Just my opinion, when it comes to the way we build, the world has lost the plot. Expensive, impossibly complex codes, rules, regulations, and methods.
What’s the solution? Should you be able to build your own house? Some people would shudder at the thought. I used to be like that. It’s hard, tiring, taxing work. Every triumph and tragedy is on display for all to see.
My first building project was a tiny deck outside of a sleepout. I had recently seen a builder do something similar. I thought it couldn’t be that difficult. It was a disaster. My wife wasn’t happy, but I tried to defend it by citing how difficult this assignment was. I insisted that she didn’t understand the complexities of the project. I didn’t have a clue, but I learned from it.
Thankfully we soon sold that house; I no longer had to look at my masterpiece.
Our Opportunity
After several months I managed to build a covered verandah and a bathroom. Things turned out ok. Sure, there were some metric imperfections, but overall we were pleased
What We Learnt
Apart from how hard building is, I learnt that just about anyone can build something. In a country where so many living in inadequate housing, New Zealand authorities should allow people to construct their own dwellings. I also concluded that the building material industry in New Zealand is a scam. Prices are inflated, the market is rigged and no genuine competition.
We built without a permit. There is no way we would have been able to afford otherwise.
‘Latest’ Isn’t Always ‘greatest’
Traditionally, building a home in Guatemala was a family/community affair. Large adobe bricks formed from earth, fiber, and water. Sun-dried and then laid with a mix of adobe ‘cement’. The roof consisted of a wooden frame and terracotta tiles. You still see this today, but it’s not very common.
The following image is a traditional adobe, terracotta tiled house. It looks rough, but when originally built it would have been plastered.
Guatemala has ‘progressed’ to the more popular mass-produced method; cement bricks and metal ‘lamina’ roofs. Now families and communities have been replaced by professional building contractors.
Guatemala is a hot place. These cement block, tin roof houses are like heat boxes. On the other hand, the adobe, terracotta-roofed houses are the opposite; cool and comfortable. But another issue that is eating away at Guatemala’s more recent buildings. Rising dampness. It’s human nature to do what you’ve always done. Guatemalan builders generally dig foundations and lay cement blocks so that they’re beneath ground level. More often than not damp proofing isn’t a consideration and the results are obvious.
In most cement brick buildings you can see signs of rising dampness. Like a building cancer, rising dampness weakens structures and promotes mold. But adobe/terracotta roofed houses aren’t for everyone. In future posts we will be exploring alternatives.
Check out our journey so far with aircrete.
The Paraguay Relocation Guide
$5 USD
The Paraguay Relocation Guide is an essential planning tool for your move to Paraguay.
It’s designed to kick-start your moving process and guides you through the core decisions, mindset & steps you need to take.
It’s essentially a summary of all the most important lessons we learnt from our moving journey!
Sign Up To Our Newsletter to Get the Inside Goss!
We post what we can on our YT, Rumble & Blog, but there’s many things that we hold back on.
Sign up to our email list and we’ll email you the stories behind the stories.
Book A One on One Chat
ONLINE – From $60 USD
Leaving your home country can be daunting!
Our one hour session is focused on your questions about moving to or living in Paraguay.
We are happy to share our journey and everything we know about Paraguay and life here. We also have a trusted network of English speaking people that can help you build your new life here.
We would love to help you find your place in the sun!
Click below for more info, testimonials & to book.