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#407502 05/11/11 11:44 AM
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Can members who have experience (good or bad) with local construction companies please provide some feedback. Thanks in advance for your help.

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Make sure you really thoroughly check out the people you are thinking of working with. We believed smooth talk and didn't do our homework as thoroughly as we should and suffered as a result. If we had spoken to people associated with other building projects done by our builders...really spoken to them, we would have probably not selected the builders we chose. Instead we saw some pretty buildings, which looked lovely, but of course cosmetics isn't everything. Though we knew that, we fell for it anyway. In hindsight we've discovered there were some very serious faults in their previous building constructions and there have been numerous problems with our own, some inconvenient, some very expensive to repair and some down right dangerous and caused by apparent negligence. So, our best advice would be to make sure you talk to actual owners (not ones who are trying to sell as they won't want anyone to know what is wrong with the property - which was another one of the difficulties we faced in getting information) or people who have lived in properties built by the builder you are considering. Also, talk to local handymen and those that do repair work. They'll certainly give you some insight into the sort of work or repairs that have been necessary on certain properties. Throughout our own building project we had suspicions and difficulties with our builder's record keeping and the way he just changed plans without consulting us. Trying to keep the peace, we didn't kick up a fuss. We should have! Good luck. There are some great builders here and I'm sure that with some good research you'll find them.


www.conchcreative.com
Belize Wedding Photography

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Conact Matt King or Robbie Pritchard who you will find via Roadkill Bar or Purdygirl on here. They have recently set up their own Construction business having previously been lead Project Manager and Construction Foreman/Manager for Johnstone International, a Michael Ashcroft business that recently pulled out of Belize and built several big projects on the Caye including Las Terrazzas

Joined: May 2011
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You really need check out who you are doing business with, get refferals and check them out thoroughly. Check their previous work. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING..and have a reputable lawyer check the contract.
I have been in Belize Five years and found that you have to be real carefull about who you deal with. DO NOT take anyone on just their word.

Make sure your subs are liceneced, Plumbers, electricians, etc.

Here's a little hint I have found usefull. CHECK THIER TOOLS!. Most good relaiable contractors will invest in their tools... do they have a good assortment, clean & well cared for. are the saw blades new & sharp or old rusty and dull?
Check the brands... are they using Dewalt, Makita, Skill etc. (the high end expensive brands) or are they using the cheap chinese knock offs. I have found this to be a good litmus test but not an absolute.

I don't know if you are construction savy but another important thing is you have to be on site often.. everyday if you can. If you are not there constantly checking on them corners will be cut! Gauranteed! Get a copy of Canada's building codes. They are some of the strictist for minimum code reqirements and have your contractor follow those or US building codes for The southern states. Belize minimuim building codes are not very good.

IMPORTANT. If you are buying a lot make sure you check it during rainy season.... there is a lot of swamp land for sale.....

good luck...


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You can judge a builders management skills by looking at his job sites. Are they swept and raked daily? Is the trash disposed of? Are the workers working (without friends hanging around?)

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Thanks for the helpful replies!!

collyk #407536 05/11/11 10:09 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
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Originally Posted by collyk
Make sure you really thoroughly check out the people you are thinking of working with. We believed smooth talk and didn't do our homework as thoroughly as we should and suffered as a result. If we had spoken to people associated with other building projects done by our builders...really spoken to them, we would have probably not selected the builders we chose. Instead we saw some pretty buildings, which looked lovely, but of course cosmetics isn't everything. Though we knew that, we fell for it anyway. In hindsight we've discovered there were some very serious faults in their previous building constructions and there have been numerous problems with our own, some inconvenient, some very expensive to repair and some down right dangerous and caused by apparent negligence. So, our best advice would be to make sure you talk to actual owners (not ones who are trying to sell as they won't want anyone to know what is wrong with the property - which was another one of the difficulties we faced in getting information) or people who have lived in properties built by the builder you are considering. Also, talk to local handymen and those that do repair work. They'll certainly give you some insight into the sort of work or repairs that have been necessary on certain properties. Throughout our own building project we had suspicions and difficulties with our builder's record keeping and the way he just changed plans without consulting us. Trying to keep the peace, we didn't kick up a fuss. We should have! Good luck. There are some great builders here and I'm sure that with some good research you'll find them.


THAT is what happens when you do NOT have proper inspections during the ENTIRE building project. The government needs to get it together as it pertains to this.

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Suenos Construction is handling our project up north and I couldn't be happier Mike Coleman (contractor) and his crew. Clean site, honest guys, on schedule, on budget. You can follow the entire project from start to finish in the photos section of the following facebook page. PM me if you want more details.

www.facebook.com/canarycove


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How many good builders are there on the island?

Joined: Oct 2005
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hansen: WOW, that is an amazing home! So glad you have a builder that is working out well on your huge project. The tile work is outstanding - very impressive. We are 3.5 miles north and will swing by to see "Canary Compound" up close.


"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself"
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