The College of Architecture requires that you must hire an architect and builder in Costa Rica who is a member of the College of Architecture. Architects usually charge from 7 to 15% of the total building costs depending upon their involvement in the construction, with 12% to 15% being a turnkey project with limited responsibility by the owner. However, it is always recommended that the owner be on site frequently to insure that the builder is following their instructions and those of the architect. The owner must pay for insurance for the workers in the event of personal injury, and have insurance on the property in the event someone gets injured on the property. Building costs vary depending on location, they are higher in the coastal areas because of the distance material must be delivered. In the interior of the central valley costs per square foot are generally from $50 to $60, and higher in the southern portion of the country, around San Jose, and along the coastal areas. In short if you want to build around the Central valley, a 1,500 foot basic home minus land, or landscaping with an architect assuming all responsibility, could cost in the neighborhood of $100,000. If you negotiate and assume some of the responsibility yourself, this could reduce the cost.

Residential building and construction in Costa Rica is very different than in the U.S. or Canada, floors are of concrete slab with ceramic tile for the ground level. You do not find septic systems the same, there are no drain fields as found in the States, usually the tank is made of concrete block, or a plastic tank, and the drain field is a ditch dug about six feet deep with what is called "dead stones" in the bottom which absorb water. Over this is spread gravel and this is it. Most roofs are metal stamped to look like tile or corrugated. There are several types of building systems with reinforced concrete block being the most prevalent, although prefab concrete structures are available. Many of the interiors have wood and open beam ceilings. Various types of very exotic Costa Rican wood can be found such as laurel, cenizaro, guanacaste, pochote, teak, and others.

You can find American architects working in Costa Rica, and many of the construction workers have been to the States and understand some of the building techniques used there. It is best to build in the dry season so that construction can continue all day, because in the rainy season there may be only five or less hours per day before the rains come. It is always most important to build on solid ground and plan for drainage around the home first and foremost because sometimes rain comes down in torrents and flooding can occur.

There are lots of homes available in Costa Rica that have already been constructed, and you can generally find a good bargain if you look long enough and don't rush into purchasing right away. There are also lots of properties which can be purchased, but you should be ready to bargain for them. Be careful of attorneys and always use one that someone you personally know has used, and found to be reliable. There are many in Costa Rica that are there for the money and will not insure that your property is registered properly in the national registry and that you obtain a deed (escritura) and plano (property plan) in your name. Always obtain a corporation and put your property in the name of the corporation in order to protect your personal assets. Insure that the home or property that you are interested in has a thorough title search and is clear of any liens or debt, and that you are dealing with the actual owner and not a middleman. Insist that the documents be recorded in the book of protocol that the attorney keeps, and is guaranteed to be registered in the national registry and returned in a short period of time.

The byword in Costa Rica is to be very careful, conduct your due diligence, do not rush into anything, and protect your funds. There are many in Costa Rica with their hands out for your money.