More Stuff and Things
and 7 December 02 Update
 

We closed the construction access hole in the east wall.   Feels like a real turning point.
The end is still not in sight, but hopes are high  
 

After Christmas we'll get a bulldozer to clean the neighbor's lot that he has so graciously allowed us to use for material storage for the past 10 months.

The patio is really crammed full of stuff -- mostly form lumber that will now be used to build scaffolding for stuccoing and painting the top half of the buildings.

Clean up time, all the time.  It's a never ending job.

Enrique is cooking for the Saturday afternoon tacos and beer party.

Even Santa Claus enjoys a little food and beer break.

 

Getting the swamp coolers up to the roof was no easy task.
 
We temporarily set the coolers and water tanks in place to verify that they fit properly.  Close, but OK.  The coolers will be set on 24" bases to raise them partially above the parapet wall.
 
The duct work (out of sight) will have to be changed to fit. 

We began the job of sealing (water proofing) the roof by seeking advice from two vendors and an architect who provides a roof sealing service.  We were offered four different products with four different prices and guarantees.  The one thing that everyone agreed on is that the sealer should not be applied directly to the concrete slab.  They all said that the summer sun will heat the concrete so hot that the sealer -- which ever one we use -- will blister and peal.  They all insisted that we should apply a cap to the roof first, then apply the sealer to the cap.  The cap is 5cm (2") of sand and cement, no gravel or lime.  It is is the same formula we use for the stucco. 
 
I don't understand the physics, but it is hard to argue with experienced local folks.  So we are adding the cap.  Sealer to follow soon.

PROJECT COST SUMMARY TO DATE
 

Stuff and Things -- 
Finishing Up  12/07

Dollars at 9:1 Pesos

Material

$ 1,385

$ 12,465

Labor

3,256

29,304

Total Stuff and Things

4,640

 41,746

 

Continuing Phases

These 5 items are (will be) material only.  Labor will be provided by the family and me.

Electrical 

3,507

31,564

Plumbing 

645

5,882

Iron Work

2,127

19,140

Tile

Paint

These 4 items are (will be) material and labor.

Air Conditioning

3,318

29,860

Cabinetry 

2,044

18,400

Plaster

3,838

34,544

Stucco

541

4,868

  

Social Security payments

4,231

38,079

 

Previous Phases:

North Roof

5,819

52,375

South Roof & Stairs

4,964

44,674

North 2nd Floor Shell

3,812

34,310

North 2nd Floor Slab

4,077

36,692

South 2nd Floor Shell

4,759

42,828

South 2nd Floor Slab

4,514

40,630

South 1st Floor Shell

6,934

62,406

The cost of the form lumber has not been included because it has considerable re-sale value.  Its net cost will be included later.

North 1st Floor Shell

7,692

69,228

Property Walls

6,535

58,815

Property Purchase

24,003

216,208

PROJECT TOTAL on 12/07

$ 98,009

  $ 882,080

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