A Comprehensive Guide to House Construction Costs in the Philippines

Nothing beats that accomplished feeling of moving into the house of your dreams. Maybe your casita is just around the corner, just waiting to be built.   

To make this a reality, you’ll need to work for it and consider a lot of things, particularly house construction costs in the Philippines. How much it would take to build a house varies depending on the materials you’ll be using, the house design and floor plan, and other factors.   

It sometimes gets confusing to know what you need and where to get them. Even more so with the seemingly endless list of materials, human resources, and documents you’ll need to take care of in creating your dream home. 

You won’t need to worry anymore though, as this article covers what you’ll need to know when it comes to the cost of building a house in the Philippines and other related concerns. Keep in mind that this is assuming you already have your own lot on which to build your house.  

Buying vs. Building a House in the Philippines

You might be still debating with yourself about which is more worth it: Having a house constructed or buying an already existing one. Both choices can seem overwhelming. To help you decide, here are some pros and cons for each: 

Buying a House: Advantage 

Buying a built house can be more convenient as it is already finished and all you have to do is move in. Also, there is already an established neighborhood close to work, schools, friends, or family. There are also some instances when the house is already furnished, allowing you to worry less about the things you would need to fill your abode with. 

Buying a House: Disadvantage 

Buying an existing house does not guarantee that you’ll get the ideal design or floor plan you want for your home. It may also mean having to pay for repairs and renovations. To add to this, built houses in Metro Manila can be expensive, going for as high as ₱27,500 per square meter. 

Also, older houses may require you to hire exterminators for pest control.  

Building a House: Advantage

Building a new home offers customizability. This means your home will be built from new materials, needing less maintenance. Adjusting your expenses depending on the materials and labor you’ll need for construction is also an option.  

You also won’t need to spend on costly renovations, which add to the expenses when buying an existing house. If you have a specific vision or need for your home, constructing a house would be a more preferable option. 

Building a House: Disadvantage

With building a new home, things won’t be as convenient as buying an existing house. For one, you will need to find a location first, and the available spot may not be situated in an established neighborhood. 

The Average Cost of Constructing a House in the Philippines  

The overall construction cost of your soon-to-be home will depend on what type of house you’ll build and how many square meters it will cover.  

As of 2021, the average cost for building a residential-type house is at ₱9,000 to ₱11,565 per square meter for a decent finish.  

Residential House Type	Construction Cost (Per square meter)
Residential	₱11,565.00
Single House	₱10,512.00
Duplex/Quadruplex	₱10,253.00
Apartment	₱9,313.00
Residential Condominium	₱18,198.00
Other Residential types	₱9,046.00

However, house values and material costs can change every year. It’s best to have a budget for a construction cost of ₱25,000 per square meter if you want a high-quality finish. The land value of your desired location may also affect the overall cost of your house, so take note of where you plan to have your home and be aware of how it will affect your construction expenses.  

Labor

Aside from the cost of materials, your builders’ salary is also a budget priority as the labor takes up 20% to 40% of the total construction costs. In the Philippines, construction workers are paid within a range of ₱280 to ₱815 daily. 

However, laborers mean more than our usual “trabahador.” Here’s a full guide on who the people behind house construction are and why you need them: 

General Contractors  

A contractor, also known as the “foreman,” oversees the house plans, costs, and construction.  

With an average salary of ₱760 to ₱3,248 daily and an approximate range of ₱20,000 to ₱70,000 monthly, general contractors are expected to have both management and construction skills in supervising the project site to ensure all responsibilities are well-distributed and fulfilled on time, safely, and with minimal issues.  

Architects 

Architects specialize in optimal layouts and visualizing the structure of a building. These professionals provide a rundown of needed materials and revise designs and specifications hand in hand with the contractor. They also coordinate with the project engineer to ensure the feasibility and execution of the project.  

A junior architect earns a monthly salary of around ₱15,000 while a regular architect’s average monthly salary ranges from ₱22,000 to ₱79,000 depending on the construction type and quality finish you are aiming for. In general, an architect’s professional rate usually takes up 10% of the total construction cost.  

