BUILDING PERMIT
A Building Permit is a crucial legal documentation that ensures the legality of our construction endeavors. Although the procedures involved may differ slightly depending on the city or locality, they generally follow the same guidelines. In Metro Manila, obtaining a permit usually takes around a month or two, and sometimes even longer. Meanwhile, in the provinces, the process can be completed in less than a month. In certain regions, the turnaround time can be as brief as a few days. The permit costs can range anywhere from PhP15,000 to PhP200,000, depending on the project's scale and location.
Our construction contract, which you can view in our project portfolio by clicking here, incorporates the building permit expenses. This allows you to include this cost in your budget planning for your envisioned home. Please take note that we cannot process building permits without a construction contract with our company. The building permit application necessitates the signatures of licensed professionals who are responsible for the construction process. In the event of any issues that may arise during or after construction, these professionals will be held accountable. They will also sign the Occupancy Permit application to certify that the structure was constructed according to standards and is safe for occupancy.
Why is a building permit necessary?
Can you build without one? It's like asking if you can park in a no parking zone on a Sunday when there are no cars around - the answer is complicated. While some contractors may say it's okay to build without a permit, there are several reasons why a building permit is required:
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LOAN APPLICATIONS
If you are applying for a loan from a bank or government agency such as Pag-ibig, they may require a building permit before releasing the first tranche of your loan. This ensures that the loan is being used for construction purposes.
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FINAL MERALCO ELECTRICAL SERVICE LINE
Meralco, the electricity provider in the Luzon Grid, now requires a Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection (CFEI or CEI) from the City or Municipal Hall before providing the final electrical service line for your house. Without the building permit, you cannot obtain this certificate, which may delay the completion of your home.
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PROFESSIONAL AND LEGAL LIABILITY
The building permit documents the professionals involved in designing and building your project, ensuring that they are legally responsible for the structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing safety of your home for 15 years. If unlicensed professionals or fly-by-night contractors do not sign and seal their names on the permit, they are not legally liable for any safety issues.
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SUBDIVISION AND VILLAGE REQUIREMENT
While some subdivisions and villages may allow construction while the building permit is still in process, many require that the permit be released before materials and manpower can be brought to the property.