During the Estimates debates, the Ministry of Housing revealed their aim of reducing the construction cost of houses by changing building materials and methods – but without sacrificing quality. They told me what I wanted to hear since I also try to design economical and effective solutions to problems.
After implementing designed solutions, the next step is to check whether the design-aims were accomplished. So, I visited one of the Ministry-managed construction sites and was horrified at what I saw – workmen were diligently assembling sub-standard construction materials badly.
THE HORROR SHOW.
I typically saw: (i) uncompacted concrete, (ii) masonry walls that were not properly reinforced or grouted, (iii) inadequate shear walls, (iv) corroding galvanised horizontal reinforcement (as if that were even possible), (v) weakly connected roof timber frames, (vi) roof timber frames not treated for termites and probably worse of all, (vii) structurally weak roof timbers. These are proven construction weak links.
By using substandard materials and methods, flaws are baked-in that normally result in high-maintenance buildings that provide temporary shelter until the arrival of a major hurricane. Should these buildings be struck by an earthquake, they will likely entomb the occupants. We seem to have entered an unchartered territory of sub-standard residential construction in Barbados – because I do not think we have ever built houses so badly.
WHAT HAPPENED?
How could this be happening in 2026 after: (i) 35 years of directing proper construction on construction sites, (ii) 26 years of publicly encouraging better construction of houses in published articles and free workshops and seminars, (iii) 16 years of training over 1,000 persons across the Caribbean in proper construction practices and (iv) being the principal author of the CARICOM Code of Practice for the Construction of Houses and its freely available user-friendly Learners Guide? It now seems all for naught.
The most frightening observation was the formal introduction of weak timber in Barbadian roof frames. The timber species used was Southern Yellow Pine – which is commonly used across the Caribbean. Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) is sold in five structural grades: Select Structural (SS), No.1, No.2, No.3 and No.4. SS and No.1 are for structural uses. No.3 and 4 are non-structural and are commonly used temporarily as formwork.
SYP No.2 has some structural uses but should not be used where they mainly bend when loaded, because they have too many vulnerable knots. Those knots are known locations of breaking when the timber bends – which happens in roof timbers.
The only SYP grade I found selling in Jamaica after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025 was No.2 – which contributed to the magnitude of destruction. On 6 March 2026, I made an evidence-based presentation to the Jamaica Institute of Engineers and Jamaica’s University of Technology, warning them of the vulnerabilities of using Southern Yellow Pine No.2 in roofs.
RINSE AND REPEAT.
The only grade of Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) previously used in houses in Barbados was No.1. Finding that the lower-strength SYP No.2 contagion had reached Barbados was distressing. Realising that SYP No.2 is now commonly used in roof construction by the Ministry of Housing is very distressing – especially after the destructive lessons we should have learnt from Jamaica’s experience with hurricane Melissa.
We are currently on a path that condemns many to the misery of homelessness and the disruption of rebuilding after a major hurricane. The only beneficiaries will be the hardware stores who sold the SYP No.2 timber and the contractors who installed it – they get to continually rinse homeowners out of more money as they rebuild another sub-standard roof.
CORRECTION.
I do not believe we were put on this path to destruction with malevolent intent. However, it is a foreseen consequence of making national engineering decisions without engaging the national Engineering community.
To correct this oversight, the Ministry of Housing should immediately: (i) reverse the decision to adopt weaker and less durable building materials and methods in houses built under their management, (ii) train the contractors they manage in quality construction methods and (iii) upgrade all houses from Patient Zero to the last house built.
Grenville Phillips II is a Doctor of Engineering and Chartered Structural Engineer. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com
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