00:00 The number one question I get from inquirers is,
00:03 "How much did it cost me to build a container van?"
00:08 I watched what you did.
00:17 Actually, our story is the same.
00:20 They wanted a subdivision.
00:21 It's expensive on land and small.
00:23 So now, I started to visit a few places, Tagaytay, Amadeo,
00:31 and then last, here in Calamba,
00:33 at the foot of Mount Makiling.
00:35 Actually, it's 700 feet above sea level.
00:40 It's basically raw land, as in farmland.
00:44 As in, there's no road, no water, no electricity.
00:48 But when I saw the place and I saw the view,
00:50 I fell in love.
00:52 I was like, "Wow, it's beautiful."
00:54 I guess I've seen what I wanted.
00:57 We used to live in Makati
01:04 until we sold our property there.
01:07 Actually, there were four of us,
01:09 and three of us lived in this area.
01:12 And comparing the two,
01:14 between living there and living here,
01:16 it's a world of difference.
01:18 Because it's hot there.
01:19 It's all cement.
01:21 There's no fresh air.
01:23 Unlike here, it's cold.
01:25 So it's really far.
01:27 And then, it's super quiet.
01:28 As early as 2014,
01:35 when I first saw pictures of container van,
01:38 I said, "Hey, this is nice."
01:39 And then, it's simple.
01:41 And then, I started to study it.
01:44 Just the high-level studies.
01:46 How to do it?
01:48 What foundation do you need?
01:50 So I said, "It's easier to do."
01:53 I drew the design.
01:54 What I wanted.
01:55 I incorporated what I saw here.
01:58 I incorporated what I saw here in the other one.
02:01 And then, I really wanted a small house.
02:04 It's about 70 square meters,
02:09 the total living area.
02:11 But the usable area,
02:12 150 to 180 square meters.
02:14 Because it includes the third floor deck,
02:17 second floor deck, front deck.
02:21 Supposed to be, this is only three container vans.
02:24 One 40-footer, high ceiling.
02:26 And then, two 20-footers for the rooms.
02:30 Two rooms on top.
02:32 This area, we just added this.
02:36 We extended this so that the living room is a little bigger.
02:39 All-in living room.
02:41 You can have dining.
02:42 And then, if we have guests and we don't have enough rooms,
02:45 you can sleep here.
02:47 And then, the materials.
02:49 Container vans.
02:50 One 40, two 20.
02:52 And then, basically, this is made of
02:56 steel, glass, and cement.
02:59 Little to no wood.
03:00 Even the ceilings are made of PVC.
03:03 Little to no wood in the construction materials
03:06 because in this area, it rains a lot.
03:10 And there are a lot of ants.
03:11 [music]
03:19 This is the number one question I get from inquirers.
03:23 On how much did it cost me to build a container van?
03:28 Because basically, almost everyone has no idea
03:31 how to build a container van house.
03:34 So now, I can't say the exact figures,
03:37 but I can say it's basically the same.
03:41 As building a regular house.
03:45 So if you have an idea about a regular house
03:48 with the same size, it's basically the same.
03:51 Give or take a few.
03:53 It can be more expensive,
03:54 depending on the materials you're using,
03:57 or it can be cheaper.
03:58 The only advantage is that if you use a container van,
04:02 the construction is faster.
04:04 Well, except for that, of course,
04:05 I added a lot of materials,
04:06 so it took me a year.
04:08 But it's supposed to be only six to eight months
04:11 to build a house.
04:12 That's how fast the construction of a house is.
04:14 And then, in terms of maintenance,
04:16 compared to the conventional,
04:17 maintenance is more costly.
04:21 This is all steel.
04:23 It's 5mm, 3mm thick.
04:25 It's basically bulletproof.
04:27 [music]
04:33 My solar panels are basically four in one.
04:37 Well, solar panels, so solar energy.
04:39 Number two, it's also my rain catcher.
04:41 Solar panels, basically.
04:44 Underneath that is my water cistern.
04:47 So it's like a water tank.
04:49 So if the IDC tank explodes,
04:51 it goes to the cistern.
04:54 It's three.
04:55 And the fourth one,
04:56 it's a relaxing place, actually.
04:59 If you want to eat outside,
05:01 it's basically four in one.
05:03 It's water-based,
05:04 but they said it will be available within the year.
05:06 That's why I put it there.
05:09 Because water is expensive.
05:11 It's all delivery per truck.
05:14 That's also 1.5 million.
05:16 And it's good for what?
05:17 10 days to 2 weeks only.
05:21 Of course, my wife is a woman.
05:23 So when they go to the bathroom,
05:25 it's really like...
05:26 [laughs]
05:27 [music]
05:38 I insisted on having a third floor deck,
05:42 basically, like a viewing deck.
05:43 So you can see the place 360.
05:47 [music]
05:56 If you dream and you have the resources,
06:00 go for it.
06:01 Don't hesitate.
06:03 Especially when buying properties and land.
06:06 Aside from the house,
06:07 land is number one.
06:08 So if you're a contractor,
06:09 land is not for you, right?
06:10 So number one, land.
06:12 If you have the resources to get one,
06:15 get it.
06:16 Now, in the future,
06:18 if you don't like it,
06:19 you can always sell it.
06:20 And land doesn't lower the price.
06:23 The value always increases.
06:25 So it's the best investment you can have.
06:28 And as for the house,
06:29 if you have something in mind,
06:31 don't be mental.
06:32 Draw it.
06:34 Think of something.
06:35 Draw it.
06:35 Even if it's a chicken.
06:37 Draw it.
06:39 Put this and that.
06:41 I have a few friends who seek my advice
06:44 because they say,
06:46 "You're still in 2014,
06:47 you're still thinking about it.
06:48 Is your idea new?"
06:50 I said, "There are a few things that are new,
06:51 but basically,
06:53 at least you have a baseline.
06:56 You have a plan.
06:57 If you don't have a plan,
06:59 you'll just keep on thinking.
07:01 It's better to start early
07:04 even if you don't have the resources.
07:07 It pays to have a plan.
07:09 If you have a plan,
07:10 it's better to be smooth.
07:12 (upbeat music)
07:28 If you have an inspiring story like this,
07:30 email us at stories.onlygood@gmail.com
07:34 And don't forget to subscribe here on the OG Channel.
07:37 Thank you for watching.
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