Working in Mexico? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

nadonailer · 12-27-2005, 09:49 PM

I'm planning on buying a lot down near Cabo and building on it. Anyone know the ins and outs of a US (Calif) Contr working in Mexico? Both on my own property or someone elses? I'm guessing there aren't too many licensed Mex contrs down there anyway?

mdshunk · 12-27-2005, 09:56 PM

When I was a "factory electrician" a number of years ago, I spent a week at one of their plants just inside Mexico from Arizona they called "Hermasillo #1", located near Hermosillo, Mexico. The plant had tall chain link fence with barbed wire on top surrounding it. They warned us that anything we left lay about, even for a short period, was as good as gone. A few of us were down there tearing out some machinery to relocate to a US plant. Nobody had anything stolen, but we had things "taken" that came in handy. All of our scrap material that was torn out but not being relocated, we sat just outside the gates of the fence at the behest of the translator. Within a short period of time, it was snapped up by unknown Mexicans (ghosts?).

I know that doesn't have squat to do with your question, but that's my only Mexico story.

TimNJ · 12-27-2005, 10:13 PM

I have only started researching for building in baja norte. You are responsible for any Mexican labor Social security @ 30% of wages paid. Also you have to have full documentation (notes and photos) in the form of a notebook of all work as you progress through the construction phases. This book has to accessable at all times for any "official" who may show up on your job site. Make sure you have clear title and a "fidiescomo"???? (however it is spelled) registered so somebody doesn't come along and lay claim to your house once its built.

**Teetorbilt** · 12-27-2005, 10:14 PM

I once had a property in Baha (waterfront) and was told by nearby property owners that the locals would step on their broken bottles on your property and then sue you. I bailed shortly thereafter.

I have some good stories of my own about getting screwed down there and a few near misses. I'd go anywhere else.

nadonailer · 12-28-2005, 10:55 PM

Well you guys are just a fountain of good news

I like Mexico, I just wish they weren't so 3rd world, dang!

**Teetorbilt** · 12-28-2005, 10:57 PM

Not so 3rd world, just learning to be like us........with payoffs.

TimNJ · 12-29-2005, 05:16 PM

nadon, I didn't mean to rain on your parade...just make sure all your legal stuff is double and triple checked. The social security rate seems high at 30% but the when you figure excellent masons are getting $15 a DAY! in baja norte, an extra $5 is chicken scratch. General laborers were getting about $7 a day. This was in 2004.