The heated construction market and the lack of an available contractor are behind the continuing delays to the renovation of the Premier's new official residence of Clifton in Devonshire.

Premier Alex Scott confirmed early last year the sprawling property on Middle Road, formerly the official residence of the Chief Justice, would be converted to house all future Premiers, with Camden in the Botanical Gardens continuing to function as a facility for ceremonial occasions.

However, Opposition claims that the current cost of renovations were close to $500,000 and rising are greatly exaggerated, Works and Engineering Minister Ashfield DeVent said in the House of Assembly on Monday ? placing the figure at only $60,500. understands that there is no contractor currently on site, with the majority of the demolition work completed so far having been done by Works and Engineering staff.

Mr. Scott has made it clear he is perfectly happy to remain at home in Paget, but bowed to pressure last year from his Cabinet who insisted Bermuda Premiers ought to have an official residence paid for by the taxpayer.

"This Premier is happy at home," Mr. Scott said.

Clifton itself is in need of significant renovation, although this is understood to be largely superficial and the physical structure of the house will not be radically altered.

Work still to be carried out includes the replacement of all fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms, extensive re-tiling and re-carpeting, new interior wall and ceiling finishes and upgrades to the electrical, plumbing, security and air conditioning systems.

There are also plans to rebuild the washroom in the main entrance way to "rationalise" the space while some partitioning on the upper floor is to be changed to make adjustments to the master bedroom.

With the start date of construction still up in the air, there is currently no indication how much the project is ultimately going to cost or how long it is going to take ? although Government Communications Director Beverle Lottimore insisted earlier this week that Clifton is not a priority for Mr. Scott.

"This Premier is housed already and very happily so," she said.

"The current state of the construction market means that prices are inflated and a contractor is not readily available to begin the work. There are many other Bermudians who need more urgent attention in finding a place to live. The Premier is not in any great rush to get Clifton finished and he is perfectly happy to wait along with everybody else for a contractor to become available."