I agree that Paul and Baby Mae's build raised multiple red flags, and as Calvin noted, it’s critical to be on-site daily to monitor progress. Additionally, it’s always wise to pay in stages as construction progresses, rather than in one lump sum. While Paul followed this approach, there was at least one instance in Dumaguete where someone paid everything upfront-a clear risk.
Excellent advice Calvin. I liked the tone and seriousness of your voice and expression to drive the crucial point home. I had a 32 year old civil/structural engineer, with a masters degree, who also taught civil engineering at Visayan State University, whose father was a builder, master electrician, plumber, carpenter3 and contractor for 38 years, build our house. The father and son duo did a quality job in constructing our house according to the floor plan that my wife and I drew up. We had an architect fine tune it and sign off on the plan. Everything you mentioned is accurate. A reputable licensed contractor, engineer and architect is a must.
We were lucky. Our contractor was our barangay captain. Had the inside road to get all the permits. Did lots of the work himself--plumping, electrical, ect. House cost us 2 million peso but he probably saved us a half of a million. Also his workers were either relatives or locals.
I loved those videos of the house build. You, being there, kept everything moving and documented the process. Having the foreman on site also kept things moving. Sure, it was not a cheap build, but sometimes you get what you pay for from the Planning, through construction to the blessing. One last note: Buy the workers a second hammer and shovel. They need more than one on site.
@@calroach1 Absolutely. We had a manufacturing plant with about 300 employees and to save money, the plant manager decided to remove the cafeteria. He thought it was a waste of money. When everyone had to bring in their own lunch(the workers), or leave the plant(the managers), productivity dropped. It was obvious from the production charts when the cafeteria was removed. The result is that they had to bring back the cafeteria even if it offered a marginal hot meal for ~$4. The cost of the cafeteria was more than made up by the increased productivity. Right on Calvin, you planned this building process very well.
I guess I'm the rare exception.. it took me 6mos to study Filipino building code (U.S. code is way more stringent) and 6mos to engineer the structure.. did it in my spare time while working construction building embassies/consulates.. I admit that I was not here for the structure, but I was able to monitor it through my Filipina and fired a few crews for breaking contract. Finally over here and things are going quick minus supply and weather issues. But, you're right, if you don't have construction experience better hire experienced Filipinos.. and definitely get that building permit.
That thing with Pauly and babe Mae's an unfortunate event getting scammed here isn't fun ask me about getting scammed Ive gotten carnapped already, sold a stolen vehicle once, summed to court already civil case, my safe was robbed once using the key, married to this bar chick and family was poaching me whenever they could caught up on a lot of it.. I've been here since 2014 retired US Navy in 2011, 53 going 54, cannot walk handicap disabled totally housebound bedridden since about 20 months ago only. Tell me about your situations that you had here? I'm still standing and get paid every month even my ex threatened to take my VA pension from me in 2018 and actually tried to pursue it with ba plan to debt me $13k with manila RO...I busted them thats why we don't have a financial officer and Regional officer adjuncit anymore here in manila Philippines I busted his ass hard
I remember when you first thought about building the house, then got the contractors to build it. There was one contractor that did not work out, but you did your due diligence and got your house done right.
I only had one contractor for our home and never considered anyone else. I did run into some problems with the first guy we hired off the street to build our fence.
Your woman is your most important player in the Philippines. She should know how things work there. One of the main things to look for in a woman is her street smarts. If your woman does not have street smarts, good luck to surviving in the Philippines. Sometimes, sellers target my wife thinking she will be an easier target not knowing what level of scrutiny they have walked into. I love my wife for it. She gets it from her mother, who seems to know how to extract work from workers. I saw it in action when building our extension. She didn't leave the workers' side and chastised them when she thought they were being lazy. If she wasn't looking then my wife was. I would often observe but obviously I would communicate through my wife and mother-in-law. With those two, I had no chance of being scammed by the workers. I was surprised at those guys getting scammed. Building permits and all that, elementary stuff. I had to question how comes the Filipinas didn't have a clue about what to do or at least know anyone who did. Choosing a woman without education/street smarts is another big expense expats don't account for.
