House on wheels - Westmoreland carpenter fighting to keep a dying trade alive

While Westmoreland is known for its movable board houses, the industry appears to be on the decline, with Hertford-based carpenter Vernal Ruddock perhaps being the last in the trade.

Ruddock has been building and supplying board structures to families across the island for more than 30 years, as residents look for more economical ways to become home-owners. The art of mobile dwellings has gained popularity in the western parish, but Ruddock told THE WEEKEND STAR that the majority of his competitors have since perished. He currently has two understudies who are learning the trade.

"A nuh wul heap down here again. There used to be a carpenter in George's Plain named Wallace who mi used to supply with materials, but he's dead. Grandpa is dead too, so I am the only one now making these houses. Mi go continue mek dem until Jah ready for me," he said jokingly.

Ruddock claims that his business has been booming with Jamaicans from all over the island calling daily to enquire about purchasing one of his several board buildings, which range in price from $470,000 to $1 million. He said that these houses are usually purchased and brought to their "forever lands" on the back of a truck. They are built with premium hardwood lumber.

"People still buy the houses on wheels. They call every week to ask for the prices. We delivered one recently and we built some and put dem down until people come to buy dem. We have some lined up over there right now," he shared.

Ruddock currently builds one- and two-bedroom homes that he moves as far as Kingston. The prices vary based on the sizes of the property and the types of windows installed in them, he told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"We do one-bedroom with kitchen, one-bedroom with verandah, two bedrooms with sitting and dining room. The 24 x 12 house has two bedrooms and goes for $870,000. You can get it for $970,000 with sliding glass. The $870,000 one has a redwood blade and some glass."

"The 12 x 12 house goes for $470,000. That one has a bedroom with a verandah on it. All you need to do is just put your bed in it and get ready to sleep. We also have the 14 x 12 house for $570,000. You just put in your bed and go straight to sleep," said Ruddock.

Meanwhile, Ruddock has developed deep relationships with residents throughout Westmoreland, sometimes crediting his homes to young people who are "starting off in life".

"Dem boys just start their little business and come buy a house, and I'll trust them the house and they live in it and pay. Because I know they'll pay, so when dem done pay, it's for them."

"Even people from outside of Westmoreland [buy] because we have a truck weh carry house go to Kingston. Up to the other day we carry one go Lucea. People still want to live in them and they are the healthiest houses. They buy them and add on so sometimes you frighten fi see dem have a nice big house," said Ruddock.

He claimed that, while the business is not profitable, he enjoys assisting customers who are looking to buy a cheaper home. Before becoming a carpenter, Ruddock worked as a contractor in the western region. He stated that he used his expertise to care for his 17 children.

"It nuh well profitable but mi get fi use up the lumber weh tek longer fi sell. Mi use dem up and try mek a profit. I sell lumber too. I also make chests of drawers, bedside tables, beds and dressers. So you can buy your house and things to put in there too," he said.