What CDO Lot Owners Should Complete Before Starting House Construction
- Gabriel Mikael
- 5 hours ago
- 10 min read
You already own the lot.
Maybe it is fully paid.
Maybe you have already chosen the house style you want.
Maybe you are already excited to see excavation begin.
But before the first worker arrives on site, there are several things you should complete first.
The biggest mistake is starting construction while major decisions are still unresolved.
A stronger process is:
LOT → SITE INSPECTION → BUDGET → DESIGN → ENGINEERING → COSTING → PERMITS → CONTRACT → CONSTRUCTION
The more you complete before mobilization, the lower the risk of confusion, redesign, rework, delays, and uncontrolled additional cost.
1. Confirm the Property Documents
Before spending heavily on design and construction, verify the basic property information.
Review applicable:
Title documents
Tax Declaration
Lot plan
Survey information
Property boundaries
Subdivision restrictions, if applicable
Do not assume the physical fence or existing markers automatically represent the legal boundaries.
If there are questions about ownership or boundaries, resolve them before construction.
2. Confirm the Actual Lot Boundaries
A house should be positioned using verified property information.
Boundary uncertainty can create serious problems involving:
Setbacks
Neighboring properties
Fence locations
Building placement
Future title disputes
If necessary, obtain appropriate survey assistance before finalizing the site layout.
Do not discover a boundary problem after the foundation has already been built.
3. Conduct a Proper Site Inspection
The property should be physically assessed before final design.
A site inspection may review:
Lot elevation
Road level
Drainage
Slope
Existing trees
Road access
Utility availability
Neighboring conditions
Backfilling requirements
Retaining requirements
These conditions can materially affect both design and cost.
4. Check Whether the Lot Is Lower Than the Road
This is especially important.
A low lot may require consideration of:
Backfilling
Compaction
Finished-floor elevation
Surface drainage
Road runoff
Retaining or slope protection
Do not simply raise the house without understanding how water will move through the property.
Elevation and drainage should be coordinated as part of the site strategy.
5. Understand Drainage Before Construction
A beautiful house can still experience major problems if drainage is poorly planned.
Before construction, review where rainwater will go.
Consider:
Roof runoff
Surface water
Road runoff
Neighboring runoff
Floor drains
Site drainage lines
Drainage should be planned before finishing work hides the problem.
6. Confirm Construction Access
Can construction vehicles actually reach the lot?
Check access for:
Delivery trucks
Concrete trucks
Hauling vehicles
Equipment
Workers
Difficult access may affect:
Delivery cost
Labor
Material handling
Construction method
Project schedule
This should be known before the quotation is finalized.
7. Identify Site-Development Costs
Your construction budget is not necessarily only for the house.
The property may require:
Clearing
Tree removal
Excavation
Backfilling
Compaction
Drainage
Retaining works
Hauling
Temporary utilities
Driveway preparation
These costs can reduce the amount available for the actual building.
8. Establish a Realistic Total Budget
Do not begin with:
“I have ₱4 million, so design the biggest house possible.”
Instead, ask:
“What complete project can ₱4 million realistically deliver on this specific lot?”
Your budget should consider applicable:
Main construction
Site development
Professional services
Permit-related costs
Utility requirements
Exterior works
Contingency
A clear budget should come before final design.
9. Set Aside Contingency
Do not allocate every peso to the original scope.
Unexpected costs may arise from:
Site conditions
Drainage
Utility conflicts
Material substitutions
Owner-requested changes
A contingency creates flexibility.
Without it, even a relatively small unexpected expense can interrupt the project.
10. Finalize the Family Requirements
Before the architect finalizes the floor plan, decide what your household actually needs.
Clarify:
Number of bedrooms
Number of bathrooms
Parking requirements
Kitchen requirements
Dirty kitchen
Laundry
Storage
Home office
Ground-floor bedroom
Future expansion
Do this before construction, not while walls are already being built.
11. Match the House Size to the Budget
One of the most common causes of redesign is excessive floor area.
A bigger house requires more:
Foundation
Structure
Walls
Roofing
Electrical
Plumbing
Finishes
Do not maximize the house simply because the lot is large.
A smaller complete house can be better than a larger unfinished one.
12. Finalize the Architectural Design
Before construction starts, confirm the major architectural decisions.