Great video mate. We also built our home here with a Filipino Engineer and his workers. Finished on time and within budget after we agreed on some changes throughout construction. Keep the advice coming 👍🏼
Asked a trusted UA-camr for advise on a Property agent. He recommended another UA-camr, I watch them on UA-cam, seemed like a good person, good family, upstanding person in the community, first showing tried to rip me off...LOL.
Hi, Calvin. The 2 most important points you stated that made your build successful is, #1.... being there, #2.... is that you had your wife that knew the business. Now, a foreigner could be there and hire Filipinos to do all the work and still get taken. From the contractor to material cost to the labor. A foreigner there by himself is going to get taken. Now, never pay totally upfront until complete. I even advise that in the states. But by you having a wife that knows the business tremendously helped your situation and at the end of the day we know foreigners can't own land, so the house is for all those around you. That's a huge reason why your situation went the way it did. Just my respectful opinion.
A lot of elementary mistakes were made. They had no building permit. There was no clear title or even a deed of sale. They trusted this man totally and it cost them. I feel bad for them.
@@calroach1good you had the right advice, just a note that all of the relevant laws are online, in English, on Chan Robles website. Some good advice, due diligence with all boxes checked, up to date tax receipts, site survey, caveats & liens checks, access surety, flood zones, bridges which wash out every year.
@@Ghekko-kw3zz That's very true.. I'm building on my Filipina's family's land and they are highly respected family in the Barangay.. I don't own the land, but I'm the only one on the building permit and the house title will be in my name. I own the house despite not owning the land. It's a bit of security for the future for me.. so if her or her family want me to leave, they're gonna have to pay up by Filipino law.. I'm not married to her though so that's another factor to consider. Also, to get the building permit in my name, her parents had to sign off on it.. approving me to build.
@@calroach1I agree with what you said on that I mean some of that stuff should have been common sense you can't build in the United States without building permits or deeds what makes a person think they would be any different in the Philippines and using a foreigner to build house in Philippines should have been a red flag in itself they should had vetted the builder better than that most importantly they definitely should have been in the country while their house was being built great video have a great day
construction manager for 40 yrs. follow normal building practices like you would anywhere, including legal (a BOND, if they DEFAULT). they have the same practices everywhere I've been (10+ countries everywhere), and hire inspector especially if you know don't building WITH DAILY REPORTS. Don't need to repeat everything. Good job Sunshine!!!
You did your house right. A little research, you can find good engineers and contractors in your area. The best is to find one that can di everything. Deeds, paperwork, permits and the building itself. I don't know what Pauls issue was, if he was in a hurry. 6 months is not enough time to build with all permits in the Philippines. That was a red flag. 6 months? Fantasy land.
bottom line is you need to watch and supervise your build like a hawk. I have many wealthy philippino friends that build and that is there number 1 thing they do. Get your own lawyer , check your own paperwork, be responsible for your own build, if you can't be there don't build period.
You're right Calvin. These women don't have any experience in the house building process. If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't be building a house, period.
I hope Paul Old Dog New Tricks read the comment I left under his video from 2 weeks ago because I mentioned you and ROCKK En-GINEERING and wrote that he should consult with you and watch your home construction videos.
@@calroach1 No point in sugar coating why men are in the Philippines its not about the cost of living the food is crap the dirt the pollution etc. But its 1 of the easiest countries in the world for men to get their rocks off because of the level of poverty. That's why i go to the Philippines also im just being honest.
Did you have permit for your guest house build? I’ve been told you only need a permit for the main house, but I don’t believe that, so I hired a lawyer and engineer to help go through the process. Great content.
There's so many con artists these days. We should be as cautious about trying to avoid being scammed as much as trying to avoid getting into an accident, but it's natural to want to believe that people are honest. Oh, And don't forget to cross your eyes and dot your teeth. 😂
I do agree that you need to keep people honest and let them know that they're in arms distance. When building a house over there you need to be smart or have smarter people around you.
