By Leonard GildarieI managed to move into my new home at La Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara,Cheap NFL Authentic Jerseys, in late November, after three months of hectic building. It was a grand experience. My first ever home, built the way it was envisaged. But it was not the first time I was involved in building.In 2005-2006, I oversaw the construction of my parents’ home in Grove, on the East Bank of Demerara. That was a rude experience. It became painfully evident that there was a difference between columns and beams and rafters, with introduction to words and terms like cantilever and curb walls.Sad to say, while the house is quite a good-looking one by any local standards I did not, because of ignorance,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, pay much attention to the finishing work…much more work could have been done.Then some family of mine wanted help to build their home in Diamond. That went rather well after the first contractor was fired within one week after the start of work, because of drinking and fundamental issues.But the three forays in construction have led to a number of revelations that clearly underlined the fact that there are problems within the housing industry – and deep-seated ones they are – that will take more than some regulatory change to fix.While more and more Guyanese are getting a piece of land,Wholesale Jerseys, the problems are numerous…with excited potential homeowners getting messed with by contractors; loans being badly spent; and approved building plans being adjusted at will, causing time and cost overruns.One banker recently told me that contractors and the Registry remain among the biggest challenges of the mortgage sector.A walk through many of the housing schemes across the country will see a number of homes unfinished…many because banks have refused to disburse monies because contractors have strayed from the building plans,Wholesale Jerseys China, or the budget was exceeded.In many instances, persons would tell horror stories of contractors who, because of the current sloth in the judicial system,Cheap NFL Jerseys, care not of the suffering of their victims.Many are now refusing to allow their contractors to purchase for them. A smart move. There are accusations of contractors over-estimating the lumber needed and after being entrusted by the unsuspecting family, would strike a deal or collect less from the sawmill and even have the bills adjusted to reflect a higher figure.Many contractors would wait until the structure is up, send home their labourers and then literally blackmail their employer to either pay up more or the job will be left undone.On another side, the process to apply to the banks and other lending institutions has proven quite a humbug for many.Most persons are unaware that there is a percentage to be paid for legal fees once the loan has been approved and is being processed in the court…this could be a hefty sum that comes out of the pocket for some.Issues of actually planning the layout of homes are problems for many. There are cases of a flight of stairs falling wrong in the kitchen or living room,NFL Jerseys Cheap, taking up precious space.A number of persons, instead of building a home to suit their needs, build because their neighbours or somebody has a stylish home and it looks… well…”kinda good”.It was only during this week, that the Housing Ministry expressed alarm over numerous complaints that home-owners are being systematically fleeced by contractors who are comforted in knowing that there are more jobs available because of the housing boom. While there are no official estimations at the moment, it will have to be in the millions of dollars that would be lost by home builders because of opportunity lost and other factors.It is clear, the Ministry is saying, that the traditional verbal agreement will not work anymore.While contractors were blamed the majority of times, it was acknowledged that some home builders were unscrupulous too, finding faults at the end of the job to not pay or even add some extra work.The Ministry is now planning to introduce a licencing system to legalise contractors, even posting them on a website and allowing persons to comment on their performance.Also, the Ministry announced, a draft document of what home builders and contractors should agree upon will shortly be posted onto their website.It is a good move, but it may also be wise to review what would happen at the judicial level if the matter ever reached that far. It is no secret that the current sloth of civil matters being heard has frustrated many individuals.Building a home, in my humble vi