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Live in the Philippines Forum » Living in the Philippines

Building a Home in Davao

(11 posts)
  • Started 11 months ago by Matt
  • Latest reply from Paul Thompson

  1. Matt
    Member

    Hello,

    Has anyone in this furum built a home in the Philippines?

    Can someone recomment a reputable architect and builder in Davao City?

    I am also interested in hearing about your experiences (good and bad) during the construction process of your homes. And, an advice you may have to offer.

    We currently live in Manila in a condo we bought pre-construction. Although it was marketed as a premier property the quality of construction was the worst I have ever seen. It is all repaired now, but only after several costly legal battles. I really want to avoid these problems when we build our home.

    Thanks, Matt

    Posted 11 months ago #

  2. patrjck
    Member

    Matt,

    My advice : or, you build it yourself, or, your are ALWAYS PRESENT on the site.
    If any problem, don't hesitate to hire other people.
    You are the Boss, the one who pays for everything.
    Also, never become friends with the workers, always keep a distance, for your own interest.
    My own experience talked.

    Pat

    Posted 11 months ago #

  3. Scottvet
    Member

    Hello Matt,

    I am currently building a house in Davao City and my architect is a Mr Gabunada who is also personally supervising the whole construction, I do not get involved but site visit and meet with him once a week. I have to say I am very pleased how things are going and I am well within budget. Mr Gabunada will be pleased to show you round his portfolio of houses be has built in the area, some for foreigners, mainly these are quite ambitious high end projects.

    What you need here is someone with experience and local knowledge, I think you would find it hard to personally get a good price on materials and to supervise the labour and construction yourself, there are a great number of pitfalls which only a Filipino with connections and status can overcome.

    You can contact Mr Gabunada on 0918 231 4496

    Good luck,

    Scott Nimmo

    Posted 11 months ago #

  4. Matt
    Member

    Thanks Scott, I will give Mr. Gabunada a call.

    Are you useing hollow blocks or solid concrete walls?

    Matt

    Posted 10 months ago #

  5. Matt
    Member

    Thanks Pat, I would like to build it myself and will look into it. I'm wondering about liability issues.

    Matt

    Posted 10 months ago #

  6. bangkaboat
    Member

    Matt,
    When you apply for a building permit, you will have to sit in on a seminar. We are presently having a beach house built on Samal & engineered/architect plans were not required for the permit. It might be of value to hire a Philippine builder to oversee the construction, It might keep the officials happy. Regardless, supervise everything! Three days after my wife left the Philippines, our workers & some materials went "missing". I have, since, had my brother-in-law take a vacation from his regular job to supervise. As well as pay, I am offering him a bonus IF the job is completed in a month, with no further material costs. Obviously, a new crew is finishing the job. The original crew screwed themselves out of much further work. Fools.
    Mike

    Posted 10 months ago #

  7. Scottvet
    Member

    Hello Matt,

    We are using hollow blocks round reinforced concrete uprights.

    The Architect has sorted out all the permits and dealt with the subdivision people as well, he has one of his staff on site at all times and he himself visits each day. He has arranged all the labour and given us contacts to buy the materials at reduced cost.

    There is no way I would have wanted to get involved in any more depth ...

    Regards,

    Scott

    Posted 10 months ago #

  8. bangkaboat
    Member

    Does anyone have a spare jackhammer & portable compressor laying around? Does Anyone know someone who does? My architect thinks he can track one down, but I thought I'd check, in case...

    For those who have family or friends in the Davao area, whom have knowledge of residential construction, are in good physical condition & are looking for work:

    My wife & I are looking for a few workers, to replace a few non-workers. This is physically hard work. The Job is in Tagpopongan, on Samal. If you know someone who is interested & you need more info. - wage rate, etc. - contact me at: intiaboats@yahoo.ca

    The previous crew - my wife just fired them as I wrote the last sentence (I'd better not complain about dinner tonight! lol) - was from Davao, so we had a wage + meals "camp" arrangement . If new workers are from Samal, we'll work straight wage agreement, if prefered.

    For those who are not amused by this, go and re-read Scott's comments, you must be new because I can guarantee that the RP vets(expats) are all enjoying this one!
    Mike

    Posted 9 months ago #

  9. Paul Thompson
    Member

    Matt;
    In 1999 I built my house here in the P.I.; it’s a 4 bedroom, 3 baths with a large living room, dining room and eat in kitchen. Hired an engineer for labor and plans only. Sat with him and designed the house. We then built an outbuilding to store materials (Converted it later to a rest house for parties and such). I hired my wife’s family to watch and issue all materials. Prior to that we canvassed all the local building supply houses and purchased everything in bulk. I purchased most electrical and plumbing supplies in the states and shipped them here by sea. (Price was a tad higher, but quality was what I was after)
    My labor contract was written out that I would pay every week on Friday a certain amount, and the finial P100.000.00, on the day of completion and inspection. (Incentive to come to work and finish the job) My wife and her family worked very hard to insure we received a quality house, and after living in it for the past ten years I can say she accomplished her mission. My roof is a 16inch extra reinforced slab, which also serves as a patio. After living through many hurricanes in Florida and Puerto Rico I found that flat roofs are the way to go. Good luck, and do your due diligence and all should go well.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  10. Matt
    Member

    Thanks Paul, I'm also thinking of hiring a supervisor from the US and doing it ourselves. Luckily my wife has 4 brothers.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  11. Paul Thompson
    Member

    Matt;
    The 4 brothers sure can be a great help, I keep my brother-in-law working for another year after the house was built to do odd jobs and such. I wish you the best on your project!

    Posted 9 months ago #

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