Focus on Quality when Building your Rocky Point Dream Home

By Joseph Sanchez
President, Rocky Point Home Builders

Building your dream home in Puerto Peñasco aka Rocky Point is an important decision and you want to make sure that the quality of the home is given as much attention as to the price to construct the home. Materials are the most important aspect of any construction project, so consumers should demand the best quality to ensure long lasting satisfaction but all too often the focus tends to be only about price. If price is your only concern and not so much quality then buyer beware, because it can turn your dream home into a nightmare for years to come. Here are some quality issues to focus on when building your dream home in Mexico.

CONCRETE

Concrete is one of the most important components of most construction projects here in Puerto Peñasco but whether you are building a driveway, setting fence posts, or placing a foundation for a home, it is important that you or the contractor uses the best concrete product available according to the job you are doing.

Concrete is one of the most important components of a construction project here in Puerto Peñasco it is important the contractor uses the best concrete product available according to the job you are doing.

Concrete mix has many different types, strengths, and compositions and it is important that you or the contractor choose the correct strength according to the project application. Concrete strength is determined by Pounds per Square Inch (PSI) and range from 2500 PSI up to 5000 PSI. For example, 2500 PSI concrete is typically used for driveways, walkways and floor slabs. At the top end of the scale, 5000 PSI would be used for specialized construction projects with commercial applications. Whatever project you are working on, it is important to ensure that your contractor uses the correct strength of concrete needed for your project application to ensure a high quality and long-lasting finish.

WINDOWS

The sustainable material for windows here are aluminum framed because aluminum is three times stronger than vinyl window frames and withstands the heat, salt and sand environment.

rocky point home builders
If you are considering building your dream home now is the time to make your move because prices are slowly rising in 2017 but and when the terminal is completed prices are expected to spike due to the influx of tourism and new demand.

When installing your windows make sure the aluminum frames are rated for marine conditions. This is very important because windows not rated for marine environments will lead to corrosion and rust. Make sure your builder is installing aluminum windows grade 5052 or 5083 or they will corrode very quickly. These grades, for the most part, have additional chromium and manganese to help protect them from corrosive marine conditions and are the highest quality available.

ELECTRIC INSTALLATION

One of the major causes of deadly house fires here in Puerto Peñasco is faulty electric installations. If you are building a new home, you must ensure contractors are not installing cheap wiring. A proper installation will reduce your energy costs by increasing the overall efficiency of the system and will ensure the safety of your home.

A proper electrical installation will reduce your energy costs by increasing the overall efficiency of the system and will ensure the safety of your home.

The worse the wiring installation looks inside the panel, the less likely the installation was completed correctly by a professional electrical contractor. An electrical panel installation should be clean, neat and orderly and not like a bowl of spaghetti as we sometimes witness out in the field. Open your panel and if it is not neat and orderly then we recommend contacting an electrical contractor for an inspection immediately.

 

WATER SYSTEM DESIGN

Your home’s potable water system is an important aspect of your home’s design that ensures you have adequate water pressure to all your fixtures while maintaining an emergency supply of water in case of any shortages.

The use of a water cistern is an important element of your water system design because it protects the home from any unwanted water outages giving the homeowner a two to three-week supply of emergency water during any water shortages in the city.

Having adequate water pressure at all your fixtures is an important quality and most will agree that taking a shower with little or no water pressure coming from the fixture is frustrating. To ensure your home has adequate water pressure it is necessary to install a water pressure boosting system that consists of a pump, a bladder-type pressure tank and a cistern.  The addition on the water boosting system will boost your home’s pressure to 40 to 60 PSI leaving you enough pressure to take a shower, wash clothes and water the flowers all at the same time.

Another important aspect of this design is incorporating a cistern tank or well. The use of a cistern is an important element of this design because it protects the home from any unwanted water outages giving the homeowner a two to three-week supply of water during any water shortages in the city.

 

About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and renovations. He resides here in Puerto Peñasco with his wife and two children and is originally from Chicago. For more information email him at sales@rockypointhomebuilders.com

Boosting your Home’s Water Pressure in Puerto Peñasco

Tips for Boosting your Home’s Water Pressure in Puerto Peñasco

By Joseph Sanchez
President, Rocky Point Home Builders

Your home’s potable water system is an important aspect of your home’s design that ensures you have adequate water pressure to all your fixtures while maintaining an emergency supply of water in case of any shortages.

