Building from Abroad
OFW Building a Dream House? Read This Before You Send Your First Payment
Three things every OFW should have in place before paying a contractor: complete plans, a clear contract, and someone you trust watching the build.
Kuya Erick · September 17, 2026
OFW ka? Planning to build your first dream house here in the Philippines? Before you send that first payment to your contractor, pause muna.
This is Kuya Erick of Keystone Architecture and Construction. In this first episode of our OFW series, here are three things you need in place first.
1. Complete plans, not just a floor plan
Hindi yung floor plan lang. A floor plan shows you the layout, but it doesn't tell a builder how to build your house safely and correctly. Depending on your project, you need:
- Architectural plans
- Structural plans
- Electrical plans
- Plumbing plans
- Any other plans your specific project requires
Incomplete plans leave room for guesswork on site, and guesswork is where costs and problems creep in.
2. A clear contract
Dapat malinaw yung contract. Before any money moves, your contract should spell out:
- Scope of works: exactly what is and isn't included
- Materials: what will be used, and to what specification
- Timelines: when each phase should be done
- Payment schedules: how much is due and when, tied to actual progress
3. A trusted professional monitoring the build
Dahil nasa abroad ka, make sure there's a trusted professional monitoring construction on your behalf.
You may be thousands of kilometers away, but your money is being spent right here.
Build smart from the beginning
Mas mahirap mag-correct pag nakatayo na yung bahay. It's much harder to correct things once the house is already standing.
Get the plans, the contract and the monitoring right before construction starts. Continue with episode 2 on due diligence.
