Notes from the site, the studio and the permit office.
What we learn building in the Riviera Maya — materials that survive the salt and the heat, what the paperwork actually asks for, and how projects really go.
Are large windows and glass walls actually safe in a hurricane zone?
Glass walls in a hurricane zone are safe when the glass is rated,protection systems are specified, and the assembly is engineered into the structure.
· Read →Why are custom windows actually cheaper and easier to get here than in the US?
Custom windows in Mexico are cheaper and easier becauseconcrete framing allows shapes wood framing can't, and local labor costs a fraction asmuch.
· Read →Concrete vs. steel — which is actually better for hurricane zones?
Concrete vs steel in hurricane zones: both can be engineered tohold, but corrosion, termites and humidity make concrete the coastal default here.
· Read →How long do concrete homes actually last here?
How long concrete homes last in this climate: 50 to 100+ yearswhen maintained, with upkeep falling on finishes and waterproofing, not thestructure.
· Read →Are wood houses even legal to build in Mexico?
Wood houses in Mexico are legal to build, but humidity, termitesand hurricanes mean special engineering and ongoing maintenance most ownersskip.
· Read →Why is almost everything here built from concrete instead of wood?
Concrete vs wood construction in Mexico isn't really a contest:humidity, termites and hurricane winds make reinforced concrete the practicaldefault.
· Read →What are the biggest mistakes foreign buyers make when building here?
The three mistakes foreign buyers make most often: skippingzoning verification, hiring unvetted builders, and underestimating infrastructurecosts.
· Read →Do I need a permit to remodel, or only to build new?
A remodel permit in Mexico is required for structural work andadditions, filed as Ampliación y/o Modificación and approved before constructionstarts.
· Read →How long does it actually take to get a construction permit?
The construction permit timeline in Mexico runs 3 to 8 weeks aftersubmittal, and Solidaridad's fast track can clear low-impact projects in 10 days.
· Read →What permits do I actually need to build a house in Mexico?
The permits to build a house in Mexico: Licencia de Construcción,Uso de Suelo, stamped plans, plus environmental approvals when the site requires it.
· Read →What is a fideicomiso, and do I actually need one?
A fideicomiso is the Mexican bank trust that lets foreigners holdcoastal property rights, and in most of the Riviera Maya, you will need one.
· Read →Can Americans and Canadians legally build a house in Mexico?
Foreigners can build a house in Mexico legally, through afideicomiso bank trust in the coastal restricted zone or via a Mexican corporation.
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