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Kokopelli_Chris
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« Reply #45 on: May 15, 2007, 03:02:07 PM » |
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I'm so happy with the Enthusiasm I see so far from those participants here. I hope to receive a fair welcome upon arrival. The fact that these discussions take place is positive within itself. Yes, I will look like the nosy gringo for my first few days and I wont be hard to miss.... on purpose of course. Not sure if you guys have a 'welcome wagon' club but i'm a simpleton so no need to go out of your way. My nick 'Kokopelli' was given to me by a Southern Ute elder and I answer to it well. Jimg, I do foresee the need for lockdown/login in the future to keep the junk out, sad but true. If anyone needs anything ( within reason ) from San Jose next week 23,24th , let me know and I'll pick it up for you. Till then, Ciao ! K_C Kokopelli@kokopelliswificafe.com |
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Anonymous
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« Reply #46 on: May 25, 2007, 09:50:51 PM » |
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superpaul
Make sure you stay on them and do not let anything slip. The squeeky wheel gets the grease is something I have learned about the hard way, not the way I like to operate by choice, but you leave yourself open to being taken for granted or advantage of while other projects are worked on if you do not. I have been told that this is with any contractor to some extent, but you may want to check and see if this has been the experience of others with this particular one. After over two years and many promises I have decided to finish my house myself. I do not feel it is necessary to identify who my contractor was. Sometimes when people stretch themselves too far, get too big, or get too greedy the earlier reports of excellence are no longer valid. I wish you well.
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horrible experience
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« Reply #47 on: June 01, 2007, 08:46:05 PM » |
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My experience with Ventanas has been a nightmare. I would not recommend them to anyone and all you have to do is live here and hear the truth about them to know this. Their marketing is impeccable, but their ethics are abomidable. I have never been thru such an experience with a more unethical builder as Robert La Roche. I believe he is very corrupting and lies all the time to the customers. Just come here and talk to the people who have been thru the experience of building with them and you will never do it. No one in the organization has built with them and no one has ever used them to build a second house. Be very careful and do not believe the very wonderful line RLR delivers. It is bogus. ! Annonymousb]
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Lost in Quebec
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« Reply #48 on: June 02, 2007, 02:59:14 PM » |
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What is the difference between Ventanas and Ventanas Del Pacifico?
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PacificLots
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« Reply #49 on: June 04, 2007, 09:56:07 AM » |
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Dear Horrible Experience,
I am surprised that you have such bad things to say yet choose to be annonymous. Most people who choose to be annonymous are either not really customers (more likely competitors) or they managed to "get themselves in trouble" typically not having enough money to build the house they set out to build. When they run out of money and stop paying to continue, the builder is blamed, the cause, the demon. Perhaps you fall into this catagory? There will always be clients like this, running out of money partially through a project after having made many costly changes in the construction process. and them blaming the builder for thier woes. Does this sound familar?
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Anonymous
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« Reply #50 on: June 04, 2007, 04:24:18 PM » |
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nice post PacLots!! You are completly right and I agree with you 100%. Isn't it funny how people complain and gripe about their situation but will never go any further to disclose their own info.
VDP is around to stay and that is a FACT!!!
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Fair Play
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« Reply #51 on: June 06, 2007, 07:38:56 AM » |
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Dear Horrible Experience et al,
Now that this topic of 'Looking for a Builder' has turned into a 'Ventanas Bashing Vendetta', it's only fair play that we mention the so-called 'other builders' who should be put under the loop just as well.
A sort of review grid or buyer's guide to evaluate overall satisfaction and consumer awareness of potential trouble areas one may have the experience of encountering with so or so. We give out star ratings for hotels, so why not for builders. It's fair game to rate a service when companies offer services and goods to the public domain. It is not libelous as such if done with a 'fair play' premise.
Rate the builder's according to major building phases starting with the 'Titles and Permits' catagory, 'Environmental Consciousness', etc.etc. right up to the final finishing touches. It is 'fair play' that opinions are not based on lack of money or bad choices in ceramics by the property owner since it disqualifies the seriousness of the rating.
