Buriram Expats

Buriram Province - General Category => Real Estate, housing, house and land ownership => Topic started by: rufusredtail on July 20, 2012, 05:40:53 PM

Title: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 20, 2012, 05:40:53 PM: Gid aye , to all , My question to you is if one is to build a house in thailand , what are aspects to look for , i have 4 in australia , with not much trouble , but looking at the quality of houses in buriram , some great, but most have problems , what has your experience been , what problems have you had if any , are tradsmen available , here in aus , mostly word of mouth , word soon gets around who is bad , and who does the job right . Be interested in any details of what HAPPENED to you /
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: olavhome on July 20, 2012, 06:24:48 PM: Most important is to stay there ALL the time. Also check by yourself. And even if they say "understand" -dont belive before you really see its true.
But- that being said - guess quality vary- same as in the rest of the world. You can get a lot of stories on "build sites" as "coolthaihouse" or other. Give you a lot information for free.
Good luck with your build.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 20, 2012, 07:11:53 PM: Please note that a Thai's definition of good quality is........ CHEAP
Most westerners use that description to indicate the quality of finish.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: CO-CO on July 20, 2012, 07:32:08 PM: If quality is a major concern - don't build in Thailand.

This is part of my story - starting on 3rd May:-

Today is the 3rd of May and our 'lucky day' for starting our house build. However, I need to go back about 3 weeks.

I blame myself, of course !

If you are going to build in Thailand then I am sure that the most relaxed way is to pick your design, find a Falang builder (like Alan the Builder), agree a contract, price and sit back and wait to get the keys at completion. Pretty much 100% stress-free.

Anything else isn't.

I am building a 96 sqm under roof 'holiday' home that has 64 sqm of living accommodation (the rest is balcony/terrace). No snooker room! We have called the property 'Mountain View'.

I decided that to do this I needed to accept a Thai standard build to minimise the costs. I set a 500k budget, with elasticity to 600k for slightly
uprated fittings and things I had overlooked - like nails and smart Board fofr eaves and gable ends. . based on other local builds I worked on 30% for labour and 70% materials. This would put labour costs at circa 150,000 Baht

We had a hell of a job finding a 'builder' (read rice farmer who can throw house together off season) but eventually found a guy in the missus' village who was a friend of her sister. Good start, I thought, he might make an effort to to do the job and give a fair price - afterall, he was nearly family !

After about 10 days (7 days later than first stated) he came back with a labour only quote for the 'first stage' of 80, 00 baht - less than 2,000 Sterling.

I did ask the missus if there would be a contract .... , or a schedule of work ?

No - but we ascertained that he would take 20 days and pay 4 workers plus himself. Fair enough - I calculated 20 days x 2,000 Baht ( 4 workers @ 300 Baht per day + him at 800 Baht).
broadly = 40,000 or approx half of what he had quoted.

His figure, out of the ether, for stage 2 was 150,000 Baht and I suspect equally un-justifiable.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 20, 2012, 08:17:07 PM: Interesting on the costs associated with the build , so for 1 to 2 million thb , one would get a very nice house, the farang houses i have seen so far , look quite nice on the outside , any books on the subject at al.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: urleft on July 21, 2012, 04:57:23 PM: We have been building it by winging it with the builder. We describe what we want, the builder SWAGs (scientific wild ass guess) a price, and we begin.

Completely remolded a bedroom, remolded the store, added a wall, adding a kitchen, added a car park and other little things. I am fairly satisfied with the process. It helped that we live right there so check daily (or hourly). Main problem we had was we exceeded the power availability, had to revise things and go to 3 phase power after all was completed.

My recommendation is do use relatives to do the work. And if you are not there to supervise daily, go with the someone like Alan.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 21, 2012, 06:06:54 PM: Quote from: CO-CO on July 20, 2012, 07:32:08 PM

I am building a 96 sqm under roof 'holiday' home that has 64 sqm of living accommodation (the rest is balcony/terrace). No snooker room! We have called the property 'Mountain View'.

