According to the Resilient Design Institute, resilient design is defined as “the intentional design of buildings, landscapes, communities, and regions in response to vulnerabilities to disaster and disruption of normal life”.In general, building in conformity to code is good but sometimes not enough, so understanding micro climates and environments of communities in which we live is...Read More

Steel framing is a construction method where steel columns and beams are assembled using a variety of fasteners usually in a rectilinear fashion to create a support for floors, roofs, etc. to purposefully construct a building. While steel frame construction is predominantly used for large, simple structures, such as garages and warehouses, there has been...Read More

Give considerable thought to the individual or business you will hire to perform your construction or related projects. Pay particular attention to contractors offering their services at a considerably lower price – while you may save a few dollars at the time, you may end up paying a lot more over the life of the...Read More

With outdoor living gaining a lot of popularity, people all across the globe have now started constructing outdoor domestic spaces, which can be used for several purposes.  Depending on the availability of the space, there are various types of spaces, which can be constructed.   These include porch, balcony, veranda, patio and deck.  However, people...Read More

The traditional approach by home owners to building a home is to develop an idea or plan of what they want their home to look like, then hire a contractor to execute the plan.   Building a home calls for a lot more than just that.  A significant amount of time, financial and material resources...Read More

The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season has been described as a hyperactive and catastrophic season, ending with seventeen (17) named storms, ten (10) hurricanes and six (6) major hurricanes causing damage and destruction to several countries including Dominica. This year’s hurricane season is also expected to be above average estimating between one to four major hurricanes....Read More

Steel buildings are metal structures constructed with steel for internal support as well as exterior covering. They first gained popularity in the early 20th century and have become more popular today, not only in the commercial sector but for residential buildings as well. They offer a wide range of advantages over other more commonly used...Read More

In our previous articles: Basement Conversion Ideas Part 1 and 2 we took a look at some uses for basement space that are uncommon in Dominica. Today we look at the benefits of a space that is not found in the average Dominican home, the attic.   The attic is the space found directly below...Read More

Whether you are constructing a home or doing minor repair and maintenance work around the house you will more than likely need the assistance of a ladder. Ladders allow us to achieve tasks in high places and as with any tool you should be aware of the proper way to use it. Knowing proper ladder...Read More

The decision of whether to buy a home or to build a home is one faced by many individuals.  Being involved in the real estate component of our businesses, we come across many people looking to buy a home, most with the justification that it will be much more convenient to buy the house and...Read More

Renovations and additions can improve the comfort and functionality of your home as well as increase its value.  Renovation may be very simple in the sense that the only activity it involves is replacing existing materials like windows, doors, cupboards etc.  Larger renovation projects may need a great deal of consideration and planning especially if...Read More

The cracked walls and foundations, sagging roof lines and uneven or tilting floors can be symptoms of major structural problems. Two common causes for structural problem are Differential Settlement (when the building foundation settles unequally) and Poor Renovations (when changes are made to the structure of a building without proper support). These can put great...Read More

The foundation is a crucial component for ensuring stability of a structure and is often viewed as being equally important as the human hands and feet to the body. In the built environment, man-made structures such as houses, apartments, schools, stores, bridges, highways, parks etc., are supported and anchored by their foundation. The foundation of...Read More

Anyone looking to buy a home knows that it is all about compromise. You may find a good home, but the kitchen is smaller than you want. Or the price is within your budget, but the layout is nowhere close to what you are looking for. If you have searched tirelessly and simply cannot find...Read More

Every construction job is different, and from our previous article we discussed the different Variables That Can Affect the Construction Timeline. However, there are some steps in the process that are standard when it comes to building a home. A construction timeline tailored to the house you are building should be provided before the project begins....Read More

The building materials used when building affects the extent of damage sustained by infrastructure during and after natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes and floods.   Concrete Reinforced concrete is one of the most practical and preferred building material in the world. Why? Because it has the ability to regulate the strength required at specific points...Read More

A garage is one of many types of rooms within a home that is not commonly found here in Dominica for a number of reasons. For one, an individual or family may not see it as a necessity to have a garage if they do not own a vehicle or if they do not plan on buying...Read More