I live on SAMAL ISLAND had our house built when living in the U.S. yes its better to live there we had relatives try and keep up with a lot of luck we got it done a little over our amount of money and not built on time windows had to be redone cheap materials my wife went to school with the engineer his first house every thing is good now and i feel for the most part we did good its better to own its yours to enjoy and do what you want hearing your story you did very good alot will learn the hard way.😢
there is only 1 problem I see with this. A foreigner cannot own a house and land in the Philippines. If yoru.wife decides she does not like the way things are going... all shes gotta say is 'Get out of my house' 😮 Its not paradise owning a house in the Philippines.
@@calroach1 there are hubdreds of thousands maybe even millions who get scammed by contractors in the philippines, even relatives scam each other, your numbers prove my point. theres no guarantee you wont get scammed no matter how u vet them, unless you hire a contractor from a huge firm who will charge you triple
I'm not involved in that so this is purely my opinion and speculation...but this is a perfect prescription for a tandem motorcycle hit squad. Hope I'm wrong but if I were that contractor I'd be looking over my shoulder.
You act like Kno everything I built a 2 floor house, managed myself I bought all the materials, had one Pinoy hired the help, I managed the money and pay we had hardly any permits and baranguy coverage, so your big huss about everything, nobody wants to build you get pressed by your spouse usually, foreigners usually don't want any of that are fine renting you Kno why because it's cheaper and financially smarter. A foreigner can't own the land how do say you own ? You don't anything in front of you remember that your wife owns the land and everything you spent on it, any legal battle you lose.
I'm just trying tell you like it is no forieners want to get involved building new on land because it's a headache and there is nothing there in investment. Rather rent rent for lots of reasons one of them is what if all Americans get recall back to USA mandatory what are you going to do with your investment? How are you writing the paperwork saying your the owner of cannot your the funder of materials and the land not the owner of it. Its just obvious and everyone knows that.
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I agree that Paul and Baby Mae's build raised multiple red flags, and as Calvin noted, it’s critical to be on-site daily to monitor progress. Additionally, it’s always wise to pay in stages as construction progresses, rather than in one lump sum. While Paul followed this approach, there was at least one instance in Dumaguete where someone paid everything upfront-a clear risk.
Yes. Incremental payments are the standard practice there.
Excellent advice Calvin. I liked the tone and seriousness of your voice and expression to drive the crucial point home. I had a 32 year old civil/structural engineer, with a masters degree, who also taught civil engineering at Visayan State University, whose father was a builder, master electrician, plumber, carpenter3 and contractor for 38 years, build our house. The father and son duo did a quality job in constructing our house according to the floor plan that my wife and I drew up. We had an architect fine tune it and sign off on the plan. Everything you mentioned is accurate. A reputable licensed contractor, engineer and architect is a must.
Excellent advice I am hanging on to your every WORD Calvin.
We were lucky. Our contractor was our barangay captain. Had the inside road to get all the permits. Did lots of the work himself--plumping, electrical, ect. House cost us 2 million peso but he probably saved us a half of a million. Also his workers were either relatives or locals.
I loved those videos of the house build. You, being there, kept everything moving and documented the process. Having the foreman on site also kept things moving. Sure, it was not a cheap build, but sometimes you get what you pay for from the Planning, through construction to the blessing. One last note: Buy the workers a second hammer and shovel. They need more than one on site.
And feed them.
@@calroach1 HI Calvin. What camera do you tape with?
@tikka8218 an Oppo12 cell phone 😅
Thanks mate. Love to meet you one day if I'm ever over that way.
@@calroach1 Absolutely. We had a manufacturing plant with about 300 employees and to save money, the plant manager decided to remove the cafeteria. He thought it was a waste of money. When everyone had to bring in their own lunch(the workers), or leave the plant(the managers), productivity dropped. It was obvious from the production charts when the cafeteria was removed. The result is that they had to bring back the cafeteria even if it offered a marginal hot meal for ~$4. The cost of the cafeteria was more than made up by the increased productivity. Right on Calvin, you planned this building process very well.
