Good afternoon, All

We bought a 2bd 2ba house (400m2) in Mazatlan, SIN and we wanted to remodel a bathroom, add an additional 3rd bd on our 2nd floor (currently both bdrm on 2nd floor) and then add a rooftop terrace bar with sunroom(large sectional couch in room, nothing fancy) on the roof.

I did some research to try and get an idea about rough costs but the numbers seems to be all over from 3,000 to 10,000 m2 for luxury. This gave me a ballpark...however we consulted an architect since we are not there year round as this was recommended. The quote that came back made our jaw drop and has us questioning what is a fair cost or were we confused on estimates. I had estimated 7,000 pesos /m2

The total sq meter for constructed areas is 90m2 @ $18,000pesos = 1,620,000 pesos or $81,000 usd. This seemed really high at roughly $900usd m2 or ~$300 sq/ft this would be high even for most cities in the US.

Is there something I am missing? Have costs gone this high? Any other tips or things we should know as we try and navigate this remodel/addition.

THANKS!

Probably the most helpful advice I can give here is that you need a different internet forum.

Researching using other methods including published books and memoirs from expats who have built homes in Mexico. Blogs, travel diaries, etc. I have never read any posts from people building a home in Mazatlan on Fodor's.

I am sure you have done this already... but just put "building a home in Mexico" into any internet search and it will take you a long time to read thru all the different links.

Having personally contracted and constructed to finish a partially constructed home in Mexico, mostly, from afar, i agree that your estimates are all over the board. You absolutely positively need to be there in person to get your estimate, in writing, before you proceed. And as much as possible during the construction. We had estimates to finish our 'obra negra' (a partially constructed house) all over the map. Some as if there was no existing construction, others as if there was. It all figured in to our final tax bill plus what we owed workers for social security. Proceed cautiously with a Mexican attorney rather than anonymous posters on TA. Too many pitfalls to be adequately answered here. Come back with your findings please.