@Aaron T. I’m going give you advice from an Architect’s perspective and what can derail this projects. Hopefully, it doesn’t but here is you list.
1. Puerto Rico looks like they follow the International Building Code (IBC) of 2018 which means a lot and even though old building may not have those requirements you will be changing the use of the building from a school to a hostel and the occupancy. That means you will not be grandfathered in for many parts of this project. It also means it isn’t a third world country where you might get away with a lot of things.
2. Plumbing. There is a ratio on how many people you have for how many toilets, showers, and sinks you need. Plumbing can cost a lot to update. Is the property on septic or public sewer? How much will it cost to enlarge either of those. If you are on septic you can kiss the pool away. Unless you get a company to fill and drain it. I know of one in the DC area that does this so a property owner doesn’t have to hook up the pool to the sewer systems.
3. You may need to adhere to ADA guidelines. Puerto Rico is part of the USA and people may sue your small business if you do not meet ADA or ANSI guidelines. For example, clear pathways, restrooms and showers, beds, and so on. Even how hard a door may be pushed is taken into account. You can sometimes get away with not complying if the occupancy is lower than a certain threshold.
4. Mechanical requirements. I know COVID will go away sooner rather than later. However, a lot of codes have been updated for Air filters. For example, some daycares I am working on had to change their 4’ wall to 6’ because of COVID to separate spaces. Is Puerto Rico hospitality industry requiring anything like this? The good thing is that you are near a beach so opening a few windows may do the trick but you need to ask.
5. Electrical may need to be updated. The panel, outlets, etc. Once you open a wall to change one thing then there are a hundred things to update. Do all lights need to be converted to LED?
6. Fire alarm system or sprinklers. This will cost an arm and a leg and you need to check if this is required. It may be an occupancy thing again. Same goes for the number of egress from a space.
7. Energy requirements. Does the code require new windows and doors and insulation and so forth.
8. Structural. You need to make sure it is still in good shape after all those hurricanes every year. If anything needs to be repaired it will fall under the new IBC 2018.
9. Certificate of occupancy requirements and any other type of licenses you may need from Puerto Rico’s tourism industry.
10. Finally, figure out the best spot for the bar! That will bring in your revenue.
I love hostels and have traveled the world staying in hostels. I’ve stayed in over 100 and maybe one or two would pass all the new code requirements. I bring all this up because there is a lot of due diligence that needs to be done and any of these items may add a ton of money to the construction budget. I’m on your side and I hope I see this built in a year so I can take my kids surfing.
Good luck!
