A home renovation is a major project that can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Along with design ideas and aesthetic upgrades come the reality of investing significant money. Whether you're updating a kitchen or overhauling your entire house, it's critical to account for both obvious costs and less-seen expenses.
In this article, we’ll explore the key areas where your money will go so you can plan wisely and avoid financial surprises during your home renovation.
Planning Fees and Professional Guidance
Before any renovation can begin, the project must start with design and planning. Hiring an architect, structural engineer, or interior designer ensures that the space is not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and compliant with local building codes. Professional fees depend on experience and scope, with services including drafting floor plans, 3D renderings, materials selection, and site assessments, among others.
Additionally, contractors often require detailed plans before offering estimates. Skipping proper planning can lead to scope creep or mismatched expectations, causing higher costs later on. Accurate planning helps prevent those downstream expenses.
With a solid plan giving you an idea of the extent of construction and the costs the project might involve, you can then proceed to prepare a budget for the renovation. At this point, you may consider taking out a bank loan to supplement your budget. Maya Bank makes it simple to get the funds you need for your dream home makeover. You can conveniently apply for a loan through the Maya app and manage your monthly payments on the same platform. What’s more, with a Maya Personal Loan, you can get as much as PHP 250,000 instantly credited to your Maya Wallet, payable for up to 24 months.
Structural Changes and Major Construction
Renovation doesn’t always mean rebuilding or expanding; it can also involve excavation, demolition, or structural modifications, all of which fall under structural work. In the Philippines, renovation costs typically range from PHP 10,000 to PHP 15,000 per square meter for basic cosmetic upgrades, and from PHP 20,000 to PHP 30,000 per square meter for more extensive renovations involving structural changes, system upgrades, or high-end finishes.
Thus, a major renovation of a 100-square-meter property can range from PHP 1,000,000 to PHP 1,500,000 for basic cosmetic upgrades, and up to PHP 3,000,000 for more extensive work involving structural changes, system overhauls, or high-end finishes. In contrast, renovating a single room like a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom usually costs between PHP 100,000 to PHP 300,000, depending on its size, design, and materials used.
These figures can rise further due to unforeseen challenges, which may include poor soil conditions, or structural damage, among others. Such issues may require specialized repairs, additional reinforcement, or upgraded materials to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the structure.
Labor Charges for Skilled and Unskilled Workers
Labor costs are another major allocation for a renovation since you’ll be paying for expertise that ensures the quality of work. Labor is typically paid either through a general contractor or directly to daily subcontractors. Skilled workers like masons, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers may earn PHP 500 to PHP 1,500 per day, while general laborers typically earn PHP 300 to PHP 600 per day.
Keep in mind that rates vary depending on your location; expect higher rates in Metro Manila and Cebu compared to rural areas. While contracting directly can sometimes reduce costs, it also requires diligent coordination, so plan wisely.
Electrical and Plumbing Systems
Wiring, outlets, switchboards, fixtures, piping, water heaters, drainage, and septic systems are critical utility components that you should also consider depending on the type of renovation you’re planning. Renovation budgets usually allocate between PHP 200 and PHP 600 per square meter for electrical work and PHP 10,000 to PHP 20,000 per bathroom for plumbing.
Rewiring or re-piping is especially important for older homes. This process can uncover hidden issues like faulty connections or deteriorating pipes that should be addressed immediately. Moreover, it’s crucial to work only with licensed professionals to ensure safety and compliance when tackling these areas.
Quality Building Materials
Your choice of building materials significantly influences both construction cost and long-term durability. Common materials used in Philippine construction include concrete hollow blocks (CHB), steel reinforcement bars, cement, plywood, tiles, and a variety of roofing options.
For structural walls, CHBs are a standard choice, priced at around PHP 15 to PHP 55 per piece, depending on size and compressive strength. Meanwhile, reinforcing steel bars (rebar) used in footings, columns, and beams generally cost around PHP 60 to PHP 90 per kilogram, or approximately PHP 500 to PHP 800 per 6-meter length, depending on the diameter (e.g., 10mm, 12mm, or 16mm).
