How Much Is Rebar in Haiti?
February 28, 2020 9:43 AM Subscribe
An NGO that I am doing some volunteer work with has a long term goal of building a school in Haiti. They have an AutoDesk design drawing of the school completed. Without going to Haiti, they would like to estimate construction material costs. In particular they want to estimate the cost of cement and rebar based on their completed AutoDesk design. Are there software programs that can estimate construction costs for Haiti?
Also, software that includes building costs mean there's source data, which needs to be updated. If the software doesn't cite its sources, then I wouldn't trust them. There's also the regional factor, because delivery could increase material costs significantly, and could impact the cost of labor, if they have to travel in from somewhere else.
I went looking for resources, and found New Estimate To Build A School In Haiti: $143,900 (NPR, August 11, 2011), which lead me to the Haiti School Project, who have built 4 schools, toilets, and assist other NGOs with their projects.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:30 AM on February 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I went looking for resources, and found New Estimate To Build A School In Haiti: $143,900 (NPR, August 11, 2011), which lead me to the Haiti School Project, who have built 4 schools, toilets, and assist other NGOs with their projects.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:30 AM on February 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: My NGO client is quite aware of Haiti's volatility. They have tried to price these items on the ground but it was impossible without title to a building site. In order to raise money here (USA) for the school they need a reasonable estimate of the cost. Because they can't get an estimate in Haiti they would like to use the estimation software instead.
posted by Xurando at 10:31 AM on February 28, 2020
posted by Xurando at 10:31 AM on February 28, 2020
This local retailer sells rebar. Their website is a little wonky, but here are the retail prices. Found this by tracking down construction-related members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti.
posted by jquinby at 10:40 AM on February 28, 2020
posted by jquinby at 10:40 AM on February 28, 2020
Gerdau has an operation in the Dominican Republic (as well as all over N. and S. America), and is probably the source for much of the rebar in Haiti, so maybe try them to see if they can hook you up with a supplier in Haiti:
https://gerdaumetaldom.com/
If you don't speak Spanish, I suppose you could try one of their N. American arms and see if they can forward you internally to a contact:
https://www2.gerdau.com/
posted by aramaic at 11:11 AM on February 28, 2020
https://gerdaumetaldom.com/
If you don't speak Spanish, I suppose you could try one of their N. American arms and see if they can forward you internally to a contact:
https://www2.gerdau.com/
posted by aramaic at 11:11 AM on February 28, 2020
They should see if they can connect with Architects Without Borders. I work with a Haitian NGO that is partnering with AWB on a similar building project and they've been great. If you're having trouble finding a local chapter, message me and I may be able to help.
posted by lunasol at 1:44 PM on February 28, 2020
posted by lunasol at 1:44 PM on February 28, 2020
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Source: humanitarian worker, including working next to logisticians building buildings
posted by quadrilaterals at 10:17 AM on February 28, 2020 [10 favorites]