Homes for Bermudians will be available much faster thanks to an innovative construction technique that saves tens of thousands of dollars per project.

A building company is pioneering a time-saving construction process which can save thousands of dollars -- and have homes erected in less than half the time of normal.

And the first scheme is new homes for the Bermuda Housing Corporation, having much-needed rental accommodation ready faster than normal.

Pro-Active Management Systems Limited are using semi-pre-fabricated walls with a polystyrene core, reinforced by galvanised wire mesh on both sides and connected throughout the material to build the homes. Concrete is then sprayed on the surface after doors, windows, wiring and plumbing are completed.

The system is called 3D Panel System and manufactured by a company in Georgia.

Arthur Ebbins Jr., general manager of Pro-Active Management Systems said using the system, "has proven to be a time saving-effort'' -- reducing costs by up to $40,000 a month per building site.

New technique for building homes He said the time-saving element of the project was evident in the two sites, even though workers are relatively inexperienced with the materials and techniques.

The company has been working on the sites for two months and the houses are nearing completion.

Further sites are projected to take three to four months. Construction times for Bermuda houses take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the size of the house.

The houses are expected to be completed by December 15, when they will be handed over to the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Defending the systems durability in Bermudian weather, Mr. Ebbins Jr. said: "The system was approved in Dade County, Florida (US), which has the strictest building codes''.

In manufacturing tests the wall could withstand 240 mph wind speeds and wind loads of 140 mph per square foot.

But major drawbacks with the new products include shipping and expensive duty.

Shipping is harder because the product is big and duty is very expensive.

Mr. Ebbins Jr. said duty cost around 22 percent of the purchase price.

The project was tried in Bermuda ten years ago but met with little fanfare from home buyers and skilled labourers.

"I guess they didn't have the support.'' said Mr. Ebbins Jr.

Two instructors from the Georgia manufacturer have flown to the island to teach the 13 workers how to properly install the product.

"I believe the results are positive and upbeat. It could be an alternative to block-building.'' said Mr. Ebbins Jr.

Saving time and money: New materials and techniques imported from Georgia can cut costs some $40,000 a month for contractors and improve building times.