I have been coming to the Philippines every year since 2001. In that year my
wife bought a peice of property in Sta Rosa, Leyte as it was too good a deal
to pass up.
To watch over the property, she allowed her brother and his family of 5 children
to build a house there to live. Since he is unemployed, his only option was to
build a "nipa hut" made with local free material.
The house has steadily deteriorated and now is at a point that it needs to be
torn down, and replaced. Since I am interested in building techniques here, I
thought that I could build them a new house, and learn about the many facets
of construction in the process.
I had a rough idea what I wanted, a 20 feet by 30 feet house, with a concrete
slab floor, and the walls to be 1/2 (lower) concrete block with the top 1/2 to
be woven bamboo. This is to maintain some coolness in the house. The roof
will be nipa, but will be framed for corrigated steel G.I. sheets.
The house will have electricity, but no plumbing (as there is no water service).
The house will be 3 bedrooms, with a single kitchen/dining/living area. The front
will have a porch.
Ok, now onto the technical aspects of planning.
The house will be basically a post & beam type house, so we had to decide on
the number, size and placement of the posts. We decided on a total of 12
posts that will measure 6 inches square and will be reinforced with rebar.
For the concrete hollow blocks (CHB) we decided to make our own after seeing
the quality of the ones that were being offered for sale. The ratio of cement/sand
should be 1:16 to make a total of about 55 blocks from one 40 Kilo bag of Portland
cement. The ratio of the ones being offered for sale varied from 1:20 to maybe 1:24 which
produces close to 80 CHB per bag of cement. All one has to to is look at the block
and it crumbles. Also, they have a bad practice of sun drying the blocks, which further
weakens them. We cured ours for 7 days under cover and moistened them daily.
Needless to say, our CHB turned out to be top quality, not very hard to achieve !!!
Another very bad practice is using river sand that contains salt, dirt and organic mattter.
The rebar used in the posts are 10mm held together with a 4 inch square ring. A 20 foot
peice of rebar is placed in each corner of the ring, and the rings are placed at 8 inch
increments. This will be anchored in a footing and then add strength to the 6 inch square
post of concrete. These posts will be the load-bearing for the roof trusses. The walls of
a post & beam are non-load bearing.
We are red-lead painting all the rebar, as rusting rebar is disastorious to concrete. It will
almost "explode" concrete.
20 October 2006 (Friday)
The footing holes have all been dug (70 cm deep), the rebar is ready, but my wife said it
is a superstition that it is bad to set posts today (Friday) as it will be bad luck.
21 Oct 2006 (Saturday)
Today we poured the cement footings, which anchor the posts into the ground.
We used 4 bags of cement for the 12 footings. Cement poured was 20 cm in each hole.
All went well. Should be set by Monday.
Also, I now know that when making hollow blocks, a very level, clean area is
needed for the blocks to set and dry upon. The guys making the blocks told
us its OK to put the blocks on the ground. Well, this is not true. The blocks
will conform to the ground, and be mis-shapen. I have learned my lesson on this.
22 Oct 2006(Sunday) Day off
23 Oct 2006 (Monday) Ellen's Birthday
24 Oct 2006
25 Oct 2006
26 Oct 2006
Didn't visit job site
27 Oct 2006
Well, what I thought wouldn't happen, did. The carpenter has started to
deviate from what was discussed. He has started the assume things and proceed as
if that is the way I want something done. A visit this morning had me boiling. I told them
numerous times, NO cement gets mixed, poured, or even touched unless I am there to
approve it. The reason being is that concrete is a very difficult to correct mistakes.
This morning they had all the dry mix ready to add water. They told me that they were
ready to pour the posts. A quick inspection showed that this was far from the case.
They then spent the next hour cutting and placing rebar for wall support. Funny how their
ready and mine were so different.
I can see that trying to convey any idea that is a deviation from "the way we do it" is a losing
battle. Usually "the way we do it" is a short-cut, lazy way to doing it correctly. Basically they
copy what someone has shown them, with NO understanding why they are doing something
that way.
This house will turn out to be a slapped together, problem ridden, pile of concrete that can
never be fixed, just as most house here turn out. I have given up already.
We had plans, but no filipino is going to be bothered with a set of plans. Usually they are
given a quick glanced and then discarded, as plans may get in the way of them building
houses the one way that they know how. The house you want and the house you get is
what the carpenter decides for you. Most take the attitude that how would any one but
them know anything about construction. I have heard the most absurd statements made,
with NO facts to back them up.
Short cuts, and lack of attention to detail is a serious problem here. Also they can word their
statements into tricking you into believing what they say. "Don't worry, it won't be a problem"
is a very common one.
Take a look at these pictures of a fine plumbing job. This is NOT my house, but one built
for an american.
Toilet tank top not fitting
Outside plumbing, I guess they forgot that pipes were needed. Notice the drain pipe on the sink.
Quality work
28 Oct - 2 Nov 2006 The carpenter has taken a few days off for a funeral, and for the holidays
of All Saint's Day. All the posts have been poured, and the forms removed on half. They turned out
really nice. I credit that to "vibrating" the concrete while pouring into the forms so that air that is
trapped will be displaced by concrete.