Project Managers  

Not to be confused with general contractors, project managers are present from pre-construction to close-out. They handle human resources according to the quality of the project, its time frame, budget, and target capacity. In a nutshell, a project manager’s job is to plan and manage the materials and staff needed. 

Because of their role in overseeing the entire construction process, a project manager’s salary is higher compared to that of a general contractor’s, with a minimum of ₱25,000 monthly. 

Project Engineers 

Project Engineers serve as the middle man between the architect, project manager, and owner. They combine the materials and designs to put the construction into motion through coordinating, analyzing, and documenting the project.  

Think of them as the final step before executing your grand plan. Project engineers evaluate and recommend building plans and materials more suitable to ensure the construction is feasible, safe, and done in the best way.  

You’ll be paying them approximately ₱1,068 to ₱2,640 per day or ₱22,000 to ₱56,200 monthly.  

Construction Laborers 

Consider them as the jack-of -all-trades. Construction laborers prepare the construction ground by smoothening and leveling the floor, adding support to roofs, and preparing and painting walls.  

Their salary depends on their skills and may seem lower than the other laborers. However, you’ll need more than one construction laborer for your home. Their income ranges from ₱421 to ₱528 daily and ₱8,000 to ₱12,934 monthly. 

Masons  

Masons shape stone blocks and slabs into their needed form for construction. They are skilled in selecting, grading, cutting, and shaping all sorts of construction stones to build and repair houses or other structures.  

A mason’s daily salary is around ₱424 to ₱1,288 with a monthly salary of ₱9,328 to ₱27,900. Just like construction laborers, one mason won’t be enough. So, be sure to calculate your budget to pay for more masons if you are aiming for a quicker and more quality finish. 

Bricklayers  

Call them the partner of masons. But bricklayers don’t just solely work on bricks. They specialize in laying bricks and stones to build or repair walls or other necessary structures. You can also have decorative installments such as footpaths and masonry for garden walls, patios, curbs, or pavements.  

A bricklayer’s daily salary is ₱545 to ₱1,432 while their monthly payment is approximately ₱12,000 to ₱31,100. 

Carpenters 

Carpenters cut and build structures from wood. They sculpt, assemble, and do the final touches like door and window frames, doors, walls, facings, and paneling.   

Their salary is around ₱363 to ₱650 daily and ₱10,000 to ₱17,000 monthly. As with other laborers, keep in mind that a carpenter’s salary may increase if the structure is more detailed and requires higher skills. 

Electricians 

Electricians install, inspect, and repair the electrical wirings and outlets in your home. You may also consult them when it comes to choosing energy-saving appliances. 

Electricians are paid ₱556 to ₱722 per day and ₱10,000 to ₱32,900 per month. 

Plumbers 

Plumbers weld and install the pipes for your water system. They are also responsible for installing your toilets, sinks, showers, and other water systems you wish to have in your home. 

When hiring them, the average daily salary is between ₱600 to ₱722, with a monthly salary of ₱14,363 to ₱32,700. 

Mind that all of these salaries may also depend on the location of the construction site and the expertise of the personnel needed. Of course, these can be negotiated and stipulated in the contract. 

Here’s the labor cost in tabular form for easy reference. Take note that Saturdays and Sundays are excluded from the monthly salary and may increase if they will work during weekends. 

Labor Type	Daily Salary (8 hrs.)	Monthly Salary (within 22 days)
General Contractor	₱760 – ₱3,248	₱20,000 – ₱72,000
Architect	₱1,200 – ₱2,344	₱22,000 – ₱79,000
Project Manager	₱1,728 – ₱2,808	₱25,000 – ₱61,800
Project Engineer	₱1,068 – ₱2,640	₱22,000 – ₱58,000
Construction Laborer	₱421 – ₱528	₱8,000 – ₱12,934
Bricklayer	₱545 – ₱1432	₱12,000 – ₱31,500
Mason	₱424 – ₱1,288	₱9,328 – ₱28,500
Carpenter	₱363 – ₱650	₱10,000 – ₱17,000
Electrician	₱556 – ₱722	₱10,000 – ₱32,900
Plumber	₱600 – ₱722	₱14,363 – ₱32,700

Construction Materials

The price for construction materials may depend on the location, supplier, quantity, and quality. While these may not be the exact prices you would find when you do your research, our guide will give you an idea to help you calculate how much you’ll be spending on each material. 

