This month is one of the very exciting part of my life as a mother. It is not only me who is very excited but also my husband. Although my schedule is so tight, I wanted to spare some time in posting updates of our upcoming home improvement. Last year I shared about our Home improvement plans. We were not able to accomplish it last year because of certain reasons such as the availability of the broadband connection and I also got pregnant. Now the home improvement will about to start this coming week.
It was year 2010 when hubby and I decided to look for a house and lot. Now we’ve already bought this house through Pag-ibig housing loan. We choose the bare-type house so we can design the interior architecture of our own house and the cost is lower compared to a fully furnish house. There is an extra lot at the side of our house where we can build house extension in the future and good area for my gardening. I wanted a single detached house but the subdivision is townhouse-style like in row houses so my hubby and I choose the end unit with extra lot.
Why we choose Las Palmas subdivision in Caypombo, Sta. Maria, Bulacan? First, I have fellow friends there and what made us choose this location is that my husband has relatives residing also in the subdivision. This location is flood-free, the subdivision was already developed, very near to the commercial sites like market, mall (Waltermart, Puregold), very accessible (there are bus route Garden-Baclaran Edsa- near the gate of the subdivision), 30- 45 minutes away from Balintawak, Quezon City, accessible to schools and church.
The photo above is the inside of our house and the home improvement will start this coming week. It was more than a year ago when I created the draft of our home. With the help of our contractor Engr. Ramon Panaligan, we have made minor revisions and changes to the first draft.
Before we started the home improvement, we completed the requirements for the construction permit and paid for the construction bond of Php 20, 000.
Plan requirements for application of construction bond in Las Palmas subdivision
- Site Development plan
- Architectural plan (Ground floor plan, 2nd Floor plan, front elevation, rear elevation, left side elevation, right side elevation)
- Structural plan (foundation, columns, beams, slab)
- Electrical and plumbing plan (if required)
I prayed that may God help us with the home improvement. May He shower strength, power and willingness to our contractor that the home improvement will be done in a very good way. May He shower blessings and guidance for our family. Next post in home improvement is about the details of the first part of the home improvement.
How about you? How was your experience with your home improvement?
traveling morion says
I can relate to this- We just transferred to our new house and i experience same processing of docs and permits 🙂
Jonathan Diesta says
Wow. that is a great idea of a house renovation. keep it up.
Jem Alvarado says
Thank you.
marri says
I know you and your husband will be blessed even more because you know how to prioritize and manage your family. I want to congratulate both of you for having this home improvement in the process. I’m sure, it will be finished in no time.
Jem Alvarado says
Thank you. I am really wishing that it will be finished.
gil camporazo says
I am not familiar with this bare-type house. I am used to select a house design and then to be constructed to a lot for sale, funded by housing plan like the Pag-ibig. Yours is different. Besides, you’ve sufficient money to finance your desired housing type from scratch, I think, for it is not yet fully developed. Do I say it right?
Jem Alvarado says
We wanted to buy a lot then have it constructed by our chosen house design but the problem is the availability of lot with greenery accessible to NCR is very rare nowadays and the price cost too much. We like the idea of Solar resources developer that they build the community townhouse first that are ready for occupancy and you have the option if you are going to buy a fully-furnished house or bare-type house or with extra lot.
Franc Ramon says
It must be exciting seeing the house almost complete. Nice choice of location since it’s near the areas you need.
mommy peach says
I’m very excited for you, Jem! Sana kami rin, makapagpagawa na ng house, soon.
Jem Alvarado says
Super exciting talaga Peach :). For sure makakapagpagawa na rin kayo, start nyo na magplan kasi nagstart lang talaga kami sa plano.
ralph says
i would probably would also want to choose how the interior of my house would be. since we depend it to the needs of our family… congrats jem… may our Lord blessed it with lots of joy for your family.
Jem Alvarado says
Thank you Ralph :).
Jam says
wow.. I hope to visit your house Tita when it is already done! 🙂 And I have someone to visit in Bulacan, finally! God will provide.
Jem Alvarado says
Sure Jam. Super madali lang pumunta I keep on praying na maayos na sya :).
Bon Burgos says
Hi esupermommy magkapit bahay tayo! Next year naman ang construction ng bare type namin. Ganda ng lot nyo…:)
Jem Alvarado says
Hi Bon,
Thanks! Malapit lapit na rin kaming makalipat.
Iris says
Hi Jem,
I am familiar with Las Palmas.
Isn’t it more costly to buy a bare-type unit then do the home improvements than buying a finished-type one?
Thank you for sharing your excitement and experience with us. 😉
Jem Alvarado says
Hi Iris,
Yes It is costly but upon completing the construction of the bare-type house is more durable and sturdy because you can choose the materials to be used compared to their finished house model.
Elli Alvarez says
Hi Ms. Jem, I wonder if you can recommend your contractor to me. like you, i also choose the bare type house in las palmas and i want to start the home improvement now. my problem is i dont know how to start because i dont have a contractor yet. i hope you could recommend a trustworthy contractor like what you had. thank you and God bless!
Jem Alvarado says
Hi Eli,
Actually our home in Las Palmas is still unfinished. The latest that was done in our home have issues with our contractor. There is a purpose why it happened. We are currently living in Cavite. Our house in Las Palmas was partially finished. Our relatives live for a minimal rental fee. Good luck to your house construction. My advise for you is to have an initial plan of the house renovation that you wanted.
* Make sure that the lines of water service is properly attached.
* Double check the location of septic tank (it should be in standard size), also the tubes (should be standard size or bigger to prevent bara) connecting to it from the toilet. It should be easy to access just in case you need to fix something.
* Plan ahead the electrical outlets and the location of the lights, refrigerator, aircon, washing machine, and other electrical appliances that needs fix electrical socket, include that in the plans.
* Make sure that the roofs are sealed to avoid leaks when there is a rain.
* To lessen the heat during sunny days, I suggest you to install a PEP insulation under the roofing, usually under the roofs under in the ceiling.
* Optional: Install a small louver in the ceiling so that the heat or steam coming from the roof during sunny days will freely pass through the opening of the small louver (hindi masyado mainit).
You need to list down the materials and try to canvass the cost para at least hindi kayo basta maloloko ng contractor kasi you know the cost… Isa pa be nice to the contractor at busugin nyo sila.. So far yung bahay namin sa Cavite na pinagawa maayos kasi yung list na mentioned ko above ang ginawa namin at talagang binusog namin sila. Ang outcome maganda ang yari ng bahay namin at walang palpak sa pinagawa namin. Thank God!
Here’s Our Home in Cavite
Angie says
Hello, nag-loan po ba kayo for the Home Renovation? Binayaran niyo po ba muna in full yung bahay bago kayo nagpa-renovate? Waaaah sana po mabasa niyo pa rin ito. Thanks.
Jem Alvarado says
Hello Angie,
Hindi po kami nagloan for home renovation from ipon po. Hindi pa rin po fully paid ang bahay still paying the monthly pero soon we will pay in full po.