted to give walls plenty of time to cure before painting and sealing.

Second floor phase the following summer.

I live in PV area, where it really only starts raining in late afternoon, and overnight. Might be one or two days all summer where it actually rains or drizzles all day. O'nite rains stop by 9 am at the latest. There were only a couple days all summer when the guys couldn't work because of rain. I don't know the weather patterns Lakeside, so maybe this is not the case there.

Foundations- you can find a way to keep water away- dig a trench around the outside of where your foundations will be, cover area where construction will be with tarps (workers will be glad of the shade cover as well) until foundation is done and sealed. Make sure you put in French drains or other way for water to be carried away from your house forever.

Advantages to summer building:  

1. Concrete and cement are strongest if they are kept damp for as long as possible. Once it "sets up", which takes only a couple hours, it will not wash away, dissolve, etc. After that, getting rained on is a GOOD thing.

2. Lots of construction workers are hurting for work in the off season.

3. There are no official "bank holidays" until Sept, which means you will not have to give the guys paid days off.

Have a dry place to store cement during construction and do wait until dry season to seal and paint walls.

That's my experience and all turned out fine.

                                                         

                                                            

 

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