ARCHBEYOND FIELD GUIDE / PHILIPPINES
A practical checklist before you build a house.
Good construction planning begins before a quotation. Use these six steps to prepare a clearer brief, ask better questions and compare project scopes more carefully.
WHY THIS MATTERS
A low number is not useful if the scope is unclear.
People often begin with “How much per square metre?” That can help establish an early range, but it cannot describe your site, structure, finishes, professional work or exclusions. Two quotations can look similar while covering different things.
This checklist helps you organize the information an architect or contractor needs before the project can be defined responsibly.
- 01
Describe the life inside the house
List who will live there, the rooms and routines that matter, privacy needs, future changes and the qualities you want the home to have.
- 02
Collect reliable site information
Confirm the location, lot boundaries, access, orientation, slope and available documents. Existing conditions can change the design, engineering and construction approach.
- 03
Set a working budget range
Separate land from the project budget and identify what the range must cover. Ask what is included: professional work, permits, construction, site works, utilities, fixtures, furniture and contingency.
- 04
Develop the design before comparing builds
A clearer design and scope make proposals easier to compare. If different contractors assume different materials and inclusions, the lowest number may not represent the same project.
- 05
Review the team and the written scope
Look at relevant work, meet the people who will lead the project and ask who is responsible for design, engineering, permits, supervision, quality checks, changes and turnover.
- 06
Plan communication during construction
Agree how decisions, progress, site questions, variations and approvals will be recorded. A clear communication path protects the project when conditions change.
FIRST-INQUIRY CHECKLIST
Prepare what you already know.
- Project location and available lot information
- Approximate lot size or desired floor area
- People, rooms and activities the house must support
- Target budget range and preferred timing
- Existing survey, title plan or drawings, when available
- Site photographs and a small set of useful references
COMMON QUESTIONS
Early planning questions
Should I start with an architect or a contractor?
Start by defining the project clearly. An architect can organize the site, brief and design; a coordinated design-and-build team can connect that work directly to scope and construction planning.
Is cost per square metre enough to set a budget?
No. It is only an early reference. Location, site access, ground conditions, structure, floor area, finishes, services, professional work and proposal inclusions all affect the project cost.
What documents are useful at the first meeting?
Bring the lot or site information you have, photographs, an approximate area, room requirements, priorities, budget range, target timing and any existing surveys or plans.
Can I inquire while I am still saving or comparing options?
Yes. State that you are exploring. A clear early conversation can help you identify the information and decisions needed before a formal proposal.
READY TO DEFINE THE NEXT STEP?
Share the project you have in mind.
Archbeyond’s principal architects can review your early brief, site information and the help you need.