I accidentally dropped my digital camera on the concrete floor, and it won't even turn on.
So the quality of pictures will suffer until I get a new camera, or somehow fix my broken one.
3 Nov 2006 Friday
The carpenter is back to work. Went to visit jobsite. The carpenter is ready to start on the roof.
A quick check what the overhang will be (3 feet), and the slope of the roof will be, and it seemed fine.
I guess doing the roof will take several days, and I trust the carpenter on doing a good job, so will
visit less. We will initially put nipa up and replace with steel "G.I. sheets" as money becomes available.
I should have pictures posted soon.
4 Nov 2006 Saturday
Went to friend's house blessing. He and his wife is visiting from Japan, to see their house they had
built. A nice house, but with typical problems that plague most houses here. The electrical wiring
is usually the worst thing, followed by the plumbing. One thing that I have noticed is that most
kitchen cupboards are placed so high that no one can even reach them. In the US, the standard
is 16 inches from the countertop, here in the Philippines its more like 2 feet from the countertop
(I will try to get pictures one day).
7 Nov 2006 Tuesday
Went to check progress of roofing. Looks OK. A few things I would do differently, but this
roof will outlast all of us (as long as no termites). I have posted some pictures. Again, the quality
is reduced because my regular camera is broke.
18 Nov 2006 Saturday
The past week was spent digging and leveling the trench for the hollow blocks. A footing will
be poured and 3 courses of hollow block will be laid. Rebar will be placed horizontal in the trench
and then vertical to hold the total of 8 courses of hollow block (3 below the slab, and 5 forming
the wall of the house.
I was quite impressed that the carpenter leveled everything, measured and marked the tops
of each course of blocks, and then placed string as a guide. Everything went well except for the
vertical rebar. The way a hollow block is made, the holes line up in multiples of 4 inches. So if you
place the first rebar 12 inches from your starting point, and then any muliple of 4 inches, the holes will
line up for all suceeding courses.
The posts being 10 foot center to center (120 inches) and 6 inches wide, meant that there was
114 inches (120 - 6 = 114) which allowed for exactly 7 hollow blocks to fit between them (16 X 7 = 112.
On Monday the nipa will be delivered, so that will require 2 people to put it in place. After they have
a roof, the old structure must be removed, so the ground can be leveled in preparation of pouring the
slab. I estimate between 40 to 50 bags of cement that must be mixed. That is ALOT of work !!!!
I have noticed the carpenter taken more pride in this project, as he can see that it will be a well
built house. The statements made in the 27 Oct 2006 entry were made in haste, but still apply to some
builders here. They cheat you on the quality of hollow block, use tidal river sand that contains salt, and then
proceed to build you a house that you probably will not be happy with. To relate our kitchen renovation
story: The carpenter insisted that the sink be placed all the way to the splash guard. When he was told that
we did not want it that way, he said any other way was impossible, and made the hole for it to be all the
way back. I had to go behind him and fix it, and the next day he was fired.
19 Nov 2006 Sunday
Oops, I spoke too fast in the last entry. Went to check on the progress of work, and found that
the carpenter has once again decided to deviate from what was discussed and placed 2 courses
of hollow blocks in one trench and 3 in the others. I also see rebar having to be bent to fit through the
holes of the hollow blocks. All this after it was repeatedly explained to him where the rebar had to be
placed. I knew he did not have a clue when he began to pound on the rebar to move it./P>
Had the relatives make more hollow blocks. Now after being showed numerous times, and told
to remember the procedure as that is what I want done for ALL hollow blocks, they proceed to "invent"
their own procedure. I was so irritated with them , I just left.
Why must people feel the need to agree upon something, then when you are not looking, do
something completely different than what was discussed? I see this so many times here. There is
no solution, as I have experienced this with all the hired help up to this point. A German in the area
has fired so many workers, as they just refuse to follow even the simpliest of instructions. They
will agree to do it your way, but as soon as you are not looking, they will do it their way, which
is usually WRONG, and causes more problems down the road.
20 Nov 2006 Monday
Well, this is the one month point in the building process. I guess with one carpenter and only
the brother-in-law and sons helping, that is pretty good progress.
Seems that problems that we had the past days are caused by the brother-in-law. He doesn't
have experience in building, but will add his thoughts, and it appears the carpenter follows what he
was told. We discussed everything and hopefully there will be no more deviations from what was planned.
The 300 pieces of nipa were delivered today, and we will get 2 guys to put it up. The demolition
of the rest of the old house can now be accomplished. Then it is time to level the floor area in
preparation of pouring the slab. I may put a "beams" under the slab to help reinforce it. I will have to
research this.
21 Nov 2006 Tuesday
The nipa is going up OK. One thing I noticed is that they do not stagger each course, so where
the ends butt against each other, there is a bulge. I guess it works for them, but if they were staggered
as we do shingles, it would work out much better. The roof is only temporary, so not too much worry.
When funds become available we will replace with some other permanent form of roofing.
I am very pleased with the way the hollow blocks were laid. Very professional, and no cracks that
allow insects to enter. The wife and I were discussing that it would be far easier to pour solid cement
in one pour for the footing and slab, that would eliminate the problems associated with hollow blocks.