Material	Approximate Cost
Sand	₱75.00 – ₱1,020.00
Cement	₱215.00 per bag
Gravel	₱85.00 – ₱1,750.00
Hollow Blocks	₱15.00 – ₱20.00 per block
Steel	₱110.00 – ₱775.00
PVC Pipes	₱57.00 – ₱83.00
Plywood	₱480.00 – ₱1,350.00
Good Lumber Wood	₱107.09 per piece
Paint	₱375 – ₱450 (flat latex); ₱560 – ₱620 (gloss); ₱540 – ₱610 (semi-gloss); ₱480 – ₱630 (enamel) per bucket
Roof (Long Span)	₱865.00 – ₱4,720.00

Prices for materials like plywood, good lumber wood, and roof would depend on the length and quality you need.  

Before setting your budget, calculate the quantity of everything you need and look for a hardware store with the best deals open to you. Suppliers and the cost of materials may differ per store. But with the cost range provided, you may have a clearer idea of your expenses for your home construction. 

Working Within a Set Budget

Once you have an idea of the average cost of building a home, you can firm up your budget by taking into account other considerations. 

You need to be money-smart when handling your budget, which means coordinating with the construction agency to avoid overspending. Having a set budget can help organize your finances as you need to be strict with the allotted amount. Here are two ways to effectively prepare your budget for the construction expenses:   

Know the cost 

Do heavy research to ensure you’re making the right decisions for your new home and to avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous contractors. By knowing the average construction cost for a house, you will be able to tell if you’re being charged more.   

Have a fixed-price contract 

Once you’ve figured out your expenses and budget, you may consider getting a fixed-price contract or the “lump- sum contract” where you establish a set amount with the contractor that will cover all the expenses, including the salary of laborers, rather than paying them on a daily basis.    

This contract is best for well-defined house projects since it reduces the risk of going over the budget for the owner. However, the downside is that contractors and builders might use cheaper, substandard materials and even underpay the laborers so that they would get a bigger profit at the cost of a lower-quality finished product. 

Additional expenses, such as the cost of delivery of construction materials, electricity, and water may emerge during the construction, so it’s crucial to be aware of the prices of materials and labor so you can make an allowance for them. 

Using a Loan To Cover Home Construction

Paying in full and in cash for house construction isn’t impossible, but it’s definitely difficult for a lot of us. You need to know your options beyond paying out of pocket so you can be flexible with your finances.  

What is a Housing Loan?

Sometimes, it can be too difficult to pay for your new home in one go. Financial institutions (the lenders) can provide you (the borrower) assistance in paying for your home with loans, also known as mortgages, without you having to shell out a substantial amount from your own pocket. 

With housing loans, you can stretch and adjust your finances, but you’ll need to mind the interest rates as these will have a big effect on how much you need to pay back. Interest rates are the add-on amount on top of the principal you’ve loaned. These may be fixed or increase per year.  

Here’s a walkthrough of the different kinds of housing loans you can apply for in the Philippines. 

Pag-IBIG Housing Loan

If you are a Pag-IBIG member, this government agency can provide a housing loan of up to ₱6 million for residential-type properties such as apartments, condominiums, houses, and lots. This loan is only available to members who are working, self-employed, and OFWs up to 65 years old.  

Pros  

Unlike banks, Pag-IBIG is more lenient when it comes to requirements for applicants who are looking to avail themselves of a housing loan. Processing fees are also lower compared with those of bank loans. Pag-IBIG also offers the highest loanable amount of ₱6,000,000 and longest repayment period of 30 years.  

Additionally, Pag-IBIG also provides affordable housing loan options with a subsidized rate of 3% per year for socialized home loans up to ₱580,000. This applies to overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and members who earn up to ₱15,000 a month in the National Capital Region (NCR) and those earning up to ₱12,000 a month outside the NCR.   

Cons  

Pag-IBIG has higher interest rates than banks and requires you to be an active member at the time when you are making the loan (even if you have been active before). You’ll also need to wait longer for the processing of your loan so you’ll need to keep that in mind if you are following a timetable.  

The downside of Pag-IBIG’s longer loan period is a higher growing interest rate per year from 5.75% to 9.88%.  

