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You know mine works, Mike. I admire her enthusiasm. At first I thought it was an excuse to get out of the house because I am boring to be with but now I see she wants to secure her future and her families future and not be dependent on me nor leech from me when her family needs something. She likes to feel independent and her business gives her that feeling. Also, when she gets home we enjoy each other's company more due to being apart. In addition, I like myself. I like the freedom to do what I want when I want and I enjoy that.

As a final statement on this, I have been told "if you really want me to stay home with you I will do that" and I realized I would rather have her working and happy than staying home and feeling like I have to entertain her because she doesn't really want to be there. So I told her to go to work if that is what she wants and I decided to myself that if it did not make me happy I'd just break it off and find a relationship that does make me happy. Pretty simple really, but after trying it I like it.

 

You should be able to take what you've drawn up to an architectural firm to get blue prints done that you would need for your building permits for a couple hundred dollars. I think you would find expats would be interested in renting a place the size you are looking at. Depends a lot on location as well.

I'm not sure about contractor prices or how much of that is for materials. We hired folks and oversaw the work as well as sourcing and purchasing all materials ourselves. If you have the time, patience, basic construction know how and able to read drawings (especially rebar plans) you could save money this way. One thing though is tools and equipment as most folks show up with little more than a hammer. I'm willing to bet you can rent concrete mixers, vibrator and compactors. I bought my own as I figure I will use them again.

I noticed you have a retaining wall going around the lot. That will add a good bit of cost to the overall build. Poured concrete would be the best way but if you decided to go with 6" block you will need to get a better quality block made than what is normally available and definitely fill the cells with concrete with vertical and horizontal rebar to tie things together. I used concrete filled block with grade and tie beams for the perimeter fence but when I bought the lot behind the original one I poured concrete, should have done that for the fence as well as I brought our lot up over 4' with fill.

I would recommend using EVG panels instead of 4" block (assuming the standard concrete beam and column build). The initial cost of the panels is more than block but you can throw them all up in a day once a crew understands how its done (youtube has a few videos on how it all comes together or I can go into more detail). Plus it is much easier/faster for roughing in your plumbing and electric. You will end up saving quite a bit on labor as well as cement/sand for the render.

Windows is another thing to consider...the common windows with the little glass panes that open and close with an aluminum lever are really cheap, but the quality is not great. There are a number of places I've seen in Dumaguete that custom make aluminum windows...not sure the cost as I used a shop in Tanjay but cheaper than what you would expect from back home.

Are you looking at metal or wood roof trusses? Wood is obviously cheaper and no welding, but eventually may have to be replaced/repaired. Hiring one of the local roofing companies would probably run around $1500 for a decent roof with metal trusses. Could be less as it does not look like you have much pitch and depends on the roofing material you use. We went and bought all the metal and did the trusses ourselves and then had the roofing supplier have their folks do the roofing.

For electric I would make sure that it is a properly grounded system (which you rarely see); it does not cost that much more to run a grounding wire. Make sure the service coming in is properly sized...undersized conductors will cause you many issues. I would recommend installing enough receptacles, the design firm will think Filipino style and next thing you know you will only have one in each room...every wall at a minimum, but go off of your furniture layout for exact locations. If you are looking at expats I would install the universal style receptacles. They cost about 5X more but folks will appreciate being able to plug their stuff in from home.

I would not recommend using the marine grade plywood for the ceilings...plywood is cheaper but I would use hardiflex or a similar product. It is tough to work with but easy to mud and tape and stands up better to moisture/humidity.

Those are a few things off the top of my head. Best of luck if you push forward with your project.

Shawn

 

The best all around is Globe phone and internet combo. I been here 20 years and have tried them all. I would also invest in a battery back-up that will keep your internet modem alive during black outs! Keep in mind that doing business here will usually aggravate most foreigners. Try not to show you are upset. Smile, beg, and tip heavy and you'll get better treatment. And if you need repairs, be sure to compliment, smile, and tip the repairman so he will rush back when you need help again. NEVER YELL OR SHOW ANGER TO A FILIPINO!

 

The type of greenhouse I built is intended to prevent fruit flies, and few other types of insects, from getting to the plants. I think the main reason why most of the tomatoes you see for sale locally are green is that fruit flies don't attack them until they start to turn yellow/red. The covering of the greenhouse is only a fine mesh netting. It let's rain and wind in, but keeps the bugs out.

 

too many fast food/junk food establishments in this town in my opinion.

Where can you get a good decent healthy meal? Apart from Casa Blanca.

 

Looking back at some records on Our House maintenance costs over the Last 4/5 Years it seems that around this time of the year we get a few of these Quakes/Tremors so it will not surprise me if we are in for a few More. The Damage is slight but it is there, Small hairline cracks mainly But............
Hoping there are not too many injuries and death, my thoughts go out to those in the thick of things

 

Noel's referal came by when he said he would --looked at the problem-turned off the water to the house and then went up to the hardware store for some parts-came back and finished it up--went just like I hoped it would--
thanks

 

I don't think you can, the workers would destroy them and you would have to buy it. But Rejoice sell "real" Bosch and Dewalt tools and good quality concrete bits. For about a 100 usd you can buy a hammer drill and they have a great selection of bits. Also they are the warranty shop for all of Negros and do super repair work....

 

Computers and phones are pretty universal these days. Your concern might be power plugs and sockets of the country you're going to.

 

Good idea. He may be having a reaction to the alcohol (diabetic perhaps) or he may have eaten something besides alcohol that made him sick or he may just need a blood transfusion to replace the alcohol in his arteries with real blood. :-)