Some useful links

We have been given some links to a Blog from Tecnicil, the developer of the Vila Verde project in the Cape Verde Islands.

So if you are a client from Tecnicil or are just interested in the Cape Verde Islands project, here their Blog is well worth reading.

http://vilaverde-resort.blogspot.com/

Cape Verde Update

Cape Verde is really buzzing at the moment and many clients have asked us to comment on the Vila Verde Santa Maria Resort.

Whilst not wishing to enter into any debate as to deadlines, dates and completion, we have decided to post some photos here for you so that you can see for yourselves the exteriors and some of the infrastructure of one of the first communities.

But before we look at buildings, it's always good to be reminded of why people go to Cape Verde on holiday. The colour of the sea, the warmth of the sun and sheer rugged aspect of the island of Sal really appeals to the snagging team we have there.We're sure it appeals to you too. Looking at these photos from a sunny but brisk Algarve (Headquarters for SOS) is one thing, but those of you over there in Blighty must be wishing you were there!

Now onto the development of Vila Verde Santa Maria. There have been some delays and setbacks on Sal. In fact we did have to put a few apartments back so that certain items could be finished off. In saying that the quality has been good and now that some outside areas are being finished off the final product is starting to appear.

This is SEDUM community and here the place is really starting to come together. The exterior quality is great and when the pools and pool bars are running then what better place to chill out and have a coconut cocktail. Just have to hope for some coconut palms, I guess! The size of the apartments is quite surprising. Having snagged in Costa Blanca, Spain and some other areas, it is great to see large apartments. Look at this kitchen lounge area! One thing the snaggers have observed is that they don't think that air conditioning is really necessary on the islands. It can get a big humid in the summer, apparently, but that most of the time the temperature is between 28º and 32º centigrade. Not bad, we think.

So the first three communities of SEDUM, ALOE and CANNA are now moving towards to conclusion. No news yet on a habitation licence so there's no need to go breaking open the piggy bank yet.
The next communities to be snagged will be COPROSMA, ATRIPLEX and PEPPER. Tecnicil have informed us there is a 30 day delay on the original snagging dates they had sent to everyone. So, don't jump on a plane for nothing. Hire us to do the job for you so that you don't need to go out again and again.

It's February, so it must be time for Cape Verde!!!

At the end of last month we sent members of our team out to the Cape Verde Islands to snag for many clients.

For those that do not know where the Cape Verde Islands are, they are a collection of ten islands off the West coast of Africa. On a level with Dakar the Cape Verde Islands are only 14º north of the Equator. This gives them a great all round climate and mild weather conditions.

So where are we snagging, you ask? Our first clients are for a development called Vila Verde Resort Santa Maria. This a 1200 unit development divided into 13 communities. The developer is called Tecnicil and is a Cape Verdean company. This development is on the sandy island of Sal, a pretty flat island sporting sandy white beaches and plenty of watersports.

After the first round of snag reports we can report that generally quality is very

good. Perhaps better than our team had expected when we first set out to snag there. Being an island, supplies is an issue so many of the snags we discovered on our first inspections were more based on missing items - such as shutter clasps, silicon treating aorund door seals - than on imperfections in the finish or areas that needed TLC.

Perhaps cheap labour means that the quality of finish is as high as it is, given you could probably get someone to go over and over on painting and plasterwork until it is perfect.

Whatever the reasons, the first groups, or communities as Tecnicil has designated them, are looking good.

I should comment that the infrastructure is not fully in. Some people have asked us to snag this too, but we have been unable to do much with this yet. We will keep you posted and let you know when we can get some reports done.