Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Hey Guys What’s Up, What Is Up? I have been making videos for a couple months now so that I could release the whole series. Expect a new video every couple of days at 8am EST. There is a total of over 50 videos in my “Building A House In The Philippines” 🇵🇭
Come join me through the ups and downs as I learn from mistakes and navigate my way through building our dream house. Feel free to leave a comment.
Thanks for watching. New video will be coming soon. EP#11 Inside Wall Skimming At Our Dream House In The Philippines
Hey Guys What’s Up, What Is Up? I have been making videos for a couple months now so that I could release the whole series. Expect a new video every couple of days at 8am EST. There is a total of over 50 videos in my “Building A House In The Philippines” 🇵🇭
Come join me through the ups and downs as I learn from mistakes and navigate my way through building our dream house. Feel free to leave a comment.
Thanks for watching. New video will be coming soon. EP#11 Inside Wall Skimming At Our Dream House In The Philippines

![An Honest Contractor Reveals the Truth About Building in the Philippines
Thinking about building your dream home or retiring in the Philippines? Finding a trustworthy, reliable contractor is one of the biggest challenges expats face. In this video, I sit down with Jeremiah Castillo from JLC Builders—the actual contractor who built my 115sqm bungalow right here in Tarlac.
Jeremiah opens up and shares the honest truth about the construction industry in the Philippines. We break down the biggest surprises foreigners face, how to protect your budget from hidden costs, and the exact materials you need to ensure your home survives tropical weather and heavy typhoons.
If you want to avoid getting ripped off and learn how to successfully work with a local building crew, this insider advice is an absolute must-watch before you break ground!
If you enjoyed this interview, please hit the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more honest expat life content, and drop a comment below!
Connect With Us:
Subscribe for more Philippine Expat Life: Our Life In The Philippines
Contact JLC Builders: https://www.facebook.com/share/1TD1NioaBB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
[00:00] - Introduction: How Jason Found Jeremiah on Facebook Marketplace
[00:54] - Meet Jeremiah: Education, Background, and Becoming a Contractor
[02:09] - Q1: The Biggest Surprises for Foreigners Building in the Philippines
[03:13] - Choosing Quality Materials: Machine-Made CHB vs. Handmade Blocks
[04:23] - Handling Building Permits and Local Government Paperwork
[05:08] - Q2: How to Avoid Hidden Costs & Protect Your Building Budget
[07:20] - Adding Extras to the Contract: Perimeter Walls, Carports, and Driveways
[10:25] - The Foreigner Skin Tax and Avoiding Overpriced Square-Meter Quotes
[12:35] - Q3: Important Materials and Practices for Typhoon-Proof Homes
[13:45] - Dealing with Rainy Season Drainage and Quick Post-Build Adjustments
[15:44] - How to Find a Reliable Local Contractor
[17:07] - Q4: Working as a Team and Managing Project Timelines
[18:31] - Managing International Cash Flow & Sending Construction Payments via Remitly
[19:57] - Handling Design Changes and Trusting Local Contractor Advice
[21:03] - Q5: The Number One Piece of Advice Before Breaking Ground on Empty Land
[22:17] - Securing Power, Water, and Drilling a Well Before Construction Starts
[24:11] - The Importance of Clear English Communication & On-Site Monitoring
[26:16] - JLC Builders Service Areas (Manila, Pampanga, Pangasinan) and Smaller Projects
[28:12] - Offering Free Build Cost Consultations for Expats Across the Philippines
[28:57] - Outro & Wrapping Up
#OurLifeInThePhilippines #BuildingInThePhilippines #ExpatLifePhilippines #PhilippineHouseBuild #MovingToThePhilippines #RetireInThePhilippines #ConstructionPhilippines An Honest Contractor Reveals the Truth About Building in the Philippines](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lXCg7RoNPo4/mqdefault.jpg)


