We have moved from London to Antigua to launch a niche publishing business and here is the first chapter in our building project…
The Mission: To renovate and complete an abandoned house partially erected over ten years ago. The aim is to use locally sourced labour, suppliers and materials to complete a 3 bedroom house within an affordable budget of under $200,000ECD ($74,075USD).
We are getting there! Albeit slower than scheduled. The progress made has been good, the hold ups so far seem to be down to basic organisation. Despite our best attempts to schedule, finance and set realistic targets we had not accounted that some things are just not within our power.
The contractors, who are renowned and quality house builders are victims of their own popularity and tight schedules. Their previous contract has overrun due to a container of wood arriving 3 months late. This job should have finished September 2007, but it is still not finished. It is February 2008! However, they have been fitting us in as best they can. In addition, the contractors have taken on other jobs in-between and so the shuffle of skills and labour has become a tangled weave of ‘soon comeness’.
That said, this is what we’ve accomplished. Firstly we brought in Mr Cox who advised to bring in an excavator instead of the backhoe. We were wary, because of the cost. But in hind site, thank goodness Cox had insisted. The house sits on a hill and Cox re-claimed a 5-10ft edge of usable land around the perimeter, he then dug holes through rock for a cistern, septic tank and swimming pool. To achieve this with a backhoe would have taken weeks. In total it took 4 days and was worth every cent. Mr Cox did a fabulous job, he really knows his stuff and was not afraid to put his foot down to do ‘things the right way’. Extraordinary results!
Precision Builders (PB) then set upon constructing the cistern (18,000 gallons). An engineer advised on the correct steel and cement to be used because of the rock and hill setting (no cracks please!). Once that was agreed it was constructed almost immediately along with a septic tank. Unfortunately, the swimming pool will have to wait, as this was no longer a priority with an extending timeline. We want to get into the property! (steel from Antigua Plumbing, Blocks Antigua Masonary Products, concrete from Sammy’s Concrete, Pump, Waterheater & Pressure tank from Westrading).
Tiling – The floors within the property were uneven and the existing tiles had cracked. We decided to re-tile. Westrading supplied the tiles and PB brought in the tilers. The tiles were laid at a diagonal angle and the job used a considerable amount of thinset and concrete in order to level the floor. The finish effect was excellent. Floors are very gratifying to lay and the visual improvement was instantaneous.
The front wall of the house had a standard front door and two small windows that did not take advantage of the magnificent view. Scotts Hill faces north-east looking over town towards Jumby Bay. It also has 180º views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. So to capitalise on this obvious feature the solution was provided by Domus Windows. PB cut two large holes into the front wall and Domus made sliding doors to measure, complete with mosquito screens. Their service and installation was professional and their prices competitive.
The electric wiring was improved and additional electrical fixtures were added. The electric had been set up for 110V, however we later discovered the voltage in the area is 220V. It is best to check neighbourhood voltage supply early on to avoid buying incorrect appliances. Alternatively, dual voltage the house. We are now facing unexpected extra expenses. The new light fixtures and fans have been provided almost exclusively by Lighting Expo. Outside sockets were replaced and a new meter box has been mounted.
Plumbing – The house has two bathrooms which required plumbing, this has all gone to schedule except the fitting of the kitchen and bathroom sinks which are awaiting counter tops.
In short, the project looks viable and we hope to be finished within the next 4 months. Major tasks lay ahead and include the kitchen, completion of the bathrooms, construction of the decked terrace and swimming pool. We hope all will go to plan, but after all, this is Antigua and anything could happen!
Articles 
We have moved from London to Antigua to launch a niche publishing business and here is the first chapter in our building project…
That said, this is what we’ve accomplished. Firstly we brought in Mr Cox who advised to bring in an excavator instead of the backhoe. We were wary, because of the cost. But in hind site, thank goodness Cox had insisted. The house sits on a hill and Cox re-claimed a 5-10ft edge of usable land around the perimeter, he then dug holes through rock for a cistern, septic tank and swimming pool. To achieve this with a backhoe would have taken weeks. In total it took 4 days and was worth every cent. Mr Cox did a fabulous job, he really knows his stuff and was not afraid to put his foot down to do ‘things the right way’. Extraordinary results!
The electric wiring was improved and additional electrical fixtures were added. The electric had been set up for 110V, however we later discovered the voltage in the area is 220V. It is best to check neighbourhood voltage supply early on to avoid buying incorrect appliances. Alternatively, dual voltage the house. We are now facing unexpected extra expenses. The new light fixtures and fans have been provided almost exclusively by Lighting Expo. Outside sockets were replaced and a new meter box has been mounted.