How to build your house and not die trying
AUTHOR: Jose Guillen
| First, building a project should not be an adventure nor a "challenge," and if so, the matter does not look very good. I concluded that it is essential to have discipline and a lot of ethics. It will be necessary to have something more than commitment or passion. There is never enough budget, not even when we go to the supermarket or the cinema. What would be very bad is that the final result does not meet your expectations lest the film was not as good as expected, or the trip was a fiasco. Ideally, if you invest money, it amazes you, nourishes you well, and entertains you. We all hope that, in the end, the credits are well deserved. My dear colleague Olivier told me: "having a beer with my clients after finishing their house is a privilege. Being calm and sleeping peacefully, and able to see him on the street and greet him as a close friend" is wonderful. Well, what wise teaching, what a time saver. I should have known him years ago, only now we have a few glasses of wine now and then. The bigger the dream, the more important the team, and I have learned to count on trustworthy and good people, who have helped me and taught me many things, supported me, shared, and entrusted their businesses. I don't owe them, I admire them every day, and I know they will be there for our clients for a long time. We don't train people; we make them part of the organization; we don't teach the team to be nice; we only hire nice people! Taking care of money, yes, but taking care of the people who take care of your money is more important; that's why trying to have a deep respect for mutual values, allows us to communicate better. Papers and more papers to build a project, sometimes it's tiring. Maybe there is too much paperwork, but I can't imagine a book without a prologue, the bible without Genesis, or a calendar without September. There is a process, a protocol, a formalization, and, as they say here in TIQUICIA (Costa Rica), a piece of paper speaks!! "Difficult terrain, easy terrain" reminds me of a famous book; it is more expensive to design and build on easy terrain since you assume that everything is resolved. Therefore, there is no prudence with expenses. It is not easier to build on rugged terrain, but at least you pay attention to money more intelligently. Unforeseen, unforeseen, and more unforeseen, that's like working with the client's credit card. If it's not in our minds, they don't exist. I recommend simply not having it. The most expensive thing in construction is not the materials, it is not the finishes, nor the electrical - well, the latter is - much less the exterior works; it is the personnel, the payroll, and the people who work on the projects. Until there are robots that build houses, people will be here, and they must be reimbursed ethically and responsibly. Sacrificing an ENTIRE project to lower labor costs is like going on a tour to see whales, and the captain is Gilligan. That the storms hit, yes, but hopefully they don't hit the budget; that the sun burns, yes; and that the plan doesn't dry out; that prices go up, yes, but that our egos don't go up, that the wind blows hard, yes. Hopefully, it does not affect our relationships; in the end, it is just work and business. Above all, we are human beings with flaws and limitations, and that empathy is the umbrella that protects us from the water and the sun; that umbrella flies with the wind and makes us laugh from time to time. Thank you all. |

Ballena Tales is an essential free digital magazine in Costa Rica, valid for travelers, residents, and investors covering Costa Ballena in the Canton of Osa in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. It is a fully bilingual, bi-monthly, and full-color digital magazine.
The magazine introduces the reader to the life of the local community, with interviews of pioneers, writers, and artists, as well as extensive information on restaurants, hotels, experiences, natural attractions, and wildlife of the South Pacific of Costa Rica.
We are not just a magazine; each edition (print and digital) is linked to a robust web platform; the editions are published online, and the advertorials are included in our blog and the brand in the commercial directory. We also add links to the advertising company's website and social networks. At this time, the openings of digital publications in all their expressions exceed 80 thousand openings, and the advertised brands have a global reach.
We have a loyal audience of over 8,000 readers in the South Pacific's Costa Ballena region who will view your news in each printed edition.
We prioritize our readers' satisfaction by delivering a variety of engaging content while showcasing the value of our advertisers' brands.
Free Costa Rica Magazine #101
Ballena Tales is an essential free digital magazine and travel guide in Costa Rica, valid for travelers, residents,
Restoring Nature with GrandiOSA
Grandiosa Costa Rica has a clear goal: to plant 4.000 trees per year. In the Osa region, such reforestation efforts occur regularly, with an average of about 100 trees planted per event
Ancestral Beauty More Than a Store, A Living Community
Located in the heart of Uvita, Ancestral is not just a boutique. A place for the community – something invisible begins to awaken.
Neuroplasticity and Migration
Neuroplasticity and Migration: The Science Behind Your Brain’s Remarkable Adaptation By Dra. Nikole Solano Vargas A Medical Perspective on What Really Happens When You Move to a New Country Have you ever stood in line […]
Biostimulators and exosomes: new strategies for skin rejuvenation
Biostimulators are injectable agents that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, essential proteins responsible for skin structural integrity.
From gardening in Austria to gardening in paradise
From gardening in Austria to gardening in paradise Author: Elisabeth Frankel EDITORS’ NOTE: Dear readers, We are proud to include this wonderful article in this edition. Ms. Frankel contacted us to say that she had […]
Mercado Bahia Ballena: Discover Costa Rica´s Diversity
Mercado Bahia Ballena: Discover Costa Rica´s Diversity Author: Evi Heine Every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., a vibrant market takes place at El Mercado de Bahía Ballena in Uvita, offering […]
What to do, Where to eat, and Where to stay…
- Activities and Tours
- Whale Watching Tour
- Natural Attractions
- Marino Ballena National Park
- Restaurants
- Hotels and Accommodations
South Pacific Costa Rica Beaches,
Looking for business directories, maps or other printouts? We’ve got that too!
Dare to Discover and Enjoy…
Check out…
Need help planning your next trip? Let us help you with your Costa Rica vacations!
Email: carlos@ballenatales.com
Phone: +(506) 8946 7134


