Including kano tax only double is a bargain. Let the wife do the bargaining and keep out of sight.

 

Even if you award the contract to the lowest bidder, you are not guaranteed they will build to specifications unless you are in country, available for frequent visits, preferably stay on site for the entire build.

There are too many cautions when using a Contractor to build your wall but some are. They will use beach (salt water sand versus fresh river sand). Low cement content hollow blocks you can poke your finger through. (If you must use a contractor, ensure the contract reads that you have the option to reject any and all blocks that you can poke your finger through). Low cement mortar mix. Smaller than standard rebar size. Smaller than standard posts. No rebar for most of the wall. No/Incorrect footer Etc. Etc.

The bottom line is you need to be on site for the build to look for these issues.

Do you have an electric/water source for the build?

Since it's a large lot, you can save money and ensure quality by having your hollow blocks made on site, then hire you own guys to build the wall.

Have you priced pre-cast? These guys are from your area- Tagaytay.
https://www.olx.ph/item/precast-fence-or-walls-ID78TXe.html?p=2&h=fc3e57e677#fc3e57e677

 

You may want to also define how many rows of hollow blocks are exepected to extend into the ground.
It may cost less if your wife provides the worker with materials. She would have to chack what prices she could obtain and then compare them with the contractor's quotes.

 

Thanks Gary D. Yes, of course as always. Sadly it is my wife who's been quoted the Foreigner price

 

Thanks pakawala - yes, understand the need for constant supervision. I travel between SG and PH due to work commitments in both locations, so wouldn't be there constantly though I have a very reliable relative who'd be supervising the process and would pop in whenever I can.

We do have water/electricity onsite - or would if we ask them to plug us onto the grid I suppose.

Good idea about having the CHB's made onsite. Did not consider that. Since the contractors have given itemized quotations, I've been able to see mostly where they're overcharging us, which is the CHB's (and all other materials) as far as I can see...so I think an option is to simply source for the raw materials ourselves and just pay for labor.

Pre-cast is another great idea..less options/decisions given to laborers tend to result in less mistakes made. We were considering 3D fence (Eastern Wire), but the company is so unresponsive, it's been draining just trying to get them to talk to us.

Do you think P3k per lineal meter is realistic, too high, too low - if it were your project?

That leads me to another question if I may; for those of you who have gotten land and not necessarily building anything on it now, how did you fence it off, just to make it clear to everyone it's your lot, it's taken and squatters aren't welcome? I reckon barb wire could be a quick option too, if we can't get anyone to build a wall around it while we can't be there to supervise 100% of the time.

Thank you!

 

I would alway supply all materials. Try and get a price for the job and not pay day rate. Even for a fixed price they will still try and get more money half way through. You will also be responsible for all snacks and drinks so don't forget to figure it into the costs. Having a relative looking after things is often not a good idea as all they will know is the usual slack way things are done and will expect to make pleanty out of it. Everything also has legs, you wouldn't beleive how fast a bag or three of cement can run.

 

That's fantastic info, thanks all. I'll recap the feedback as I read it. Feel free to add/clarify if I've misread/missed anything:

- Contractors overcharge and under-deliver, so better to purchase materials ourselves and have local laborers do the work.

- For a large lot, consider buying raw materials for CHB and manufacture them onsite if have access to water/electricity, as this might reduce cost of CHB but more importantly ensure quality of CHB

- All work should always be supervised by yourself or someone trustworthy who understands how the work should be done to high quality (not necessarily local quality)

- All construction materials need to be supervised to avoid theft (I read this as; get the supplier to deliver frequently in smaller qualities so there's enough material to build, but less to steal)

- A wall itself doesn't keep squatters away, need a neighborhood watchdog mechanism in place as well if lot isn't occupied

- A pre-cast wall might help reduce labor issues since it's easier to assemble onsite

- Kano stays away for anything involving money

- Much of construction cost of wall is related to aesthetics. A plain CHB wall standing 2m tall could cost <=P1,000 per lineal meter if following the above advise.

 

- For a large lot, consider buying raw materials for CHB and manufacture them onsite if have access to water/electricity, as this might reduce cost of CHB but more importantly ensure quality of CHB

You may want to consider paying per block made. Where I am 50centavos to 1p per block made is fair. 1 bag of cement can make 70 to 80 blocks. Visit some block makers in your area. Some may be using block making machines.

- Kano stays away for anything involving money

Many say that but I disagree. Virtually everyone will know it's a Foreigners project anyway. Best to stay involved in "all" transactions and know the local wages & material prices. Do not let the workers purchase any material, to include sand & stone. Shop around, compare prices and always ask for at least a 10% discount.

 

10mm rebar...How high is the wall? Is the wall only for privacy? Or do you want to deter intruders? Where do you live exactly? Do you need the wall to also provide storm surge and wind protection from Typhoons or other bad weather?

All of these should be considered when selecting your wall height, size of blocks and especially the size of your rebar as well as the dimensions, (width and depth), of the footer holding up the wall! A wall is only as strong as its foundation...

 

I think you need to recalculate your figures Northwoods...Hahaha...

The current exchange rate for US Dollars to Peso's is - 45.86 as of this morning on the internet.

That means that roughly a 50 peso bill is worth approximately one US Dollar...just to round it off and make it easier to calculate...which means that one peso is actually worth APPROXIMATELY 2 cents! Not 4.5 cents.

So, before you begin calculating your total or estimated costs for this project...or any other project...make sure your beginning calculations are correct. Your calculations are robbing you of a lot of money!

