House update. I never got around to posting new pics of the house from our last trip over to Merida. Since I'm sitting around tonight waiting on Dolly, I got them organized.
I didn't take a lot of pictures. Frankly, it didn't look a lot different. That's the depressing part. The whole process has slowed down because the estimated time for using the compressor and jackhammer went from 1 week to 3 weeks and counting. The house sits on a solid limestone rock, about a foot under the surface. They can't even get a pick into it, it's all one big hunk. As long as they are hacking up chunks of rock and debris they can't do any more on the downstairs. Everything has to be hauled out the front door, that's the only entrance to the property. The dust is incredible and the piles of rock accumulate everywhere until there is enough for a large truckload. The truck has to come in the middle of the night due to restrictions in the centro.
I've put some of these latest pics starting here.
What I did do while we were there is spend some time with the cabinet maker, Terrence. He's a great guy and I enjoyed just talking with him and hanging out. He had me when he said that cabinets in kitchens were not very useful but there could never be too many drawers. Yes! We also agree that plain fronts are best and that the beauty comes from the wood. I think we have a good plan and he is drawing it up now and coming up with a price, that part is a little scary. We also went to a great, upscale hardware store and I bought some pull outs for pantry items and cleaning supplies that he will build in.
I also bought a wine cooler! I know, ¡qué naco! Here's my plan though. I eat a lot of fruit and fruit ripens so fast here that you have about a day before it is over the hill. I plan to use this glass fronted, adjustable temperatured, interior lit, wine cooler as a fruit cooler. It will be right at eye level. Instead of standing in front of the refrigerator with the door open while I open bins and decide which fruit I want, I can turn the light on and look through the door. I can also set it so it is about 65f and let the fruit ripen but not go bad in a day. Yeah, I might keep a bottle or two of Chard in there as well, after all I am from California.
Remember the wonderful hood from last time? Well, there was a counter and sink under it this time.
Only one thing, the counter was about right, maybe a little low, except the floor hadn't been installed yet. Mimi then noticed that the sink was about 4" deep, not good in your main kitchen sink.
We pointed this out to the architect when we met him there. Sometimes you just have to love Mexican culture and just ride with it.
The counter is fine but the workers put it in without permission and it has to be removed.
OK. Will it be higher next time?
No. It will be the same height as now but with an allowance for the floor being added.
OK. (long pause) Since it is being redone, can I have a slope and drain board on the right side of the sink? and... can the sink be a lot deeper?
Of course.
I'm tempted to say "Damn! I'm good!" but I should probably wait to see what the results are.
I didn't take a lot of pictures. Frankly, it didn't look a lot different. That's the depressing part. The whole process has slowed down because the estimated time for using the compressor and jackhammer went from 1 week to 3 weeks and counting. The house sits on a solid limestone rock, about a foot under the surface. They can't even get a pick into it, it's all one big hunk. As long as they are hacking up chunks of rock and debris they can't do any more on the downstairs. Everything has to be hauled out the front door, that's the only entrance to the property. The dust is incredible and the piles of rock accumulate everywhere until there is enough for a large truckload. The truck has to come in the middle of the night due to restrictions in the centro. I've put some of these latest pics starting here.
What I did do while we were there is spend some time with the cabinet maker, Terrence. He's a great guy and I enjoyed just talking with him and hanging out. He had me when he said that cabinets in kitchens were not very useful but there could never be too many drawers. Yes! We also agree that plain fronts are best and that the beauty comes from the wood. I think we have a good plan and he is drawing it up now and coming up with a price, that part is a little scary. We also went to a great, upscale hardware store and I bought some pull outs for pantry items and cleaning supplies that he will build in.
I also bought a wine cooler! I know, ¡qué naco! Here's my plan though. I eat a lot of fruit and fruit ripens so fast here that you have about a day before it is over the hill. I plan to use this glass fronted, adjustable temperatured, interior lit, wine cooler as a fruit cooler. It will be right at eye level. Instead of standing in front of the refrigerator with the door open while I open bins and decide which fruit I want, I can turn the light on and look through the door. I can also set it so it is about 65f and let the fruit ripen but not go bad in a day. Yeah, I might keep a bottle or two of Chard in there as well, after all I am from California.
Remember the wonderful hood from last time? Well, there was a counter and sink under it this time. Only one thing, the counter was about right, maybe a little low, except the floor hadn't been installed yet. Mimi then noticed that the sink was about 4" deep, not good in your main kitchen sink.
We pointed this out to the architect when we met him there. Sometimes you just have to love Mexican culture and just ride with it.
The counter is fine but the workers put it in without permission and it has to be removed.
OK. Will it be higher next time?
No. It will be the same height as now but with an allowance for the floor being added.
OK. (long pause) Since it is being redone, can I have a slope and drain board on the right side of the sink? and... can the sink be a lot deeper?
Of course.
I'm tempted to say "Damn! I'm good!" but I should probably wait to see what the results are.
posted by Jonna at 10:18 PM
8 Comments:
Hang in there ladies! Thinking of ya and hoping you, the dogs and Tita are all staying safe and warm!
Fned.
I really enjoy seeing the progress on your remodel job. And I keep thinking, WOW, that must be costing them a small fortune. Then I remember, this is Mexico. What would you say is the average daily wage for one of the unskilled workers? In U.S. dollars? That pool would probably cost 75K here in the U.S., and most owners would say "forget it." I hope that when the entire job is finished, you will give us an idea of U.S. vs Mexico prices. Thanks. Phil in Phoenix
Thanks Fned.
Phil, I don't know what an individual worker makes, I can ask. The thing to remember about construction in Mexico is that the materials are often more expensive but the labor is cheaper. A reverse of the US. In things like hacking out the pool, this works in your favor. In buying appliances and hardware, it works against you. Luckily, I think concrete is still a little cheaper in Mexico (much of it is produced here in the Yucatan) and we used a LOT of concrete! I also pre-bought a lot it and a lot of block in early Jan, late Dec before the prices went up so much. They held it at the warehouse until we needed it. That saved quite a bit as prices skyrocketed this year.
Someone just told me the a sack of cement is now $100mxp, I can't remember what was when we moved here. Jonna you also bought your cement and blok when the dollar bought you a few more pesos. I just saw a bank with 10 pesos to the dollar as the exchange! 4 years ago it was 11.40 so even if prices were the same, that sack would have cost only $8.77 usd vs the $10 it costs now. Oh, I wish I hadn't done the math, I just realized how much less my money is buying.
regards,
Theresa
A winecellar for your fruit!!!! THAT is such a cool (and chic) idea! I bet hubby is going to LOVE hearing about this! ;)
Fned.
Thanks for the link to your house pictures and the update. We always like to look at houses, don't we? They are each so unique and special. I particularly like your free form pool in the garden corner. It should be great. Glad Dolly was an off broadway performance rather than a big, Broadway extravaganza!
Fned, I'm glad you didn't think it was naco or too California to get that wine cooler for fruit. I really resisted it for months but then there was this space that it would fit perfectly and the fruit going bad too fast drives me nuts so ...
Theresa, the falling dollar is giving me a lot of anxiety. The cost on this house has gone up by the amount the dollar has fallen and that hurts. I'm trying to move as much money as I will need into pesos as quickly as I can but there is no pretty way to do that when the stock market is also tanking.
Paul I'm happy Dolly went on to a bigger stage. I too love looking at houses, I will go on any home tour I can. It's the voyeur in me I guess.
Way cool Jonna,
I would be putting my red wine in that cooler also - room temp does not mean 90 degrees :).
The house is looking good - looking like it should be ready for a tour by December, yes?
Ron
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