I guess I'm the rare exception.. it took me 6mos to study Filipino building code (U.S. code is way more stringent) and 6mos to engineer the structure.. did it in my spare time while working construction building embassies/consulates.. I admit that I was not here for the structure, but I was able to monitor it through my Filipina and fired a few crews for breaking contract. Finally over here and things are going quick minus supply and weather issues. But, you're right, if you don't have construction experience better hire experienced Filipinos.. and definitely get that building permit.
Thanks!
That thing with Pauly and babe Mae's an unfortunate event getting scammed here isn't fun ask me about getting scammed Ive gotten carnapped already, sold a stolen vehicle once, summed to court already civil case, my safe was robbed once using the key, married to this bar chick and family was poaching me whenever they could caught up on a lot of it.. I've been here since 2014 retired US Navy in 2011, 53 going 54, cannot walk handicap disabled totally housebound bedridden since about 20 months ago only. Tell me about your situations that you had here? I'm still standing and get paid every month even my ex threatened to take my VA pension from me in 2018 and actually tried to pursue it with ba plan to debt me $13k with manila RO...I busted them thats why we don't have a financial officer and Regional officer adjuncit anymore here in manila Philippines I busted his ass hard
Thanks
Great advice Sir, so much common sense.
Great video Bro.Calvin!
Love the T/Shirt.
I watched all your videos during your house build. I also recommended other vloggers contact you before they build.
Good morning to you enjoy the day.
Have a nice day brother.
Listen to this man. He knows what he is saying.
Great info Calvin !
Very important video. Thank you for sharing.
Great vlog brother Calvin. You gotta inspect what you expect.
Let’s go ! This is good information
I remember when you first thought about building the house, then got the contractors to build it. There was one contractor that did not work out, but you did your due diligence and got your house done right.
I only had one contractor for our home and never considered anyone else. I did run into some problems with the first guy we hired off the street to build our fence.
Very good advice bro!!!
Your woman is your most important player in the Philippines. She should know how things work there. One of the main things to look for in a woman is her street smarts. If your woman does not have street smarts, good luck to surviving in the Philippines. Sometimes, sellers target my wife thinking she will be an easier target not knowing what level of scrutiny they have walked into. I love my wife for it. She gets it from her mother, who seems to know how to extract work from workers. I saw it in action when building our extension. She didn't leave the workers' side and chastised them when she thought they were being lazy. If she wasn't looking then my wife was. I would often observe but obviously I would communicate through my wife and mother-in-law. With those two, I had no chance of being scammed by the workers. I was surprised at those guys getting scammed. Building permits and all that, elementary stuff. I had to question how comes the Filipinas didn't have a clue about what to do or at least know anyone who did. Choosing a woman without education/street smarts is another big expense expats don't account for.
Once I saw her and her sister dancing on those lives I had to question EVERYTHING going on over there...
Great video mate. We also built our home here with a Filipino Engineer and his workers. Finished on time and within budget after we agreed on some changes throughout construction. Keep the advice coming 👍🏼
Asked a trusted UA-camr for advise on a Property agent. He recommended another UA-camr, I watch them on UA-cam, seemed like a good person, good family, upstanding person in the community, first showing tried to rip me off...LOL.
😮
Alot of UA-camrs don't know much, Calvin is giving the best advice. Don't trust anyone, we have a few rotten contractors in Canada.
Spoken like an insurance man!
Well said Calvin.
Great advice Calvin 👍 When I build my Filipina a house I will use your engineer 💯
Hi, Calvin. The 2 most important points you stated that made your build successful is, #1.... being there, #2.... is that you had your wife that knew the business. Now, a foreigner could be there and hire Filipinos to do all the work and still get taken. From the contractor to material cost to the labor. A foreigner there by himself is going to get taken. Now, never pay totally upfront until complete. I even advise that in the states. But by you having a wife that knows the business tremendously helped your situation and at the end of the day we know foreigners can't own land, so the house is for all those around you. That's a huge reason why your situation went the way it did. Just my respectful opinion.
