Philippines construction; home builders, contractors, architects and real estate.

Save up to 30% on Construction Cost in the Philippines

Save Money with Efficient Design, leading to Lower Cost of Construction

With the correct planning (design/blueprints) you can save up to $3 for every $10 that you spend on the total construction project.

Typically people let an architect make blueprints (design) and then ask a few contractors to quote (project bidding-tender) based on the same blueprints. BUT they forget that the highest impact on cost are found in the planning- and design-stage; NOT in bidding.

At the bidding-process you have to show all contractors (the same-) blueprints and they will count also the UNNECESSARY things if your blueprints are not made professionally; they have to follow the plans...

With the bidding-process you can save a few Dollars (and mostly lose quality!) but a GOOD design can save you up to 30% of the total construction project cost by optimizing the FUNCTION of ALL parts of your project.

Asking a friend or relative to make a quick-cheap design might NOT be a good idea if they do not have extended practical knowledge and design a building that is beautifull but not practical/economical/affordable to construct...
It can turn out to be costing up to 30% too much due to structural design-mistakes.

The solution is 'Value Engineering':

This does not mean 'cheapen' your building nor 'cutting corners'.
It means removing unnecessary expenditures and finding alternatives.
It means using knowledge which other Philippine architects and contractors fail to recognize due to lack of information, shortage of time, rigid application of standards, reluctance to seek advice, habitual thinking, failure to admit ignorance, poor human relations, resistance to change or they make decisions based on feelings rather than facts.

Spending a little more on planning, design/blueprints will save you much more than you think.

Most important is COMMUNICATION. It's YOUR house so please tell us all about your plans/wishes; location to build, when, how many storey, rooms, floor area, budget-range between minimum and maximum (do you need financing/loan?) etc. so we can give you the best advice.

We inspect your lot;
a. verify location and orientation of your house- and window positioning/alignment with the sun, shadow plus wind (this effects design)
b. verify soil-topology and neighbor-buildings (this effects design)
c. verify local government or subdivision's regulations/restrictions ('they all have their own different rules')
d. verify logistics/accessibility
e. verify availability of building-materials and manpower
f. verify source of electricity/water
g. make pictures
h. make a short report of our findings
i. make a computerized floorplan and 3D design of your house

After this we can at least give you a good estimate of how much the cost to build will be, and you have the choice to continue to make the blueprints and construct the house.

YES I want more house for my money ( click here )

"Philippine Architects and Contractors make Mistakes; and so do You"

An Interview with Will Irwin

Author of the book 'Expat Tips for Building a House in the Philippines'.

Consultant for Affordable Living in the Philippines and Supplemental Income for Foreign Nationals.
Spent 32 years building businesses in the USA and the Philippines.
Author of the book 'Retirement Living in the Philippines' and many other.

Mr. Irwin knows what he is talking about which is obvious when you read some of his many books.
Over the years he interviewed hundreds of Non-Filipinos (Americans, Australians, Europeans; Expats) and is still doing so to add all information and tips to his books.
About 'building a house in the Philippines' he tells us that a few mistakes are done over-and-over again by both the Philippine construction specialists and the prospective home-owners:

1) You are used to fast communication (by E-mail etc.) and a higher standard of quality in design and -construction.
Philippine contractors and -architects have to recognise the fact that their efforts must be tripled or even more to be at par with the first world countries.
Does your contractor have a response time of less than 24 hours and gives a standard weekly progress-report about the construction (including pictures) by E-mail?

2) You know that a local 'contractor' (a carpenter or foreman without office and/or contract) is not an option.
According to the Philippines Construction Law there is a 15 year accountability on structural mistakes but will your contractor still be around by then?

3) You are afraid that your contractor will 'cheapen' your building or 'cut corners'.
Test your Philippine contractor and ask what he knows about 'Value Engineering'.
He should answer that it is all about removing unnecessary expenditures and finding alternatives; it is knowledge which local contractors might fail to recognize due to lack of information, shortage of time, rigid application of standards, reluctance to seek advice, habitual thinking, failure to admit ignorance, poor human relations, resistance to change or they make decisions based on feelings rather than facts.

4) Some foreigners start by asking an architect to make a design of the house they want; AFTER that they ask the estimated cost and find out that they cant afford...
So why do you not just tell what budget you have in mind and let the architect make a design that fit your LOT, WISHES and BUDGET?

5) Some foreigners feel the pressure of their Filipina wife to let a family-member or relative build the house or swimming pool.
Or the local 'foreman' who can do it at such a low price (he says).
But remember one subtle fact; according to the Philippines Construction Law there is a 15 year accountability on structural mistakes. The engineer or architect who signs the blueprints might be responsible if your building suddenly starts to tilt to the left...or your pool starts leaking.
You have to be pretty sure that your 'foreman' is financially capable to take that responsibility (or isn't gone then).
Now you understand also that making blueprints is not just 'making a drawing of the house'; it means the architect has to make sure he (and his team of specialists who know all about the soil-type, plumbing, electrical etc.) will create a home that stands for generations and that their neck is at stake. Same for pools; hire a specialist.