These may include:
Floor plan
Room dimensions
Door locations
Window locations
Stair layout
Exterior appearance
Roof concept
Furniture considerations
Major architectural changes during construction can create expensive rework.
13. Complete the Engineering Coordination
A perspective drawing is not enough to build a house.
Depending on the project, technical documents may include:
Architectural plans
Structural plans
Electrical plans
Plumbing and sanitary plans
Site-development plans
These disciplines should be coordinated.
A beautiful floor plan is not useful if the structural and utility systems conflict with it.
14. Complete the Structural Design Before Site Work Advances
Structural work should follow approved engineering requirements.
Do not allow workers to decide structural reinforcement based on:
“Mao man among usual.”
The applicable:
Foundation
Columns
Beams
Slabs
Reinforcement
should follow the approved design.
Structural safety should never be adjusted casually to reduce cost.
15. Finalize Electrical Requirements
Decide important electrical locations before walls and finishes are completed.
Consider:
Convenience outlets
Air-conditioning outlets
Television
Internet
Refrigerator
Range hood
Water heater
Washing machine
Outdoor outlets
Lighting
Adding these later may require chasing walls or ceilings.
16. Finalize Plumbing Locations
Before construction, confirm:
Toilets
Lavatories
Showers
Kitchen sink
Laundry
Floor drains
Water heater locations
Outdoor faucets
Moving plumbing after installation can create unnecessary rework.
17. Coordinate Cabinets With Electrical and Plumbing
This is often overlooked.
Kitchen cabinets should be coordinated with:
Outlets
Sink
Refrigerator
Range
Hood
Lighting
Countertop
Wardrobes and built-ins should also consider electrical points.
Cabinet design should not be an afterthought.
18. Finalize the Roof Strategy
Roof complexity can significantly affect:
Cost
Labor
Waterproofing
Drainage
Maintenance
Before construction, confirm the roof form and associated drainage strategy.
Constant roof changes during construction can affect both structure and budget.
19. Choose the Finish Level
Do not simply write:
“Standard finish.”
Define what that means.
Your finish level may affect:
Tiles
Doors
Windows
Paint
Plumbing fixtures
Lighting
Cabinets
Countertops
Two houses with the same size can have very different costs because of finish specifications.
20. Prepare Material Specifications
Material specifications help establish what the contractor is actually expected to provide.
These may cover:
Wall system
Roofing
Doors
Windows
Tiles
Paint
Plumbing fixtures
Electrical devices
Cabinets
Countertops
Clear specifications make quotation comparison easier.
21. Prepare a Detailed Construction Cost Review
Once the plans and specifications are developed, review the project cost.
Ask:
What is included?
What is excluded?
What is owner-supplied?
Is site development included?
Is drainage included?
Are cabinets included?
Are fixtures included?
What exterior works are included?
Do not rely only on the total contract price.
22. Compare Contractors Using the Same Scope
A lower price does not automatically mean a better deal.
Suppose:
Contractor A: ₱3.5 million
Contractor B: ₱4 million
Check whether both quotations include the same:
Specifications
Cabinets
Fixtures
Site works
Waterproofing
Drainage
Supervision
Testing
Turnover
Warranty
Compare complete scope.
23. Finalize the Funding Plan
Before mobilization, know how the entire project will be funded.
Your funding may come from:
Cash
Savings
Construction financing
Combination of cash and financing
Do not begin a large project with only enough money for the first few stages unless the complete funding strategy has been properly established.
24. Confirm Financing Before Depending on It
If you are relying on a construction loan, understand the actual approved terms.
Review:
Approved amount
Borrower contribution
Interest
Fees
Release conditions
Amortization
Funding gap
Do not assume the lender will approve the full construction cost.
Financing remains subject to lender evaluation and terms.
25. Complete Applicable Permit Requirements
Do not treat permits as paperwork to fix later.
Before construction, address the applicable permitting process and required technical documentation.
Responsibilities should be clear regarding:
Preparation of plans
Professional documents
Application processing
Required clearances
Fees
Actual requirements depend on the project and local regulations.
26. Finalize the Construction Timeline
Ask for a realistic schedule.
Major phases may include:
Mobilization
Site work
Foundation
Structural works
Wall works
Roofing
Electrical and plumbing
Waterproofing
Finishing
Cabinets
Exterior works
Testing
Punch listing
Turnover
Do not depend only on:
“Around four months.”