I have decided to put "beams" under the slab floor, that follow the vertical posts, this will give strength
to the entire slab. I would think a 6 inch wide, 4 inch deep trench would give the floor and effective
thickness of 8 inches in those areas. It probably will only cost about 2 or 3 bags of extra cement, but
well worth it.
23 Nov 2006 Thursday
The old house has been completely demo'ed, and cleared out. Leveling of the ground was the
business of the day. The 4 inch slab will sit on 2 inches of sand, so they must clear quite a bit of
heavy clay soil. Termites are present, so chlordane (yes, still legal here) will be poured on soil.
The nipa is 2/3's of the way installed, it looks really well.
The carpenter spent the day bending the protruding rebar from the posts over the roof framing
to hold the roof in place during hurricanes (typhoons), I have not heard of roofs done this way ever
blowing off. It is very effective tie-down technique.
I think we will be ready to mix and pour the slab by next Wednesday (Nov 29). I hope there is
enough gravel and sand. It is quite hard to estimate. We will use a 1-3-3 ratio (cement-sand-gravel), and
I estimate about 45 bags of cement. That is alot of mixing by hand !!
Things are coming together, and we are constantly planning what the next phase will be.
After the slab is poured we will finish the 5 courses of hollow block, frame in for the woven bamboo
wall, then have that installed. The house should be somewhat livable by then
As far as remaining major phases, we have kitchen countertop, bedroom walls, electrical, and windows
and doors. The budget has exceeded the $1,000 mark, and I forcast about $500 - $700 more being spent.
30 Nov 2006 Thursday
Got the termiticide down (28 Nov). As I thought Chlordane is illegal, so used some other
expensive stuff. Made 100 liters to do the inside and outside perimeter, and then the whole
floor area. No termites will attack this house.
Put 2 inches of sand down prior to pouring the slab.
Hired 16 laborers to mix, carry and pour the cement. Mixed 38 bags of cement with sand and
gravel (1 cement / 4 sand / 2 gravel). I can assure you all were very tired at the end of the day.
Things went very well. All work has stopped until Monday, to let the slab cure.
The family is anxious to move in. I think in less than 2 weeks, although not finished, the house
will be livable.
28 Dec 2006 Thursday
Its been a long time since reporting the progress. A typhon hit Leyte on 9 Dec, knocking
power out for over a week, so all work stopped on the house. Work has been progressing slower
and slower for various reasons; lack of material, holidays, carpenter taking days off, etc.
Almost all cement work is completed. We started on the wood framing for the exterior walls.
Finding suitable lumber at a reasonable price is not an easy task. We have 8 walls that need framing.
Hoping to get most completed by end of year, so that the bamboo woven material can be installed.
Most walls will have windows, which adds time to the construction of the framing.
The carpenter has been making some very obvious mistakes, we are thinking to stretch the job out.
One mistake was a concrete window opening that he had the window there to make sure it fit, but when
I went to put the window in the opening it was too large both in width and height. This is not a mistake an
experienced carpenter should even be making.
On a good note, my camera that I thought was broke, suddenly now works!. Strange!!!
I will get some photos posted of the progress soon.
11 Jan 2007 Thursday
Its been raining here, almost nonstop since Christmas. The outside of the house is almost
completed. The woven bamboo is almost completely installed and looks really nice. I have been
putting in the screens, and cutting the aluminum jalousie window frames.
The remaining work will mostly be done by us: interior walls, electrical, painting, furnishings.
We all are a bit tired as this project seemed to stretch on forever.
The family has moved in.
I will post more as progress contiues. Be sure to look at the new pictures in Album 3.
I have not updated the "materials & cost" page, but we are very near $2,000 or 100,000 pesos.
I guess my original estimate was quite a bit off. I think that we will eventually come close to
$2,700. This will be mostly for wood (walls, furnishings). For electrical, we will use the in-place
wiring from the old house.
The family has moved in.
I will post more as progress contiues. Be sure to look at the new pictures in Album 3.
11 Sep 2007 Monday
We have been back in the USA since may 2007, and now will return to the Philippines on 20 September.
The building of the house took a "backseat" to other projects and circumstances. We had our home in Barugo
tiled, and I had to put up a CHB wall for our future kitchen upgrade. You can see a few pictures here:
Click here for tiling and CHB wall photos
I learn something every time I undertake a task, and enjoy doing the work. We had the tiles done by a professional
and were very pleased overall with his quality of work.
My daughter visited us prior to all of us returning to the USA in May, so much time was taken up with
parties, beach outings, and late night drinking sessions, and that oh so popular videoke!
While in the USA I did some tool shopping and fabricated a table saw from a circular saw.
I had them all shipped in a balikbayan box. The homemade table saw will come in very handy for
precision cuts. Pictures of it will have to wait, as I did not think to take pictures of it.
Lastly, I would like to announce the opening of a forum that deals with building and construction
in regards to the Philippines. This is my forum, and was modeled after a Thailand forum that has served
me well. So if you would like to take a look, and perhaps join and contribute, check out Philippine Builders Forum.
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