Topsider Homes
Custom Homes Shipped to the Bahamas & Caribbean

Since 1968, Topsider Homes has designed and shipped quality prefab home kits and house materials packages for Bahamas and Caribbean construction.

These hurricane-resistant pedestal homes from Topsider were built at Treasure Cay, Great Abaco, Bahamas.


We know and understand home building in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Years of experience makes Topsider uniquely qualified to deal with the many challenges of Bahamas and Caribbean construction. We understand issues ranging from import duties and customs clearance to remote site shipping logistics and the realities of designing and specifying structures that withstand severe tropical climates and can be built by local labor.

Your Topsider Homes Package can include as much or as little as you wish. Topsider typically supplies the “weather tight” shell components for each house, including windows, exterior doors and decking, plus interior aspects such as framing, interior doors, cabinets, countertops and flooring. Many individuals building in the Bahamas and Caribbean also take advantage of our “one-stop shopping” approach and ask us to provide everything from bagged concrete to appliances.

Free Cost Estimates provide budgetary guidance. Once we know about your proposed building site, design preferences and price range, we will prepare a No-Obligation Free Cost Estimate for the Topsider design concept that most closely fits your needs. Estimates include a detailed quotation for the Topsider home package delivered [with estimated import duty and taxes], along with an itemized estimate of local construction costs. And once you enter the design phase, as your custom design evolves, revised estimates are provided with each revision, ensuring that you remain in control of the scope and cost of your new home building project at all times.

The owners of this Topsider Home enjoy the peace and serenity of beachfront living.
Cat Cay, Bahamas

Our team becomes your team - from start to finish. Our services package is unmatched. Your team will have an overall Project Manager, a Design Coordinator and a Client Services staff member [whose role is to coordinate your project during the manufacturing, shipping and building phases]. From the design phase through builder recruitment and assistance, to house completion, our job is not done until your home is done. This comprehensive support package is particularly valuable when building in a remote location.

The Bahamian Government’s 2008-2009 Budget makes this the best time to build in the Bahamas.

The Family Islands Development Encouragement Act is helping home buyers save on imported house building materials shipping to select islands. Now the Bahamian Government offers even more incentives.

Oceanfront home built on short pilings with 360° views.
Andros Island, Bahamas

The 2008-2009 Budget provides key benefits to home buyers through the exemption of Stamp Taxes and the reduction and elimination of duty fees on a variety of building materials, appliances, and fixtures.

Customs duty on building materials for home construction will be reduced, thus significantly reducing the cost of building a new home or renovating an existing one. The legislation states that import duties on a number of building materials such as plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), insulation, wooden hurricane shutters, aluminum and wood doors, wooden windows and cement board will be reduced.

The government will also simplify the Customs Tariff by combining Customs Duties and Stamp Taxes on imports according to the Customs Tariff that went into effect July 1, 2008. Except for special rates [some of which are mentioned above], the maximum import duty rate for building materials is 35% and the Stamp Tax is a uniform 10%. These islands are now, and will continue to be, import duty and Stamp Tax exempt: Andros, Cat Island, San Salvador, Long Island, Rum Cay, Sweetings and Water Cays (Grand Bahamas), Grand Cay and Moores Island (Abaco), Crooked Island, Long Cay, Acklins, Ragged Island and Cays, Mayaguana and Inagua.

NOTE: Other conditions and interpretations may apply, so do not rely soley on the above information without first verifying it for your circumstances with the Bahamian Customs Office.

Homeowners who desire to build green will also reap significant savings from the 20% reduction of import duty on energy-saving home appliances and a flat 15% import duty on energy-efficient windows, water-saving toilets and low flow shower heads.

An increase in the ceiling for exemption from real property taxes from $250,000 to $500,000 for the first five years will provide an additional benefit for first-time homeowners. Stamp Tax exemptions will also be provided for those purchasing a lot zoned for residential development who are planning to construct a primary residence. In addition, applicants purchasing a dwelling currently unfit for occupation with the intention of occupying the dwelling upon completion of its renovation are also eligible for Stamp Tax exemption.

Combination pedestal and two-story design.
Cat Cay, Bahamas

Secluded oceanside family compound
Great Exuma, Bahamas


Call Topsider International for More Information:
Toll Free (USA and Canada): 866-867-9300 Ext. 235
(Outside USA and Canada: 336-245-5235)
Topsider Home’s tropical climate prefab homes and house materials packages include treated lumber, stainless steel and galvanized fasteners & hardware, low-maintenance sidings like HardieBoard and LP’s SmartSiding, high-impact glass windows and composite decking.
Topsider prefab homes have stood the test of time throughout the Bahamas, and in the Virgin Islands, Antigua, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, St. Martin, Belize and Panama. Our beachfront stilt and pedestal homes are designed to withstand high winds, storm surge and salt-air coastal climates.
Topsider Homes' hurricane resistant features are the result of a unique blend of modern engineering and state-of-the-art building technology, combined with a time-proven post & beam building system. Our homes have sustained direct hits from the worst hurricanes of the past half century.
 
>
  Select a Plan and get a FREE Cost Estimate.
 OR 
 
©2010 Topsider Building Systems, Inc P.O. Box 1490 Clemmons, North Carolina 27012
Toll Free (in the USA and Canada): (800) 941-9801    Elsewhere (336) 766-9300 Fax: (336) 766-1110
Privacy Policy
Topsider Homes on Twitter Topsider Homes on Linkedin Topsider Homes on Myspace Topsider Homes on Facebook Topsider Homes Portal