Having adequate water pressure in Puerto Peñasco at all your fixtures is important and most will agree that taking a shower with little or no water pressure coming from the fixture is frustrating. To have proper pressure to all your fixtures your water system needs 40 to 60 pounds per square inch or PSI. The water supply from the city is typically 2-3 PSI, so this is not enough to sufficiently pressurize your home, especially if you live in a two-story home.

Workers excavate the soil in Puerto Peñasco
Workers excavate the soil in Puerto Peñasco in preparation for the installation of a large cistern for a new home in Las Conchas.

To ensure your home has adequate water pressure in Rocky Point it is necessary to install a water pressure boosting system that consists of a pump, a bladder-type pressure tank and a cistern.  The way the system works is the pump pressurizes the pressure tank containing the air bladder, once pressure reaches the desired PSI., the pump shuts off and the air-filled bladder inside the tank will maintain the pressure to the home. When somebody turns on a tap and the pressure falls, the pump will kick on only to bring the PSI back up to the desired level once again. This system is energy efficient because the bladder tank will maintain pressure to the home during times of low-flow demand allowing your pump to remain idle saving energy.  When purchasing a pump, a ½ HP pump is sufficient to pressurize a single-story home and for a two story home purchase a 1 HP pump.

ensure your home has adequate water pressure in Rocky Point
To ensure your home has adequate water pressure in Rocky Point it is necessary to install a water pressure boosting system that consists of a pump, a bladder-type pressure tank and a cistern.

Another important aspect of this design is incorporating a cistern tank or well. The use of a cistern in Puerto Peñasco is an important element of this design because it protects the home from any unwanted water outages. We live in the Sonoran Desert and in any desert water is in short supply. That is why it is wise to have a cistern of water that serves as a back-up supply giving the homeowner a two to three week supply of water during any water shortages in the city.  The sizes of cisterns installed are typically 1500 to 2500 gallons depending on the client. The cistern is installed underground with the city supply piped in and then piped out from the cistern to your pump. Inside the cistern there is a float switch that will turn on and turn off the city water supply according to demand and water level. Having an emergency supply of water is important thing to consider and not expensive to implement.

newly installed cistern in Puerto Peñasco
Pictured is a newly installed cistern in Puerto Peñasco that serves as a back-up supply of water during any water outages in the city.

If you are considering building a new home in Rocky Point this type of pressurized water system should be a mandatory feature included in your home design. For those with an existing home, this type of pressurized water system can be easily installed giving you the adequate water pressure you desire while maintaining an emergency supply of water. For questions about pressurized water systems or any other renovation questions feel free to email me at sales@rockypointhomebuilders.com .

About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and renovations. He resides here in Puerto Peñasco with his wife and two children and is originally from Chicago.

Insulation Options for your Rocky Point Home

by Joseph Sanchez
President, Rocky Point Home Builders

There are ways to insulate your existing or new home that will not break the bank and provide an improved level of energy efficiency. Insulating a home is a practical way to achieve energy efficiency but most homes constructed here in Puerto Peñasco typically do not incorporate any insulation because concrete block naturally offers a minimal level of R-protection (typically 2.5-3.0), insulation can be expensive for people building on a budget and although hot in the summer, Puerto Peñasco is pretty moderate during the winter so some people feel that they can get by without it. The three options below are all economical ways to insulate your existing or new home construction.

Perlite Foam

rocky point home builders
Pictured is the Perlite Foam masonry fill Insulation

Perlite Foam is a loose-fill masonry insulation that is used to fill in the cores or tunnels of hollow masonry walls. Perlite is an inorganic mineral that has thermal properties and is the least expensive way to insulate your new construction home. This can be used only on new-home construction and cannot be retrofitted to an existing home. Perlite offers excellent fire resistant properties, is lightweight and does not require any special equipment or skills. You could expect an R value around 5-6 depending on the size of block you are using. Perlite Foam only adds about $3 sq. ft. to the overall construction price of the home. This option should be considered if you are building a new home. With the R-value of concrete block combined with the R-value of Perlite Foam, you could achieve a total R-value of 7.5-9 depending on the size of your concrete block.

Den Glass Exterior Insulation

Pictured is Den Glass Insulation
Pictured is Den Glass Insulation an effective way to insulate the exterior walls of your home.