To avail of a Pag-IBIG housing loan, you need to submit these requirements:   

• Housing loan application with two copies of recent ID photo of borrower/co-borrower (if applicable) 
• Proof of income  
• One valid ID (photocopy, front and back) of principal borrower and spouse, co-borrower and spouse   
• Updated real estate tax receipt and updated tax declaration (photocopy), if applicable   
• Building plan, specification with bill of materials duly signed by the licensed civil engineer or architect  

After your requirements have been approved, you’ll need to submit an updated real estate tax receipt and updated tax declaration (photocopy), if applicable. 

In addition, you need to submit the following loan documents before your loan is released:

• Notarized loan agreement (for Real & Other Properties Acquired [ROPA] accounts with house construction or home improvement)  
• Duly accomplished/notarized promissory note (for ROPA accounts with house construction or home improvement) for each loan release   
• Disclosure statement on loan transaction  
• Building plans/electrical/sanitary permits duly approved by building officials  

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to getting a Pag-IBIG house loan.
Step 1: Complete the following requirements: 

• Housing Loan Application  
• Vicinity Map of the Property  
• Proof of Income  
• Updated Tax Declaration and Tax Receipt  
• Valid IDs  
• Certified True Copy of Title  
• Additional requirement by Loan Purpose 

Step 2: Submit the soft copies of your Pag-IBIG Loan application and initial requirements on the official website. 

After this, you can submit the hard copies personally at your nearest Pag-IBIG fund branch or the Pag-IBIG Housing Business Center. 

Step 3: Receive the Notice of Approval (NOA) and Letter of Guarantee (LOG) when your application is approved. You’ll be informed where to claim your NOA and LOG.  

Step 4: Fulfill the requirements stated in your Notice of Approval within 90 calendar days. 

Step 5: After submitting your post-approval requirements, expect to receive your loan within 10 working days. Pag-IBIG will inform you where and when you may safely collect your loan. 

Step 6: Start paying for your loan exactly one month after its release date. 

Don’t forget to use your permanent housing loan account number (12-digit HLAN) when paying. You may settle your monthly amortization online through Virtual Pag-IBIG or accredited partner outlets and their online payment facilities. 

Bank Loan

A bank loan is the advance of a specified amount to an individual or business (the borrower) from a bank. This form of credit is often extended for a certain period and gains interest over time.  

Pros 

Bank loans have the quickest loaning options with a processing time of two weeks maximum before loan release. Various offers per bank provide flexible loan options that fit your housing goal, like fixed and lower interest rates and special promos. 

Cons 

The process of getting a bank loan can be more tedious and you will need to prepare a lot of documentary requirements. Interest rates may also increase faster, so you’ll also need to pay your loan faster. Most bank loans have a shorter loaning period of a maximum of 20 years.  

In-house Financing

With in-house financing, you take out a loan directly from the construction firm. This eliminates your reliance on third parties like banks and government agencies to build the house you want.  

Pros  

This is an easier alternative to the strict policies of banking institutions. In-house financing allows you to move into your home faster right after your loan is approved.  

Cons  

A loan through in-house financing takes the longest time to be processed. The application review can take up to three (3) months. Additionally, this loan option also has the highest interest, with a 14% to 18% rate.   

Agencies will offer you a loan if you qualify for the following general criteria:  

• A Philippine resident  
• Earn an income of at least ₱50,000 monthly for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu citizens, while ₱35,000 for other provinces (excluding affordable housing loan offers). 
• 21 to 65 years old upon loan maturity  
• For OFWs, a Special Power of Attorney must be presented along with a certificate of employment (COE) approved by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)  
• If you are a foreigner, you must meet the visa requirements and submit an Alien Certification of Registration. 
   

Now that you’ve been introduced to the different kinds of loans for building a house in the Philippines, here are some quick tips to consider before proceeding with your preferred loan: 

• Evaluate your current financial lifestyle. Even with an income higher than ₱50,000, can you fit a housing loan to your list of expenses? 
• Thoroughly calculate how much you’ll need. By this, you can ensure the exact amount you need for your home. 
• Settle any debts you haven’t paid off yet. 
• Save at least 24 months’ worth of income and allot this for your housing loan to avoid a faster interest rate increase.  
• Seek competent guidance from a real estate professional before applying for any loan. 

