Building a Home in Davao

[Tommy T.]

21 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Regarding the tiles, I will re-emphasize the importance of getting some non-slip tiles for the key areas that might get wet or damp.  This is especially important for older people who often have brittle bones!  When we did our covered front porch, we choose some tiles that have a slight texture to them and I thought that would be good enough.  It is not.  They are very slippery when wet.

Thanks for the reminder. I will be sure to put some non-slip rubber beneath a few rugs in the areas prone to be wet from dish washing or coming in from outside. I was a pro with this on the yacht so just need to find the non-skid in the stores...

I really don't need to perform any "ally oooppp" maneuvers... 

Edited September 5, 2020 by Tommy T.

[RBM]

47 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

Yes, Jack, absolutely! I have received so many really good suggestions here on this forum that I don't know where to start thanking all the members!

Great you obvious appreciate the input Tommy. For sure we all are enjoying your build and these posts will be most helpful to future house builders.

Must say I do admire your perseverance and patience, having done same on a smaller scale its a challenge.

[Tommy T.]

1 minute ago, RBM said:

Great you obvious appreciate the input Tommy. For sure we all are enjoying your build and these posts will be most helpful to future house builders.

Must say I do admire your perseverance and patience, having done same on a smaller scale its a challenge.

And then L wonders why I drink so much Tanduay! I am not always so patient, RBM, but I try. Yeah... I have picked up a lot of really great ideas along the way as there are many experts in this forum.

It always seems to be two steps forward and at least one step back... I would be lost without L's perseverance and attitude that things must be right. Her background with already building a home helps enormously. She knows when and how to call bulls**t when she sees it. We are also fortunate to have a cool foreman overseeing the work. He is often overwhelmed because he does the work and acts as supervisor - two tough jobs. So we try to help out and steer him and point out things that require attention. The home will be far from perfect, but it will be the best possible with our budget. We will be pleased in any case...

[Yeochief]

4 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

why I drink so much Tanduay!

Tommy we know why you really drink so much Tanduay, https://ph.tanduay.com/calendar-girls/

[Tommy T.]

Today was a solo trip to the home. L is super busy with school and not feeling well either...

The sparky was there, the kitchen cabinet guys were there and the glass guys were there.

I yelled at the main glass guy about why is it taking so long? He does not seem to get much support from his company. So I suggested that I can feel that too, so help me feel better and give me a price cut for my patience for waiting so long for your work to be done? He' actually a really nice guy so I didn't actually yell at him but I told him to tell his boss that I did - for emphasis...

The cabinet guys removed all the offending cabinets since they all had pink in one or more parts. L was like a bulldog and insisted that they make all new ones for us since re-assembled units would be like used... They agreed to that.

The sparky is moving right along with two helpers now. Today he was leading internet, cable TV cable and CCTV cable to our "library" (second guest bedroom that we doubt will ever be used for guests) which will really be the office. Internet connection is good and sooooo much better than the wireless from cell towers. I will be spoiled soon...

The fence is getting painted. I was assured that they will do two coats of the epoxy primer...

And today I had the landlord's kid here load up the car with maybe 8 boxes of stuff and I carted that over to the home and the boys there loaded it all into the library, which will be locked from now on.

Things are moving along and, like when I was preparing to go sailing many years ago, it all seems to be getting its own momentum. Sometimes I feel like we just need to hang on while the project careens toward the successful conclusion...

[Tommy T.]

19 minutes ago, Yeochief said:

Tommy we know why you really drink so much Tanduay, https://ph.tanduay.com/calendar-girls/

Shhhh... I will be killed if L ever finds out!!!

[intrepid]

30 minutes ago, Yeochief said:

Tommy we know why you really drink so much Tanduay, https://ph.tanduay.com/calendar-girls/

How many of those girls come with a case of Tanduay?  I just might start drinking

Edited September 5, 2020 by intrepid

[Tommy T.]

41 minutes ago, intrepid said:

How many of those girls come with a case of Tanduay?  I just might start drinking

Secret!!!

Edited September 5, 2020 by Tommy T.

[Tommy T.]

Today, we both could travel so we went to our new home - approaching completion.

Only one photo since the changes and improvements are getting smaller and how many more ditches or holes in the ground do you guys really want to see?

Today was also an important and a bit distressing milestone... We started the build exactly one year ago today...

In case you haven't followed along, are new to the forum or just lazy...this was day one last year.

Now... here's today. A bit of a change to the neighbourhood, I would venture.

You might not see without magnifying the view, but the chief welder has been polishing the stainless handrail on the second floor terrace - and it is brilliant! Much of the mild steel has been treated and primered, but more needs to be done.

They have been sanding and filling the stair railings and these are looking nice. We are very eager to see them with maybe a bit of stain but then some nice varnish.

I have now had two loads of "stuff" delivered to the place and, already, the library, because that's how it will function, with books, computers, CCTV, internet... is getting filled up. Three boxes of my tools already and there might be two more. Plus soon will be my cold weather clothes (really? Yeah... for next trip to Seattle, if it hasn't burned down or been destroyed by virus or insurrection?) Of course L's clothes will fill up their own room...

On Monday or Tuesday, I (since L is so busy with school) will shop for beds and mattresses, curtain hardware, curtains, blinds. And on Monday, the new and improved kitchen cabinets are scheduled to be installed - I won't miss that!

About half the fence has been painted with the rust converter then the first epoxy primer coat. The three rows of barbed wire have already been installed on the lowest part of the fence at the back of the property. Gates are still "under construction."

I learned today online that I can pay the PLDT postpaid service using PNB, pay DCWD (water) with a BDO account and also the Davao Power and Light with BDO - all online!

Next week we must pick out a refrigerator.

The foreman and a small crew (on our time on Sundays) will soon construct a small lanai off the living room and also make a support for the last and smallest air/con compressor installation.

The sparky continues to impress with his attention to detail and very neat work.

We are still waiting for a few bits to complete the installation of mozzie screens on all opening windows by the supplier. We are a bit underwhelmed with their performance. The work looks good as does the quality of materials, but it has taken them a lot longer than originally promised to complete their work.

I would say the most common issue with the build is that many suppliers and contractors do not do well regarding time management.... Sure... some of it is due to the virus... But some required hardware was not ordered until last week - that was needed "last week!!!"

Okay okay... time for a beer and more Tanduay...

Edited September 12, 2020 by Tommy T.

[Yeochief]

18 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

since L is so busy with school) will shop for beds and mattresses, curtain hardware, curtains, blinds.

I hope you have a pre-approved list of acceptable items.  Have fun.