Construction in paradise
by Chris Campbell – Staff Writer
You have your land, an idea about what you want to build, the money for your construction, and are ready to contract a builder to break ground – What could go wrong and how can it be avoided?
With few building regulations and cheaper labor costs, constructing in paradise offers the opportunity to build the dream home you always wanted for a fraction of what it would cost in many areas of the western world. With justified excitement at being ready to start, and thoughts on how you’ll enjoy the finished product, it can be easy to give the construction phase less attention than it deserves.
it can be easy to give the construction phase less attention than it deserves
Starting with the design of your building, every aspect must be considered in terms of what is practical and achievable at your location, not just what you feel should be possible. Your choice of builder will be critical to the success of your project and like everywhere in the world, there are good and bad ones. Don’t expect him to have formal qualifications or legal liability insurance if something goes wrong. Go and physically inspect some of his recent work and don’t just rely on a verbal recommendation from a customer whose standards may be very different from your own. The best builders often run several jobs at one time; if possible, try and get him to work exclusively on your project from start to finish, avoiding the inconsistencies of a changing work crew.
Be very clear about how the financing will be arranged, who will handle the money, how it will be handled, what it is to be used for, and don’t commit more funds than necessary until you see for yourself that the accounted money has been spent on what you have agreed upon.
Be very clear about how the financing will be arranged
It’s generally advisable to be in attendance during construction so you can regularly check all is going as planned. If that’s not possible, make sure your builder agrees to send you regular progress reports, expenditure accounts and photographs of work in progress. (Digital cameras/Camera phones are relatively cheap and available)
Look at local construction methods and try to keep your design as close to those as possible. Local builders may be unfamiliar with alternative designs or techniques that must be followed to achieve certain results. Just because your builder may suggest it’s ‘no problem’ does not mean it won’t be. Consider he may be telling you what you want to hear to ensure he gets the contract.
Just because your builder may suggest it’s ‘no problem’ does not mean it won’t be
Once the main structure has been completed, on budget and on time, don’t relax into thinking it is plain sailing from here. Finishing work is a different world from shell construction and it’s likely the same crew will attempt all the trades required from start to finish. Being great in one discipline doesn’t automatically translate into being great in all of them. Be realistic in the finish quality you stipulate.
Being great in one discipline doesn’t automatically translate into being great in all of them
Expecting your builder to work to North American standards can often cause friction as well as a compromised design. Listen to the suggestions he offers in terms of local variations to standard methods. There’s a big difference between a theoretical anti-termite design you found on the internet and a tried and tested local solution which has been proven to work against termites over several years.
Bear in mind that no construction project has ever run from start to finish with no problems. How significant those problems become, largely depends on your pre-planning, your general attitude and your willingness to compromise. The latter will be an asset that can prevent your project from suffering needless delays. Be flexible with aspects that do not really matter but be firm with those that do.
Be flexible with aspects that do not really matter but be firm with those that do
Constructing in paradise can be great value for money, but without careful planning and execution, costs can escalate along with one’s patience and blood pressure. Start as you mean to go on, be reasonable in your expectations and you’ll be sipping a cool drink on your dream veranda before you know it!
