Do you want concrete block or mamposteria (stone) construction? Single thick or double thick walls?

How high do you want the ceilings?

Are you content with simple box form, or would you like architectural details like arches, columns, tile roofs, etc?

It can even vary down to the number of electrical outlets, lights, and switches in a room due to conduit costs, etc.

You really have to have a design and work with a building contractor or architect to decide the rough construction cost. Of course, you probably already know that “typical” electrical and plumbing work is done differently in Mexico.

If you look above your post at the comments, people give various ideas of the construction costs. That gives you a rough idea, but the actual cost has too many variables to guess what someone wants based on two bedrooms, two baths, one story, IMHO.

I’m not sure what you mean when you say installing a transformer to give you reliable power, as a transformer will not give you anything when the system is down.
In order to ensure yourself reliable power would be to either install a battery back-up system or an emergency generator.

To run off the batteries you would need to install the following;
Battery Charging System
Inverter (go from DC to AC power
Automatic Transfer Switch
you will also need to isolate your “critical requirements” from the balance of your load as you will probably not have a large enough system to carry all loads

As with the UPS system described above you will also need an automatic transfer switch for a generator and an automatic start system for it unless you want to do everything by hand and unless you buy a generator large enough to supply all of your loads you must either shed loads through your breakers or have an emergency panel for your critical loads.

Block 50/ square meter
Roof 200/square meter
Slab 150/square meter
Footings 150/linear meter
Concrete Posts 60/linear meter
Exterior Finish 60/square meter

These prices are not written in stone because my current contractor was willing to knock off almost 20% due to the fact that he wanted the work and was in the process of completing another project in the area. Key thing is to negotiate!!!
By the way the building materials seem to be running me approximately 100 pesos/square foot and labor about the same. Water and sewer, doors, windows, electrical not included in the base price. Also one thing interesting to note is that your local building supply store is far cheaper than Home Depot!

I have $160,000 USD available to build a home in Merida. Excluding cost of land, what size home could be built to American standards for that kind of money? With back courtyard and moderate size pool.
K.C. – For that budget, it could be done. It is all depends of the scale of the project.

How long would it take to build a home?
K.C. – I am a architect and we bought a colonial house, a two bedroom house, we built a pool and renovated the whole house. It took about 6 months. Having the money in your hands, as anything else, you can move things fast. My working team is very professional and they did an excellent work.

After the home is finished what might it’s immediate resale value be?
K.C. – At least 30% or more. All depends of the location.

A general estimate is all I am looking for… Of course.
K.C. – To get a price, you will need drawings for the scope of work.

Look at it from the perspective that if you had the money what might you be able to build that would satisfy you own personal expectations.
K.C. – Our house is a 2 bedroom colonial house in Merida, space enough for the three of us and we did everything with half of your budget (not including the cost of the house). We are very happy with the product.

Thanks in advance for your input.
K.C. – Sincerely,
Kevin Cott – Architect, fluent in Spanish and English
Experience in USA and Merida, Yucatan