Expat contractors overcharging locals to build - Hon Fahie
This is according to Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, Leader of the Opposition and First District Representative, who urged the government to investigate and create an emergency task force to handle the problem of contractors who are raising the prices to rebuild homes.
Following the hurricanes of September 2017 that left homes and businesses in a state of destruction, the territory has seen an influx of skilled workers to assist in the rebuilding process.
Hon Fahie further mentioned that the individuals that are on work permit in the territory are doubling their prices for labour and strongly believes that it is wrong for them to do that to the people of the territory, especially after going through such a devastating hurricane last year.
He explained, “If they are still working under that person hold them because they are robbing our people. We have a lot of people that put in money to the insurance company with a bid and when they put in the bid is one thing with the contractor and by the time they ready to build, the fees and the labour costs have increased exponentially and they cannot move forward.”
The First District Representative continued, “… it’s nothing against anybody who not from here, so I don’t want that to be misunderstood, but I have to look out for my people.”
Proposal for adjuster too late
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader indicated that following the hurricanes of September 2017, he had suggested that the government hire an adjuster for the people to make complaints on their insurance payout but added that it was too late when they actually got the adjuster.
He said, “The tribunal is there doing their best but it don’t have any teeth and that came long after I asked to get an adjuster hired on behalf of the people for those getting their checks early,” but added that by time the tribunal was in place persons had already settled with their insurance companies.
Hon Fahie described the government of the day as not having good leadership when they do not act swiftly when it comes to the people of the territory.
He said, “We keep putting in things when the people on life support or the life support is no use to them. That’s not leadership.”
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23 Responses to “Expat contractors overcharging locals to build - Hon Fahie”
I agree with your statement. Hired a contractor who sent some to work on my home, notice every time he assign at task to two they would ask the others how to do it. Found out later they never did a stroke of work in construction a day in the life. They were just cleaners in the home country. Heard about all the money to be made up here so they came pretending to be tradesmen. Really dishonest, trying to give a six for a nine. Wonder how may more out there doing the same thing.
When ready to re-build or repair, the price for the job(s) should be agreed with the contractor and the agreement should state any cost overruns are the responsibility of the contractor but he must finish the job(s) at the price agreed.
Negotiate well and ensure the price is within your budget and the amount received from insurance. Also, have an amount put aside from insurance for unexpected costs.
True, in some sectors, collusion do exist. Strict and costly legislation should be put in place to discourage collusion and price gouging. Greed and circumstances sometime cause dececent people to act out of character. Sad.
Moreover, collusion aside, customers should procure at least 3 bids. A word of caution is needed here. The low bid is not necessarily the best bid; a best value bid is often better. The consumer protection agency is vital to contract enforcement. Some components of a legal, binding contract include 1) offer, 2) acceptance, 3) consideration (there must be something of value provided by both contractor and customer), 4) writing, 5) competency and capacity.......etc. Consumers should boycott greedy contractors; with no business they will exit the scene stage left.
to reside in the bvi. i don't pretend to understand the complexity and corruption of who is allowed to earn money
here if they are from another country. it is DAMN strange. a belonger once offerred to hire me to work on a house
project as a laborer if i loaned him 20 dollars and bought a couple beers. that was a local from jvd. same time i
see many people in bvi pouring in from dominican republic over these few years, just do what they want - rip people
offf, sell whatever, and allowed to remain here. same with other 'protected' countries. sure americans are welcome
here in whatever capacity - if they pay you know who enough bribery money. and people are imported in groups
based on who from their country knows them and are here in advance. including honorary belongers who are not
of this place. disgusting. hope a stray nuke comes here. cheers.
They are no different them the government so. All the year u making the suffer. They wanna own a business here.them pay more for the trade license to pay high work premit and immigration takes 250 to extend time. Sit ur @&% down them finally find a way to win. Lol.. #$%^ you Lol..