Construction Materials/House Construction Cost

I am shocked at the prices quoted to build in Dumaguete I am hopeful I will end up their this year ( should have arrived last year )to at least rent for several months then either buy older house or build I am not looking for a mansion but something 2/3 bed but at the prices quoted appear to be easier to upgrade an older house to a desired spec Anyhow I have time to research prior arrival and then get to know the respectable tradesmen and builders

 

I have a very experience builder friend in Manila and he has suggested around your prices quoted but not 27,000 ?. Anyhow I am not a builder but I still must believe a house can be built in Dumaguete for less than 27,000 Sq Mt

 

A quality builder for nice house here is in the 25-27k range, 10 yrs ago, 21k, for upgraded materials (granite, choice of tiles, etc)

 

A lot will depend on the spec and how you design the house. I was told 27 - 30k a meter that was in Cebu.

For a cheaper house well just take a look at how most of them are built....

I have built lots of houses in Australia and have a good understanding of building. If I ever built in the Philippines I would want to be in the area to keep a eye on things just about daily. I think it may drive me nuts and also the supervisor.

 

Yes - there are BUILDERS and then there are 'builders' and then there are 'builders???'. A relative used one - sounded great and was very knowledgeable, told them not to trust Filipinos, including himself (!), then walked off the job part way through to do another job. Some of the work was very shoddy. If building (apart from using one of the very few competent and responsible ones available) the client needs to know quite a lot about building and needs to be hawk-eyed. A knowledgeable client could employ a cheaper builder, having very carefully drawn up the specs, but someone who does not know enough has to employ one who is highly recommended - and that is where the higher price comes in. The problem is that often the very good builders are busy - the useless ones can start tomorrow!

 

I think buying a used house could come with a truck load of issues, re wiring and plumbing, damp issues and construction problems, You would really want to buy well or know what you are looking at.

Do they have building inspectors / engineers that can inspect a used house for structural issues before buying?

Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a used 2 story home in most of Asia but would a signal level building if the price was right.

 

Thanks for the input and I will take the views on board as I am not a builder but I have a brain with some experience back in the Uk many years ago. However, if I am to request to find a builder I will research the area for 2 reputable builders and then look at references, that is if i can find a plot to build on!!
Second choice is to buy and refurb and older bungalow but as suggested may have issues etc damp but I will research and ask for expert advice but first I have to arrive in Dumaguete and live, experience the place and enjoy the area before i spend my dollars/pesos on buying. Hopefully we can fly later this year.By all accounts Dumaguete has a decent vibe

 

wow, this thread is very informational, I am looking to renovate my house so all this info is very useful for me, thanks!

 

This page has some really nice places built from native materials.
The place at the top of the page I would be very happy with up in the mountains.

 

Respectable Tradesmen and Builders? you are highly unlikely to find such a person here, even a couple of Foreigners who build houses here that I know have adopted the shitty build practises of the Filipinos, you will get recommendations from many Ex-pats here but it is likely they will not know what they are talking about, they will have ended up with nicely painted smooth walls, but under that render will be a catalogue of faults that will never quite show until they are long gone or a more serious earthquake takes place.

It is possible to build a good house here, if you do the research first and project manage from start to finish, Take a look at My Philippine Life, this guy built his house in Iloilo and tells the whole story of it warts and all, I'm sure his house can be considered a good house.