6) You do not like the weak 'hollow blocks' and want your house typhoon- and earthquake resistant.
To make the decision whether the quality of a hollow-block house is sufficient for you; just visit a few homes in the Philippines and take a good look at the wall near window-corners. Do you see cracks? Also look at the outside wall surface; do you see cracks? An alternative construction method is now available: 'Solid Concrete Walls Philippines'; American system, 2X faster, 10X stronger and much more durable than hollow blocks PLUS it cost the same...

7) Discounting is for Losers.
Giving a discount is the number one technique local Philippine 'contractors' (a foreman without office and/or contract) are using to get your attention but it actually reveals poor management. In the end it is YOU who will 'pay the price'.

8) You are worried about termites.
Ask your contractor for the latest unique (permanent!) "anay" termite protection system; simple and yet very effective installed under your house before construction.

In short; 'you get what you pay for' or 'GOOD WORK IS NEVER CHEAP, AND CHEAP WORK IS NEVER GOOD'

It is YOU who have to select the one who offers the best VALUE for your money.

Ask Mr. Irwin a Question; click here...

retirement living in the philippines. Philippines retirement Retirement might with important life changes; a retired worker for example a retiunity, living in the Philippines retirement philippines is the point where a person stops employment completely. BUILDING IN PHILIPPINES

Alternative Philippine Construction Methods

Most international clients do not favor the traditional ‘hollow blocks’.
You want your house typhoon- and earthquake resistant?

Solid Concrete Walls Cost: Same as hollow blocks plus 10X stronger. Typhoon and Earthquake resistant. American construction method.
No plaster = No cracks. Two times faster built.

How to Insulate your House in the Philippines?
(see sample left) Two 3-inch thick solid concrete walls with steel bar reinforcement and one layer of polystyrene in the middle (the material your cooling-box is also made of).
Cost: ofcourse higher than a house without insulation. Want to know more? Just ask us.

Philippines PREFAB homes Cost: Same as hollow blocks plus the advantage of being Insulated plus the Quality is Superior because the parts that will form your building are made under controlled factory-conditions. ' Built in 1 day '
PHILIPPINES PREFAB IS NOT CHEAPER; YOU GET MORE VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY

Philippines ICF Cost: little higher than hollow blocks but Insulated; keeps heat/noise outside ('the karaoke-terror'), providing comfort and saving on aircon-bills.
Beauty inside/outside: it is cheaper to cover the walls inside- and outside with beautiful paneling or veneers; thousands of possibilities.

Philippines native houses termites Modern Zen Houses - Native - Nipa - Bamboo - Bali Mansions
Philippines Wooden House ? TERMITES ?

Ask for the unique permanent "anay" termite control system
installed under your house before the construction

builders of bamboo houses termites philippines termite

TIP: If you do not like too many concrete we can also design your house partly with wood or use 'Feng Shui' and 'Green/ECO' WITHOUT AIRCON by researching the orientation of your house and the window alignment/positioning with the sun (shadow) plus wind. Nature plus an electric fan will provide a cool breeze and healthy indoor-air quality. After all the Philippines is too beautiful to live in a 'closed windows' house...

More than 100 foreigners of different nationalities now live in our (foreigner owned-) community at the Northern tip of Samar in the Philippines; and their number is increasing fast:

Philippines Investment Opportunity: the Pili Tree

You buy a piece of a big farm that grows the pili trees and earn a monthly income from that.

- gives up to 100 years a good R.O.I. hence supplemental monthly income
(an investment of $30,000 can give a monthly income of $1,000)
- you not only own the pili trees but also the land which will appreciate

Invest in the Philippines; Pili Nut

Many analysts predict the economy could start growing again very soon; that's the time the price of construction will go up; better build now while the price is still low...

NOW is the time to make a start by telling us which 'house style' you like from
http://www.architecturaldesigns.com/about/styles.asp
After that we can focus on that style and make a UNIQUE home design that will fit your LOT, WISHES and BUDGET.

Most Philippine architects and contractors have office in:

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Tagaytay, Isabela, Tuguegarao, Laoag, Ilocos, Baguio, La Union, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Angeles, Zambales, Subic, Olongapo, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Malolos, Rizal, Antipolo, Metro Manila, Makati, Imus, Quezon, BICOL, Samar, Albay, Legaspi, Iloilo, Boracay, Negros, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Camotes Island, Leyte, Tacloban, Ormoc, Maasin, Bohol, Tagbilaran, Panglao, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Davao, Samal, Tagum, Butuan, Palawan, Agusan, Surigao, Bukidnon, Antique, Malaybalay etc.

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