Phase 2


A good Read before you start is a book my daughter gave to me Gringos in Paradise. There are others
I used some of the suggestions from the book and sometimes i think the contractor read it to.
Example When Itold the contractor he had the house to build. He said well it is customary when i build a home for an American for them to bring me a tool. Ok I said what do you want he said a power planer this was i swear out of the book. So i brought down the power planer and what I said was it is yours if you build me a good home and build it on time. It feel it helped to start a friend ship.
I am glad I went with the smaller contractor.


Tiles typically the contractors allow 25-30 Florins a sq meter. Look into the contract and ask or have it written that if you only spend 20 florins a sq meter you want a credit for the 10 Florins per sq meter.
Or see if the extra can be applied towards a decorative tile for the bathroom or Kitchen.


Roof Most roofs are tiles ask if there subs will color the cement that is used for the roof caps to match the roof. This is just for astetitics


Stay in touch with your contractor be a pain if you must. Some would suggest to signup with one of the VOIP's I chose to use calling cards the one I use is 10 Bucks for 40 minutes and you can use it with your cell phone. I am on the road alot.


Even the types of cement that they use for the finished walls makes a difference to the textures of your finished walls.


Take the time to go to a Home depot and pickup some small rebar or stakes and a big ball of string and find a flat area the you could fit your house onto were you live now and outline your house. It is only a guide but will help to show you how big or small a room is. It is easier to make an adjustment on paper.


If you are going to have a ref, with water and ice cube maker make sure thereis water on your print showing were you want the water.


Dishwasher the electrician will need to Know if you are going to use a 120 volt or 220 volt dishwaser as these are available on the island and at least one of the cabinet suppliers uses them.


If your contractor is going to us a local carpenter to build your doors,windows or Cabinets ask to be taken to there place of business and view there work. Some is very good.

Ask how they mount the windows is it a cedar frame or right to the cement. There may or may not be difference for you.
Check prices ask if the lumber yards offer discounts. Some of the stores offer discount cards for a small fee.
Pay attention to the time as most stores close for Lunch. I know I was locked in the Comdemsa lumber store for period of time and had to leave the store by climbing over the roof.


Grab an Aruba phone book and keep it near your phone at home.
Ask for extra electrical conduits from your electrical panel to the outside of your house. I had no fewer then 3 installed 1 over sized conduit for a future pool this goes out the back. Another for a future gate operator and then another ligts on the wall. And I have 5 sticking into the attic for spares.
Remember this is solid 6 or 8 inch block construction.


Please remember this is what I did or some pit falls that I fell in to and this is only a guide.
More to come.

Let the carnival Begin
Mr Norman Paperman