The 'Ojochal Guide to Selecting a Builder' would be a great reference for future property-owners looking for a builder, existing owners who want to add a guest house or repair a pool, etc etc. I can visualize it now, all the builders in the area exposed for their strengths and weaknesses. Count the lucky stars and choose 'the' one that responds to your demands. Actually a simple and fair way to do business is by 'reputation' and not by defamation. Evidently, photos of prior homes built by each builder and testimonials by homeowners are instrumental for the 'OGSB' pamplet to be effective and honest. As way of advertising and marketing, builders should be jumping with joy to be included in this reliable source of guidance for choosing a builder in the area.
Also, the OGSB guide could include articles on 'How to Choose an Architect, Where is the best Ferretaria, Happy Endings to Building, Nightmares in Building, Moratoriums on Building Developments, An International Airport in Palmar Update, The Paved Stretch from Dominical to Quepos Dream, Where to Eat the Best Ribs in Ojochal, Which Supermercados have the Coldest Fridges for Imperial...etc.etc
I am going to the designing board right away but you can be damn sure it will be honest and impartial with everybody under the loop! It's only fair play to be fair game!
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Kokopelli_Chris
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« Reply #52 on: June 10, 2007, 03:17:41 AM » |
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Howdy Folks.....
Well I'm back in Canada for a week or 3 and getting ready to depart back to Ojochal. I have decided that I will use my own contracting experience and be the 'general' contractor of my own Casa/Project. I met many qualified workers from each trade needed to complete a project and each had their pros and cons. You simply MUST be present to achieve results if your on a budget and want things done correctly. One of the biggest problems I saw was tradesmen not caring for YOUR tools properly and hence your back at the hardware store buying more of what you thought you had. i.e The guy on the moto who dropped the Makita grinder in the river, waded back and picked it up and with a smile on his face looked at me and said " No Problemo " .......... ( yea, wonderful I was thinking )
As far as this thread is concerned and the little back and forth flaming I see it quite simple ...... It's all Caveat Emptor .... If you have more money than brains and you just hire whatever or whomever you might as well just plan on losing or giving away an additional 30% + and your work being completed half ass and the word 'soon' means next rainy season if your lucky. I honestly think if you spend some time and get to know the local tradesmen you can complete a project pretty close to your planned schedule and get quality work done. I met ALOT of damn hard working Ticos in Ojochal and from other close townships and wouldn't hesitate to give them a chance to work for me.
Well thats my 2 colones on the issue ..... and if anyone is looking for Property Management services OR a worksite supervisor feel free to contact me. I am considering offering these services if I get responses on a positive note. I will be permanent in Ojochal starting in July. If you have rentals that you would like some revenues from while your away, my wife (Tica) does cleaning and for a very small percentage we can help you keep your cabinas occupied with our vast outreach of friends around the world.
Ciao for now peeps.......
Kokopelli & Daysi ....
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brad
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« Reply #53 on: June 11, 2007, 09:02:32 PM » |
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All I wanted was some solid references with regards to a few builders. First hand in the $60 to $65 range. Positives! The negative ones seem to surface within a week of visiting. Still looking
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Richard
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« Reply #54 on: July 31, 2008, 01:20:15 PM » |
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Check out Ventanas Del Pacifico.biz
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annita
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« Reply #55 on: July 31, 2008, 07:32:12 PM » |
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i'm looking for an architectors in ojochal and a good person for help to build my house...any recommandation?! how many times it takes for having house plans?
Annita
sorry for my english...my french and my spanish are better!
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JulieL
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« Reply #56 on: August 02, 2008, 01:17:00 PM » |
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Try to find Rick Gauthier in town. He worked with many local builders and can recommend one to you. He helped us a lot.
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annita
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« Reply #57 on: August 02, 2008, 06:03:02 PM » |
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thank you Julie i'll find him when i'll go to ojochal in november 2008!
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bilodo
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« Reply #58 on: December 06, 2009, 11:16:59 AM » |
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I am looking to meet screen builders in the Ojochal area to dicuss building my home. Any recommendations?
There is a Canadian there who builds with Tico workers, he's buitl 2 houses already and is building one presently on the main road of Ojochal right on the corner of the street to go to the bakery. His name is Eric and is phone number is 2786-5656. Good luck. |
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