Zihua I.D. and Maura Taylor provide rental property management, construction project management, interior design and consulting services to the Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo and La Costa Grande of Guerrero, Mexico.

Category Archives: home building

· · · Interiors, Custom Built Furniture

February 8th, 2011  ·  Posted in ADIP Article Archive, home building

Mexico is home to some very talented and creative artisans and craftsman who turn wood, bamboo, stone, rattan and other natural materials into beautifully crafted furnishings to fit your individual style, taste, budget and more importantly; measurements. The beauty of custom-built furnishings you can build to fit exactly the spaces and contours of each room and area within your home.   · · · Continue reading »

· · · Home Building Series, Part II: The Construction Phase

July 26th, 2010  ·  Posted in home building

Assuming that the proper paperwork for your construction project (license, permits, insurance, etc) has been processed and approved, you are now ready to see some ground-breaking work begin. Here we’ve outlined the general steps you’ll encounter once the construction phase of your project gets underway. Having a better understanding of the overall process will help you manage your expectations and hopefully give you some piece of mind as your construction project progresses.

Foundation & Framing

Zihua ID: Construction

The first of your ground-breaking work will be concentrated on the construction of the foundation, which, once completed will serve as the basic footprint, defining the layout of your new home or condo.

Basic electrical and plumbing installations are laid throughout & the skeleton of your home is constructed, taking shape as walls, arches, entryways, ceiling, stairs and any structural elements. Your home’s framing is also laid, deriving much of its stability and strength from the very fact that it rests upon a properly-installed foundation.   · · · Continue reading »

· · · Home Building Series, Part I: Pre-Construction

July 7th, 2010  ·  Posted in home building

Congratulations! You’ve decided to go ahead with the building of your dream home!

The burning question is … what happens now?

Well, if you’ve already decided on an architect then half of the battle is already won. Assuming you are ready to move forward, here is a basic overview of what you can expect over the course of your home building project.

Like any project, the construction of a home, whether in Los Angeles, California or Zihuatanejo, Mexico, follows a basic set of steps.

Although materials and methods may vary, understanding the general construction process can help you wrap your arms around what may seem like a very daunting project, especially if you are building here and living elsewhere.

It’s important that before moving forward with any building project, you feel comfortable with the team of professionals who will be carrying out the work. This means that you and your architect, builder and/or construction manager are all on the same page (and hopefully speaking the same language).   · · · Continue reading »

· · · Choosing an Architect That’s Right for You

July 3rd, 2010  ·  Posted in home building

Choosing the right architect or builder can be a stressful proposition. The decision and the process is emotionally exhausting. If you were just going out to buy a pair of socks it would hardly be so crucial. However, in this case you are looking for a very special person or person(s) to build your home.

Choosing the Right Architect

Your refuge. Your sanctuary.

A safe haven which will always greet you with a warm embrace and a cool place to lie.

Identifying the architect or firm who possess that special ttrait, characteristic & style which best speaks to you and utterly moves you is difficult enough in your own backyard, let alone here in Mexico. However, the bright side of building here means that you have access to some extremely talented architectural professionals that elsewhere in the world would completely be out of reach cost-wise. This isn’t to say that quality comes cheap, but relatively speaking it is still “affordable” to hire from the top.

Once you’re ready, embarking on your quest is similar to taking up any new task … using a little common sense and plenty of due diligence.   · · · Continue reading »