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Building A Home? Here is a cost break down...
There are various types of Homes that can be Built on Secret Beach with all kinds of upgrades and additions that can be made. However, I am going to take you through my build, what I learned and break down for you things you may want to think about, the process and give you better understanding of Off-Grid/Island Living. I will also be utilizing some great resources that I have found along the way.
Where do I come in?
1. As a Certified Solar Contractor on San Pedro/Secret Beach, I would love to earn your business and assist you with your System Design & Installation.
2. If you would like a Project Manager for your Build, I have been in construction and project management in Florida for over 10 years, as well as have great contacts and understanding of the build process since I have been through it with my own home.
These are the two areas of service we are happy to assist with and can be reached on US phone or WhatsApp: +1 239-200-1081 or Email us click clicking the Tab below!
It All Starts with The Land / Lot....
If you already have a Lot, well you can skip this part... But, if you are curious about Lot pricing and valuations, then I think this Video is the best that I have seen, and it was created the first week of April 2024! I can't believe how many roads have been created and houses have gone up just in the time since I bought my Lot, June 2023! Take a look at this video to understand a little more about the area of Secret Beach and the Valuations of the Lots.
I know there are A "LOT" (pardon the pun) of Real Estate agents in Belize, but I have come to know and trust my good friend, Horacio with Keller Williams San Pedro. Just click the Consultation Tab above and I will be happy to set you up with him. He was born and raised in Belize and knows everything about the Island!
The Building Process
Land Clearing / Landfill
Next comes the landfill and land clearing, it's amazing to me how much of the lot plan that I saw last April 2023 is actually coming to fruition and roads that did not exist before are now fully developed into a grid layout with houses going up all over the place, and all within one year.
That being said, if you watched the video above you can see some of the main roads that have already been laid and what areas are quickly being developed. Why this is important, is because some lots previously that may have had a great price were very hard to get to and would require you paving your own road, path or driveway before development or construction can start. Another thing to consider is your lot location, some lots are above flood and just need clearing while other lots may need higher landfill elevation which can become very expensive.
Speaking on behalf of my own lot, it was located one lot off of the main road, and was below flood, so it was literally a swamp when I purchased the property. I had to fill in 50 feet from the main road and another 50 feet just to my property line before the actual landfill of my property began.
I only filled in a 50 foot by 50 foot square which was half of my property, but because I needed 100 feet just to get to that area, I needed 38 truckloads of limestone in order to create my driveway and bring the property up almost 4 feet.
On average it is about $700 to $800USD per truck load.
Start Simple... Beach House
As I mentioned before, there are A LOT of options when it comes to style, layout and look... So let me start by saying: Positive Energy Homes & this site is all about starting SIMPLE and going up from there! To me, personally, Off-Grid/Island living is all about simple... For me, this was always about a "BEACH HOUSE". That being said, if you are looking for "Fancy" layouts, high dollar appliances that need grid connection to operate and top of the line "Craftsmanship", then this might not be the direction or site for you.
It's important to understand that some of the builders that I looked into are Mennonite Builders on the Mainland. They build the majority of the home there and barge it out to the Island. I will be going into this part of the process later, but understand, that means the house can typically only be 20 feet wide and 40 feet long for safe transportation. You can choose from various layouts, # of Bedrooms/Bathrooms, size of porches at each entry point and more... But SIZE MATTERS when it comes to transporting it from the Mainland to the Island!
We will dive into some of the layout options later, but I thought it was important to set expectations of where this is all going.
Builder Options & What You Get...
One of the most important things to understand is there are ACTUAL BUUIDLERS and are CONTRACTORS that have Subcontractors working below them. I am a Contractor in Florida and a Solar Contractor in Belize, I AM NOT A BUILDER, however, I am VERY FAMILIAR with Project Management, handling subcontractors, budget, procurement, cost materials in Belize, transporting items to the island, off-grid living and timelines.
I have learned a lot on building my home, detailed every step of the process to create transparency and assistance in your build and am always willing to find the answer if I don't have it already!
There are multiple directions to go with almost every step of building your home, from wood stilts to concrete foundation... AC Units, electrical wiring, Solar & Battery Back-up options... There are many decisions that need to be made along the way, but its best to PLAN AHEAD, then look back and realize you put the cart before the horse, and it ends up costing you or slowing the build process.
Layouts & Floor Plans
Once again, it's good to understand that if you plan to go the direction, I went with building your home on the mainland, and then barging it to the island, you can save a lot of money, but the SIZE of the house will come into play. As you can see in some of the models/floorplans I have put up on the site by clicking the TAB below, the standard size it 20' x 40'.
You can lay this out in various different options from 1 bedroom to 3 bedrooms... or 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms... location of the kitchen... or just a large open format... But one thing that important to understand is that PORCH/DECK can be built ON SITE once the home as arrived at your lot, so YES... YOU CAN ADD A LARGER Porch or side porch!
What You DON'T Get & Things to Think About...
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Powering The Home... Solar & Energy Storage!
Attachment Hardware
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Inverters
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Energy Storage/Batteries
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Energy Monitoring
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Wiring/Configurations
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Water Storage, Collection, Heating, Septic & Filtration!
Water Storage Tanks
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Septic Tanks
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Pumps
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Water Filtration/Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants and other unwanted molecules. The membrane filters out contaminants at a molecular level, including chemicals, sediments, microorganisms, and heavy metals. The treated water that passes through the membrane is called "permeate," while the rejected water is called "concentrate" or "brine".
Solar Hot Water System
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Propoane Heating
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Landscape Irrigation
If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.
New Build Additions/Upgrades
Mini-Split AC Units
Mini-Split AC Units
Mini-Split AC Units
A mini-split air conditioner, also known as a ductless mini-split system or ductless heat pump, is a heating and cooling system that doesn't require ductwork. It has two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and one or more indoor air-handling units.
These are the best solution for cooling the home as they are extremely e
A mini-split air conditioner, also known as a ductless mini-split system or ductless heat pump, is a heating and cooling system that doesn't require ductwork. It has two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and one or more indoor air-handling units.
These are the best solution for cooling the home as they are extremely energy efficient and can be powered with the properly sized Solar Inverter.
Refrigeration
Mini-Split AC Units
Mini-Split AC Units
Keep in mind that it is difficult and more expensive to purchase appliances on the island or get them later delivered to the island. It smart to purchase this as the house is being completed on the mainland and delivered to the build location and transported WITH THE HOME!
Roof Eaves / Soffit
Mini-Split AC Units
Roof Eaves / Soffit
This is a feature that most builders do not talk about or offer, however it is important to include on the home to ensure that insects or pests are not making a home in your exposed rafters. It is much more affordable to have this done with the home is on the ground BEFORE it gets lifted onto the raised stilts.
Lower Fencing
Roof Eaves / Soffit
At positiveenergyhomesbelize.com, we started with the goal of providing the best products and services to our customers. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, we have established ourselves as a trusted brand that delivers quality every time.
Landscaping
We offer a wide range of products that are designed to meet the needs of our customers. From high-quality electronics to stylish fashion accessories, we have something for everyone.
Internet Service
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Security System / Monitoring
Security System / Monitoring
Security System / Monitoring
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Energy Monitoring
Security System / Monitoring
Security System / Monitoring
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