Thanks Gaz for the perspective. That is the kind of info that puts it all in perspective. So back in 2000 when gas was $5 bz a gallon it was still a bit high, but somehow more in line with costs in a first world nation.
Today's costs are simply back-breakers in Belize.

Gay and David - this thread is about gas, not construction but in a nutshell the costs for construction tend to be greatly affected by:
1. buyer demand for first world products and the high cost of obtaining them.
2. hurricane awreness and intent to make a structure that wills tand the test of time
3. taxes
4. weather - last year a lot of money was spent doing things twice - for instance unexpected torrential rains collapse a foudnation hole ready for a cememt pour - days lost pumping the water out of the collapsed hole and then digging it again. wages paid to workers keeping them and families fed whilst waiting for a storm to pass, etc. Hurricanes in the US making certain materials almost impossible to obtain and driving up the prices when you can obtain them.
stuff like that.

YOu can still build a house for 40 a sq