NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Supply chain woes brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted local construction costs and thrown constructions schedules “out of whack”, according to Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) President Michael Pratt.
Pratt, who was addressing a webinar on the COVID-19 supply chain crisis, noted that there has been a spike in home remodels and construction during the pandemic.
“With people being stuck at home, remodeling of homes has spiked. People are looking at their homes and are saying they need more space and need to renovate,” said Pratt.
“Contractors now have to work through the issue of late deliveries. If you can’t get certain materials on schedule, that impacts your entire job.
“These schedules are out of whack and contractors are being blamed for these delays.
“Right now, it’s a constantly changing environment. There’s no way to guarantee prices and time for completion dates, and so, schedules are out of whack.
We need the banks to understand construction documents.
– Michael Pratt
“This impacts the contractor who has to give a quote for a job. When a job is delayed, that can mean a lot of losses for the consumer and the contractor.”
Pratt also noted that the BCA has been working towards greater collaboration with the banking sector.
“The BCA has embarked on an online training course in partnership with the banks,” said Pratt.
“We are talking to the banks about understanding the need to collaborate more with the industry so that we can improve the product for our customers as well as contractors.
“We need the banks to understand construction documents.”