I was going to call my house "The Last Resort" but I lost that one in a divorce so I'm now contemplating "The Next Resort" but that is neither as funny or an Eagles tune!

Maybe i will stay renting, its far safer and less stressful.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: finnomick on July 21, 2012, 07:50:50 PM: What a minefield... We had our house built by a team led by a family member 4 years ago. It was the wrong time of year to build because of the rice crop, but we agreed on 300 baht per head to get things going. 2 days work in the first 15 days -- where are the team ? In the rice fields came the answer. So, don't agree extra money because you don't get refunds. As Olavhome said, BE THERE ALL THE TIME, because if you're not, you'll not get what you want. We were away for a couple of days and came back to find the bathroom/showeroom window had changed elevation. Why ? Because it looked better and in line with all the other windows came the reply. Because the misses wanted a shop at one side, they put in roller-shutter doors. Ah, we need extra money for that. Well I said, take it out of the money you would have earned by building a wall. Err, no, can't do that, extra work is extra work. And so on... Of course, they under-estimated the cost of the build so came with hand outheld for more which caused all sorts of problems as these were family. And you'll no doubt get the ' we need money up front ' mainly to buy beer and whisky so we can all get pi++ed up at your cost. Oh yes, and they also put the footings in the wrong way. I wanted 1 metre deep by 50cms wide. They put them in 50cms deep and 1 metre wide ( probably so the pi++ed up brickie could have more space to weave around ). What a nightmare ( and I guess all professional builders are rolling around on the floor by now -- and rightly so ) but after 4 years the building is still standing but what exactly we'll do when we want to alter and extend is another storey ( oops, story. Sorry, my little joke ).
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: urleft on July 21, 2012, 08:23:43 PM: Quote from: urleft on July 21, 2012, 04:57:23 PM
My recommendation is do NOT use relatives to do the work. And if you are not there to supervise daily, go with the someone like Alan.

Oops, left out NOT slapfight
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: olavhome on July 21, 2012, 11:59:03 PM: Quote from: Thaitanik on July 21, 2012, 06:06:54 PM
Quote from: CO-CO on July 20, 2012, 07:32:08 PM

I am building a 96 sqm under roof 'holiday' home that has 64 sqm of living accommodation (the rest is balcony/terrace). No snooker room! We have called the property 'Mountain View'.

I was going to call my house "The Last Resort" but I lost that one in a divorce so I'm now contemplating "The Next Resort" but that is neither as funny or an Eagles tune!

Maybe i will stay renting, its far safer and less stressful.

Why not "New guy in town" ? :P
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 22, 2012, 09:27:57 AM: Quote from: olavhome on July 21, 2012, 11:59:03 PM
Why not "New guy in town" ? :P

Good one or it could be 'Lying Eyes' or maybe 'Take it to the limit' with reference to the ATM! cheergirl moneysmile
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 02:47:35 PM: I would like to know THE LEGAL side of ownership , from what i gather a falang CANNOT own the land but can own the building is this correct or not ?
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on July 23, 2012, 03:29:19 PM: Quote from: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 02:47:35 PM
I would like to know THE LEGAL side of ownership , from what i gather a falang CANNOT own the land but can own the building is this correct or not ?
Correct, but read more links in the forum here and you will see there are some ways to own a property and land in Thailand under some conditions. sawadi
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Happylarry on July 23, 2012, 04:56:21 PM: Quote from: Admin on July 23, 2012, 03:29:19 PM
Quote from: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 02:47:35 PM
I would like to know THE LEGAL side of ownership , from what i gather a falang CANNOT own the land but can own the building is this correct or not ?
Correct, but read more links in the forum here and you will see there are some ways to own a property and land in Thailand under some conditions. sawadi

No there are not!
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on July 23, 2012, 06:20:34 PM: Quote from: Happylarry on July 23, 2012, 04:56:21 PM
Quote from: Admin on July 23, 2012, 03:29:19 PM
Quote from: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 02:47:35 PM
I would like to know THE LEGAL side of ownership , from what i gather a falang CANNOT own the land but can own the building is this correct or not ?
Correct, but read more links in the forum here and you will see there are some ways to own a property and land in Thailand under some conditions. sawadi

No there are not!
I guess its too complicated to give a sharp answer like yours or mine.