An effective way to insulate the home is to apply Den Glass Sheathing to the home’s exterior walls. Den Glass has excellent thermal properties while being air, water, mold and fire resistant. It can achieve an R-value of around 4.5 per inch of thickness used. This is a product is great for people who have an existing home because it can be retrofitted to an existing home. With the R-value of concrete block combined with the R-value of Den Glass, you could achieve a total R-value of 7.0-7.5 depending on the size of your block. Combine the Den Glass and Perlite Foam with the block and you are achieving an R-value of 12-13.5. Den glass can add $7 U.S.D per sq. ft. to the cost of constructing your home!

Conventional Insulation System

rocky point home builders
Pictured is Insulation with Studs a traditional means of insulating the inside of your home.

Of course you can also use the traditional means of insulating a home by erecting metals studs inside the home over the interior walls and inserting the type of insulation with the R-value you desire. Once your insulation is installed you would then install your sheet rock, tape, mud and sand the walls. This would achieve the best R-value but combined with the other two options your home would be highly energy efficient. Installing a conventional insulation system will add $12-$15 U.S.D. a sq. ft. to the construction of a home depending on level of R-value.

For more information about how you can insulate your home properly or about any other construction concerns feel free to contact me at sales@rockypointhomebuilders.com or by phone at 815-553-2683.

About the author: Joseph Sanchez is president of Rocky Point Home Builders a design/build contractor specializing in custom home design, construction and renovations. 

Rocky Point Home Builders hosts Puerto Peñasco Development Seminar

May 5, 2016, Puerto Peñasco, MXRocky Point Home Builders together with Santo Tomas Gated Beachfront Development hosted approximately 40 Puerto Peñasco real estate agents during a dinner reception at Quinta Ventura Reception Hall designed to discuss how real estate agents, builders and developers can work together to benefit consumers while helping to sustain the current rapid growth Puerto Peñasco is again experiencing.

Rocky Point Home Builders hosts Puerto Peñasco Development Seminar
40 Puerto Peñasco real estate agents attended a dinner reception hosted by Rocky Point Home Builders and Santo Tomas designed to discuss ways to maximize the current growth Puerto Peñasco is experiencing.

There has not been a better time to purchase beachfront property and construct your dream home due to the strength of the dollar and the reduction of construction and land prices. Furthermore, with the coming of the new cruise ship terminal and future growth that it will entail, now is the time to make a move because prices and demand will only rise.

Joseph Sanchez, President of Rocky Point Home Builders, talks opportunity with a room full of approximately 40 Puerto Peñasco real estate agents during a special dinner presentation for them.
Joseph Sanchez, President of Rocky Point Home Builders, talks opportunity with a room full of approximately 40 Puerto Peñasco real estate agents during a special dinner presentation for them.

Today it was announced that Puerto Peñasco is set to resume work on the Cruise Ship Terminal in 30-60 days with more than 50 percent of the project already completed. At the 2016 Tianguis Turístico Mexico held in Guadalajara last month, the coordinator of the State’s Tourism Development Commission, Antonio Berúmen, said that cruise lines such as Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Princess have already expressed interest in calling at the port.

Puerto Peñasco future Cruise Terminal
Puerto Peñasco future Cruise Terminal set to continue work with in 30-60 days. It is currently 50% completed!

One of the many incentives being offered to buyers besides great deals on land is that Rocky Point Home Builders and Santo Tomas discussed a free blue-print design of your dream home when you purchase a lot at Santo Tomas. The offer includes permit ready, blue print drawings, which is a significant savings given it eliminates one of the financial hurdles one must pass to build a custom home. Ocean view lots start in the mid-20s!

Rocky Point Home Builders hosts Puerto Peñasco Development Seminar
From left to right, Rocky Point Home Builder Engineer Allan Arrizon, Chief Engineer and Partner David Garcia and President Joseph Sanchez during a opportunity dinner seminar for real estate agents hosted by them.

If you ever dreamed of building a home here in Puerto Peñasco but haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing a lot or you have a lot and you have not started designing your home, now is the time! Prices will go back to 2008 levels where you needed partners in order to afford land or build a home. We are at the bottom and the only place to go is up so if you have any questions about building a home or purchasing a lot please visit us at http://www.rockypointhomebuilders.com on the internet or call 815-553-2683 today!

