Philippine Construction Philippines; Architects, Contractors, Manila Home Builders Cebu, House Design Plan

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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'.

Philippine living
  • 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.

building a home in the Philippines

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?
 

 
Philippine architects and contractors  

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.

 

 
Philippines home insulation  

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.

 

 
prefab Philippines prefabricated modular  

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  

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:

overseas property Philippines retirement investment

 

 

Philippines Farm Sale

Living in the Philippines with US$ 1,000 per month?


This is at least a reasonable amount for retirement in the Philippines.
Make it US$ 2,000 per month and you can live like a king; have a private nurse, driver, maid etc.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE: wait until you retire and then look at how to earn money in the Philippines; you have to take action now.

So how to achieve this?

Get a job? Well, forget that.

Running an internetcafe? Restaurant? Apartment? Resort?
You might have a 15% return on investment (ROI) but also lot of headache from the daily management/operation. Things move slower here; sometimes even grind to a halt.
(15% ROI means you have to invest US$ 80,000 to have US$ 1,000 income per month)

How about a condotel in the Philippines?
At least all work would be done for you, but ask the developer how much the ROI will be. Condotels are not really meant to be an investment; it's a luxurious second home.
Be aware that you only own 'the space between the walls of the room' for as long as the condo-tower exists. (you do not own the lot or a piece of that).

Maybe farming? Most crops, fruit-trees and live-stock give again 15% ROI but only when you apply the latest technology and expensive machinery; hence on a small scale this is not possible.
HOWEVER: the Pili nut can give a ROI of 50% for more than 75 years; even your grand-grand-children can play under the trees.
(Your investment of US$ 30,000 can give US$ 1,000 income per month)
Compared with condotel investment (own only 'the space between the walls of the room' for as long as the condo-tower exists) the farm-lot owners really own the lot permanently; even non-Filipinos can be 100% in control.

The pili nut of which the taste is a cross between a macadamia nut and an almond, is exported to countries like Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore to be used in deserts for example.
It has great potential to develop into a major industry (a top export commodity-) for the Philippines since the pili tree grows here native/indigenous. Pili nut trees (Canarium ovatum Engl.) are one of the most typhoon-resistant species.
Already chocolate companies abroad now prefer pilinuts as a substitute for macadamia nuts, which are becoming expensive.

The Philippine Government has made a start in promoting the pili nut and provides information plus planting materials to local farmers because the pili nuts will be ranked soon with the cashew and the macadamia nuts in the world market.
However, high ROI can only be achieved with large-scale plantations under supervision of agricultural experts from universities and by using (at least partial) farm-machinery.

The pili nut (Canarium ovatum Engl.) is endemic in the Philippines; it 'belongs' here (native, indigenous) with Sorsogon as its centre of genetic diversity.
They spreaded out- and grow in tropical Asia and the Pacific but still they 'feel at home' in Central Philippines with the perfect fertile soil, -temperature and –moisture.
Philippines has the monopoly for pili nuts on the foreign market.

If you want to invest your money in the Philippines then agriculture is the most obvious answer since this country has all that is required to produce extremely high yields; what is lacking is mostly the implementation of the latest know-how and technologies. And that's exactly what we do at this moment; developing pili nuts 'high-tech' and on a large scale (hundreds of hectare).

The obvious location of the farms are in the Bicol Region and Romblon because the pili tree grows there indigenous. We also coordinate closely with all Philippine retirement villages which are being developed in the same region (appreciation of real estate prices!); it is one of the top places to retire overseas because of the low cost while the environment is as beautifull as Boracay which has 1 million visitors per year.

With the 'Farm Investment' concept anyone (Filipino or 'foreigner'; overseas real estate investors or individuals) can buy shares of stock in a development company or buy a lot (1 hectare or more) of a farm, growing Pili nuts and/or 'Quick-Cash-Crops'. All work is done for you. It will not only provide for a solid monthly extra-income; the worth of the property (YOUR property) will increase because of the retirement villages nearby.

There seem to be an additional emotional value to the farms; an overseas property investment which can be a hobby also. For example the beehives between the Pili trees which not only provide organic honey but also can give a crop- or harvest increase of 30%.

