What we do
One team. Full accountability. North American standards — on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Building a custom home on the Nicoya Peninsula is one of the most rewarding things you can do — and one of the most complex. The permitting process, the local regulations, the climate considerations, the contractor landscape — none of it works the way it does back home.
We manage every stage from initial consultation through to handing you the keys. You tell us your vision. We handle everything that stands between you and it.
What's included
Typical timeline
8 months to 2 years — depending on the size and complexity of the build. A compact single-storey home moves faster than a multi-level custom build with a pool and landscaping. We'll give you a realistic timeline at the consultation stage, not an optimistic one.
Fully remote-managed
The majority of our clients build from abroad. You don't need to be in Costa Rica to build here. We are your eyes on the ground — you stay informed and in control without a single flight.
Why it matters where you build
Costa Rica's climate, humidity, and building culture are unlike anything in North America. The right builder isn't just someone who can build — it's someone who knows what belongs here and what doesn't. Read our building philosophy →
Already have a local builder lined up, or a project already underway? We embed alongside your existing team as your quality control oversight — the set of eyes that ensures North American standards are maintained throughout.
This service exists because the gap between what a contractor promises and what actually gets built can be significant. We close that gap.
What's included
Who this is for
Clients who have already engaged a local contractor but want independent oversight to protect their investment. Also ideal for clients managing a remote build who need a trusted local presence with the expertise to catch problems before they become expensive.
The honest truth
In Costa Rica, what gets inspected gets done properly. Having a qualified, independent overseer on site changes the dynamic entirely. Contractors perform differently when they know the work will be checked to North American standards.
Costa Rica's climate is hard on buildings. Humidity, heat, salt air, and tropical rainfall accelerate wear in ways that North American homeowners rarely anticipate. A property that looked great at purchase can present very differently two rainy seasons later.
We take on renovation, remodel, and restoration work across the Nicoya Peninsula — from full interior transformations to structural repairs, roofing, waterproofing, and everything in between.
Renovation & restoration work includes
Timeline
Every renovation is different in scope and complexity. We don't give timelines until we've seen the property — a site visit is always the first step. What we can promise is an honest assessment and a realistic schedule, not an optimistic one designed to win the job.
The "where were you" service
A significant number of our renovation clients come to us after a difficult experience with another builder. We hear it often: "I wish I'd found you before I built." If you're looking at a property that needs rescuing — or want to get it right this time — this is where we start.
Moving to Costa Rica is one thing. Landing smoothly is another. The paperwork, the legal system, the banking, the residency process — none of it is straightforward if you're navigating it alone from abroad.
We help expats arrive with a plan rather than a problem. From finding the right land to setting up a business or navigating the residency process, we've been through it and we can guide you through it.
Relocation support includes
Property acquisition is available on request for clients who have an established relationship with us. Speak to Jeffrey directly to discuss your situation.
Why this matters
Costa Rica is a genuinely wonderful place to live. But arriving without local knowledge — especially for land acquisition and legal processes — can turn an exciting move into a very expensive education. We've done it ourselves. We know where the pitfalls are.
Start with a conversation
Relocation support is tailored entirely to your situation. The best starting point is a free consultation with Jeffrey — no two clients arrive with the same needs, and we'd rather understand yours before making any promises.
Every build is different. The process never is. Here's exactly what working with us looks like.
We start with a conversation — Zoom or in person, wherever you are in the world. You walk us through your vision, your budget, and your timeline. We ask the questions that matter and give you an honest read on what's achievable. No pressure. No obligation. Just clarity.
Zoom or in person · No costWe visit the site, assess the land, and work through the design with you. This is where material decisions get made — with our guidance on what performs in Costa Rica's climate, not just what looks good in a showroom. We present a detailed scope of work and a realistic timeline before anything moves forward.
On-site in Santa Teresa · Nicoya PeninsulaWe handle the full permit acquisition process — municipal approvals, CFIA (Costa Rica's engineering college) sign-off, environmental permits where required, and all associated legal paperwork. This is the stage that stalls the most builds in Costa Rica. We know how to navigate it properly and we take it off your plate entirely.
Fully managed · No paperwork required from youConstruction begins. Our team manages the site, the contractors, the materials, the schedule, and the quality — every day. You receive regular updates by WhatsApp, Zoom, or email — whatever works for you. You can see exactly where your project is at any point. No chasing. No silence. No surprises.
Weekly updates · Fully remote-manageableBefore handover, we conduct a full walkthrough with a detailed punch list. Every outstanding item gets resolved — not noted and left. We don't consider a build complete until the home meets the standard we agreed at the start. This stage protects you from inheriting someone else's unfinished business.
Nothing handed over until it's rightYour home, built to the standard we agreed, on the timeline we committed to. We hand over the keys, walk you through everything you need to know about the property, and remain available for any questions after you move in. The relationship doesn't end at handover — it's just a different chapter.
Your home · As agreedWhere we work
Our work is concentrated in Santa Teresa and the surrounding communities of the Nicoya Peninsula — the area we know best, live in, and are most equipped to serve well.
We don't spread ourselves thin chasing projects across the country. Deep local knowledge, trusted local relationships, and a team that's actually on the ground — that's what makes the difference.
[ MAP — Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica ]
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Also available
Alongside our four core services, we offer a full range of specialist capabilities — from infrastructure and water systems to finishing products and land management. All delivered to the same standard.
QHBBS is the only registered ARDEX dealer in Costa Rica. ARDEX PC-T™ is a self-drying, self-levelling polished concrete topping — engineered for premium floors that perform in tropical climates. Available for use in our builds and on request.
Ask about ARDEX for your projectFull site and interior clean-up after construction — so your home is move-in ready, not just built.
Load-bearing in 2 hours, not 48. Screw pile foundations are faster, stronger, and ideal for Costa Rica's varied terrain and soil conditions.
Properly designed and installed septic systems — compliant with Costa Rica regulations and sized correctly for your property from day one.
Closed-cell spray foam provides superior thermal and moisture barriers — critical in Costa Rica's humid tropical climate.
Rainwater capture and underground cistern systems — water security for remote properties and dry season resilience.
Clean, safe drinking water on any property. We install filtration and treatment systems suited to well, municipal, and collected water sources.
Professional artesian well drilling — knowledgeable, safe, and efficient. Independent water supply for properties throughout the Nicoya Peninsula.
Photoluminescent aggregate embedded into concrete paths, pool surrounds, and driveways — absorbs sunlight, glows beautifully after dark.
Ground-source cooling systems that use the earth's stable temperature to cool your home — no air conditioning, no noise, significantly lower energy costs.
Rapid erosion control and lawn establishment using a slurry of seed, mulch, and fertiliser — ideal for Costa Rica's steep terrain and rainy season.
On-the-ground property assessments before you buy — access, water, soil stability, flood risk, title issues, and buildability. Know what you're getting into first.
Tropical humidity accelerates mold and algae growth on asphalt surfaces. We apply professional-grade mold-resistant sealers that extend surface life significantly.
Penetrating concrete sealers that resist the mold, mildew, and moisture that Costa Rica's climate throws at unprotected surfaces year-round.
Design and build support for self-sufficient properties — food forests, composting systems, water harvesting, and sustainable land management on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Access road construction, grading, and earthworks for remote properties — including rainy-season drainage design so your road actually lasts.
Ongoing care for your Costa Rica property while you're abroad — inspections, maintenance coordination, repairs, and trusted local oversight.
Ready to start?
Start with a free conversation. Jeffrey will give you an honest assessment of what you need — and what you don't. No upsell. No obligation.
