Remodeling in South America
Summer is rapidly approaching here in Paraguay. It seems like a good time to get some air conditioning in the apartment.
When the previous owner of the apartment moved out, he took his air conditioners with him. These were kind of like the window units you’d see in the US, but installed in holes cut in the walls.
Something you may not be used to, if you come from the US, is that many of the buildings in South America are built with concrete. If you need to block off a hole in the wall, or need to make a new one, it’s a bit more work, and a lot more noise than your last remodeling job back home.
Here are a few things I’ve found out about remodeling overseas (thanks to the experiences of some other expats).
Find out what you can and can’t do first
We all love those colonial buildings that we see in the pictures. Well, it turns out the local governments also love them. And if you plan to make any changes, they may not be happy about it.
One expat I know was remodeling his home. He hired someone to paint the exterior. That’s when he first ran into trouble. Someone reported him to the local government and they sent a bureaucrat around to let him know that he had to get permission first. They wanted to approve the color first.
He later tried to build a little retail space on the ground floor. That’s not too uncommon in the area. However, he again didn’t check on whether or not he could do that. So he ended up spending money building something that he can never use.
Check with a local architect or builder before you start your work.
Talk with your neighbors beforehand
Another expat couple I know decided to do some very minor remodeling of their apartment’s balcony. This annoyed their neighbor in the next apartment, and he started to cause trouble.
First, he said he was going to go to the building’s management and report them. Then, he was going to report them to the city government to make them prove that they had permits (if they were even needed) and that they paid all the taxes for the workers they hired.
In the US, we’re used to the attitude of, “It’s my home, and I can do what I want with it.” But, in many other countries, there’s more of a sense of community – and you’re about to become part of it.
Find a good architect/engineer/builder
Just like back home, your best chance at getting a good job done is to as around for referrals. This is especially true when you’re looking for someone who won’t assume you’re a “rich” foreigner.
Take your time finding someone you’re comfortable with.
Prepare for a lot of noise and delays
This is especially true if you have a concrete home. Adding more electrical outlets isn’t as easy as it is in a wood-framed house. The same with changes to plumbing and running air conditioning lines to the compressor.
If you have a lot of electronic devices, buy some extra sheets. Cover up everything before the work begins, so you keep the concrete dust out of everything.
And, like you often have back home, don’t expect workers to show up on time or complete the work on schedule. If the workers leave, and say they’ll be back in an hour, don’t go into shock if they don’t come back until the next day.
Some of us grew up in countries where punctuality is assumed. You may not find that in the country you move to. You can either get angry and stressed out about that, or you can realize it’s the way things work there, and consider them when you plan your schedule.
Summary
Any remodeling job can be stressful. And it’s especially true when you’re living overseas. But remember, your home is where you’ll spend much of your time. The more you make it a place that fits your needs, the happier you’ll be when you are there.
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