a few basic costs

[Albert]

You can cut out the European 'muddle man' if you have some building experience AND have the time to control these workers.

I took that chance on a 1m Baht build.

If I wanted to build a decent sized house I wouldn't trust Jones tne Navvy aka Somchai the Rice with the shithouse door!  straight on tne dog and bone to Alan the Builder, sign a contract for 20% higher than the likely Thai costs then fcuk off on holiday for 4/5 months until Alan hands me the keys to a fully operational, what I expected, well-built house.

Had my house built by a local Thai man who employed local workers.
Paid 700,000 Baht 11 years ago,never had a single problem,singed the contract with him agreed when the payment were to be made,4 months later had the keys to a fully operational, what I expected, well-built house.
Don't you just love the locals.

A contract?

Albert, you were using a professional - not some self-employed paddy planter

But the majority of the combined workforce were rice farmers that done a very good.
I will agree with you that there was someone who was able to oversee their work.
Professional builder no,but he did have an idea about what was happening.

[Nobby]

Professional builder no,but he did have an idea about what was happening.

 

[Albert]

Professional builder no,but he did have an idea about what was happening.

 

Nobby what's so funny,please share the joke.
Simply made a statement that the guy knew what he was doing.

[Nobby]

Nobby what's so funny,please share the joke.
Simply made a statement that the guy knew what he was doing.

Sorry, just thought the phrase sounded funny.

I just thought of someone having 'an idea' but no plans/strategy/phasing plan/cost & risk analysis or project management skills. Maybe I had a brief lapse into a time when I project managed a few schemes on the other side of the world.

No offence intended.

[CO-CO]

Professional builder no,but he did have an idea about what was happening.

 

In fairness, if Albert did get a contract then the guy must have been pretty clued up - certainly capable of overseeing the local artisans. They are the two important factors - understanding what needs to be done, then supervising/managing to ensure that he work is carried out correctly. Ask Nick where a local 'builder' put his new toilet.

If someone can issue reasonable quotations/contracts they must be on the right track.

[CO-CO]

Nobby what's so funny,please share the joke.
Simply made a statement that the guy knew what he was doing.

Sorry, just thought the phrase sounded funny.

I just thought of someone having 'an idea' but no plans/strategy/phasing plan/cost & risk analysis or project management skills. Maybe I had a brief lapse into a time when I project managed a few schemes on the other side of the world.

No offence intended.

No need to be so defensive - there are some clowns out there. The worst being those who THINK they can do something - and can't, or can't but will not say so and try and just do their best. Albert (who had one of the better ones) and Steve (who can speak Thai AND understand what needs doing) got it right.

I was OK with mine - I just wish I understood more about building and could speak Thai to a level where the tasks could be discussed. Asking a Thai builder for a recommendation/advice usually results in an "up to you" response.

[Albert]

Nobby what's so funny,please share the joke.
Simply made a statement that the guy knew what he was doing.

Sorry, just thought the phrase sounded funny.

I just thought of someone having 'an idea' but no plans/strategy/phasing plan/cost & risk analysis or project management skills. Maybe I had a brief lapse into a time when I project managed a few schemes on the other side of the world.

No offence intended.

None taken Nobby.