Looking for Advice on Apartment Demolition Costs

[LuckyLuke]

Thank you for explaining that. I can see how lighting is a very personal choice.

The process of rehabilitating my new home has proven to be quite different than I expected—not that it’s a surprise.

On one hand, materials, fixtures, and appliances are all more expensive than I anticipated. However, paying in cash does help with securing a better price. Labor costs are manageable for most things, but I’ve learned that it’s definitely worth getting multiple estimates and seeking referrals from reputable sources.

The metal work for the windows, gates, entryways, and curbside trash container is nearly finished. I’m now diving into plumbing—everything from basic fixtures and water heaters to installing a new bidet and sink. Not to mention, the water tank needs to be replaced along with the network of pipes and pumps on my roof. I’m already past $3k and expect the plumbing to top out around $5k when it's all said and done.

What’s fascinating is how I can trace the house's expansion over time, room by room. The age and direction of the repairs or replacements needed reveal the layers of history behind the house’s growth. While this is routine for those who’ve lived here for years, it’s all new and quite interesting to me, coming from the States.

I've found very similar things at my property. Be very careful with the electrical and have it reviewed thoroughly. Argentines take a very casual approach to electrical for a country using 220V. Electrocution is sadly very common. Even in newer parts of my property where I would expect better quality work, we found multiple shorts with screws passing through cables and malfunctioning outlets. Tons of issues were found in the oldest part of the property from inappropriate gauges, fire hazard placements and just downright bizarre solutions they made with random bits and ends they had laying around the house. Not a single breaker box had a disyuntor diferencial (residual-current circuit breaker) to prevent electrocution and there were no ground wires anywhere on the property.

 

[elhombresinnombre]

I'd just suggest to be very careful to check the credentials of anybody you hire to do demolition work; whether or not you are in the role of employer or if you are hiring a company, what insurance they carry etc etc. You could end up responsible if somebody else's structural integrity, gas, water or electricity is compromised.

I know it's not quite the same but people are demolishing the house next door to our apartment building to make way for yet another apartment building. No architect's name or permit posted on the site entrance; no hard hats, no safety boots, no harnesses. I'm not there at the moment and didn't see it for myself but yesterday one of the team slipped and fell from the roof. It would have been a 10m fall but he was brought to an abrupt halt, astride a beam about half way down. Ouch!! Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade all attended (our upstairs neighbour saw it happen and called them at once.) The poor guy is still being treated in our local hospital and no further work has taken place at the site. Whether this is because an official investigation into the accident is taking place or because the workers have just fled and can't be traced I really don't know.

 

[sdsurfista]

anyone know is asbestos building materials were prevalent in Argentina like they were in the states prior to the 80's?

 

[Alex Miller]

anyone know is asbestos building materials were prevalent in Argentina like they were in the states prior to the 80's?

Yes, asbestos materials were common here, asbestos plaster was actively used in the houses of strangers in the 80s

 

[Alex Miller]

Yes, asbestos materials were common here, asbestos plaster was actively used in the houses of strangers in the 80s

"built in the 80's"