To summarize, here is a list of each loaning institution’s interest rates and loan amounts you can avail of: 

Loaning Institution	Processing Time	Loanable Amount	Interest Rate	Loaning Period
Pag-IBIG Housing Loan	Up to 2 months	Up to ₱6,000,000	5.75% to 9.88%	Up to 30 years
Bank Loans	Up to 2 weeks	Up to ₱5,000,000	5% to 12%	Up to 20 years
In-House Financing	2 to 3 months	Up to 80% of property value	14% to 18%	Up to 25 years

When in need of urgent funds for house construction or purchasing a built home, loans may be preferable rather than sourcing out from your account, especially if it risks the possibility of bankruptcy. However, keep an eye on the interest rates that increase the principal price to an overwhelming amount. 

Documents for House Construction

Even if you have your budget ready, you still can’t just start having your house constructed. There are requirements you need to fulfill before you can actually do that. The following section will get you acquainted with the documents and procedures required to legalize your home construction. 

DISCLAIMER: This section is not professional legal advice but is for general information purposes only and does not form an attorney-client relationship between the author and the reader. For any professional advice related to any legal issue or problem, contact your attorney or seek legal counsel. 

Ownership Documents

If you will be building a house on a lot that you have purchased from a previous owner or a real estate company, you need to acquire a Deed of Absolute Sale from them. Through this, the lot is legally transferred to your name, and you formally become the owner of the lot. 

On the other hand, if you will be building a house on a lot not registered to your name, you may secure a Contract of Rental, Contract of Lease, or Affidavit of Consent from the owner of the property.  

Based on the conditions noted in these documents, you are given the right to use the lot, even if you are not the legal owner of the property. 

For these documents, you may require the assistance of an attorney. 

Lot Plan

You must also secure the lot plan for the property where you will be building your house. This document visualizes the lot that you own, rent, or lease, and it’s what contractors can use to come up with design plans for your house. 

In producing the plan for your lot, you must ask for it to be surveyed. A surveyor will provide you with a technical description of the lot’s dimensions. These will serve as the basis for the lot plan. 

You do not need to pay to have your lot surveyed and to produce a lot plan. If you just purchased the land from the government or a private individual, the survey and plan are both the responsibilities of the seller, which they should do at no additional cost to you.

Tax Documents

If you will be constructing your home on a lot that you own, you need to prepare tax documents to obtain a title for your lot. This includes the latest Tax Declaration for your property, transfer tax receipts, a Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR), and a Realty Tax Certificate. 

A Tax Declaration is a document issued by the local government in your area that serves as the basis for the taxes that you need to pay for your property. This document will come with the transfer tax receipts associated with your property, which certify that you have paid the taxes on your house. 

The Tax Declaration is issued by the Assessor’s Office of your city or municipality. For this document, you will need any of the ownership documents you have obtained and the lot plan. You will also be paying a fee which will depend on the size and classification of your lot. 

The CAR and Realty Tax Certificate are issued by the regional branch of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The CAR certifies that you have paid other taxes associated with your property such as capital gains tax or donor’s tax. The Realty Tax Certificate attests that your property tax payments are up to date. 

Lot Title

If you will be building your house on a lot you have purchased or acquired, you need to secure the title for your lot. This document proves that you are the owner of the lot where your house will be built. 

This document gives you the right to use your property for any legal purposes, including the construction of your house. If you have not secured a title to your lot, you may get one through the Land Registration Authority.  

To be issued a title, you will need to present the following to your regional branch: 

• Letter of Request OR Transaction Application Form (TAF) 
• Valid government-issued ID 
• Deed of Absolute Sale 
• Lot Plan 
• Tax Declaration 
• Transfer Tax Receipts 
• Certificate Authorizing Registration (CAR) 
• Realty Tax Certificate 

Proceed with the application process as follows: 

1. Approach the Registration Information Officer (RIO) to check if you have the complete documents required for your transaction. 
2. Complete the TAF issued to you by the office. 
3. Submit complete documents and the TAF to the Entry Clerk. 
4. Wait for the Claim Assessment Slip (CAS). 
5. Proceed to the Cashier and pay the registration fee and IT fees indicated in the CAS. 
6. Receive your receipt and claim stub. 