A lot of elementary mistakes were made. They had no building permit. There was no clear title or even a deed of sale. They trusted this man totally and it cost them. I feel bad for them.
It's also if your wife is a local, from an established family, vs new in town.
@@calroach1good you had the right advice, just a note that all of the relevant laws are online, in English, on Chan Robles website. Some good advice, due diligence with all boxes checked, up to date tax receipts, site survey, caveats & liens checks, access surety, flood zones, bridges which wash out every year.
@@Ghekko-kw3zz That's very true.. I'm building on my Filipina's family's land and they are highly respected family in the Barangay.. I don't own the land, but I'm the only one on the building permit and the house title will be in my name. I own the house despite not owning the land. It's a bit of security for the future for me.. so if her or her family want me to leave, they're gonna have to pay up by Filipino law.. I'm not married to her though so that's another factor to consider. Also, to get the building permit in my name, her parents had to sign off on it.. approving me to build.
@@calroach1I agree with what you said on that I mean some of that stuff should have been common sense you can't build in the United States without building permits or deeds what makes a person think they would be any different in the Philippines and using a foreigner to build house in Philippines should have been a red flag in itself they should had vetted the builder better than that most importantly they definitely should have been in the country while their house was being built great video have a great day
construction manager for 40 yrs. follow normal building practices like you would anywhere, including legal (a BOND, if they DEFAULT). they have the same practices everywhere I've been (10+ countries everywhere), and hire inspector especially if you know don't building WITH DAILY REPORTS. Don't need to repeat everything. Good job Sunshine!!!
I might add Filipino engineers are some of the best in the world....worked with many of them
You did your house right. A little research, you can find good engineers and contractors in your area. The best is to find one that can di everything. Deeds, paperwork, permits and the building itself. I don't know what Pauls issue was, if he was in a hurry. 6 months is not enough time to build with all permits in the Philippines. That was a red flag. 6 months? Fantasy land.
Yo Calvin, you clearly look like a G for Genius. Those others won't give you credit. I will. You did that shit. Keep keeping it 💯
How much is homes insurance?
bottom line is you need to watch and supervise your build like a hawk. I have many wealthy philippino friends that build and that is there number 1 thing they do. Get your own lawyer , check your own paperwork, be responsible for your own build, if you can't be there don't build period.
You're right Calvin. These women don't have any experience in the house building process. If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't be building a house, period.
Is there title insurance in the Philippines?
Talk to a lawyer.
Calvin. When is your next Meet and Greet? Keep me posted. From Quezon City....
Ok.
Also our second house was 10 meters from our first house where were living.
Karma is something. Sometimes, the things you do to others come right to st your door steps.
I have the Deed 100% in my name.
I hope Paul Old Dog New Tricks read the comment I left under his video from 2 weeks ago because I mentioned you and ROCKK En-GINEERING and wrote that he should consult with you and watch your home construction videos.
You have been getting your rocks off since you moved to the Philippines.
That's why we travel to the Philippines.
Mind your own business.
😂😂@@calroach1
@@calroach1 No point in sugar coating why men are in the Philippines its not about the cost of living the food is crap the dirt the pollution etc.
But its 1 of the easiest countries in the world for men to get their rocks off because of the level of poverty.
That's why i go to the Philippines also im just being honest.
Great advice Calvin. Very informative.
Did you use the type of wood that termite resistant
Our home is 95% cement and hollow blocks. Only the doors are made of wood.
The reason I asked because David campbell had to remove the wood around their doors because of termite damage
Termite damage is no joke...ruined my grandparents-in-law's home. They probably built it in the 50s. I think you can get a spray for it.
Great info and facts brother Calvin 👍 keep it going
Did you have permit for your guest house build? I’ve been told you only need a permit for the main house, but I don’t believe that, so I hired a lawyer and engineer to help go through the process. Great content.
