Do these steel sips cost less when compared to locally produced concrete block walls?

Posted By jonr on 28 Jul 2010 12:18 AM
Do these steel sips cost less when compared to locally produced concrete block walls?

No it is not less, but what was accomplished in 5 days what would take the locals a year to do. locally poor quality 4" blocks are used, a 2000 sq.ft. house would take 2-3 years to complete with no set budget (just send more money)
We expect the home to be ready to move in, in about 60 days. Not relying on local suppliers we took everything with us

Posted By JeffD on 27 Jul 2010 10:09 PM

I have used this product and it does the job pretty good. The blade is well shrouded so the metal filings to fly up in one's face.

Yea I have used similar but its hard to beat our   $6. price    for blades and the lightweight of our saw makes it easy to use on ladders and even upside down.

Hi Jeff,

I am on St. Kitts now, Next time I am on Nevis I will have to look for that house.

Any idea what the owners paid in taxes? If I do manage to see the house it will be the first time I have seen any insulation on the islands. Surprising as electricity costs so much.

I've seen the same thing - hot areas where electricity is expensive and no insulation and little attention to air sealing. Maybe the trend got started before foam was common and insulation didn't hold up well.

it is usually a cost/availability issue         sand is common on islands, so cement products are more common. there are no Home Depots
so common people are at the mercy of what the local business people have available. If you are in the upperclass, you can afford to import yourself. It is extremely difficult to work in "third" world countries , as some of the simplest tools , equipment are just not there unless you take it there