Okay, so we're just watching, but it's happening.
Because the seller of the house had given us keys prior to possession, we started to seek out the trades necessary to do the work we were contemplating prior to owning it. This in itself was a process and a challenge.
Finding names of workers was one thing, having them show up when they said they would, or provide quotes in a timely manner, was a very different thing.
Fortunately due to my Spanish, we were able to communicate well with the concrete guys (albanil), and plomero/electricistas (and you can guess what they do). As such we were able to interview from a wide variety of local tradespeople, including 2 contractors who could have managed the entire project.
The idea of the contractors was definitely our first choice, but when one was unable to return emails any time we were away, and the second never even got back to us with his presupuesto (quote), we decided it would likely be advantageous to be our own contractors. This also allowed us to keep more of a handle on the project ourselves.
So having chosen two of the most reliable individuals we had met, and committing to a two week project before we return to Canada, work began at 8am the morning after the house became ours!
Imagine our surprise that morning to find a crew of 10 people chipping away at the back walls, digging holes, two more people pulling down a tree and a stump we removed, and a 3 person electrical team all working away in the back yard only! It was like a swarm of ants on an anthill! And to top that off we had deliveries of concrete, concrete blocks, gravel, cement, sand, stone, and all the plumbing and electrical supplies we will need! It was crazy but fun to see.
I was sad to see the coconut tree fall, but the debris it was leaving in the pool would have made it impossible to keep clean for more than a day at a time. We intend to replace that tree with two or three others, perhaps a lime tree, and maybe even a mango and/or orange tree! We hear these grow quite readily down here in the warm climate.
Day 1 also included purchasing safety glasses for the whole crew, as not one of the workers had a pair and we were concerned with concrete chips and dust flying. Initially the workers seemed reluctant to try them, but now as we've reached the fourth day, noone seems to show up without theirs! They're usually the first things cleaned at the end of the day. And of course everyone is in their construction boots (safety sandals - one size large according to Vic to protect the big toe)! It is what it is. The head albanil does wear his construction boots - I guess that's how you tell them apart!
By Saturday at noon, the landscape was entirely changed, with the yard level having been raised 6 inches, the walls having been chipped out for the electrical. The plumbing was beginning to be laid, the septic tank for our outdoor bathroom dug and poured, and the new cistern for the city water was almost complete. One of two garden foundations is in, and the frame for one set of the newly rounded steps has begun. Very exciting indeed.
On Saturday, which is payday for the crew, we happily provided lunch for the crew which they seemed surprised and appreciative about. It was fun and we finally figured out just about everybody's names. Vic says the brownies I baked were a hit!
The only casualty so far has been our driveway. When the gravel was delivered, the massive truck inched its way through the gates but actually fell through the concrete driveway about 4 inches. All we could do was shrug and Vic explained to the concrete guy, "I guess you have more work for the fall". The swath is about 10 feet long and down about 6 inches. No problema!
We hope you enjoy the pictures and we'll keep you posted!
Have a great sunny day! Hugs from Mexico. :-)
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