How long will it take to build my house?
This all depends on the complexity of your design...and God.
It often rains heavily here, usually not for long, but on occasion it may, and this could delay your project by a few days or weeks. When it rains in Carriacou, it's often considered a holiday for many people as it's not that easy to get around a small island when it's wet out. Many of the dirt roads are impassible in the rain, even in a 4x4. So, hope for clear days when you're building, and lots of rain afterwards to fill your cistern.
What are the building costs per sq ft?
On average, for a simple design with modest finishing work (basic sinks, taps, showers, tiling, etc.), you can count on about ECD (Eastern Caribbean Dollars) $190.00-250.00 per square foot at the moment. Pricing of cement has risen dramatically in the last two years so while we could have quoted you a substantially lower square footage charge a few years ago, this is just no longer possible. And please remember, $190.00sf would be for a very basic house with very modest fixtures. Alternately, a 4000sf home with detailed design and finishing work could take considerably longer and may cost you $250.00 - $350.00 per square foot. Once you give us a copy of your blueprints and an idea of what sort of fixtures and finishing you'd like, we can then quote you a more accurate square footage charge.
Where does my water come from?
There is no central water system on the island of Carriacou. Your water source is from rainwater only, so you will need to incorporate a cistern into your design.
What's a cistern?
It's a catchment for the rainwater that falls on your roof and is directed into the cistern from gutters around the roof. From a building standpoint, it's usually a waterproof cinder block, cement and plaster structure that is often placed under or above ground and incorporated into the house slab foundation. The rain runoff from the roof is piped into the cistern to store your water.
Is the cistern included in the SF price?
No, cisterns are always quoted separately and are in addition to the cost of the house.
What other costs might I incur?
If excavating is required before we can start building, you will be responsible for the cost of this also. Excavation fees are running at about $180.00 per hour at the moment (December, 2007). After your house is finished, you may want to add in a paved driveway, fencing of the property and retaining walls. These would also be in addition to the house pricing and would all be quoted separately.
Do you have a contract that we sign? Can my lawyer look it over?
Yes, we have a standard contract that has to be signed and you're more than welcome to have your lawyer look it over.
How do we oversee our house construction project if we won't be able to be there when you're building?
After we go over the blueprints of your house design and get the details of the finishing work that you require, we will keep you informed via emailed jpegs of the weekly progress. Should you have any questions, concerns or alterations, you simply need to email or phone us with your specifications. Remember that the more detail that you can give us initially will help us see your vision and keep us on track.
How often will you email progress pictures?
We'll send pictures out every Friday evening. We'll try our best anyway. Remember, we're not a high tech construction company from New York, far from it! We run a small construction company on a small island. If you don't receive your pictures on Friday night, please don't panic. Chances are the pictures will arrive the next day.
How are the payments set up?
We collect a % of the total to start the project. Once the 1st phase is completed and you are satisfied with the results, you will send the money for the 2nd phase and we then start on that. So you are always in control. If there is something you are not happy with, just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate your request/alteration, etc.
How do I pay you?
If you live overseas, you can wire the money to our account in USD or ECD. Our bank account details will be provided to you when we sign the final contracts.
It sounds great, but we've heard horror stories about people building in the Caribbean.
How can we be sure your company is on the up and up and actually delivers what you say you will?
We've build a number of homes in Carriacou over the years and have a good reputation. And we'd like to keep it that way! It would be our pleasure to supply you with references of previous clients that we have constructed homes for here in Carriacou. References can be supplied by your choice of either email addresses, phone numbers or introductions to past clients here on the island. Your choice. We'd also be happy to take you on a tour of the houses we've built. Or we can provide you with a list and approximate directions (we don't really have street names here) if you'd like to take a look at them on your own.
T. Bedeau Construction is owned and operated by Theo Bedeau. If you ask around Carriacou if anyone knows Theo Bedeau, chances are they'll say no. But if you ask them if they know Uncle T, they'll say, "oh yes, I know Uncle T!" And that's one of the charms of Carriacou. No one goes by their formal name, but use nicknames most have had from birth. T. Bedeau Construction is not a large outfit. Along with about 6-12 employees, we build one to four houses per year and numerous side projects, renovations and additions. |
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