The timeline should reflect the actual project.
27. Identify Owner Decision Deadlines
Your own decisions can delay construction.
Set deadlines for:
Tiles
Paint colors
Fixtures
Windows
Doors
Cabinets
Lighting
If the contractor needs a tile selection next week, do not wait three weeks to decide.
Homeowner delays can affect the entire schedule.
28. Sign a Clear Construction Agreement
Before mobilization, the agreement should clearly cover applicable:
Scope
Contract amount
Payment terms
Billing milestones
Timeline
Material specifications
Owner obligations
Contractor obligations
Variation procedure
Turnover
Warranty
Construction should not be managed through verbal promises.
29. Understand the Payment Schedule
Know when payment becomes due and what each billing corresponds to.
Avoid a payment arrangement that is disconnected from actual progress.
Before paying, understand:
Milestone achieved
Amount due
Remaining balance
Approved variations
This is especially important for OFWs.
30. Establish a Written Variation Procedure
Changes will sometimes happen.
Before construction, decide how they will be handled.
A variation should identify:
Description
Added or deducted cost
Time impact
Owner approval
Do not make additional work through casual instructions.
31. Finalize Who Has Approval Authority
This matters especially for families and OFW projects.
Who can approve:
Design changes?
Additional work?
Material substitutions?
Added cost?
If parents, siblings, or relatives will visit the project, clarify whether they can only inspect or also authorize changes.
Too many decision-makers can cause conflict.
32. Establish the Project-Update System
Before construction starts, agree how progress will be communicated.
Updates may include:
Completed work
Ongoing work
Next activities
Dated photos
Videos
Schedule status
Owner decisions required
The homeowner should not have to constantly ask:
“Any update?”
33. Decide What Hidden Work Should Be Documented
Some work will eventually disappear behind concrete, ceilings, tiles, or walls.
Depending on the project, document important stages such as:
Reinforcement
Plumbing rough-ins
Electrical conduits
Waterproofing
Roofing
Drainage
This creates a better project record.
34. Understand Quality Inspection Before Construction Begins
Do not wait until turnover to talk about quality.
Know how the project will check applicable:
Structural work
Plumbing
Electrical
Waterproofing
Roofing
Wall installation
Finishes
Quality control should happen throughout construction.
35. Discuss Testing Before the House Is Finished
Applicable systems should be tested at the proper stage.
Depending on the project, this may include checking:
Plumbing
Drainage
Electrical systems
Waterproofing
Fixtures
Testing becomes harder after everything is hidden by finishing work.
36. Understand the Turnover Process Before Signing
Do not wait until the last week to ask:
“What happens at turnover?”
The completion process may include:
Pre-turnover inspection
Testing
Punch listing
Corrections
Reinspection
Turnover documentation
Turnover should be defined before construction begins.
37. Understand the Punch-List Process
A punch list identifies known incomplete or defective work before final acceptance.
Examples may include:
Bedroom: Door requires adjustment.
Kitchen: Cabinet alignment.
Bathroom: Damaged tile replacement.
Exterior: Paint touch-up.
The items should be corrected and verified.
38. Understand the Warranty Before You Build
Ask:
How long is the warranty?
What is covered?
What is excluded?
When does coverage begin?
How are claims submitted?
Who inspects?
WallPro residential projects may include a six-month limited workmanship warranty, subject to the signed construction agreement, written warranty terms, exclusions, and homeowner responsibilities.
Punch List and Warranty Are Different
Do not confuse these.
Punch List
Known incomplete or defective work identified before acceptance.
Warranty
Covered workmanship concerns arising or becoming apparent during the applicable warranty period.
Do not allow unfinished work to be automatically pushed into warranty.
OFWs Should Complete Even More Before Mobilization
If you are working abroad, unresolved decisions become harder once construction starts.
Before mobilization, try to complete as much as possible regarding:
Design
Materials
Budget
Funding
Contract
Approval authority
Project-update schedule
The clearer the preconstruction stage, the easier remote coordination becomes.
OFWs Can Complete Much of This From Abroad
You may be able to participate through:
Online consultation
Digital design presentations
Electronic document review
Material approvals
Online meetings
Financing-document coordination
You do not necessarily have to be physically in CDO for every preconstruction activity.
