Issues With Unlicensed Contractors Post-Hurricane Dorian

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GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – We’ve highlighted the inspection process of the Building and Development Department in Freeport, focusing on maintaining the structural integrity of homes. This time around, Building Inspector Nicholson Miller sheds light on a major challenge—illegal construction.

Nicholson Miller – Building Inspector, Building and Development Dept., GBPA
“We have a serious situation with unpermitted works where people would choose to carry out a repair to their roof. For example, the building code states that if you’re doing a repair of 25 percent or greater of the total area of the roof, a building permit is required.”

Miller highlights issues stemming from unlicensed contractors performing substandard work after recent hurricanes.

Nicholson Miller – Building Inspector, Building and Development Dept., GBPA
“Since the recent hurricanes, we had a lot of unlicensed contractors carrying out repairs where they were doing substandard work, leaving the property owner in a bad state where the roof leaked after they said they were completed. But there’s no recourse. They don’t have someone who can go there and say, ‘Oh, you’re doing this incorrectly. This needs to be done that way.’”

Miller emphasizes that these problems often affect property owners with limited construction knowledge.

Nicholson Miller – Building Inspector, Building and Development Dept., GBPA
“The workmen would go there, do whatever they felt like, ‘Oh, I’m finished. You can pay me now.’ They get their money, they go, and the owners are still stuck with the problem. And sometimes, the problem is even worse than before. We can intervene in those types of situations to mitigate bad construction.”

To address the issue, the department is drafting new policies and holding contractors accountable.

Nicholson Miller – Building Inspector, Building and Development Dept., GBPA
“In terms of GBPA licenses, we would have a meeting with them to remind them of their responsibility to the organization and the community. They’re given a warning, then a second warning, and afterwards, further action can be taken.”

The department also maintains an approved list of licensed contractors for property owners to review.

Nicholson Miller – Building Inspector, Building and Development Dept., GBPA
“Review that list and talk with the contractors to find out how best they can help and if they are the contractor that they would want to work with.”