Dreaming of a tropical home — but already drowning in paperwork, red tape, and mystery “fees”? When we built here, I learned the hard way: confusing land laws, surprise taxes, and ways of doing things which is far from what foreigners are used to back home. 

​

That’s why I wrote A Foreigner’s Guide to Building in the Philippines — the book I wish I’d had from day one. It’s a straight-talking, no-fluff guide to land, permits, construction, and real-world costs — without getting stitched up along the way.

​

Inside the book:

✅ How to buy land safely — ownership rules, Tax Declarations, and common traps
✅ The real costs — taxes, permits, and the “extras” no one warns you about
✅ The full build process — timelines, contracts, and our actual house costs & plans
✅ What works in the Philippine climate — roofing, drainage, flood prevention
✅ How to sell later — and avoid expensive exit mistakes
✅ Smart design — blending Filipino architecture with modern comfort

​

This isn’t a glossy coffee-table book.

It’s written by someone who’s survived the mud, dust, and bureaucracy — and finished with a home and a sense of humour intact.

​​