You may then claim the title to your lot from the Releasing Clerk on the date indicated on your claim stub. 

Community Tax Certificate (Cedula)

You must secure a Community Tax Certificate (CTC) before constructing your house. This certificate, locally known as a “cedula,” is a legal identity document issued to you by the local government in your city or municipal hall. You will require this document for your Barangay Clearance. 

To secure a CTC, you will need the following: 

• Fully accomplished Community Tax Declaration Form issued to you by a city or municipal officer 
• Valid government-issued ID 
• Proof of Income 
• Pay slip 
• Community tax payment. The amount of the community tax you will pay depends on the income you earn and the locality your lot is in. 

Once you have presented these requirements, you will then be issued a CTC on the same day. 

Barangay Clearance

You must seek a Barangay Clearance specific for your house construction before you officially start. This document certifies that you are a resident of the particular barangay and proves that you do not have any bad records in the community. 

The Barangay Clearance is secured from your barangay hall. You will need to prepare the following: 

• Fully accomplished application form issued to you by a barangay officer 
• Community Tax Certificate 
• A fee, not more than ₱100, paid to the barangay treasurer 

You may claim your Barangay Clearance once you have accomplished these three requirements. 

Special Power of Attorney

You may obtain a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) to authorize a person of legal age, known as an attorney-in-fact, to act on your behalf under certain circumstances.  

Using this document, you can legally allow your attorney-in-fact to obtain any of the documents previously listed and oversee the construction of your house for you. 

The SPA is especially helpful if you will not be residing in the Philippines full-time, or if you cannot personally fulfill the requirements for constructing your house. 

In preparing your SPA, make sure of the following: 

1. Include details about yourself and your attorney-in-fact. These include name, civil status, nationality, and address. 
2. Clearly state the tasks that will be performed by your attorney-in-fact. 
3. Print a copy for yourself, your attorney-in-fact, and the notary public. 
4. You and your attorney-in-fact need to sign all copies of the SPA. Sign in the presence of at most two witnesses. 
5. The SPA needs to be notarized. Prepare a minimum of ₱500 in notarial fees.  

Soil Tests

You must ensure that the ground is sturdy enough to support your house before you work on its construction. A soil boring test or a plate loading test will be helpful, especially if your house will have three floors or more. 

Both tests check the bearing capacity and stability of the soil in response to disturbances such as building construction. You will need to contact a geologist to perform either of these tests. 

Building Permit

This government-issued document approves your home construction. Acquiring this permit is vital as you need to follow the National Building Code of the Philippines.  

Before proceeding to the steps, here are the requirements you will need.  

• Properly filled-up application forms duly signed and sealed by the engineers concerned
  • Building Permit Forms (5 copies) 
  • Electrical Permit Forms (3 copies) 
  • Sanitary Permit Forms (3 copies) 
• Five (5) complete sets of Detailed Plans 
• If your construction is a two-story building: 
  • Structural Design Analysis, signed and sealed by a civil engineer on every page 
• If your construction is a three-story building or higher: 
  • Boring and Plate Load Test 
  • Seismic Analysis 
• Proof of Property 
• Photocopy of Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) / Original Certificate of Title (OCT) 
• Photocopy of Tax Declaration of Property-Lot (certified true copy) (5 copies) 
• Photocopy of Current Tax Receipt (5 copies) 
• If the property is not registered under the name of the applicant: 
  • Submit 5 copies of any of the following: 
    • Contract of Lease 
    • Contract of Rental 
    • Affidavit of Consent of the Lot Owner for the construction of building/house 
    • Deed of Absolute Sale 
• Permit Billboard (0.60 X 0.90 plywood) 
• Bill of Materials and Specification (5 copies) – signed and sealed by an engineer or an architect on every page 
• Locational Clearance 
• Photocopy of PTR # and PRC license of all concerned engineers and architects 
• Clearance from the DPWH if the construction is located along a national highway 
• DOLE Clearance 

How To Get Your Building Permit

Once you have your requirements all set, you’re ready to head in and get your building permit. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can accomplish this:  

Step 1: Acquire the Requirements Checklist and Application Forms from the Office of the Building Official. 