When you're in roam do as the roamers do.
91 days is a great time for a build....who did u use?
Rock Engineering jobs in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Thanks for the information
🎉
Good morning Calvin
Good morning Roger!
There's so many con artists these days. We should be as cautious about trying to avoid being scammed as much as trying to avoid getting into an accident, but it's natural to want to believe that people are honest.
Oh, And don't forget to cross your eyes and dot your teeth. 😂
I do agree that you need to keep people honest and let them know that they're in arms distance. When building a house over there you need to be smart or have smarter people around you.
Schadenfreude is Not a good emotion Calvin
I live on SAMAL ISLAND had our house built when living in the U.S. yes its better to live there we had relatives try and keep up with a lot of luck we got it done a little over our amount of money and not built on time windows had to be redone cheap materials my wife went to school with the engineer his first house every thing is good now and i feel for the most part we did good its better to own its yours to enjoy and do what you want hearing your story you did very good alot will learn the hard way.😢
Who got scammed?
Old dog Paul....
Haha…..”have your ass here in the Philippines” keeping it one hundred and nitty gritty
I just bought a renovated 3 bedroom 2 bath house in panabo city it cost me 2 million pesos the house is fine and we have clear title.
The contractors girlfriend is a lawyer and she's in on it too😮😮
Scary....
Old guys in dumagete think they know it all ,that's the first mistake
there is only 1 problem I see with this. A foreigner cannot own a house and land in the Philippines. If yoru.wife decides she does not like the way things are going... all shes gotta say is 'Get out of my house' 😮 Its not paradise owning a house in the Philippines.
Another broke genius on UA-cam practicing Filipino law without a license .
👍🏿
And they fafo as well, they knew, but they was going off ppl words...smfh
calvin is just lucky he met an honest contractor, while paul met a scamming contractor
There are thousands of expats who built houses that got "lucky." You sound like an armchair bro 😃
@@calroach1 there are hubdreds of thousands maybe even millions who get scammed by contractors in the philippines, even relatives scam each other, your numbers prove my point. theres no guarantee you wont get scammed no matter how u vet them, unless you hire a contractor from a huge firm who will charge you triple
@boyscout-p3u this vlog was about my experience. Anything can happen anytime and anywhere.
😂😂
Haha 😆
I'm not involved in that so this is purely my opinion and speculation...but this is a perfect prescription for a tandem motorcycle hit squad. Hope I'm wrong but if I were that contractor I'd be looking over my shoulder.
You act like Kno everything I built a 2 floor house, managed myself I bought all the materials, had one Pinoy hired the help, I managed the money and pay we had hardly any permits and baranguy coverage, so your big huss about everything, nobody wants to build you get pressed by your spouse usually, foreigners usually don't want any of that are fine renting you Kno why because it's cheaper and financially smarter. A foreigner can't own the land how do say you own ? You don't anything in front of you remember that your wife owns the land and everything you spent on it, any legal battle you lose.
Good for you. Do you want a pat on the back. This vlog is about my build not yours. Post your own video. Thanks for the algorithm.
Calvin did it right, you don't throw money around over here unless your looking for issues.
User name checks out. :)
I'm just trying tell you like it is no forieners want to get involved building new on land because it's a headache and there is nothing there in investment. Rather rent rent for lots of reasons one of them is what if all Americans get recall back to USA mandatory what are you going to do with your investment? How are you writing the paperwork saying your the owner of cannot your the funder of materials and the land not the owner of it. Its just obvious and everyone knows that.
@@calroach1 ya I want a pat on the back. ,😁
I thought Americans can't own property ??? So who's name is your house in ???
You can't own land, BUT you can own the house.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Calvin. I think what happened in Dumagutete is a tip of th eiceberg.
It is not necessary to yell.
Create your own videos and mind your own business.
Calvin bro… well said.💯
Some people are not only stupid, but goddamn lazy, period!🙄🤔🇬🇧