Preparing for construction start.

We are lucky to have three beautiful coconut palm tree in the right front of our beach lot and decided to have three “like” palms brought in and planted in the right corner to match. This isn’t just to look good, although I have to say, they do, but also to help hold the sandy bank and beach together to fight erosion. As I realized that shortly my contractor/ builder Kevin will be bringing in equipment and starting prep for pouring concrete structure, I should plant now. Note that the trees are still wrapped because of the heavy winds. They will stay that way for a couple weeks until winds die down. It’s very important for the first few weeks that the root ball settles without movement.

Fancy that, preparing for construction, and next thing I know, the guys are here building a construction shack to keep their tools and supplies during the construction of our beach home.

And then there is a flatbed loaded with all the supplies and forms for pouring the concrete posts and 12-foot high floor construction of our house. Now I’m getting excited, even more as I realize soon I will be watching the beginning of the construction of our new home. Of course, most of this is being done in between some pretty heavy rain and wind.

One fact that I want to stress that has totally amazed me is the work ethic and attitude of the crew that Kevin has on my build. These guys work pretty hard, never complain, long hours and sometimes seven days in a row. They work a specific day rate, not per hour, in the range of $50-60 per day, and that’s Belize dollars, that is about $25-30 a day in the U.S. There’s no “overtime, time and a half on that weekend, just straight pay. And they are happy with the work.

Construction shed on our lot ! Oh boy! Lets get building 🙂

Saturday morning, one of the guys unloads the entire flatbed by himself.

I have been around these guys for about a month and a half now, and they are used to having me around. My hope is for them to realize that I am not here to watch over them, but rather to help, and advise when questions arise to the building of our home. They are very proud of the work they have done on other homes, and I want them to be proud of the work they do on ours.

I will also reward them with cold Cokes during the day, and cold Belikin’s at the end of the day 🙂

And so the saga of building in Belize continues. Until my next progress report, I hope you are enjoying the ride.

The Pirate …Gary