How much will it cost to build a house?

FilAmericanMom wrote:

I started construction of my house February of 2014. It was around January when we moved in (or more like eased in.)

It took almost a year before we moved in around January 2015.

Try to stay on budget. Like with weddings, it's easy to go over budget when it comes to building a house.

dimplesz14 wrote:

Hi there, please advice - we're wondering how much would it cost to build a 120sqm house with 3-4BR and 2BA (bungalow/ranch style) doesn't need to be expensive but decent/strong enough materials to live for many many years. I just want to know ROUGHLY how much it could cost and how long would it take to build it? I am thinking Cavite, Batangas or Cebu.

Thank you!

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First I will give you a link to step by step construction of your home. Materials quality vary greatly, especially if you are using hollow block.  Even if you hire out your construction you can save money by buying your own materials. Take the time to check out local suppliers / makers of hollow block and you will find that most will also supply your sand, gravel, cement / mortar, rebar, etc. at a package price. The hollow block varies greatly in quality. A simple test is to hold the block chest high and drop it on a firm surface (not concrete), it should not crack or crumble. Tap it with a rubber mallet and it should not crack or crumble. This is your homes bones, so don't be afraid to tell the supplier, NO thanks.

Follow the instructions in the supplied link and study and familiarize yourself with the foundation, rebar, and concrete mixing requirements. The foundation, the block and rebar and the properly mixed concrete is your homes strength. If you are lazy and do not do your homework and get the shaft from your contractor, you can only blame yourself. 

One of the many permit requirements for your home requires keeping track of daily labor charges and materials used and in our area this had to be submitted when we applied for the final inspection and certificate of occupancy.  Tedious but important. 

Our house is 88 sq mtrs.  Big enough for two people and very manageable when it comes to maintenance.  We have split system AC for the house, 3 units, two for the main area including kitchen, dining, living and one bath. The master bedroom has its own unit and the guest bedroom has none.

The approximate cost for building our home including insulated steel roof, steel roof trusses, filled 5 inch hollow block throughout the house, 9 1/2 foot ceilings, electrical, plumbing, septic system, tiled floors throughout the house, powder coated aluminum frame windows with reflective glass and screens, doors and hardware, window grilles, granite counter tops, custom cabinets and paint was about 2 million pesos. 

Obviously prices vary depending on what and where you build. We have discussed our costs with others since our build and found some people saying we were high, though most found it to be average for the area.  With our research , we are satisfied and in the end that is all that matters.

Remember, to check the soil conditions where you purchase for good drainage and good compacted soil on which to build. 

Our AC units installed were $2, 400 dollars.  LG brand, now 1 year old with no problems,  June bill around 3200 pesos.

I hope this was of some help and good luck.

http://myphilippinelife.com/our-philipp … ry-survey/

dimplesz14 wrote:

Hi there, please advice - we're wondering how much would it cost to build a 120sqm house with 3-4BR and 2BA (bungalow/ranch style) doesn't need to be expensive but decent/strong enough materials to live for many many years. I just want to know ROUGHLY how much it could cost and how long would it take to build it? I am thinking Cavite, Batangas or Cebu.

Thank you!

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Here's a great guide for building a home.
http://myphilippinelife.com/building-ou … use-index/
Another link for approximate costs.
http://home-builders-philippines.com/un … ilippines/

Peter Clark wrote:

Do not buy "off plan" and do not have your relatives build the house for you. We have never yet met retirees who were happy doing it this way, despite assurances from the family.

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So very true,

We have a friend from the U.S. who has been building a home in the Phil for about two years now. You guessed it, the family started the project. A family member who apparently is an architect started the job, hired the crews, etc. while the expat was here for the ground breaking and then returned to the U.S. after winter broke in New England.
He returned to find his home construction in a state of chaos. A two story house with interior load bearing walls built with 4 inch block, nor rebar and improperly mixed concrete. His materials bills were through the roof and materials paid for could not be accounted for. The money spent on labor was inconsistent with the actual progress of the job and the people on the job did not match the list of employees. He stated that the progress was the equivalent of approximately two months work by a crew of the size listed on pay receipts.
You get the picture, he got screwed by this trusted family member and at this point he estimates he has lost about 50K US on labor, unaccounted for construction materials and the cost of tearing down the poorly done work and rebuilding. He fired the guy who then attempted to sue him for doing so. 

Jim

Peter Clark wrote:

With wide open spaces ,its very  beneficial to have airflow across it either with doors open or by large open but shaded window.
Our home is a new one but added to an old bungalow and instead of having a wall across the Dining, kitchen. and reception area we left it open to the elements and the breezes from the kitchen doorway to the rear and down from our laundry area keep us cool.
Amazing to have created this by pure accident.
Of course our bedroom and bathroom were created over three double bedrooms and such like an "on suite"  as a hotel and is lockable.

Mr. Peter Morris Clark? How are you!!
I am the one who handled you sea shipment last 2014. Nice to see you here

sirrobcentral wrote:

Dimples, on my Facebook page I have been posting the progress videos of my house as it is being built. I started with just a shell and lot... cost P470,000,00. I showed from start to present... Upon completion it will be a 3bdr + a Master's Suite + a separate maid's quarters... it's all captured on video so there are no questions as to the facts. Upon completion my out of pocket for construction cost will not be over P600,000,00. I will inbox you my Facebook contact information so you can view for your self. I have a lot of videos I have made that I share with my friends from the United States because many are Pensioners like me that just want to live stress free.

Hello
Can have have your Facebook please 😊