A 40 hectare 'demo-farm' has been set up where interested investors are briefed about the latest developments and individuals can get more information about available investment options.

Ask a Question ( click here )

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement in the Philippines

The only people who seem to realy understand us 'foreigners' seem to be... foreigners.
Like the guy whom I interviewed (married to a Filipina) who set up a complete retirement village for foreigners.
Why pay ridiculous prices to a Developer (with all their overhead) while it can be realized at a much lower cost?


Do you really WANT LUXURY? Do you NEED it? Can you AFFORD it?
A big house, swimmingpool etc?
Or are you just as happy sitting in your garden with a beer?

overseas investment property Philippines

Be one of the first and grab those 'most-wanted' lots with the perfect view; overlooking the sea and hills.

Your house in the middle of your 1-ha lot; also the solution against 'karaoke-terror'.
(There's nothing wrong with karaoke IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOD FOR IT,
but your opinion changes very quickly when a neighbor is in the mood at 11 PM and you are not...)

I also encourage retirees to reside at least 200 km from the wife's family, or every day someone will be knocking on your door for a hand out. Nevertheless, most never listen to me - they listen to their 'sweetheart'.
(cant blame you, love is blind I know, but dont tell me later I didn't warn you!)
Sooner than later they all find out that I was right and now are stuck with an expensive home they already built (and do not own because they did not listen to my other advice about taking a look at my list of options to be 100% in control of your property instead of letting your Filipina wife of girlfriend be the owner).

More than 100 good-natured and decent foreigners of different nationalities now live in a (foreigner owned-) community at the Northern tip of Samar in the Philippines; and their number is increasing fast... Government officials even asked them to set up the same community in Tablas (Romblon).

Can we welcome you to the club? Just E-mail us

 

 

 

 

 

  'Free Philippine House Design' can be Very Expensive


Any Philippine architect or engineer has to go through many years of study and a very strict board-exam. Same like doctors and lawyers.  There seems to be a common misconception amongst those who want to build a home in the Philippines; they expect an architect or Philippine contractor to make a sketch of the house and a floorplan...for free...
Doctors and Lawyers do not give free services...
Why would any self-respecting professional give free services? Is he maybe desparate to get a job? That would not be the best choice... and a licensed Philippine architect is by law not allowed to give free services.

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. Because according to the Philippines Building Code 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. Now you also understand that Philippine architects are NOT EXPENSIVE; you pay the architect not simply for 'making a design'; there is MUCH MORE AT STAKE. You pay for his skills, craftsmanship, experience, arts, value engineering etc.

a Picture of YOUR Philippine House; click here...

 

 

 

modern houses Philippines

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Procedure to Build a House in the Philippines


Six Easy Steps


 Philippines architects1:
Most important is COMMUNICATION. It's YOUR house so please tell your architect or contractor 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 they can give you the best advice.

 Philippines house designs2: Just select from their data-base of house-designs and interior examples and they will make for you a UNIQUE design that will fit your LOT, WISHES and BUDGET.

 Philippines construction3: Inspection of 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 and neighbor-buildings (this effects design)
c. verify local government or subdivision's regulations/restrictions
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 the findings

 Philippines house4: Select a method to construct; hollow blocks, solid concrete walls, light-weight concrete blocks (keep the heat and noise outside), 'green-building' (ECO-) etc.

 Philippines home5: With your help and directions they make a rough sketch of the house (colored schematic design) and floor plans to fit your LOT, WISHES and BUDGET.
This is subject to relevant revisions; you change it until perfect. They also bring you to the hardware stores to show what finishing materials will be used.
Then they calculate the construction-cost and give a timeline.

 Philippines home builders6: If approved by you; it is time to make the blueprints which contains all TECHNICAL details.
Then apply for a building-permit and start building.

 

 

 

 

 

Let your relative build your house in the Philippines!

No problem. But make sure that when one of the workers gets into an accident (or worse) you are not hold liable...

What do you know about the Philippines Construction Code?

Maybe better hire a
licensed Philippine home builder..?

 

 

 

 

 

Building a House in the Philippines?

