...In Cebu we build at a GUARANTEED LOWEST COST...     How to select a Philippine Home Builder? 1) Ask how many projects he built WITHOUT HOLLOW BLOCKS. (That's all.) If your contractor says "we can do that also" they still do not have the skills - plus years of experience - and you probably don't want to be their 'test-case'...         Most non-Filipinos ('foreigners') and OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers); reject the 'hollow blocks' as building-method, for obvious reasons... 1) a hollow-block wall is as strong as its weakest link which is a hollow-block; 2) a hollow-block wall needs plaster. Take a close look at any outside-wall at any building here in the Philippines; the plaster cracks and lets water through to the steel bars in the hollow-blocks; rust = misery.     But it is not only the hollow blocks which are weak; also the structure ('post and beams'; columns) has proven in the Haiti earth-quake to be inferior. During an earthquake the hollow block walls will disappear first; after that the columns (now without support-) can swing to any direction:

 

Living and Retiring in the Philippines Most of the questions we receive from expats who want to live in the Philippines fit in one of the following four categories: 1) How to supplement my pension? 2) Where to live? 3) What is the cost of a house in the Philippines? 4) Which visa should I obtain? Over the years we developed a 'Masterplan' which has all the answers.

 

Our architects are specialized in ‘Passive Cooling’; this means that they study the exact location, positioning, alignment and orientation of your house- and windows in relation to the sun, shadow plus wind as to provide a natural cool breeze. As a result the airconditioning unit can be chosen smaller and the electricity bill is lower.

 

Alternative Philippine Construction Methods     Solid Concrete Walls  10X stronger and still the same cost as hollow blocks. 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   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.     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   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...

 

Just Some Thoughts...   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, much more durable than hollow blocks AND AT THE SAME COST... 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.

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

'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...

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.

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

"...Thank you. Your site has been most informative..." Rene Besido, Cebu "...Very nice website, wish I had seen it before i started building..." Nick Foster, Angeles city

  Zoekmachine Optimalisatie - Search Engine Optimization - Negros Island Real Estate - Boracay Resort - Boracay Hotels - Manila Construction - Philippines ISO

Terms & Conditions

design of houses in the Philippines - house
different house designs in the Philippines - kinds, style, types
dream house in the Philippines
fence designs in the Philippines
Filipino house design - floor plans, interior homes