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My wife and I recently bought 6 acres in the "rain forest." Eventually we hope to build there and move after I retire in 5 years or so. At this point we're looking at a relatively humble abode with a nice view of the Frederiksted harbor and a few chickens and goats. 🙂
I'd appreciate advice from anyone with experience in this area (not the goats, but the building). Can you recommend a good architect and/or contractor? What can we expect to pay to build a one-story house of, say, 800-1000 square feet? Is there any reason that we should hurry to build?
I am a chemist for a pharmaceutical firm and in my retirement would also be interested in part-time work as a consultant to get a few extra $. I've already visited the distillery and picked up an application, but I'm not ready to abandon the continguous states and my pension plan just yet. My firm operates two plants in PR and commuting there is not out of the question. Hess Oil is also an option, but not my first choice. Thoughts?
TIA,
Bruce
Posted : March 26, 2005 1:04 am
Bruce
some of your questions call for conjecture , without knowing your skills and background. Yes, if you actively pursue positions you just might find something that will fit for you. You can find a job. Maybe not the one you envision, but a job.
As far as building you probably have discussed this others. A "rural" property like you describe will need the usual septic, water (cistern), road and electric ,even telephone.. improvements. If thoses are already in place your building cost will come down to the most recent estimates of $200 to $300 a square foot. That will be the cost to build a simple, but nice finished structure.
The other costs, the road (driveway) being one of the big ones, could increase your building cost even more.
Hope this helps and that others will give you specific examples.
stxer....not a goat?
Posted : March 26, 2005 2:45 am
We just finished A 1,800 sqft. poured concrete house.It ran in the $245.00 per sqft range.Spend the time to interview builders and designers.Make sure you know what you want in design ideas.We found the island to be about five years behind state side building ideas,but this is not a bad thing.We build an old west indies style house which still works well in the tropical enviroment.
Don't rely on aircoditioning to keep cool or WAPA will drain your bank account.Covered gallerys and cross ventalation make most days comfortable.plan a generator space and shutters in your design.Remember to Keep it simple.
Posted : March 26, 2005 2:15 pm