Overlooked Design Flaws That May Cost you in Repairs

In the Philippines, thrift is life even when it comes to house designs. Even after giving a multitude of specifications on a dream house we want, we may end up being taken aback by the cost they will give. Naturally, we try to cut back. We spend less on material, try to hurry the project up to spend less on labor, forego environmental elements, and some of us may even do it ourselves.



To put it simply, we compromise. As much as compromise is a good word in making a lot of things work, it’s not a word you’d want to describe the place you’re supposed to be most secured at. Here are some things that we compromise on that cost us more in the long run.

Filler Soil

We call this as “panambak”. It’s the soil that we use in the foundation of where the construction will be. As Filipinos, we don’t think much about it and if we can, we’d like to grab as much free dirt as we can. It is, after all, just dirt, right? Well, if your house will be built upon a foundation of clay, your pillars might start deteriorating to the point of collapse in just 3-5 years. Clay greatly expands with moisture but also shrinks and cracks during the hot season. The best “panambak” should combine loan soil, gravel, and just a little bit of clay. It should not take too much cost out of your overall house design budget to buy some “panambak” in the Philippines so spend if you must.

Low Quality Lumber

Good quality lumber does not only mean that it is from a good tree; it must have also been properly processed and treated enough so that its natural material strength is enforced and so that it is resistant to pests. A termite infestation is not rare to come-by given the density of insects in the Philippines and the cost for extermination is just baseline value for everything you have to account for. Greater is the cost for repairs in the event you snuff out a termite infestation a little too late.

Bypassing an Engineer or Architect

This might be the biggest and most costly mistake we can do to ourselves as dream-home owners. Architects and engineers are expensive to employ because they do not only design and build houses that are safe; they also make it such that the house itself makes your life easier that it adds value to your life. Some of the common problems with houses that aren’t designed by architects are the spacing of stairs. The steps might be too steep and cause knee problems in the long run. They could also be too narrow to make more space but compromise on utility especially in cases of emergencies. By not hiring engineers, you might end up with wiring that is haphazardly laid out, drainage lines that don’t make sense, and bathroom surfaces that bring water away from the drain.



If you want to really be able to make your dream house a reality, budgeting properly is key. Being too stingy might not only compromise your home’s quality and safety. Philippines house design cost might seem steep initially but believe us, every money you will not spend on repair will be worth it!

Rise Above the Rainy Season with These Easy House Renovation Ideas

It’s already May and chances are, you’ve already felt the cold drop of the first rains of summer, which signals that wet season is coming. It’s not an official end to the heat—actually, some night might be humidly warm when the wet season comes—but it is definitely when water problems in your home start rearing its head. If you’ve saved up enough to afford house renovation cost in the Philippines, now would be the time to put it out while the heavier rains haven’t made landfall yet!

Start from the Top

Right off the bat, do a check for leaks. Try to extend a water hose or bring up a pail of water up on your roof. Splash water repeatedly over the roof and ask someone else to inspect if there are leaks downstairs. Pay close attention to parts of the ceiling that look it has been water damaged. Of course, when in doubt, get a professional to inspect your roof.

Make Sure to Mold Proof

One thing that we may overlook when considering house renovation in the Philippines is mold proofing which actually cost less preventively than it would to treat after an infestation. Look for enclosed spaces where mold might thrive, usually in damp and dark places. Shelves, cabinets and drawers are common problem areas but so are walls that aren’t water proofed.

Consider Thy Neighbor

In the Philippines, the common setup we have with houses is that they are situated immediately next to each other with either a small space in between them or just a fire wall for houses that are completely connected to each other. If your house is higher than your neighbor’s, say you have a second floor and your neighbor has a bungalow, check the walls where your house meets their roof. This is easy to overlook but it is actually a problem area where water from both houses may converge and seep in through the wall. Make sure to properly water proof this side of your house with a superior brand of waterproof coating.

Don’t Forget to Maintain Underneath

Maybe one the more expensive house renovation cost that you’ll need to handle is for septic maintenance. In the Philippines, getting your septic tank syphoned, cleaned, or even expanded is required every 5-10 years, depending on how heavy your household uses the toilet; but it won’t be a bad idea to proactively get it checked now. Come the rainy season, water may seep into your drainage and sewage—the overflow is something that will definitely haunt your household for days or even weeks.

Awesome Spare Room Renovation Ideas to Level-up your Home

House renovation cost in the Philippines varies on how drastic a renovation is. One of the cheapest renovations is actually more inclined to repurpose rather than changing. If you have a spare room at home, you can turn it into a useful and even enjoyable room to make your home the best place to stay at not only for you but even for your family and friends!

Level-up the Guest Experience

If you have a spare room but are still holding sleep overs in your bed, you might want to consider turning the spare room into a guest room. This is one of the bigger renovations you might do if you also intend to make it semi-livable by giving it its own bathroom and lavatory and other hotel-like features. It might look costly but trust us when we say your friends—and even your in-laws—will love you for it.

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As opposed to a tricked-out guest room, making a spare room your lifestyle room might need less renovation and more item placement. You can turn a spare room into a small home gym with various gym equipment. You can also turn it into a workshop or hobby room if you’re into carpentry, electronics, fine arts, and video, music, or other types of content creation. You can even turn this room into your personal pet shelter especially for enclosed pets like fish, reptiles, bugs, and tiny mammals.

Level-up your Relaxation

This photo of Anchaviyo Resort is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Leveling up your house with a media room might be a house renovation that costs a bit more to do in the Philippines but it’s also one of the most sought-after renovation of almost every Filipino family. The entertainment system is almost always situated in the common room where the sala set is; but it’s where the coffee tables are and could be right next to the dining area. Having a dedicated media room makes movie and music experiences more enjoyable if you also introduce sound proofing, overhead projection, air-conditioning and a proper sound system. You can likewise throw-in a mini-fridge for added comfort. Make sure wiring is organized well and concealed; add some theatric low lighting for better ambience.

Level-up the Fun

In the Philippines, mobile gaming is the most popular form of video gaming next to PC gaming. Console games like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Family Systems do have their own market but aren’t as prevalent. Nonetheless, having a game room is one of the nicer options you can repurpose an otherwise unused spare room for. It can be setup like a media room but you can take it a step further to cater to games other than video games such as board games, skill games, and even party games. It’s a house renovation that might cost more but it will definitely make your home stand out among others in the Philippines.