Building in Biliran Province

[Pauwooly]

Hey folks,
Just wanna share our building story here! Its actually a house for my family in Phils. Our budget is about $20,000, and now its almost finished... Here's the house plan and the latest progress.. hopefully our target is to finish it by March '09! i'll post more of the updates later...

Thanks for viewing!

Pau




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I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Pluma]

Nice looking house for that price.

Does the $20,000 cover all the interior stuff (bathroom fixtures, tiles, etc)?

Please keep posting pictures, and updates.

Would like to hear the good and bad that you experience.

[Pauwooly]

Hi Pluma,

Thanks for the reply... Yeah, its pretty good size for the price, we dont have a contractor, so we saved a lot.. We only have a foreman that's really reliable... With regards to the interior stuff, we're looking at maybe extra $5000 for the tiles, etc.... That should cover also the fence, so hopefully soon, still saving for that, lol... Have a good one!

Here's another update!


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I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Pauwooly]

hello folks,

here's the latest update of the house construction! Its getting there, few more months and its livable already!



_________________
I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Pluma]

The progress looks good.

I live in Leyte, and a neighbor built a house for close to 800,000 Peso, and it is far from finished and only about half of your house.

I can only think of why one person gets so much more for their money than someone else.

I think being wise about building practices, and doing the work correctly the first time. I know people that have work done, only to find out later that it was done incorrectly, and now must pay to undo the previous work, buy new materials, and hire someone once again to do the work.

Tile laying comes to mind, as I have known several people with tile problems.
When I laid my tiles, we washed the sand, soaked the tiles, and did not scrimp on adhesive. The tiles are solid and I have not had a single problem.

[Pauwooly]

hi Pluma,

Thanks for the reply... Yeah, it all depends on the people/workers who do the work.. Im lucky my sister is very good with choosing people to do the work, she picks individuals that are expert in all areas like woodworking, masonry, etc.. Now they are focusing the interior, kitchen cabinets, ceiling, tiles, etc... But i guess, i was wrong with the estimate, now we are close to $25,000 and still needs more.. So i would say, maybe $35,000 is the closest estimate... The price of the materials now are lower compared to last years though, so that's good! I added more pictures for update, hopefully next week, they can install the windows and the stair railings!

Have a good one!

Pau

More pics:

p.s. By the Way Pluma, where in Leyte do you live?

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I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Pluma]

Pau

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

When in the Philippines, I stay in Barugo, Leyte.
It is the half way point between Tacloban and Ormoc.

When back in the USA, Minnesota is home.

[Pauwooly]

hello again!

We are in Biliran (Naval), at the north tip of Leyte... We are going to visit there this summer for 6 weeks, cant wait to go! We are in Reno, NV in the US... Hubby wants to retire there in the future, few more years, he cant wait either!

He is going to buy a property this time when we visit, before the real state will be up in our town! So hopefully we get a deal!
Hope to meet you in Pinas! Hubby wants to meet other kanos also hahaha!

pau
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I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Pluma]

I can see the island of Biliran from Barugo.

I have never visited there, but wife has.
She says she saw lots of nice houses.

Keep us updated on your progress.

[Pauwooly]

Hello all,

Our house construction is almost there, though its not fully finished yet, my folks and sisters are gonna move in anyway to save rent on their place... Here's more update pics!


The solid mahogany door!

Sliding windows on 2nd floor!

Finished counter top and sink!

The railings! no coment on that, i don't really like it but what can i do!
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I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Pluma]

Thanks for the continuing updates. I think all looks well.

Another odd thing I have noticed here is that doors to the outside
do not have thresholds on the floor. This causes several problems.

1. Doors eventually sag, and start to scrape the floor.

2. Water entry. When it rains hard, we get water from under the door.

[Pauwooly]

hi Pluma,

The flooring is not finished yet, so no threshold on the door yet. And oh about the water entry when it rains, outside the door is another porch and is elevated from the ground for a foot high, so there's no problem when it rains. But thanks for noticing though, that reminded me, lol...
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I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead!"

[Timn8ter]

Hi Pauwooly! Thanks for posting pictures and sharing your project. Please keep the updates coming. It's nice you have someone you trust to do the work. I don't have that luxury so I have to wait until I can be there full time. Good luck and keep it coming!