Now that we’re six months into building a house in Mexico, it feels like the right time to share some takeaways. The experience has stayed pretty true to what I expected, and I credit that mostly to our amazing GC. His foresight, communication and ability to manage a crew have kept this entire project on track. If you’re thinking of building a house in Mexico, here are five real things to consider before taking the plunge.
**To catch up on our ‘buying land in Mexico’ process, check out that article here!
1. Expect the Unknown
The surprises start immediately. On day one of digging our foundation, we hit thick clay. The kind you absolutely do not want under your home. Instead of digging just the posts and load-bearing walls, we had to excavate the entire footprint of the house until we reached solid, buildable earth. More digging, more hauling, more pesos, more time. It was a curveball we didn’t expect quite so soon.
It added days of work and a chunk of extra cost, but this is the reality of building in the jungle of Mexico. The land tells you what it needs and you adjust. The upside? Once we dug deep enough and replaced the clay with solid material, the entire structure became stronger and better prepared for the long haul.
2. No One Is Planning for You
One major difference when building a house in Mexico is that you are the planning department. In the States, you’re cushioned by layers of rules and codes. For example: setbacks, stormwater paths, sidewalk requirements, drainage systems, height restriction, etc. All the things you don’t even think about because the city already did. Down here, no one is checking whether your well is safely separated from your neighbor’s septic system. No one is mapping where water will flow during a storm. If you want a functional, safe home, you design the blueprint for how everything works behind the scenes.
For Casa Chico, we were lucky to land a corner lot with only two potential neighbors. We placed our well on the side with no shared boundary, which means future septic drain fields will sit several hundred feet away. No leeching worries. We also built a beefy foundation and lifted the entire house several feet above natural ground level. This gives us way better drainage during rainy season and keeps moisture away from the structure. None of this was required, but all of it mattered. Building a house in Mexico means engineering the lifestyle you want, not hoping the municipality has your back. And honestly, documenting these decisions now will help our resale value later.
3. Building to the Lot Lines
Most towns here have little to no setback requirements, which means people build right up to their lot lines to squeeze out every inch of space. It’s efficient and practical, but it changes how you design a home. If you share a boundary, assume a neighbor will eventually build right up to it. That wide-open view you love today could become a brick wall next year, so you can’t rely on borrowed space or future generosity.
We had to think this through at Casa Chico, especially with window placement. I love them and want them everywhere, which isn’t the norm down here. Clerestory windows became our solution in the kitchen and master bedroom. They bring in beautiful light and airflow without depending on side-lot views. It’s still a gamble since they sit on a shared boundary wall, but we decided the cost was worth a few years (or more) of extra natural light.
Upstairs we have two bathrooms with windows looking out over a skinny shared patio. To keep privacy without sacrificing brightness, we’ll fill that little patio with tall plants that act as a green buffer between us and the (potential) neighboring wall. The key when building a house in Mexico is to design as if every open gap around you will eventually fill in. Get creative with it. Drive around your neighborhood, study what other people did and take notes. You’ll start noticing clever choices everywhere, and those observations will pay dividends for years.
4. A Splurge Now Saves You Later
Coastal homes in our area deal with salitre, humidity and heat every single day. We decided early on to over-ventilate rather than play catch-up later. We added exhaust fans, extra AC units and operable windows in smart, elevated spots to keep air moving. The goal is simple, keep Casa Chico dry, breathable and mold-resistant. It wasn’t the cheapest choice, but in this climate, ventilation is future-proofing.
We also got serious about the base of the house. The first three vertical feet of our home are poured in solid concrete instead of block. This makes it stronger and less porous in wet conditions. We then wrapped the entire slab in waterproofing. These are the unglamorous splurges that will make Casa Chico easier to maintain and more comfortable long term. If you’re building a house in Mexico, research your local climate and the best practices and material for your specific region. These choices matter.
Need to know ~ Salitre is that salty, powdery, white residue you see on coastal buildings in Mexico. It’s essentially salt deposits pulled out of concrete or block when moisture moves through the walls. Basically your house ‘sweating’. With enough airflow and the right materials, you can keep it under control.
5. Use Mexico’s Flexibility to Your Advantage
One of my favorite parts about building a house in Mexico is how easy it is to pivot. In the U.S., making a major change mid-build can mean new permits, fees, plan check timelines and weeks redesigning. Here, you actually have the freedom to adjust as the project comes to life. When our second-floor gym looked too small in our 3D model, we didn’t force it. We moved the gym to the rooftop and enclosed it, instantly turning that space into something we’ll use daily. The old gym area became a larger, more comfortable second master with a layout we would have never landed on without that last-minute freedom to rethink.
That’s the beauty of building in Mexico and the limited regulations. You can redesign, reshape and refine your home while it’s literally being built with limited extra fees. If something feels off, shift it. If an idea suddenly clicks, chase it. That flexibility is one of the biggest advantages down here, and using it well is the secret to ending up with a home you will love living in.
There is Magic in the Dust
Building a house in Mexico is equal parts grit, creativity and pure adventure. There will be surprises, pivots and moments where you wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into. However there’s also a deep magic to watching your vision rise from the ground in a place you love. Every decision, every reroute and every tiny win shapes the home you’ll eventually live in. If you embrace the flexibility, stay curious and lean into the process, you’ll end up with a house that feels uniquely yours.
Casa Chico has already taught me to stay wildly present as everyday I wish for it to be done; and it wont be for another 6 months. Haha. If you’re thinking about taking this leap, trust yourself. Mexico rewards the bold. Please reach out with any questions and I would love to hear about your unique project as well!
There is magic in the dust,
Rach
PS ~ Need more construction inspo? Check out this couple’s inspiring story here!