When building your house, the construction team will work best when the weather is perfect, all the materials arrive on time and intact, and all the important people arrive on time. Unfortunately, residential construction projects do not always go as smoothly as planned; building a house can be very stressful. Many things could happen: the weather could take a turn for the worse, materials could arrive late or incomplete or the electrician could be held up at another job. A number of things could go wrong at any given time.

As the future homeowner, you have to realize that certain things need to happen before others. The foundation goes in before the roof; other things may be completed in a different order without creating many problems.

Here’s how to get your residential construction project started:

1. Financing: Before you start the process of building your home in the Philippines, take a look at your financing options. You might want to talk to your bank to ensure that you will be able to get the needed funds to start and complete your house. Don't forget to set the budget for features like the driveway, sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, blinds and maybe even some new furniture or appliances.

2. Planning: Normally, after arranging suitable financing, you then find a suitable lot and then a plan to suit your lot. But if there are no financial constraints, you can set your plan first and then find a lot that fits into your plan. Choose a plan that will suit your lifestyle and your budget. It’s very easy to go over the budget or choose a plan that looks ideal on paper but it may not necessarily suit your family.
You then hire an architect or a home designer to design a house for you.

3. Subdivision: Most subdivisions will require a set of plans because the developers often control many aspects of what goes into their subdivision. You have to determine if their building scheme is within your budget and lifestyle. Most subdivisions have to approve your building plan before you can apply for a building permit. Some subdivisions have many restrictions and others have none.

4. Buying a Lot: Put an offer on the lot, subject to financing and in certain cases, subject to the building scheme. 

5. Estimate: Get cost estimates needed to complete your residential construction project. Compare all the quotes to make sure they include the same materials and work. Don’t forget to check the quality of the materials. Have the materials checked by someone knowledgeable. Remember: cheaper is not always better.

6. Building Permit: After your plan has been approved by the developer of the subdivision, it’s now time to present your plans to City Hall to get your building permit.

7. Getting Organized: Use the time you have while waiting for the permit to get organized. Contact Meralco to get temporary electricity but if this takes too long, there is usually a friendly neighbor who will let you use their power for a small fee. You should contact all the skilled people you have selected to confirm at what stage of construction they need to come in to do their jobs.