Anyone living in the Continental US done any work for hire in Puerto Rico?

[1toolshort]

I was just asked to consider a kitchen install in Puerto Rico.  I don't have a clue about bringing in tools, materials etc.,etc.  Has anyone who lives in the states done work there???  This is not gratis work, its for hire.  Little help out there??!!  (I put this here because I didn't see any other thread appropriate.  If it's not the place, let me know)

 

[antss]

I haven't worked in PR , but have been several times over the last few years.

As far as I know you do not need any kind of permits ect... to work in a U.S. Territory.  You should also be able to ship your tools there without issue.  Allow plenty of time for UPS or a shipping co. to deliver your stuff, and be prepared to spend a day tracking it down once there.

Remember 80% of the island is still without power, and much of the cellular network is still down.  You may also find it difficult to find lodging , though the client may be putting you up in their guesthouse.

Flights into San Juan have also been severely curtailed and nearly doubled in cost.

 

[peter halle]

We have a member here that I remembered who was in Puerto Rico.  Unfortunately he hasn't logged in since April and he doesn't accept emails thru his account here.

Peter

 

[bnaboatbuilder]

Can't help specifically on working there, but I go annually for the last 5-6 years to Rincon. Flights into San Juan for my trip next February are actually a bit lower than this year's Feb trip. Booking them now.

You can travel and ship items to PR just like traveling to any other state. One thing to know is that not all houses have actual street number addresses for shipping, some on the west cost have kilometer marked distances per road as a rudimentary address.

 

[Naildrivingman]

One suggestion on working there and permits/legal req. check with your Sec of State and Dept of Labor and Industry offices. They may be able to cross reference any requirements for working there.

A little note from the tin foil hat club.  You may want to find out if you may need to “grease the wheels” of local officials.  If this is a potential, I would decline the opportunity. I have no evidence that such behavior exists, but remember even though PR is a territory, you are not in Kansas anymore.

There was a thread here a few months ago about working in the Cayman’s. There may be some information for your reference.

 

[kevinculle]

60 Minutes ran a piece on Puerto Rico recovery efforts last evening.  The entire power distribution grid on the island is destroyed and the official who commented indicated broad rebuilding of the grid would be very slow with many areas not getting power back until late winter and some as lata as next summer.  So if you plan to go there to help rebuild and will be using power tools make sure the area you are going has power or generators are available.

 

[1toolshort]

many thanks on the input.  I typically build my kitchens from scratch.  The client saw one of them and wanted to put that quality in her house in PR.  I told her I didn't know how that would work since I build in my shop (PA).  She said Home Depot is there and has nice units.  Installs are a LOT different than build and install.  IN any event, I am not inclined to make the effort.  The power grid is in shambles, and I speak French and German, but not Spanish.  I don't like the thought of getting stuck in an install like that with or without needing to grease the wheels!!  I will probably decline as one of your suggested.  Thank you one and all for input.

 

[antss]

She said Home Depot is there and has nice units. 

[eek]    [scared]    [eek]    [scared]  [crying]

Good thing you haven't spent much time on this because Home Depot cabinet prices don't sustain or warrant the expense of importing installers and their tools down there and paying for their lodging and meals.  Especially if she's talking in stock cabinets.

The guys I know would charge more for the install, travel and expenses to PR than most Depot kitchens would cost.  I suspect the typical Depot shopper would balk at just the cost to ship down the tools.

 

[semenza]

I was just asked to consider a kitchen install in Puerto Rico.  I don't have a clue about bringing in tools, materials etc.,etc.  Has anyone who lives in the states done work there???  This is not gratis work, its for hire.  Little help out there??!!  (I put this here because I didn't see any other thread appropriate.  If it's not the place, let me know)

    To me, considering the condition of PR at the moment and for the foreseeable future, this sounds more like it would be an adventure / expedition than anything else. I think this is something to undertake when conditions are the best, not the worst.

Seth

 

[butzla]

I second what Seth and others have said.  You really should watch that 60 minutes segment someone else mentioned.  There's no power, internet, cell phone, land lines.....and drinking water is in highest demand.  FEMA blue tarps for roofs are scarce.  It's the wild west.

 

[1toolshort]

Yeah, I heard y'all!!!  I told the client it wasn't going to happen with me.  Life is too short to fight those battles.  And yes, HD cabinets don't begin to justify sending me down there ....On to the next project.  thanks to one and all.