![Philippines Reality Check: Gas Prices, Heatwaves, and Chicken Drama
Life in the Philippines isn’t always paradise—especially when diesel hits ₱97.90, the heat climbs to 96°F, and your house starts cracking. In this video, we share real updates from our daily life in Central Luzon:• Gas prices that’ll shock U.S. viewers
• A brutal heatwave that’s melting everything
• Our fluffy Silkie chicken’s latest antics
• A crack in our wall that might be a bigger problem than we thought
Whether you’re curious about expat life, Filipino cost of living, or just want a peek into our backyard drama, this video has it all.💬 Drop a comment if you’ve ever dealt with heat like this—or cracked walls!
Video Chapters
• 00:00 Saturday update: Gas prices hitting 100 Pesos/liter
• 00:43 Heatwave Alert: Temperatures climbing into the high 90s
• 01:05 Landscaping: Watering the 1,000sqm lot and grass growth
• 01:52 Future DIY Projects: Concrete walkways and stone pavers
• 03:31 Home Maintenance: Finding settling cracks in the walls
• 04:43 Yard Cleanup: Taking down the old fence
• 05:18 Contractor Issues: Fixing loose gate bolts and poor workmanship
• 07:08 Chicken Drama: Dealing with a respiratory illness in the coop
• 08:21 Nursing Pigpen back to health
• 09:54 Mixing amoxicillin and vitamins for sick poultry
• 11:39 Disinfecting the chicken pen
• 12:18 Cost Analysis: Is raising chickens cheaper than buying meat?
• 13:41 Closing thoughts and upcoming videos
Key Highlights
• Structural Settling: You discovered several hairline cracks in your walls [03:31], likely due to the house settling. Your contractor is scheduled to inspect them on Monday.
• Poultry Health: One of your Silky chickens, Pigpen, developed a common respiratory illness that causes eye swelling [08:04]. You are treating her with a mix of amoxicillin and Vitamin Pro [10:06].
• The Cost of Chickens: Interestingly, you noted that the high-quality feed (Integra 300 with Immuno-boosters) costs about 150 Pesos for 3kg—essentially the same price as buying a whole dressed chicken at the store [12:29].
• Weather Impact: The heat has become so intense that you can only work outside after 5:30 PM, and keeping the large lawn green requires watering twice a day [01:26].
🐔 Want more behind-the-scenes? Join our channel membership for exclusive updates and perks.
#PhilippinesLife #GasPrices #Heatwave #ChickenUpdate #HouseDamage #ExpatLife #CostOfLiving #FilipinoLife #SilkieChicken #TropicalLiving #DIYHomeCare #RealLifePhilippines Philippines Reality Check: Gas Prices, Heatwaves, and Chicken Drama](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lmVFkNKzKo8/mqdefault.jpg)




![Aircon Cleaning Philippines | Split Type AC Maintenance & Cost Breakdown
Keeping your aircon units clean isn’t just about comfort — it’s about saving money and protecting your health. In this video, I show the full process of professional split type aircon cleaning in our new house in the Philippines. We had 3 units cleaned at ₱1200 each, and I break down the cost, the step‑by‑step cleaning, and why regular maintenance is essential for energy efficiency and long‑term performance.
👉 What you’ll see in this video:
Video Chapters
• 00:00 Hiring a cleaning crew from Facebook Marketplace
• 00:37 Why we need cleaning after only 4 months (dust & topsoil)
• 01:31 Quick update: Fixing concrete wall cracks
• 02:12 Dealing with the 97°F Philippine heat
• 03:10 The cleaning setup: Pressure washers and water buckets
• 04:12 Taking apart the outdoor units
• 05:14 See the dirt: Pressure washing the condenser coils
• 06:40 Repainting the front door trim
• 07:21 Installing the accordion screen door
• 08:06 Cleaning the large indoor unit filters
• 10:09 How they clean the indoor units (drainage bag system)
• 12:27 Testing the units after the deep clean
• 13:02 Issues with the TCL Vox voice control function
• 14:40 Final Cost Breakdown: 1,200 Pesos per unit
Key Takeaways
• Maintenance Schedule: Even new units can get extremely dirty within a few months due to environmental factors like loose topsoil and wind [00:47].
• The Process: The crew uses a specialized drainage bag system [10:09] to pressure wash the indoor evaporator coils without making a mess of the walls or furniture.
• Pricing: The current rate for a professional split-type cleaning in the province is 1,200 Pesos per unit [14:40], which has slightly increased recently due to rising fuel costs.
• Full split type aircon cleaning process
• Actual cost in the province (₱1200 per unit)
• Tips for keeping your AC efficient and mold‑free
• Why aircon maintenance matters for health and savings
💡 Whether you’re a homeowner in the Philippines or just curious about aircon maintenance costs, this video gives you a transparent look at the process and value.
🔔 Subscribe for more practical home care, cost comparisons, and real‑life living in the Philippines! Aircon Cleaning Philippines | Split Type AC Maintenance & Cost Breakdown](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mm1vYJqo5JM/mqdefault.jpg)
