Do you want to build your own home in the Caribbean on a tight budget? Well, if you keep these points in mind, it could well be possible to build for less than you think. Quality doesn't have to be compromised and you can still decide what you want in terms of design, but it is key to keep a tight hold on your budget and try to make decisions based on facts as opposed to emotions.

Wise Plot Selection
Even if you are in a hurry, be selective about your plot. If something is being offered at a lower price, take a look at what is on the plot. Are there a lot of trees and rocks? Removal of these could cost you more money, as it could if the land isn't flat. However, many homes in the Caribbean are built on stilts/piles as this is an easy and frugal way to overcome any sloping of the land. You also need to ensure that utilities are close by if they are essential to you, as it can cost a fair bit to install if not. If you want to build an eco-home with solar power and collection of water from your roof, then this can further cut down the costs. Continue reading "Build Your Own Home in the Caribbean on a Budget"

In this, our second part of building a kit home, we will be looking at selecting the design of your kit home, taking delivery and erection.


Preparation
- In most countries you will need Planning Approval and also possibly Building Permission from the local authority. This should be ascertained prior to purchasing your home, to ensure that permission will be attained.
- The site needs to be cleared and it would be useful to set out the profile of the home with pegs and string to see exactly where it will fit best, which views it will provide etc.
- a decision on what flooring you will be using
- whether you will build yourself or use the professionals
- the design of your home



When considering what design to choose, there are several points to contemplate:

- how do you use your home currently
- do you need an office
- would you live visitors to come to stay
- are the children still young enough to have a separate entertainment area from the adults
- where do you spend most of your time, would it be best to have an open plan kitchen/living room so that you can spend time as a family or just because you prefer larger open spaces
- do you need a laundry area
- what storage solutions might you need
- how do you want your home to look on the outside
- what finishes do you feel you would really like to enjoy
- what is your budget

Other matters such as how 'green' you want your home to be, and structural considerations, such as how to deal with difficult ground conditions may also need to be considered

Continue reading "Kit Homes Part II"

During the 1910's the prefabricated home made it's first appearance in the United States. By the end of the 1950's Sears Roebuck & Co offered mail order homes in 447 different designs. Styles ranged from the elaborate with art glass windows to the simple cottage that could be used for a family on their summer holiday.

Homes would be delivered on a train and would come with a 75 page instruction booklet to advise the customer on how to assemble the 10,000 or so pieces. A housewife could order details, such as kitchens, and room layouts to suit her family. Floor plans were customisable and so was financing, with the option of leasing a piece of land to build upon.

Nowadays, several companies offer kit homes and will ship them to the Caribbean for you to erect on your prepared site. For this two part blog, I have spoken with two different companies to understand what is possible in the world of wooden prefabricated homes, now much more commonly referred to as kit homes.

Caribbean Wood Products, is primarily an international wood broker who can supply hardwood flooring and decking; they also supply kit homes. Topsider Homes is a kit homes and buildings specialist that has been operating since 1968. The companies will help us look at the benefits, how to prepare, how to select a supplier, and what is involved. Next time around we will look at selecting and customising your home plans and taking delivery.



The ups and downs of building a kit home
When deciding whether to go with the kit method, these are some of the benefits and the downsides to consider:

Benefits
Speed – the kit home can be built faster than building in the traditional method. Once the design has been selected, then the supplier will manufacture the parts using their tried and tested processes and ensure that it all fits together.

Choice – many designs are available that can be customised to suit the tastes and needs of the owner. Manufacturers often provide customisation right through the home, including kitchen cabinets and where the electrical sockets are situated.

Quality – you are aware up front of what the quality should be, especially if you have done your homework. You know the materials being used and what you will be getting for your money. The woods used are typically hardwoods that are rot and insect resistant. Most often, the threat of hurricanes will have been considered and factored into the design.

Support – the manufacturer/supplier will be there for you and will help you decide on the building spot if necessary. With long term support this can take the pressure off and will also iron out any issues that you have along the way. Topsider has a client services department and a technical department, who have knowledgeable staff to assist you, and can even help you to recruit your builder.

Control – you will have more control over what the house looks like, the materials to be used, etc. than perhaps if you used local builders and architects. The companies have done it all before and can use their knowledge to provide outlines on how long the build will take, and what will be required to complete it. The experience of the companies will make some of the unknowns become known and take out some of the risk and fear for the owner. In addition, Topsider Homes insists that the builder takes regular photographs of the build, so that the quality of the build and the process can be checked and supported.


Downsides
The major downside could be the customs charge from accepting the kit home into particular islands. Some Caribbean islands prefer local builders to be used and local products where possible, and will tax you for going outside of this.

There will still be some issues during construction, as there appears to be with every build project. Minor delays and perhaps some cost miscalculations will occur. By finding out as much as possible beforehand, and planning for this, errors and delays can be kept to a minimum.

zugamtir5d Continue reading "Building a Kit Home"