Best Posts in Thread: 3rd floor house addition

I can't remember the actual wording, but once a Right of Way has it's own title (TCT) there is a notation that says it can only be revoked in case of national interest.

 

Pedro if you think you can just add on and build another two story's over an existing house you are sadly mistaken, however if by building over you are meaning a completely separate structure over an existing house for that to be knocked down at a later date that is possible, although I am quite sure the Brothers would tell you this can be done in the first example? if there is one thing you should understand about Pinoy Construction workers that is; they know little more than how to stack Hollow Blocks one on top of another, likely a translation of the words Structural Integrity do not exist in their native language as far as they are concerned? if you were to take 20 of these workers perhaps only one would have half an idea of what it takes to build a sound structure, but the half he does not know could Feck the whole thing up.

The words 'strong foundation' are a building term but often used out of that context in the western world, in PH that rarely applies even to construction there, often I have viewed houses being constructed having a very shallow foundation trench barely of 12inch below grade. what I have to say next will come as a complete surprise to you, the higher you build to more expensive it becomes per metre of build, this may not seem logical to you but it is a fact and even more so in a country prone to quakes, I will give some examples of how thus can be, 1) the higher the build the more you raise the centre of gravity. 2) a foundation log for a single story should be 600mm below grade to add a second story it should be 900mm for a third this should be 1.2mtrs, 3) in a Pillar and Beam plus CHB structure (Personally I have a low opinion of CHB's) your Pillars should have a section size of no less than 25cm and contain 120kg of steel perM3 of concrete, for a single story, a second floor would need an upgrade to a 33cms section and would need to contain 130kg of steel per M3 of concrete, for a third you would want to over engineer and have pillars with a 45cm section and to contain 145kg of steel per M3 of concrete, a concrete mix of 4500PSI should be used in this application this would be a mix of 1 part cement 2 sand and 3 of gravel, watery concrete poured into forms and not vibrated could well have only half the above PSI and this is what you are likely to get from the Pinoy.

A floor slab for a single story on grade (compacted gravel) can be done with a concrete grade of 2500PSI at 10cm thick with 70kg of steel per M3, however one to be suspended for the second floor would be 4500PSI containing 120kg of steel perM3 and 15cm thickness, this could be as much as 4/5 times the expense of the previous example and requires to be double reinforced with 2 layers of steel. Your Wife's Brothers are unlikely to know any of what I have mentioned here but may pretend that they do?

Having viewed a few pics of Shawn's build I have a lot of respect for him, I would say this is a man that knows what he is doing, his knowledge is beyond that of any Pinoy, no expense was spared for him to get what he wanted, he is fortunate that he is young, very rich and still earning pots of money.

Generally I would give a warning to anyone preparing to build a house there in PH to not spend any more the he could afford to lose, it is only a year since my neighbour was kicked out of the house he built, after spending all his money and getting a loan to finish this off, he did bring this upon himself as he was caught with another woman.

 

Yes...I was quite surprised how much materials have gone up but the exchange rate is much better than when we first built the house 6 years ag0. Not sure if it evens out or not, but definitely spending more on the renovation that I initially thought.

Shawn

 

How to influence and make new aquaintences......... I love you Dave, especially when you shoot from the hip!!! ( I know you don't mean it )

 

Dave I am going to disagree with you on the stud size.

The light gauge stud frame is used in many countries that have a much higher regulations and building code than Philippines and if built right can handle Cat5 winds.
Its all about the design including the roof trusses, panelling etc.

The heavy duty frame is not needed and just adds to the unnecessary costs and labour.

 

Thanks...this forum was such a help when I started navigating things and if I can add some experience and advice that is really cool to me.

Shawn

 

Shawn looks like its coming along nicely.

Are light gauge studs easy to buy in Pi and do any company's make prefab stud walls and trusses.

 

Shawn: You spend so much time working abroad then you come home and work on your house - still finding time to give information and advice here. What a guy.