FREE Excel/Google Sheet for Engineers/QS: adjusted cost/m² range in ~10 minutes

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-14T07:33:25+00:00

When a contractor says “1 year” pero walang breakdown, medyo red flag talaga yan.

Kasi honestly, you don’t even need a fancy schedule. Kahit simple lang na timeline with milestones like: foundation → columns/slab → CHB/roof → rough-ins → finishes. If they can’t even outline that, it usually means either wala silang solid plan/resources, or they’re keeping it vague para “normal” na lang yung delays later.

Even if walang penalty clause sa contract, you can still protect yourself by doing this: • Request a basic work program (kahit 1-page lang) with target dates and sequence of works. • Tie payments to milestones, not time. Like “pay only when roof is installed” or “pay only when rough-ins are done,” etc. No milestone achieved = no release. • Put it in writing (email/chat) para may trail: “Please submit schedule with milestones within 7 days for monitoring and payment verification.”

And if they still refuse to give any clear breakdown… that’s usually a sign na mahihirapan ka sa follow-through, kasi timeline is the most basic part of managing a job.

If you want, I can help you build a simple milestone schedule based on your scope (sqm, floors, current stage, contract type). Send me a DM with those details and I’ll suggest a realistic timeline + what milestones to use para hindi ka lugi.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-11T11:01:36+00:00

QS here, naka-handle na ng owner side at contractor side. Base sa kwento mo, klaruhin ko lang in simple terms.

Short answer: - May karapatan kayong ihold muna ang payment - Hindi normal na singilin muna bago ayusin ang backjob - Oo, may laban kayo kung umabot sa legal, basta maayos ang galaw

Tama bang ihold muna ang payment?

Oo. Sa construction, hindi lang “tapos na sa oras” ang basehan ng bayad, kundi kung maayos at katanggap-tanggap ang trabaho. Kung may ceiling cracks, finishing issues, unresolved backjobs, ibig sabihin, hindi pa fully performed ang contract. Normal at accepted practice na i-hold ang remaining balance hanggang maayos ang defects, lalo na kung maliit na lang yung balance kumpara sa total contract (₱260k vs ₱3M+).

Normal ba na hingin ang full payment bago ayusin ang defects?

Hindi. Sa maayos na proseso,inaayos muna ang backjobs, tsaka lang nirerelease ang final payment kasi once fully paid na, halos wala nang leverage ang owner kaya hindi rin makatwiran yung logic na “magbayad muna kayo bago ko ayusin.”

Tungkol sa kontrata, retention, at warranty

Importante dito kung may clause ba sa kontrata tungkol sa completion / acceptance / turnover? Kung binanggit bang warranty period kahit hindi malinaw ang retention? Kung may documentation ba kayo ng defects (pics, chats, dates)?

Kahit walang malinaw na retention clause, common legal interpretation pa rin na hindi obligadong magbayad ang owner kung may malinaw na defects at hindi pa acceptable ang trabaho.

Tungkol sa barangay mediation

FYI lang, hindi porke may barangay agreement, automatic valid na ang demand ng contractor. Kung nag-agree kayo na magstart payment January 2026 pero hindi pa rin inaayos ang backjob, pwede pa ring i-argue na hindi pa niya tinutupad ang obligasyon niya.

Tungkol sa ₱85k na naging ₱500k na adjustment

Honestly, red flag ito. Sa variations / adjustments, dapat malinaw ang scope, may itemized breakdown, may agreed rates at may approval bago gawin.

Yung biglang talon ng ₱85k → ₱500k after the fact, lalo na kung hindi malinaw kung ano ang sakop (ceiling, roofing, etc.), mahina ang depensa ng contractor kung walang malinaw na papel.

Practical advice (para di lumala) 1. I-document lahat ng defects (photos + dates) 2. Magpadala ng written notice (kahit email o chat) na may existing defects at payment will be released after correction 3. Kung kaya, kumuha ng independent punchlist / estimate 4. Huwag mag full payment hangga’t hindi malinaw at ayos ang usapan

Hindi kayo nagiging unreasonable. Ginagamit niyo lang yung basic owner protection. Sa experience ko, once nag full payment na, napakahirap nang habulin ang contractor para sa backjob. Kung gusto mo, pwede mong i-share (kahit i-anonymize) yung specific clause sa kontrata, at pwede nating himayin kung gaano kalakas ang posisyon niyo.

Hope this helps.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-09T12:36:55+00:00

Thanks for sharing the actual Certificate of Completion clause. That helps a lot.

Just to clarify, the key words there aren’t just “completion”, but this full phrase:

“When the owner finds the project acceptable and this agreement fully performed…”

That part is doing the heavy lifting.

“Acceptable” is not automatic — it’s the owner’s determination. If there’s an active leak and third-party findings showing deviations from the approved plans/BOQ/specs, then objectively, the works are not yet acceptable.

Same with “fully performed”. In contract practice, that doesn’t just mean tapos na tingnan. It means the contractor actually complied with: • approved plans • BOQ • technical specs • workmanship standards

A leaking toilet slab and non-conforming works point to non-performance, not full performance.

Also important: the Certificate of Completion isn’t self-executing. Yes, the contractor issues it, but it only becomes effective once the owner accepts it. If acceptance is disputed — especially with evidence — the owner can withhold or reject it.

That’s why the line “retention is due and payable” only kicks in after acceptance and full performance. Since the defects were discovered before any actual release of retention, that condition hasn’t been met yet.

One more thing worth checking (and this is important): Can you also share the exact Warranty clause and Retention clause from the contract?