In your calculation it would take $2.25 US Dollars to equal one 50 Peso Bill! That is a terrible exchange rate and you will be paying more than double for your project.

I just don't want you to make an error that might cost you dearly...be careful out there...

 

Wow guys - you are all super helpful. Thanks a lot!

 

Hi,

just in case you needed help with a precast fence contractor you can contact me at 09175840269

my usual charge per meter of fence at 2.0 meter high is 2800 per lm.

The fence is precast including the foundation so in time that you need to relocate the fence for expansion or any other purposes, you will not need to spend that much.

Progetta Devt and Construction Inc.
09175840269
feruel

 

Hi myferuel, what areas do you cover/work in? Do you have a web site or a link to a website showing and detailing your product/s used?

Cheers, Steve.

 

Hi steve,

I just have my facebook page for some of my sample works. You can search my company progetta development and construction inc in facebook for my sample works.

Currently i do my precast fence in batangas manila and bataan area. Mostly luzon.

Hope this helps

 

Hi, thanks for replying, I looked at your FB page, looks good your work. Are these fences engineered? Footing specs, wind loads etc? What warranty for your work do you offer?
How far north do you travel to make and install concrete fences? How far south etc.
Good luck to you with what looks like a great product.

Cheers, Steve.

 

double post

 

Also, secure all the permits first form your subdivision (if applicable) and city. Oftentimes permits are not shouldered by contractors. You wouldn't want a half built wall when authorities come asking for their take.

 

My house and security fence is in Dasmarinas Cavite and was built by Jose "Pepe" Era Quality work.

 

Fence @6k to 9k is the normal price for a CHB fence with columns, footing, and tiebeam. fence @3m span x 2.7m high(from bottom of footing to top of column)

 

Fair to say that does not include finishing inside or out?

 

Welcome to the forum Pete CDO.
Best to talk to the locals or get a quote from a contractor.
100 L/M of fence cost us about P1M, rendered and painted both sides 4 coats. Fence 8 to 9ft high and 5 to 6 feet in the ground, 10mm horizonal rebar every 2nd courses instead of every 3 courses and 16mm rebar, not 12mm. 6 inch blocks we had made with extra cement and the list goes on.

Cheers, Steve.

 

Best to talk to the locals or get a quote from a contractor. 100 L/M of fence cost us about P1M, rendered and painted both sides 4 coats. Fence 8 to 9ft high and 5 to 6 feet in the ground, 10mm horizonal rebar every 2nd courses instead of every 3 courses and 16mm rebar, not 12mm. 6 inch blocks we had made with extra cement and the list goes on. Cheers, Steve. Steve, in what area was your fence built? We’re looking to start a fence building project soon in Bacoor. We had spoken to a contractor last Spring and got a quote. This year they understandably wanted to requote. But greater than 50% increase from last years quote had us searching for new contractors. we have about 70l/m of fence plus want to build a storage room as part of fence in back corner. Approx 2m x 3m storeroom. Thanks, Tony

 

Hi Tbond, welcome to the forum Tony.

We are up in Bacnotan in La Union. Long story short we had an architect quote on a 6 ft high fence with timber gates and using only 4inch blocks and was slightly over P1M, that was 4 years ago and for me was over the top and also didn't include municipal and Barangay fees that we had to secure. We didn't proceed.

Long story.
2 years ago once we finalized our fence plan, double garage plan, a pump house (3M x 5), a 2 bed 3 bath, large lounge, verandahs etc etc. some 250M2 we went to the local Municipal office and spoke to the engineer and their draftsman about what we were planning, they offered to supply the plans, engineering and fees and was P 25K took a couple of months to complete. Ended up 27/8 K. 2 inspections were required for construction and plumbing and not booked, random and we have never had them visit in near 2 years.
Working in the building industry most of my life decided to manage it myself and the better half for bookwork/translating/buying/stock control etc.
We employed a lead mason, 2 masons and 6/7 labourers one of which also cooked their lunches and we supplied morning and afternoon snacks, before the main job started we had 4 guys here building the bunk house and kitchen with power and lights, there was an existing slab and CR from an old large kubo and we added more concrete, about 5 M x 8 M and enough to house 7 workers, later can be turned into a garage, we also brought all the bunk beds for them with 4 inch mattresses, a 10 cf refrigerator and gas cooker, that cost around P300K, many would stay on their day off and Ben told me they don't have a wife and what we supplied was better than where they live, look after your workers and they will look after you, we also paid them more than they would normally get on a construction site.

Any way the fence was first with the pump house, average height 2.4 M and 1.5 M in the ground so a fair lump of wall 100 M long. as per the earlier post was the construction method. My ever trusty book keeper said it cost a little over P 1.1 M including the matching and then a very nice S/S polished gate 5 M x 2.4 M on rollers and geared track and drive motor, a matching door for the pump house. This fence is rendered inside and out and 4 coats of paint.

The architects price never included painting and was 6 ft high and inferior construction, his consultancy/management fee for the fence was P 100K but included in his quote. that money for him to simply eyeballing effectively paid for 6 laborers and 2 masons for a months work If you have the experience and confidence you can manage it yourself and save pesos.
The extensions to the house of some 250+ M2 was another 4.6 M pesos and then 1.4 M on stand alone power so total to date 7.1 M.

Sorry for being long winded but I'm sure you get the drift, employ locals and manage them.

Cheers, Steve.