Building your home in Barbados is an exciting time. Not only do you have the opportunity to live in this beautiful country, but you get to live in a house of your design.
While there is no magic formula, some tips simplify the process, especially if you are not on the island during the build.
1 Be flexible from the start
We don’t want to start with a negative but rather a dose of realism. Despite everyone’s best efforts, things will go amiss during the build. Suppliers will deliver the wrong products, and tiles will break, cables cut accidentally, permits delayed. However, patience, understanding and acceptance that this will happen will cut your stress levels when it does – and make the process more enjoyable.
2 Planning, planning, planning
Put in the time in the beginning to plan your project. Work out precisely what you want, your must-haves and non-negotiables. Think about your nice-to-haves. Can you afford them? Importantly plan your budget, so there are no surprises or disappointments later in the build.
3 Hire the right people to support you
Understanding construction cost estimates or Barbados’ building regulations can be daunting if you have no building knowledge. However, while bringing different professions on board during your build adds to the overall budget, it will pay off in terms of time, energy, stress and even money in the long term.
Architect
Your chosen architect will be your first point of reference. Not only will they design your home to your specifications, budget, structural limitations, and in line with building regulations, they will also manage planning permissions and any other permits. They can also liaise with an engineer.
Visit the Barbados Institute of Architects or speak with the team at Berkan Construction who can help.
Contractor
Selecting the right contractor for your budget is key to its success. You need to hire not just on price alone – but make sure they have a passion for their work, have the necessary qualifications, have an eye for detail and understand your vision. Always ask for references, visit some of their projects.
Berkan Construction makes the construction process as painless as possible by offering complete general contracting services, including site clearing, grading of land, and maintaining existing and erecting new structures related to building construction and maintenance.
In addition, the team offers commitment at all levels of a building project, from preparing for construction to construction management services. As a result, they successfully meet clients demands for cost-effective and responsive services.
Project Manager
Unless you are prepared to be on-site daily and understand the building process, planning and budgets, you need to employ a project manager. The role of the project manager is diverse, covering:
- Managing the contractor
- Ensuring the build is following the plan
- Checking costs and orders
- Following up deliveries
- Keeping everything on schedule
- Liaising with local teams
A good project manager will keep your build on schedule, on budget and safe from unscrupulous people who can jeopardise your dream.
Berkan Construction can provide this service for you. They provide overall planning, coordination and control of a project, so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Interior Designer
Don’t leave appointing an interior designer to the end of the project. Bringing a designer in at the early stages can save compromises and additional costs later on.
Knowing where you will place your dining table and sofa means you can place your electrical sockets in the right place. The colours, materials and style of your open-plan kitchen will have an impact on your entire living space. Without knowing the overall style of your new home, how can you choose flooring? And, knowing what type of window coverings you want will determine the type of windows and doors you install.
Use professional services
Before you sign, always use a lawyer to draw up your contracts and ensure you understand and agree with every aspect, including payments and liability.
And make sure you have construction insurance in place just in case mistakes happen. It will give you great peace of mind even if you don’t need it during your build.
4 Budget for the interior
Many house builders are so focused on building a beautiful home on the outside, and they don’t allocate a sufficient budget for the interior. This isn’t just for the kitchen and bathrooms but flooring, paint, lighting, furnishing, window treatments and all the little things that make a home.
If you are thinking of building a home in Barbados and need help and guidance, then contact the team at Berkan Construction. They will be more than happy to discuss your project and answer any questions you might have.
Just complete the contact form and book a discovery call today.