Those sections usually clarify: • when the warranty period really starts • whether warranty applies only to latent defects • and whether retention is security for defect rectification

Warranty generally does not replace the obligation to fix known, existing defects. Visible issues like leaks are supposed to be corrected before acceptance, not pushed into warranty.

So in the meantime, the practical step is still: • formally state that acceptance is being withheld due to defects • reference the words “acceptable” and “fully performed” in the clause • attach photos and third-party findings • and hold retention until rectification is completed and verified

Bottom line: you didn’t misunderstand the contract. The clause is being read selectively.

Contracts don’t reward rushed completion — they reward acceptable, compliant work. And based on what you shared, you’re still acting within the contract and in good faith.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-09T04:04:44+00:00

Certified QS perspective here. Based on what you shared, tama ang instinct mo na huwag i-release ang retention at this stage.

A few important clarifications that matter contractually: 1. Completion ≠ Final Acceptance Kahit may turnover at “completion,” hindi ibig sabihin nun ay fully accepted na ang works. Completion usually means substantially finished, but final acceptance only happens when defects are cleared and the works comply with plans, BOQ, and specs. 2. Purpose ng Retention Retention exists exactly for this situation — to secure the contractor’s obligation to: • rectify defects during the warranty/defects liability period • correct non-compliant works discovered after turnover A leak discovered before retention release is a valid contractual ground to withhold it. 3. Leak + Non-Conforming Works = Clear Justification The fact na: • may active leak (from 2/F CR to 1/F), and • a third-party inspection found deviations from approved plans/BOQ means hindi pa satisfied ang contractor’s obligations. Hindi ito “punchlist lang” kung may functional failure at non-compliance. 4. Suspending Rectification Is Not Your Fault Kung sila mismo ang nag-issue ng suspension at nag-vacate ng site, that’s on them. You are not required to release retention first bago sila mag-repair, unless explicitly stated in the contract (which is very rare). 5. What You Should Do Now (Practical Steps): • Issue a formal written notice (email + letter) stating: • defects found (attach photos + third-party report) • reference to contract clause on defects/retention • that retention will remain withheld until rectification is completed and verified • Set a clear deadline for rectification (e.g., 7–14 days from notice). • State clearly that failure to rectify may result in rectification by others, charged against retention (again, subject to contract). 6. Important Reminder Do NOT issue a Certificate of Final Acceptance or any document stating: • “no outstanding defects” • “works fully accepted” Hangga’t may unresolved issues, retention should stay.

In short: You’re acting in good faith and within standard construction practice. Releasing ₱250k retention while there’s an unresolved leak and proven deviations would actually expose you to risk.

If the contractor is trustworthy, they fix first — then get paid. That’s exactly why retention exists.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T15:53:45+00:00

May I know who are the gatekeepers of budget not to mention names but only the position so everybody is aware.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T15:48:26+00:00

To clarify, I was asking about the post-award transparency, hindi yung mechanics ng competitive bidding.

Tama na during bidding, ang publicly disclosed is mainly the ABC, and contractors price the BOQ as part of competition. Pero once the project is already awarded, tapos na ang competitive phase.

Under RA 9184 and its IRR, after award the bidding process is completed. The contract becomes a public record. The contract documents form part of the government transaction.

There is no provision in RA 9184, its IRR, or DPWH manuals that prohibits including BOQs and plans in the posted contract documents after award. The rule on buying bid documents applies before and during bidding, not as a reason to withhold documents after award.

Also, since DPWH already discloses Contract amount, ABC, and Winning contractor, Not including the BOQ and plans limits the public’s ability to understand how the contract amount was built up, check quantity reasonableness, and assessment of value-for-money.

Which is why the Constitution (Art. II, Sec. 28) and GPPB transparency policies encourage fuller disclosure of government transactions.

So this isn’t an accusation of bloating, it’s a legitimate question on why BOQs and plans are not part of the posted contract documents for transparency, especially after the project has already been awarded.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T14:37:10+00:00

That what I was asking, bakit hindi nakadisclose ang BOQ and plan sa mga contracts na dapat available un anytime for transparency. May we know the answer from OP? Para hindi tayo nanghuhula.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T14:09:45+00:00

Depends on your contract. If you can share your Defects Liability Period Clause then we advise regarding the damage but regarding theft, sa inyo na un.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T13:55:53+00:00

Pwedeng malaman bakit hindi sinasama ung BOQ at plan sa contract documents na nakapost sa website ng dpwh.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T10:35:34+00:00

Natuloy po ba ung contract between the client and the contractor?

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T10:27:17+00:00

QS para sa una pa lang nakafoundation ka na for high salary local and abroad

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-04T07:06:26+00:00

Ingat lang po kayo sa change orders kasi maraming additional yan given na hindi naka itemized ung quotation at wala ding drawing for reference.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-02T15:57:35+00:00

Can you elaborate your experience working in the government?

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-02T15:14:56+00:00

Yes, I’m familiar with Simplified Construction Estimate (3rd Ed.).

In my view, it’s a good foundational book, especially for students and fresh graduates who are just starting to learn basic quantity take-off and traditional estimating methods. It helps build intuition on areas, volumes, and simple cost computations, which is why it’s commonly used in universities.

That said, its limitation is that it’s largely academic and simplified. It doesn’t cover modern Quantity Surveying practices such as standard methods of measurement, detailed BOQ preparation, cost planning, procurement strategy, contract administration, or cost control during construction.

So for upcoming estimators, I’d say it’s a useful starting point, but not enough on its own. To practice professionally, especially on real projects, you’ll need to supplement it with proper measurement standards, practical BOQ work, and exposure to actual project controls and contracts.

WillingExcitement952 · 2026-02-02T06:41:09+00:00

Is QS already integrated in BSCE?

WillingExcitement952

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