A young Cuban woman recently took to TikTok to share the daily expenses involved in constructing a room in her home. This undertaking, as she described, has required a significant outlay on materials, food, and services.
“In the morning, I received a delivery of bricks, which cost me 400 for $41,” explained TikTok user @briana5254 in her video, where she meticulously outlines each expenditure incurred during a single workday on the project.
She mentioned hiring a team of architects who not only design spaces but also execute the construction through their dedicated crew. “They measured the entire space to design the room for me and provide a total budget,” she stated.
As the day progressed, she also had to purchase a bag of cement for 7,000 Cuban pesos (approximately $14 at the informal exchange rate) due to the scarcity of the material. “This price isn't fixed; it can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the location,” she added.
Her expense list further included six bags of rice costing 2,600 Cuban pesos (about $5) and a trip to the hair salon, which set her back 1,000 Cuban pesos, roughly $2.
“The room is quite advanced now, but there's still a lot more to be done,” the young woman remarked, offering an honest glimpse into the financial strain a Cuban family faces when attempting to enhance their home amid the current economic crisis.
Viewers flooded the comment section of her video, drawing comparisons between the prices in Cuba and those in other countries, while expressing sympathy for the high cost of living on the island. “Let me know in the comments what you think of these prices and how they compare to your country,” the creator concluded.
Understanding the Cost of Home Construction in Cuba
Why is building a room in Cuba so expensive?
Building costs in Cuba are high due to the scarcity of materials and the impact of the economic crisis, which increases prices and makes construction projects financially challenging.
How do Cuban families manage construction expenses?
Cuban families often save for extended periods or rely on remittances from relatives abroad to fund construction projects, as the local economy presents significant financial hurdles.