 

Rocky Point Home Builder-Secrets to Building your Dream Home in Puerto Peñasco

Building a home in Puerto Peñasco a.k.a. Rocky Point is not a difficult process but you must choose a company IMG_9238with an outstanding reputation, a company who abides by Federal Labor Laws, a company who does not use sub-contractors and finally a company who uses American Construction Contracts and American Escrow accounts.

When deciding to build a home in Rocky Point Mexico you must ensure the company you choose follows the Mexican Federal Labor Laws. Here in Mexico, the labor laws are strict as they are in the States. However it is much easier for companies to skirt these laws and most every home builder here in Puerto Peñasco do what they can to skirt these laws. If you hire a company that does not follow the Federal Labor LawIMG_9236s the government can fine your or worse seize your home and you can be responsible to pay any medical bills for any injuries that occur on the job-site.

A company that follows labor laws will pay into the Federal medical insurance system for their workers so if a worker gets injured the company along with government will pay the medical bills. Think of it as workers comp insurance as in the States. However, Beware of companies that hire sub-contractors because 99.9% of the time they are being paid cash with no benefits and you will be on the hook for an injury or if the sub-company does not get paid by yIMG_9183our contractor. An easy way to ensure this does not happen is to hire a company that does NOT hire sub-contractors. At Rocky Point Home Builders we DO follow all labor laws and all our workers are direct employees. We pay into the social security system for each worker and also pay what’s called Infanovit which is another labor benefit. We pay our workers what is mandated by the Federal Government and this protects our clients from any embarrassment. Never use a company who hires sub-contractors or you will be sorry that you did.
Building a home in Rocky Point Mexico is a big decision and makes most Americans nervous. Most Americans do not live here full time so you need a company you can trust with a presence and notoriety in the community. When yo are read to build a home look around town for billboards, check local papeIMG_8003rs for advertisements, make sure the construction company has a website and most of all an office. We have seen it too many times, people will hire a friend off a recommendation. The friend has no office, no contracting, no website nothing. What ends up happening is the job does not get completed, the workers will steal all the materials, there is a lack of communication therefore major mistakes and on and on.

Another requirement should be a list of references that you can call to investigate. Also, it is important that the company has an office in town that is staffed during the day. A company without an office isn’t really a company, so buyer beware. Finally look at their media presence in town, does the company have billboards, to they have a website, what about a Facebook page and finally do they run ads in local newspapers. A no” to any of those things should be a red flag for any American looking to build a home in Puerto
Peñasco, Mexico.

IMG_8009Rocky Point Home Builders is the largest home builder in Puerto Peñasco,Mexico. With offices here in Rocky Point, they directly employee over 50 workers significantly impacting the local economy. Rocky Point Home Builders does not use sub-contractors. Best of all, they are an American Company who uses American Contracts with American Attorneys and American Escrow Accounts. The accountability is a no-contest when compared to the competition. If you are nervous about building a home here in Rocky Point then talk with Rocky Point Home Builders, we guarantee you will fee assured that you will design and build the home of your dreams.

For more information about Rocky Point Home Builders call 815-553-2683 U.S.  or 638-383-6524 M.X. today or visit our website at http://www.rockypointhomebuilders.com on the internet .

Rocky Point Home Builders constructing three new homes

Tremendous Growth Expected for 2016

We are the largest home builder in Puerto Peñasco and we are excited to announce three new home builds, one in Las Conchas Lot 5, Sec 5 and another located within the city and a new home to start in whale hill. We invite everybody to stop by and take a look at our projects the next time you are in the area.

A render of current home under construction
in Las Conchas, Sec 5, Lot 5.
We are a design/build home contractor so we take your job from conception to completion. Our architectural and engineering services are unmatched and we have a two-step easy payment process in place that allows most people to build a home. We design and build beautiful custom homes in Rocky Point while eliminating the headaches and logistics associated with construction in a foreign country.
We added services in 2016 to include our Vacation Home & Condo Preventative Maintenance Program which includes a 30 day inspection, maintenance and repair service for a low monthly cost which is important given the salt-air climate. It is insurance against future in-home disasters and is great for people who don’t live in their properties full time.
A render of the second home under construction
by our company in town.
Combine our Preventative Maintenance Program with our Property Management Program for a single source solution that covers all your maintenance, repairs, bill paying, house cleaning, laundry and 24/7 emergency service.
Thank you for taking time to learn about our company each month. We appreciate any referrals you can pass our way. Contact us at 815-553-2683 today for more infor