Building a Home in Davao

[Tommy T.]

We paid several visits to the home site in the past two weeks. Fortunately there really has not been a lot of rain at the site so work continues fairly well.

Progress has stopped on the home part, for now, and has instead been focused on building the fence. None of us - contractor, foreman, us - ever considered the natural slope of the property. It has not proven to be a big hassle, but has required some adjustments in construction, mainly for aesthetic purposes. So, instead of the level fence we envisioned, it has some stair-stepping to allow for the slope. It looks nice and will be functional. As before, the foreman offers suggestions that almost always make a lot of sense for utility and appearance and we usually follow them.

Yesterday we brought along two roasted chickens, some pancit Canton, a couple bottles of soda and a big bottle of Jose Cuervo Tequila for the boys. We also quietly slipped a nice couple of small Christmas gifts to the foreman. We inspected the fencing and definitely could tell one guy's work from another - some was neat and almost western-looking in quality, while some of it looked like a kid slapped it together (but it was still sound, just sloppy in appearance). I made it a point to single out the good work and praised that worker and he beamed. But we both also thanked all the boys (10, I think?) for their good work anyway. Generally, it looks like quality construction and a lot better than what I have seen when driving around the city and looking at ongoing projects, both commercial and private.

Right side of the property with the fully 2 meter high hollow block fence. There will still be 1/2 meter of steel angle pieces on top with pointed and sharpened ends. It won't stop everyone, but it might make it more difficult for any would-be miscreants.

Looking across the home toward the back with the same right side wall from the previous photo.

The back part of the property hollow block fence. Sadly, we need to remove some lower branches of the beautiful, big mango tree.

 

[Tommy T.]

Yesterday L and I made our first visit to the home site since before Christmas. We knew that there was not a lot of work performed for almost two weeks since the foreman and most of the workers returned to their home provinces. That was okay with us because these guys work hard (mostly) and it's good to refresh with friends and family. We brought cold Cokes, chicharon and Tanduay - saying as always - Tanduay LATER!!!

The fence hollow block filing (block laying) is about finished. There was one section where we decided it required one more file (layer of hollow blocks) to make it look right, otherwise the appearance was a bit lopsided.

They have finally started putting up the house walls. Mostly the work looks good, but there were a few places where it looked sloppy and we pointed this out to the foreman (he was out of town longer than some of the workers). He assured us that the work would be improved. L is always working week days, but I plan on making more frequent visits to monitor the work now. We will continue to visit together on weekends. It's always good when my supervisor - L - goes along because, as a Filipina with experience on building her own home, she provides valuable insights and explains what is going on. We are both convinced that this home is more solid and well constructed than most buildings. Some of the ground floor electrical wiring has been roughed in.

We talk mostly with the foreman and only occasionally with the contractors - he is the one who knows exactly what is going on and is very intelligent. He pointed out that there were some measurement errors with the window contractor and the kitchen cabinet contractor and those will be addressed and fixed this week. It makes all the difference in the world to actually stand inside the house and then visualize the locations of appliances, fans, windows, etc. So we are making a number of adjustments now, while it is still easy - things like the locations of electrical outlets, the height of the laundry area partial wall, the location and styles of lights that we will buy and have them install. It is quite exciting and a bit scary as we move along more quickly with the build now.

Here are a few photos of the progress:

The downstairs guest bedroom being walled in now and the fence in the front. The hollow block fence will be topped here with 1.5 meter high angle steel with sharpened, pointed or "hooked" tips.

This will be the kitchen.

Overhead electric roughing in for lights and fans.

The inside wall for the ground floor guest bedroom with the outside wall in the background.

As all along, we are both quite pleased with the build so far. It is going a bit slower than we anticipated, but our continuous consultations with the foreman are fixing problems before they develop  and are also showing and permitting improvements.

Edited January 12, 2020 by Tommy T.
Fix grammar

[stevewool]

Exciting times , scary times, can’t believe it times , thought it would be quicker times, HOW MUCH times , yes it all sounds familiar 

[Tommy T.]

2 minutes ago, stevewool said:

Exciting times , scary times, can’t believe it times , thought it would be quicker times, HOW MUCH times , yes it all sounds familiar 

Thanks for that support, Steve! It has been good to see the progress on your renovation too. But I am getting a bit tired of it all and some "times" just look forward to sitting on the future comfy chair or couch, icy cold San Mig Light to one hand, one of my super bacon cheese burgers in the other hand watching a cool movie with L next to me as we drift off to sleep soon after and totally relaxed and done!

[stevewool]

Yesterday was a killer for me, the walls and ceiling was being rubbed down ready for paint AGAIN, and the dust was so thick covering everything, intact is was like snow had settled , and to top all this they cleaned up and started to put the first coat onto the walls and a stupid person then decided he would go and sweep the floor and the dust went onto to the wet paint, well I flipped and Emma’s famous words ‘It’s ok ‘. F in brother in law 

[graham59]

4 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

Thanks for that support, Steve! It has been good to see the progress on your renovation too. But I am getting a bit tired of it all and some "times" just look forward to sitting on the future comfy chair or couch, icy cold San Mig Light to one hand, one of my super bacon cheese burgers in the other hand watching a cool movie with L next to me as we drift off to sleep soon after and totally relaxed and done!

....Then comes the knock on the door from the uninvited relatives.  

[Tommy T.]

36 minutes ago, graham59 said:

....Then comes the knock on the door from the uninvited relatives.  

Yeah, Graham... you do make the point... here's my response, so far:

Maybe not... (we hope). L's relatives are mostly attuned to their rather renegade sibling, L... She has made it very clear to them that uninvited visits are also unwanted - and this was before I ever met her four years ago! These sorts of visits only happen very rarely now - as in once or twice yearly... Fortunately, none of them live in or near Davao, but further away in Banaybanay, Mati and Caraga... But sometimes one or two do venture forth here now and then. L is hospitable, but usually delivers a lecture at some point to let them know to not make this a habit - and they seem to respect that...mostly...

I have mentioned in other threads that L was very westernized in her thinking and personal customs long before I ever met her. That has just been her own way and another reason I love her...

So, we shall see. She has also told me that they, and any of her associates and friends , will respect the "rules" or customs of me as the foreigner financier of our home... It will be interesting to see, especially when I get the trained guard dog there!!! Stay tuned!
I try very hard to not "rule" the place or our relationship. I see it as a joint undertaking. However, she does like to use me as the "owner" of the house as leverage to make sure we won't receive uninvited guests. That's fine with me, so long as we don't alienate her relies or friends... 

Edited January 12, 2020 by Tommy T.

[hk blues]

39 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

However, she does like to use me as the "owner" of the house as leverage to make sure we won't receive uninvited guests. That's fine with me, so long as we don't alienate her relies or friends... 

That may be tough to pull off, Tom.  

[Tommy T.]

49 minutes ago, hk blues said:

That may be tough to pull off, Tom.  

You do make your point, HK... As mentioned before... we shall see. So far, so good for all of us!

Re-reading my previous post, I should have worded it to say that we don't alienate ALL her relies and friends... Maybe that is more achievable?

Edited January 12, 2020 by Tommy T.

[stevewool]

4 hours ago, graham59 said:

....Then comes the knock on the door from the uninvited relatives.  

These must have manners, I’ve never heard a knock at all, just shouts and silly giggles .