What About Rising Construction Costs?
If you are delaying construction, update the project cost periodically.
Labor and material prices may:
Increase
Decrease
Remain stable
Do not use an old quotation indefinitely.
Your design, specifications, and site requirements may also change.
Do Not Rush Because of Inflation
Future cost uncertainty is not a reason to begin an unprepared project.
It is better to complete:
Plans
Budget
Funding
Permits
Contract
than to rush into construction only because you fear future price increases.
WallPro's Three-Phase Process
Depending on the agreed project scope, WallPro Systems & Construction Inc. may organize the home-building process into three major phases.
PHASE 1: PRECONSTRUCTION
This may include:
Site inspection
Budget assessment
House requirements
Architectural design
Engineering coordination
Material specifications
Construction-cost estimation
Permit coordination
Financing-document coordination
PHASE 2: CONSTRUCTION
This may include:
Mobilization
Structural works
Wall works
Roofing
Electrical
Plumbing
Waterproofing
Finishing
Site supervision
Project updates
Quality inspections
PHASE 3: POST-CONSTRUCTION
This may include:
Testing
Pre-turnover inspection
Punch listing
Corrections
Reinspection
Turnover
Warranty documentation
Your Preconstruction Checklist
Before saying:
“Start na ta.”
make sure you understand the status of:
Property documents
Lot boundaries
Site inspection
Drainage and elevation
Site-development requirements
Construction budget
Contingency
Family room requirements
Architectural plans
Engineering plans
Material specifications
Construction estimate
Funding or financing
Permit requirements
Construction agreement
Project timeline
Payment schedule
Variation process
Approval authority
Project-update system
Inspection and testing
Punch-list process
Turnover process
Written warranty
The goal is not to create unnecessary paperwork.
The goal is to reduce uncertainty before your money is committed to construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start construction while the plans are still being completed?
Major construction should proceed only with the applicable approved and coordinated documents required for the work and permits. Starting with incomplete information can create rework and delays.
Do I need a site inspection if my lot looks flat?
Yes, because visible appearance alone does not confirm elevation, drainage, access, boundaries, or other site conditions.
Should I finalize all finishes before construction starts?
Not necessarily every minor item, but major specifications and decision deadlines should be established early enough to prevent procurement and schedule problems.
Can I start while waiting for my loan approval?
That can create funding risk. If construction depends on financing, understand the approved amount and release conditions before committing to a project that exceeds your available cash.
Is a fully paid lot enough to build?
No. It is a strong starting point, but budget, design, engineering, permits, funding, and construction controls still need to be addressed.
Can OFWs prepare these requirements remotely?
Many planning, design, costing, documentation, and approval activities can be coordinated remotely.
Why discuss turnover before construction starts?
Because the contract should define what constitutes completion, what inspections occur, and how final acceptance will be handled.
Does WallPro provide written warranty?
WallPro residential projects may include a six-month limited workmanship warranty, subject to the signed project documents and written warranty terms.
Final Message to CDO Lot Owners
The best time to solve a construction problem is:
before construction starts.
Not after the wall is built.
Not after the tile is installed.
Not after the budget is exhausted.
Not during turnover.
Before mobilization, complete the work that creates clarity.
Know your:
LOT.
SITE.
BUDGET.
PLANS.
SPECIFICATIONS.
COST.
PERMITS.
FUNDING.
CONTRACT.
TIMELINE.
TURNOVER.
WARRANTY.
Then construction begins from a much stronger position.
Prepare Before You Build With WallPro
WallPro Systems & Construction Inc. can assist CDO lot owners and OFWs through a structured design-and-build process that may include:
Site inspection
Budget assessment
Customized house planning
Architectural and engineering coordination
Construction-cost estimation
Material specifications
Site-development planning
Permit coordination
Financing-document coordination
Complete design-and-build services
Construction scheduling
Regular project updates
Quality inspections
Written variation procedures
Punch listing
Turnover
Six-month limited workmanship warranty
Already own a fully paid lot in Cagayan de Oro and preparing to build?
Message “PRECONSTRUCTION CHECK” to start reviewing your property, budget, plans, site requirements, and construction readiness.
WallPro Systems & Construction Inc.
Build with clarity. Build with confidence.
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