Mario is the only architect on the Caye. He has designed most of the really beautiful houses on the Caye. Outside designers do not understand our special design needs.
He is local.
The building of such houses is a new thing on the Caye. Noe came some years ago, got a rocky start, but now has the most extensive experience in upper class construction.
If you want a affordable local style house you may find these guys too expensive. If you prefer American style they are really the only viable choice. Other less skilled individuals are trying to charge the same prices Mark quoted, but do not bring home as a good a product.
My house cost about US$40 a sq ft. I had to design it myself and hire workers in my own private construction company. It took a lot longer than Noe.
The advice given here about windows and finish materials is very important. When I came to the Caye houses did not have window units, only openings with a shutter. We used this as result.
As with anything new, window units in Belize tend to be very expensive or very poor quality.
The choice between wood and concrete is a big cost factor. Concrete resists hurricanes better, but 90% of the wood houses survived the last two hurricanes. That is a span of 80 years.
The wooden guest house at my place is over a 100 years old. It has survived three hurricanes except for the metal roof.
Don't skip the insulation. Most houses do. When folks walk in my place they often remark at how cool it is compared to their place. Air conditioned homes often have staggering electric bills with our high rates.
I don't like living in concrete ,esp. in small homes, so we use concrete framework and exotic hardwood in our construction. This costs less than concrete alone.