House Build

Thanks ShawnM i have designed a home using Chief architect but have not figured how to to design the concrete beams and pillars in the software. I guess i will just need to take the plans i have to a Architect and have them drawn up. I have worked in the construction field for 25+ years as a electrician building everything from a powerhouse to a clothing store with 11 years of my career as a foreman or general foreman we have already bought a 1749 sqM lot in Valencia area with a wonderful view just need to get the time to build now.

 

I've used the same software and can't figure out the columns and beams either...you need to have someone put everything on paper to get things signed off anyway here for you building permits. I'd recommend putting all your ideas (to include your specifications for everything) down and use a local firm to finish the blueprints and get them signed off by their engineers.

Great sized lot, hope you post your progress once you get started; I think the more info out there will help other's in the future looking to build their home.

Shawn

 

A busy Monday

Got the interior paint and tile today, loaded up a jeepney and sent it on it's way. Took basically all day in Dumaguete, so had the workers stay a bit late to unload the jeepney. We did hook them up with some rotisserie chicken for their efforts (absolutely love that chicken).

I was really pleased that the tile cost was much less than I had expected, paint is a bit more but tile costs were good. I think we have gone with some quality tile and were able to get most of our first choices (based on quantity).

We are going to start painting in the master bedroom tomorrow and committing most of the guys I think they will make short work of all the interior paint; floor tile will be directly after once we start finishing the paint in each area.

Also heard I could possibly have electricity this week...

Shawn

 

Tuesday pics

I started painting the master bedroom first thing this morning; I don't really like to paint and can claim no skills at doing it. Have a lot of respect for folks that paint for a living, only reason I'm painting is out of boredom...and actually did have some fun doing so. I'll also paint the closet and CR...the rest of the house is on the workers to finish (I'll probably help out on exterior painting as we are also prepping to get the base paint down).

The main paint for the master bedroom is called "dark salmon", when I started painting this morning I was not sure I would like it but by the end of the day I knew I hated it. Actually it is not too bad, it is not "bright" as I don't like bright colors for a bedroom also the wife and her Mom really thinks it looks good. The grayish color for the one wall really sets things off in my opinion. The living room and kitchen have an off white color that I really like but the wife hates, so I guess it works out.

The workers got excited thinking we should start on the floor tile for the master bedroom but I want to get the closet and CR painted so we will get going on tile on Thursday. Plus I can start installing switches and receptacles tomorrow.

It was a good day.

Shawn

 

I took most of the pics at the end of the day (bit dark) so the color of things did not come out well...I'll get some better pics tomorrow that show colors.

Shawn

 

Looks great I like the Dark salmon not to bright but still livens up the room what size is your MBR ? i might have gone a little overboard on my MBR building to western standards 31x16 including sitting area 1/3rd of second floor is MBR with second kitchen and office up stairs and a lot of balcony's to enjoy the views we are over looking tejero the with a total living space of home around 3900sf the wife said it is too big and she just wants a simple home i might rethink my design and get it down to something that she likes.

 

Good idea. Four years later and now my wife is now complaining about my design. Btw, a big home like yours and a big MBR here takes a lot of air conditioning. Sounds like a very nice home.

 

Pics from today

Any picture I try to upload from yesterday comes back with a server error message...the pics I took from today seem to have uploaded OK.

The interior paint was pretty much finished yesterday, just some touch up painting left. I'm feeling better about the dark salmon paint. I let our niece and son pick their colors so their rooms are a bit "bright" in my opinion.

I put in pretty much all the receptacles and switches today, need some longer screws to finish up. Will head to Dumaguete tomorrow to buy the ceiling fans and light fixtures.

Shawn

 

DeRail...Our bedroom is 14'X16' not including the closet and master CR. It is the largest room in the house, but honestly designed the house to be simple. I've lived in large houses as well as small houses so my goal was to build something that was practical as well as utilizing the space of our lot.

Self sufficiency and leaving a smaller footprint on this earth is important to me, there are some things I can do now and some things I will do later that I think will be fun to keep going towards that vision.

Getting the opportunity to spend some extended time here I've been able to hear that my house is "too big" as well as hearing that it is "too small" for a foreigner...

I spent a lot of time to figure out what would work for us and am happy to see my vision coming together, the wife is happy (always a good thing). My design and methods may not be for everyone, but so far so good!

My advice it so listen to your wife a bit on style, but do the structural and electrical correct...you can find most of the electrical you need, difficult but not impossible.

Shawn

 

Friday pics

We picked up all the interior lights and ceiling fans today, went with LED fixtures or lamps as much as I could. I fell in love with a ceiling fan that uses halogen lamps (first time I saw that), it matches too well with our brushed nickel finish for door hardware and bathroom accessories.

I love the way the master bedroom tile looks, but not pleased with the installation method. They are taking too long and using way more tile adhesive than I wanted; I will show them how to do a mortar bed/mud bed tomorrow afternoon. I have to attend a wedding in the morning and am stuck with what they are doing for these tiles. I tried to explain it to them yesterday and got blank stares, showed the wife some video on how it works so she had the guys sifting sand and think she understands, I'll physically show them and I'm sure they'll pick it up pretty quick.

Also bought a miter saw today, have a kreg jig and screws coming from the US as well as I decided to build the kitchen and bathroom cabinets myself...still thinking about the interior and exterior doors.

A guy came by after we got back that is a part time landscaper, the wife bought 5 dwarf coconut trees from him. I spoke with him a bit and he seems to know a few things so we will see how things work out.

Shawn