Q: How do I build Turks and Caicos Islands if I live abroad?

A: Following your land purchase (we're also able to help you find land and a lawyer if needed), we would liaise with our trusted local architectural firms to develop a design that suites your specific needs. Once you are happy with the plans and are ready to move ahead with construction, Olympic will provide detailed costings to complete the design accompanied with a Contract Sum. From there we can commence with construction process, keeping you up to speed with developments throughout the build.  We would normally ask for a deposit followed by monthly payments based on the progress of the build.  

You would be updated with regular emails and pictures along with a bespoke blog so you can be reassured throughout the building process while you are not present.  Upon completion we would then hand over the property to you for furnishing, or again we can assist by working with an interior designer as is often the case in our high-end builds. 

When the house is complete and furnished it’s then time to relax and enjoy your property. We can also suggest a property management company who specialise in short term rentals to maximise the value of your newly built home while you are away from the islands. The property management companies handle all bill payments and will deposit booking incomes to minimise hassle for our clients.  Our hope is to not only assist throughout the construction process, but also following on from when we hand over the keys to make the experience as simple as possible. 

Q: How is quality maintained throughout the build if I am not around to oversee the project?

A: We have several quality control mediums which are implemented throughout all our builds.  It all starts with a good design.  The architects we recommend have excellent sub-consultants as part of their service which ensures your building is fit for purpose. A chartered structural engineer would contribute to all designs and issue specifications to ensure the ideal concrete structure.  Before a single drop of concrete is poured the structural engineer will check the reinforcement to ensure it is as planned. Samples of concrete will be taken and tested to ensure the concrete is the correct strength and no substances have compromised it's integrity. 

The Architect will also sub consult a chartered mechanical and electrical engineer (MEP) who will design the electrical, water and ventilation systems in the building. They will recommend the ideal electrical panels, sockets, lights, appliances, pool equipment etc. for the proposed design. In addition to this they will also specify water heater requirements (solar or otherwise), sewerage treatment, alarm systems, lightning protection, pool / hot tub features etc all depending on the scope of work.  Our MEP engineers make routine inspections and recommendations during the construction process to ensure there are no surprises when the keys are handed over.

It's also worth noting that we liaise daily with the architects and engineers to ensure quality is maintained and the finishes within the building are to the highest standard. Our team are constantly checking for smooth walls, any damaged floor tiles and critically that the the windows up to hurricane protection code and building standards are maintained.

Q: What aspects the building process are Olympic responsible for?

A: We are responsible for the construction of the building(s) and/or structure(s) outlined within the agreed design .  We involve architects and engineers from day one to ensure they approve the construction plans we have in place. Within any given building there are thousands of components which more often that not are sourced from overseas (we are on an island after all). We manage the complicated logistics involved delivering materials arriving from abroad and the skilled labour required on site to perform the installations correctly. We are responsible for the property from the first day of breaking ground, through the building process, to the cleaning up and polishing the floor, before handing over the keys to our clients.

Q: How do Olympic differ from our competitors?

A: We are a close knit team who have worked with and for some of the best in the businesses. Our smaller team size has led to improved collaboration between the team members and expertise is shared freely within our organisation. We also have a bedrock of superb sub-contractors who we have forged strong relationships with over several years. We rely on each other to deliver remarkable buildings and while some in the business treat them merely as suppliers we prefer to collaborate and build a stronger working relationship with the wider team.

We've build a reputation on quality and timing that is second to none in the country. When we commit to a handover date we will ensure everything is done to stay on schedule which is unfortunately not always the case with others in the field.  We are meticulous with our finishes and utilise some of the most advanced concrete building methods from around the world. We don't take on every job that comes our way and as a result we're able to put our full focus into a small number of projects every year. The result has been happy clients who say more about us that we could ever say ourselves.    

Q: What regulations are there for building in the Turks and Caicos Islands?

A: The Turks and Caicos Islands have their own unique building and design regulations that must be adhered to in order to be granted permission to build.  The building code is primarily based on the Miami Dade's (Florida, USA) specifications which are the highest standard in North America thanks to their prevalence of Hurricanes. This code demands the core construction to be made from reinforced concrete with hurricane straps on the roof and hurricane impact rated windows.  This is to ensure the building will withstand a direct hit from a hurricane which, while rare, are a consideration when residing in the Tropics.  We treat this code as paramount, and refuse to make any comprises that may in the long run be detrimental to the integrity of our (and your) structures. 

After construction is complete the local planning department will inspect the building and the electrics to confirm that they are as initially designed. Following a successful inspection, they will issue a ‘Occupancy Certificate’ and an ‘Electrical Certificate’ which will enable the homeowner to sell, rent or take a loan on the property.  The electrical certificate is required to connect the building's power to Fortis, our local energy provider.  These regulations may not be as strictly enforced in other countries so it is important to have a qualified contractor involved in the build who can ensure the standards are maintained at all times. 

Q: How are buildings protected against severe weather like Hurricanes?

A: Hurricanes are devastating storms and are a real challenge to for the building industry to prepare for, there's no getting around that .  We ensure the glass windows and sliding doors are hurricane and impact rated so that even during hurricane force winds whoever may be inside will remain safe and secure. We ensure the roof is correctly secured so that it can withstand high winds and rainwater drains off the property to avoid flooding wherever possible. We also offer optional items as part of our service which includes generators that can provide an even greater level of comfort if the power goes happen to go down during a severe storm.  While we have been fortunate to avoid many direct hits over the years, our aim is to plan for the worst to ensure that if the building does take a direct hit, you can be confident all necessary precautions have been taken.

Q: What currency is used in the Turks and Caicos?

A: The islands trade with the United States Dollar, however for payment we are willing accept most major currencies directly to our local bank.

Q: What is the legal system in the Turks and Caicos?

A: The country's laws are based on the UK's legal system, and when agreeing construction contracts we adhere to the legal conditions of the Turks and Caicos.

Q: What taxes are applicable to property?

A: Currently, there are no ongoing property taxes applicable within the country. There is however a one-off 'Stamp Duty' which is due to the local government upon sale of land and property.  The county's taxes on the island are predominantly gained by the import duties on materials, so depending on the scale of your project an indirect tax will be applied to your build.

For any other questions, please contact us directly