AN ARBITRATION UNIT is needed to take the stress out of construction.

This suggestion came on Wednesday from president of the Barbados Small Business Association (SBA), Senator Sandra Husbands, at the inaugural construction fair entitled Beyond Bricks And Mortar, at Sherbourne Conference Centre.

Twenty-one members of the SBA's construction sectoral group showcased their products and services at the one-day event that included telecommunications, security, environmental protection and occupational health, plumbing and bathroom fittings, building materials and actual construction.

"In house-building there [are] a lot of contentious issues that emerge between the builder and the potential homeowner and the stress that results from this particular activity.

"I think that if we are going to take some of that stress out and create equity and justice within the industry, I think an arbitration unit is the way for us to go.

"I would want to have the Small Business Association give some consideration to our putting together such [a unit] that could facilitate not just our members, but all the contractors and the general public [so] they can get a swift resolution to issues and move forward swiftly to completion of their dream projects and their dream homes," Husbands said.

She also sought to refute popular opinion that small businesses did "bad work", noting that "some do excellent work".

She told the industry partners attending the fair that the quality of the exhibits was high. She said they would realise, as they viewed displays, that the contractors did big and small projects.

"We want you to be able to recognise this and to be able to look at partnering with our people to take on projects here in Barbados," Husbands said.

She added that the export of services was "something that must be embraced".

The president also told the audience that with the building boom in Barbados, the construction industry had come under "a lot of pressure over the past few years" and the issues of cost and quality had "come under close scrutiny".

"For the small business sector this is especially critical because it is important that we build a reputation for excellence as small business people in the construction industry. The various charges that had been laid against contractors have been of concern to us because I know that we cannot build a strong export sector in the construction sector if we are not able to build a better reputation." (DS)