Things you should consider when constructing your dream home

Consult an architect

Architects are your guardian angels during the entire construction process as they're the ones who conceptualize the design of your desired house.

"Si architect ang magiging guide ninyo mula sa conceptualization hanggang sa matapos ang project po ninyo. Yung design ni architect, and his allied engineers, ang basehan ng scope of works and cost estimate na siyang i-implement ni contractor," one user explained.

Hiring a professional designer can further help you have a concrete plan that won't have many revisions during construction.

Apart from this, the architect's design is also one of the requirements needed in the application of a building permit as well as bank loans.

Think about the location

Once you buy a house and lot, you can just relocate to somewhere else if you find the location unfavorable, which is why it's crucial for you to pick an area where you believe you'll be contented with.

"Kapag may pera ka tapos okay lahat, pero 'yung lugar hindi pala okay, nakaka-bad vibes, kaya make sure na nasa tamang lugar ka na doon mo talaga gusto mag-settle, na okay sa'yo lahat ng tao sa palagid mo," one user stressed.

Another member said, "Accessible ba sa mga needs like schools, hospitals, groceries, and madali makapunta sa work? Unless you are targeting province and nature, then pros over cons na lang."

You should also check if the location isn't prone to flooding, earthquakes, landslides, and other disasters.

Plan your budget

With expenses toward materials, labor costs, and more, you may find yourself overwhelmed with financial problems if you ignore proper planning on your budget.

According to one Home Buddies member who claimed to have started their third house construction project, one of the first things you should ask yourself is how much you are willing to spend.

"Ano yung kaya ng budget mo? Then compare mo agad cost ng construction if standard sa market. Let’s say from 25k/sqm to 50k/sqm. Depende sa design, materials, and interiors," they said.

Another "virtual kapitbahay" emphasized that you should have additional money prepared apart from your budget as there may be unexpected costs that may come your way. For instance, if your budget is P10 million, you should expect to pay P15 million.

"Dapat sobra-sobra ang budget para 'di ka ma-stress. Since dream house mo 'yan, ready ka dapat sa malakihang gastos," they said.

When it comes to paying your hired workers, one member advised, "Ask your contractor to provide an accomplishment report na tatama sa nabigay na pera before sending another billing. Madalas bigay nang bigay ng pera pero walang nangyari sa ginagawa. Make sure you have a retention amount para lahat ng concern mo in the end naayos."

Be hands-on

Just because you hired professionals to work on your home doesn't mean that you should put your entire faith in them. You should have an active participation during the process and make some time from your schedule to check if everything is going according to what you want.

"Huwag mong ilayo ang mata mo araw-araw sa ginagawa mong house," one member advised. "Time to time ang check, kasi ako talaga nakatutok sa pinagawa namin. Ultimo butas na maliit, sinisita ko."

Some of the things you should pay attention to is the depth of your house's foundation and septic tank, the stability of the columns, whether the plumbing pipes are new and not made of iron, how your circuit breaker is installed, and how the hollow blocks are applied.

If you don't have time for such, however, you can opt to hire a third party engineer who can check the quality of work being done by the contractor.

"Kahit once a week lang nagvivisit [to] make sure na nasusunod ang nasa plano, from kapal ng bakal to wires," one user said.

Other considerations

Among the other things that you should take into account include pest control, water and sound proofing, proper ventilation, having well-planned functional spaces, access to natural light, and excellent electrical wirings.

If you want your dream home to include lots of green elements, you should also check out our article on How to Use Green in Your House Decor for a More Serene Home for some tips on adding a touch of nature into your safe space.