- BKK Post 2012-06-29

PROPERTY

Ombudsmen urge draconian new law

BANGKOK: -- Thai ombudsmen is drafting a carrot-and-stick law to protect Thai lands from illegal foreign nominee ownership, while developers and consultants suggest more legal transparency, a longer leasehold period and higher foreigner property taxes to prevent nominees.

Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said the new law would comprise punishment for companies offering advice to foreigners on how to hold Thai property by disguising their legal transaction. This would include law firms and consultants.

The existing law enforced by the Lands Department requires foreigners found holding Thai property to transfer the plot to someone else or sell it within 180 days.

"The new law includes a reward to anyone providing information about foreigners owning land through nominees. They will get 20% of the market price of that piece of land as a reward after the plot is sold," he said at a seminar on foreign property ownership yesterday held by the Thai Appraisal Foundation.

Deportation

The new law would also deport foreigners found guilty of holding land plots in Thailand illegally.

Ombudsmen will submit the draft to parliament this year, and Mr Siracha thinks there is backing for the bill.

"Anyone related to the property business may be unhappy with this bill as it will make the market rigid. But this law can help protect the land for the next generation of Thais," he said.

Will there be any land left for our Thai children?

He pointed to a new scheme where foreigners disguise their ownership similar to multi-level marketing, where they are buying shares of an agricultural company that grows rice on large plots in the northeast.

"I've heard there was a broker buying land plots throughout a tambon in Surin to cultivate Hom Mali rice," he said. "If such an act is not prevented, will there be any land left for our children?"

Suphin Mechuchep, managing director of property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) (Thailand), said any new law should not weaken Thailand's competitiveness. Yet too free a market would lead to a bubble, so balance is needed, she added.

"We should have transparency if we want foreigners to comply," she said.

She suggested clarity in regulations so foreigners could estimate their investment. Longer leasehold periods such as 50 or 90 years would lower their risk from the current 30 years, she added.

Higher tax on foreigner property transactions

When laws are clarified, she accepted Thailand may charge higher taxes on foreigner property transactions than on those of Thais.

Atip Bijanonda, president of the construction and real estate business department of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, agreed there needs to be balance while still welcoming foreign investment.

He suggested the government set guidelines for foreigners, forbidding their purchase of land banks, farm land, property in border areas, and locations related to the country's security.
Foreigners are permitted to buy land in industrial estates because they generate income and employment. Residential units near industrial estates are allowed for foreign investors or executives working there to bring their compatriots to visit Thailand.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on July 23, 2012, 06:21:45 PM: 'CLARITY NEEDED' IN RULES ON FOREIGNERS
The Nation - 2 July 2012
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN

Experts say there should be clear distinction between those for industrial use and residential purposes

Developers and other experts are urging the government to establish clear regulations on land ownership to lure a greater number of foreign investors amid the coming trade liberalisation under the Asean Economic Community.

Clayton Wade, managing director of Premier Homes Real Estate, who has been in Thailand for more than 20 years, said that with the AEC's full implementation in 2015 nearing, the government needed to act quickly on how it intends to handle foreign land and house ownership via Thai registered companies, as soon this issue would be dealt with by the Kingdom's neighbours.

"The government needs to differentiate between large foreign corporations seeking large pieces of land for industrial use versus foreigners simply seeking to retire in Thailand to live in a single detached house," Wade said at a seminar on the ownership of land and property projects in Thailand by foreigners, held recently by the Thai Appraisal Foundation in cooperation with the Thai Real Estate Business School.

Supin Mechuchep, managing director of property consulting firm Jones Lang LaSalle, said foreign investors were not significantly concerned about land ownership, but rather were interested on good returns on investment when doing business in Thailand.

"What we would like to see is clarity of local laws and regulations regarding land ownership for foreigners," Supin said.

She added that the transparency index on property trade in Thailand had been improving only slightly compared with other countries in Asean such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which have improved their processes significantly, such as for applying for property and business licences.