You can get these forms in any city or municipal office. Your architect and project engineer may assist you with the following requirements to be completed. 

Step 2: Head to the Office of the Building Official to submit your requirements. After this, you’ll be instructed to go to the Assessor’s Office.  

Make sure to bring the documents stated and organize them into different folders. Each requirement needs to be approved with the official seal of your city or municipal office. 

Step 3: Receive the Acknowledgement Slip that indicates the date of and status of your building application. 

At the Assessor’s Office, you will be given the Acknowledgement Slip. After receiving this, wait for 10 days before returning for the results. 

Step 4: Return to the Assessor’s Office after 10 days to receive the result of your building application. 

Once your building application has been approved and certified under the National Building Code of the Philippines, you will receive an Order of Payment for the building permit fees from the Assessor’s Office. 

Step 5: Proceed to the Treasurer’s Office and present your Order of Payment there to pay your building permit fees. 

You can find the Treasurer’s Office within the city or municipal office. Pass your Order of Payment along with the fees needed. Prepare a minimum amount of ₱6,000, which may go higher or lower depending on the locality, construction size, and assessment plan. Fees in the provinces are often lower than in the cities. 

Step 6: Photocopy the Official Receipt, then submit it to the Office of Building Official’s releasing section.  

Step 7: Return to the Office of Building Official’s releasing section to claim your Building Permit. 

Wait for five working days to head back to the Office of Building Official’s releasing section to claim the building permit. 

After accomplishing all these steps and getting your Building Permit, you’re all set to begin construction on your home. It’s best to seek legal or professional advice from your lawyer, architect, or project manager regarding the requirements.  

How To Ensure Your House Is Built Up to Standard

Now that you have your budget and your documents ready, ensuring that you get your money’s worth in your home is crucial. 

A home that is of excellent quality means you won’t have to worry about any major repairs anytime soon. To ensure your home is built according to specifications, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Hire a home builder  

One way to guarantee this is to research about home builders. Not to be confused with construction companies, home builders oversee the construction plan and serve as a consultant when building your property. They function as your “supervisors” during the construction process, ensuring that work and materials quality are up to standard.  

Before hiring one, make sure you have a clear idea of how they work by checking out customer reviews and feedback.  

Being comfortable with the home builder is important to discuss repairs and changes with ease. Don’t be afraid to ask the home builders questions.  

Get third-party inspector assistance

Another way to ensure the best standard for your home is by hiring a third-party inspector. Inspectors can help you spot problems before you move in. They will double-check the house from top to bottom and will help you with information on anything you want to install.  

Having extra assistance with your home construction can be beneficial, allowing more detail-oriented discussions to ensure your home is built to your satisfaction. 

What Kind of House Can You Get for ₱1M or Less? 

If you’ve decided on purchasing an already-built house, there are some property locations that offer affordable housing. 

Check out places outside Metro Manila such as Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal. 

Properties in the provinces also offer first-rate features and amenities that are perfect for your convenience while being offered at a lower cost.    

The house and lot units are enough to accommodate a small family, with floor areas that are 25 x 56 square meters.  

What Kind of House Can You Get for ₱50K?

Compared to the one-million-peso homes in the market and considering the fluctuating cost of properties every year along with the construction materials, searching for a house selling for as low as ₱50,000 might be a nearly impossible task.  

Filipinos are known for innovative structures using budget materials such as coconuts, bamboo, cheaper wood, and substandard cement. But having a house constructed on such a budget will most likely leave you with a rough finish with cheaper materials that may not be the most durable.  

You’ll need to consider where the construction site will be, whether the location is flood-proof. You’ll also need to think about labor costs and how many square meters there are.   

If you’re aiming to construct a home, the best option is to save as much to attain the dream home with your money’s worth rather than compromise durability and a quality finish for a lower cost. Remember, you get what you pay for. 

Building a home requires constantly calculating the expenses to ensure you’re making the most out of your money. Costs may vary, so always research to settle on a fixed budget or loan. Whether you’re searching for a ready-built house or land to build your home on, Enta.ph can provide verified luxury properties fit to be your dream home.