Custom Hurricane-Resistant Prefab Home Building in the Bahamas & Caribbean
Since 1968, Topsider Homes has designed, engineered and shipped custom prefab homes and building materials packages throughout the Bahamas & Caribbean
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Experience Counts!
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 remote and island construction.
We have experience and expertise with issues ranging from import duties and customs clearance to complex shipping logistics, and the realities of designing and specifying structures that are buildable by local labor and can withstand severe tropical climates.
Bahamas and Caribbean construction is our specialty.
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How Much Will This Cost?
We’ll need to know about your building site, design preferences and target price range. We’ll prepare a No-Obligation Free Cost Estimate for the Topsider design concept that most closely fits your needs, as a starting point for design and budgetary guidance.
Each estimate includes the Topsider home package delivered, estimated import duty and taxes, and an itemized and detailed estimate of the local construction costs to assemble and complete your home.
And while we are customizing your home, with each design revision we will provide a revised estimate so you are always in control of the scope and cost of your project.
One Company From the Start
Building in the Bahamas and Caribbean is easier with an experienced U.S. company that not only delivers high-quality precision-made building components and materials, but also can provide cost estimates, architectural drawings, engineering, site planning and builder recruitment, together with logistical, customs and technical expertise and support.
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We Make It Easy
Topsider’s standard package for the Bahamas and Caribbean includes the weather-tight shell components, windows, siding, exterior doors, decking and roofing materials, plus interior materials such as framing, sheetrock, interior doors, cabinets, countertops, flooring and appliances.
Electrical and plumbing fixtures, HVAC systems (typically mini-splits), trim, paint, nails, screws, fasteners and miscellaneous construction items are also supplied by Topsider. Rough-in electrical and plumbing materials are usually supplied locally.
Some clients in the Bahamas and Caribbean also use our “one-stop” shopping capability and ask us to provide things like bagged concrete, fiberglass cisterns, generators and reverse osmosis systems. Some even ask us to provide interior furnishings and décor.
Our Team Becomes Your Team
Every project has an overall Project Manager, Design Coordinator and Client Services staff member coordinating the work through the design, manufacturing, shipping and building phases.
We stay involved through builder recruitment and assistance and continue providing technical support through house completion. That continuity is especially valuable when building in a remote or island location.
Engineered for Island Conditions
Extreme Wind Conditions
Storm Surge & Flooding
Post & Beam Structural System
Panelized Construction
Coastal Durability
Seismic Conditions
Topsider Homes Have Stood the Test of Time Throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean...
including homes in the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, St. Martin, Belize, Panama and elsewhere.
Other Topsider homes are in Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Grand Bahama, New Providence, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbour, Elbow Cay and Great Guana Cay.
Our stilt, piling and pedestal homes are designed and engineered for demanding island conditions, including high winds, storm surge and salt-air coastal climates.
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Green Turtle Cay / Abaco — Four Topsider Homes Survived Dorian
“While the destruction on the island [Green Turtle Cay] was devastating to most of the home owners [after Hurricane Dorian], the four [Topsider] houses came through basically unscathed… bottom line, after more than 55 years and countless hurricanes the [Topsiders] are still standing strong. This is a testament to the quality of the home you build. We will always be a believer in the Topsider design and quality.”
— Paul and Karen H., Abaco, Bahamas
Popular Elevated House Plan Concepts
Elevated designs engineered for island winds, storm surge and salt air — customized for your site and views.
Remote Island Shipping
For many Bahamas and Caribbean projects, getting the materials to the site is one of the most challenging issues. Topsider has the experience and expertise coordinating the packaging, shipping and delivery of building components and materials to remote island locations, including barge and ocean freight.
Once delivered, the Topsider components and materials are pre-packaged and organized for efficient assembly by your builder and trades.
This North Andros, Bahamas project is a good example of how Topsider’s design, procurement and logistics experience comes together on a remote island job.
Family Islands Development Encouragement Act (Reduction of Customs Duty Rates)
Through June 2027, the Bahamas government is reducing or exempting customs duty on certain building materials, including select materials and components within the Topsider building system. These reductions and exemptions apply in designated Family Island locations. The rates vary depending on whether the property owner is a Bahamian, a permanent resident or a non-resident.
- Bahamian citizens and permanent residents: 100% customs-duty exemption on qualifying building materials.
- Non-Bahamians: 50% customs-duty exemption on qualifying building materials.
- VAT: A 10% value-added tax still applies everywhere, regardless of the customs-duty exemption.
Import Duty-Exempt and Partially Exempt Locations
Acklins, Andros, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Current Island (Eleuthera), Gorda Cay (Abaco), Grand Cay (Abaco), Great Stirrup Cay (Berry Islands), Inagua, Little San Salvador (Eleuthera), Little Stirrup Cay (Berry Islands), Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana, Moores Island (Abaco), Princess Cay (Eleuthera), Ragged Island & Cays, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Sweetings Cay (Grand Bahama), and Water Cay (Grand Bahama).
Notes: Other conditions and interpretations may apply. Before relying on this information for a specific project, verify the applicable treatment with the appropriate Bahamas government authorities.
Qualifying building materials can include items such as plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), insulation, hurricane shutters, aluminum and wood doors, wooden windows and cement board, as well as plumbing, electrical, air-conditioning and other construction materials necessary to complete a building.
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