What You Need to Know About the Role of Construction Inspectors in Costa Rica

Welcome to another video of the Quatro Legal Real Estate video series. Today, we’re talking about: “What is the role of the inspector in a construction process in Costa Rica?”

Understanding the Complexity of Building in Costa Rica

Building, in general, is a complex process, and building in Costa Rica is particularly complex. I want to stress that one of the most common mistakes expats make when investing in Costa Rica and/or building their home is trying to save money or overlooking parts of the building process. Building is dynamic and full of moving parts and parties; it involves a lot of paperwork, red tape, dealing with professionals, working with crews, supplying materials, fluctuating budgets, and inclement weather.

Given this nature, it is likely things may not go as planned. So, how can you protect your peace of mind and wallet? Hire an inspector.

What is an inspector? The role of the inspector is regulated by CFIA, and it is a professional or group of professionals that serve as advisers and counselors during the building process.

Inspectors are in charge of supervising that construction is executed according to the terms agreed upon, the best construction practices, blueprints, and technical specifications. An inspector is basically your best and dearest friend during a construction process. Well, a friend you need to pay, but you get the point. How are inspections done? The service is rendered by periodic and scheduled visits to the project, which is something agreed upon between the client and inspector according to the budget and needs.

What Does the Inspector Do in an Inspection?

What does the inspector do in an inspection? The inspector works for you. Hence, the main activity is to protect you, but we will get a little bit more technical as a good inspection job should include:

• Supervising and controlling that the construction work is done according to blueprints, technical specifications, and other documents that are part of the building contract.
• Proposing changes in design as per the owner’s best interest.
• Preparing the final reception of the build.
• Preparing periodic reports to the owner with findings, areas of improvement, corrections, and recommendations on work in progress.
• Controlling and approving disbursements to vendors or the contractor.
• Advising about work changes when necessary.
• Reviewing invoices for payment.
• Reviewing the quality of the materials and construction process.
• Reviewing and approving materials, equipment, and fixtures to install according to blueprints and technical specifications.
• Making sure all important decisions are registered in the construction log and transferred to the blueprints.

How Much Does It Cost to Retain an Inspector?

The standard fee, according to regulations, is 3% of the construction value according to the schedule for professional services for edification advisory. However, most of the time, it is agreed per visit, which is something you can negotiate with your inspector.

We advise clients to always use a qualified inspector because when a construction project goes bad and the owner realizes it, it is normally too late to act on it. You don’t want to be at what I call the point of no return. This is an informal term that I use to describe cases where what is left on the budget is not enough to finish the construction or hire someone else to finish it.

Looking for legal counsel you can trust to make your relocation to Costa Rica easier and more rewarding? Get in touch today.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content, laws and regulations are subject to change. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please contact our office directly. Some images may be AI generated.