Common Problems Filipinos Encounter When Building Their Own Home

5 Issues You Might Experience When Constructing a House in the Philippines

It’s a lifelong goal for many Filipinos to be able to build their dream home. But what if this dream turns into a nightmare because of unexpected costs and unreliable contractors? The construction process is not often smooth as many homeowners encounter some common problems while building their house. So what are the five most common issues you may face in home construction and how to avoid them.

1. Underestimated Budget

One of the biggest issues in building a house in the Philippines is underestimating the cost of construction. Filipinos normally begin building with a fixed budget, unaware of the fluctuating material prices, labor costs, and hidden expenses including permits, architectural fees, and post-construction finishes. If you don’t plan and monitor costs, it’s easy to overspend by 20% or more.

 2. Delays in Building Permit

Securing a building permit from your local government unit can be time-consuming. You need multiple approvals from engineers, architects, and even barangay officials. If it’s your first time building a house, applying for these permits can lead to months of delay and slow progress. It’s good to seek professional help to navigate this process better and faster.

3. Contractor Challenges

Perhaps, the most critical issue is dealing with unreliable contractors or unqualified workers. Some homeowners hire low-cost or kumpare contractors without checking licenses and credentials. This often leads to:

• Substandard work or poor workmanship due to lack of experience.
  
  
• Incomplete projects when contractors abandon the job mid-way because of disagreements.
  
  
• Project delays caused by untrained personnel or lack of workers.
  
  
• Hidden charges and mismanagement of funds.
  

Surprisingly, many homeowners don’t use contracts with clearly defined scopes of work before starting the construction. This leads to misunderstandings, cost disputes, and even legal battles. So, make sure to verify if your contractor is licensed with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board. You can request a written contract that includes timelines, payment schedules, material specifications, and penalties for delays.

4. Lack of Skilled Labor

Skilled construction workers in the Philippines are migrating abroad for better pay, leaving our construction industry with shortage of laborers. It may be harder to find reliable carpenters, electricians, and masons depending on your area. If your contractor hires inexperienced workers or those called kuyakoy, then the quality of your house may suffer.

5. Poor Planning and Design

Skipping the design stage or not hiring a licensed architect can lead to costly changes in the middle of the building process. Poorly planned layout might waste space, affect natural ventilation, and worse, violate local building codes.

Final Thoughts

Building your dream home in the Philippines should not be another horror story, but an inspiring one for other homeowners. Prioritize proper planning, design, legal documentation, and trustworthy contractors to ensure quality building projects. Most importantly, monitor each stage of the construction process to prevent costly problems in the future. Visit REALS.PH today and see our exclusive listings of house and lot for sale in Baguio and other areas in the Philippines.