During the building of my home, I found that the most important thing is to have a very good idea as to what kind of atmosphere you would like to create, and to accentuate it with the things that would make living there convenient and fun. I realize it would be nice to have every thing but we can't have every thing without sacrificing something. Anticipating the next stage and the needs of the project is paramount if you are sourcing material from overseas. This can help to avoid pit falls that can push up building cost. Building a rapport with your contractor/builder is critical, miscommunication can be costly. I found visuals to be very helpful, this gives the builder insight as to what you are trying to create or what the finished product should look like. Visuals have been a great help when it comes to the meeting of the minds. No one knows what you want to create more than you, so updates from your builder will keep you aware and help to avoid the use of a jack hammer later on. Clyde & Vida, Anguilla When it comes to the selection of finishing materials be especially careful to choose products which are going to resist the corrosive effects of salt air. The closer you build to the ocean the more acute the problem is. Select stainless steel, brass or bronze hardware whenever possible. Aluminium also performs well unless it is exposed to direct salt spray in which case it will often “pit” and corrode. Galvanized and plated finishes will not last! Check the manufacturers' specifications for the product you intend to buy to be certain that the base metal is one of the aforementioned. Most reputable hardware stores have a good selection of these items, however if you can’t seem to find what you’re looking for, try a marine supplier. You’ll be surprised to find out how much of their inventory also has a residential application. And of course it will be rust-proof. While the initial expenditure for such products will exceed the cost of those with galvanized or plated finishes it amounts to a small percentage of the overall construction budget. Ultimately you’ll save money by reducing maintenance and replacement costs. John and Carol, St. Maarten When designing your home, live by the saying, KEEP IT SIMPLE. And when building your home, be flexible about using different methods and materials than what you have been used to. Best of luck with building! Marsha, MA It is especially important to hire good people for your project. So how do you find a good architect and builder? Go around the island and look for houses that you really like. Ask who designed and built them. Find out how the owners like the contractor and the architect? Do as much on the ground research as you can. This will take some time. Don't try to do it on a 2 week vacation. Mary Ann Green, Anguilla, http://beachshack.ai