The Association of Housing Developers and Builders of Cibao (Aprocovici), in statements given yesterday to Listín Diario, expressed its concern about the constant and unjustified increases in construction materials, which threaten the continuity of multiple projects underway and those that are in the process of starting.
SANTIAGO – The complex consequences of COVID-19 are not limited to any one sector, town, or nation; it is a widespread issue affecting the global community. And of course, the city of Santiago, like Santo Domingo, is experiencing its share of concerns in the construction sector.
“Before, we could buy all the bathrooms the same, now it’s whatever is available, depending on what’s in the quality range we need. We have to buy what we can, the floors and wall coverings, the ceramic tiles are insane,” says engineer Pedro Oguis Jiménez of Élite Ingeniería.
He says that after the reopening of commerce, after the first wave of the pandemic, the shortage of materials was felt in the national market and that the consequences of the virus have become a "puzzle" for builders to be able to move forward with the works.
“There is no availability, orders arrive late. Sometimes it is available in the country but not of the quality, and if it does appear of the same quality it is double the price, so a price has already been given to the customers and therefore we cannot increase the number of units,” he said.
He cited the case of the elevators for one of his ongoing projects, which he ordered from China and which should have arrived much earlier than expected, but were delayed due to the current situation. He emphasized the drastic increase in the price of construction materials, at least "those that are available.".
COVID-19 is no longer scary
“People have really lost their fear of the disease, and although it is at a peak of infection, it has not significantly affected the progress of the works,” said engineer Enrique Vásquez, in charge of budget at Constructora Mar.
He said that at the beginning of the pandemic, panic gripped the population of Santiago, and the temporary closures of various businesses forced the construction sector to take a step back. However, once it reopened, things gradually returned to normal, and currently, the waning fear of the disease, coupled with the need to reactivate the economy, means that the construction sector is operating almost normally in the construction of homes, buildings, roads, aqueducts, and other civil works, under the established protocol of safety measures implemented by public and private organizations.
APROCOVICI condemns price increases
The Association of Housing Developers and Builders of Cibao (Aprocovici), in statements offered this week to Listín Diario, expressed its concern about the constant and unjustified increases in construction materials, which threaten the continuity of multiple projects underway and those that are in the process of starting.
Landy Colón, president of the organization that represents more than 200 developers and builders, told the morning paper that 2021 was a year of constant increases in the main components of construction projects, and just when they thought real estate projects would get a break, there was an increase in the price of cement.
He understands that if the increase in cement, steel and other materials continues, it would condemn the sector "to death".
"The construction sector endured a full year of price increases, which halted hundreds of real estate projects across the country. We are concerned that the unjustified rise in cement prices will undermine the progress being made and that supports sectors making a great effort to prosper," Colón told Listín Diario.
According to the engineering professional, improvements in living conditions are threatened by the high costs of developing and completing real estate projects. "This poses a serious threat to the continuation of ongoing projects and the start of those scheduled for this year," he stated.
Cement underpriced
The president of the Dominican Association of Hardware Stores (Asodefe), Arturo Espinal, said this week that the price of a bag of cement registered an increase of 50 pesos from December to January.
He argued that never in history had there been such a disproportionate increase in the price of a bag of cement, whose price he noted is sold between 430 and 450 pesos, and in December it was between 375 and 380pesos.
He emphasized that the rise in cement prices is impacting the construction sector, as well as the manufacture of concrete blocks and paving stones. He noted that the prices of sand and gravel have also increased.