Lately we hear more and more stories from our website-readers about the problems which they encounter because of the fact that they get the 'services' of a Philippine 'contractor' or an 'architect' which happen to be a friend or relative without an office, without a contract...And they are offered very low prices...

The result is:
- 'contractors' disappear when the house is half finished
- houses that look nice when built start to crack/leak soon because the low price you pay forces the 'contractor' to use cheap materials
- 'architects' make a ridiculous design with a foundation of half a meter thick (yes believe it, we have seen this ourselves!)

A 'good' contractor will keep up 'a certain level of quality' and refuse to help you if you ask them to 'build a cheap home' to avoid losing their good name and license.
The reason is simple; when you force a contractor to build a home in the cheapest way possible and with the cheapest materials then you definitely will experience problems within 1 year after building. And then the contractor is to blaim while the home-owner got exactly what he paid for...

Most problems occur because people select the cheapest services without thinking long-term.
It is possible to have Quality, Service and Durability but it will cost a little more...

 
 

 

Here is as example an actual inquiry we received:
BRYAN (b...@yahoo.com) on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 11:19:49
address: ... TONDO MLA
Contact: 0915...
Comments: OUR BUILDING SETTLE DOWNWARDS SO WE NEED A CONTRACTOR TO MAKE THE SOIL
STABILIZED BY MICROFILLING AND GROUTING. HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE NEED?


This is a 5 story building that has settled down 4 inches on one side and has started to slip 6 inches sidewards; we adviced to demolish, there's no solution.
...This is what happens if you think 'anyone can build a house'...

Here is another example:
From: David W <d...@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: David W
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 10:03 AM

...well my mother had her house built on her land. She had so many different local carpenters building her house. Let me just give you a few examples that went wrong.
Took to long to build
the hollow blocks started to crumble
the house was place all the way towards the back of the land so it's such a long walk and not much room towards the back yard.
the design is not right
and to much money was spent on the house which I cant figure why or where the money or material went...

We can show you a very long list of these kind of E-mails.

Philippines Construction Materials

 

 

 

 

 

Philippines solar power Philippines solar panel energy electric system photovoltaic

 

 


Peace of Mind; Afraid of 'overpricing'?


You want to know EXACT how many steel bars and sack of cement is used?
The solution is a 'Supervision Package'; you pay a fixed amount (a percentage of the estimated total construction-cost) to the contractor to manage/supervise your project. They arrange all the paperwork, materials and labor BUT you are the one to pay those (not to the contractor) during the construction. You don't have to be available all the time; you receive receipts for all materials and labor that have to be payed.
This 'Supervision Package' quarantees also that the project will be finished within the agreed time-frame.

 

 

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Philippines swimming pool construction Cebu

Philippine Swimming Pool Construction and Landscaping

    We construct pools using a special method with the assurance that leaks in any part of the pool are eliminated.

 (15 years accountability on structural mistakes). We built an Olympic size pool this way also.

 

A Philippines loan company loan is a type of debt can be lent; this article, however on monetary loans. Like all debt, a home loan Philippines loan entails the redistribution of financial assets over time, Philippines housing. This service is Philippines mortgage home loan see Mortgage Philippines loan.

Philippine ECO Houses; Going Green?

 
 

 

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

 

 

 
Philippines aircon  
Philippines Air Conditioner: YES or NO ?

Electricity rates in the Philippines are at least 100% higher than in the USA

ECO House - Green Building in the Philippines

 
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Rene Besido, Cebu

"...Very nice website, wish I had seen it before i started building..."
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Manila contractor

Almost any pool shape Philippine pool company can be designed to fit your property  Philippine pool construction and your specifications. There are at least three types of Philippine pool cost swimming pools

 

Escape from Boracay?

 The Best Overseas Retirement Places?  click here...    

 

Commonly build now, one is the standard skimmer Philippines pool builders design, second is the rimflow and the third is the infinity. Philippines pool designs Cost of each design varies from one another.

Philippines rooftop gardens Philippine roof terrace Philippines roof garden green roofing roof insulation Philippines

Philippines construction and Cebu home builders are building a house in Manila contractors with most architects in the Philippines from Makati, Laguna, Cavite and Quezon City.

 

 

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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