The image on the left is what we have now and what was agreed and the other image is what we are proposing and they accepted. As you can see this is an extreme face lift. However, the changes are all sort of stick on. We will fabricate on the ground, paint and hoist and bolt into place. Sounds easy but, now we have severe labor shortages and the rates for work are skyrocketing.
I have been told that the work should be completed in 30 or so days. We are still waiting for basic approvals of our material submissions, quotations from contractors and for our own people to decide on what they want to commit themselves to.
We require 2,800 sheets of cement board, 10 tons of steel framing and about 1,000 gallons of paint. It should take 40 workers about 30 days to complete this job. I have sourced the cement board from India and it just so happens that 3 containers are available in Dubai (a good price of USD10 per sheet) . The steel is also available but will cost about $4,000 per ton and extra for fixing. The paint is available and will cost around $15 per m2. The only problem is that there are only small contractors with 6-10 people each able to do the job now. If I want to split the job up then they say they are not interested. I have so much experience with delaying contractors that I don't ever believe any of them. People here take work even though they know they cannot finish on time. If you look for penalties then they can just leave the job. In the end you loose.
Today I talked with more contractors who are willing to look at the job, but I don't know if I can dream of finishing on time. So I just have to face the fact that I have the impossible to contend with.
Christopher Richardson
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