Foreigners have invested in many property and related businesses in Thailand, including the development of office buildings, shopping malls and hotels.

Supin said the AEC would lead to great business potential among Asean members, thanks to the huge size of the market with a combined population of more than 600 million and total gross domestic product of US$300 billion (Bt9.5 trillion).

The AEC will stimulate urbanisation and open up greater demand for new property projects, as well as the development of basic infrastructure such as logistics networks.

Compared with other markets in Asean, Thailand has advantages in the development of tourism destinations and health-related businesses, such as hospitals and beauty clinics.

"Regulations on foreign land ownership should not cause Thailand to lose its competitive advantage in property development to neighbouring markets," Supin said.

Athip Peechanon, managing director of leading real-estate developer Supalai, said the

authorities should not allow foreigners to own vacant land in Thailand or own any property in sensitive areas regarding national security.

"The government should also preserve agricultural business and property development for the Thai people because of larger financial power of foreign investors," Athip said.

He said the government could allow foreigners to own land in industrial estates.

Foreign investors should also be allowed to own hotel businesses in Thailand, which needs to promote itself as a regional tourism hub, and all tourism facilities should be upgraded.

"The government should allow foreigners doing business in Thailand longer property leases, from 30 years currently to 60 or 90 years, if they want to encourage foreigners businesses to use Thailand as their regional hubs," Athip said.

Ombudsman Sriracha Charoenpanich said the AEC would draw heavy investment capital into the country and many Thais who have economic limitations would need to sell their properties and assets to foreigners.

He said the government should arrange areas for optimal land use, as well as revise city zoning to be more systematic.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 23, 2012, 09:04:55 PM: Quote from: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 02:47:35 PM
I would like to know THE LEGAL side of ownership , from what i gather a falang CANNOT own the land but can own the building is this correct or not ?

Nearly. The land MUST be owned by a Thai individual or a Thai Company. Some legal firms can arrange for a Thai company to be established and run so that the main director can "sort off' own the Land.

As long as you can trust the paper its written on, a lease can be granted to a farang for premises but TB honest the best way to go is to get a Lawyer to draw up a Usafruct (type of Lease) and that is your safest bet.

Assuming you are legaly married, ensure the wife makes out a will leaving you the house, if you succeed her because Thai inheritance laws PLACE THE RIGHTS OF A HUSBAND AFTER THAT OF THE FAMILY DOG!

TB sure,TB sure!
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 09:21:30 PM: Interesting about having a will, separate issue , some of my questions have been answered, and i THANK YOU , for the advice , but can i legally own the building , house , as such ,and my wife owns the land , i understand about the land ,seems a bit of a minefield , so anyone out there , know the right answer in respects to the building .
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Various 57 on July 23, 2012, 09:44:21 PM: Quote from: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 09:21:30 PM
Interesting about having a will, separate issue , some of my questions have been answered, and i THANK YOU , for the advice , but can i legally own the building , house , as such ,and my wife owns the land , i understand about the land ,seems a bit of a minefield , so anyone out there , know the right answer in respects to the building .

I know I am new to this site but I have been doing lots of reading on the Internet because I was thinking of building a house here in Thailand .After reading this site 'Samui for sale' (http://www.samuiforsale.com/) [which I found on Thaivisa] I think the best option for me is to rent.As retired man with no children you can rent a nice house for 20+ years for what it costs you to build,plus if you fall out with the wife or don't like the area you can just pack your bags and leave thumbup

Even a Usufruct isn't as safe as you think :o http://www.samuiforsale.com/family-law/usufruct-in-a-thai-marriage.html
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: TBWG on July 23, 2012, 09:57:51 PM: Hi

It's been said many times before but worth repeating ~~~ only spend what you are prepared to loose or walk away from!

If you have doubts about your relationship, well .........................................

As for a will I made an appointment with a BKK lawyer and his remarks were along the lines, what do you need a will for you have b**ger all in your name, now your wife that is another matter.

In fact I have in my name a vehicle and a motor bike, bearing in mind the cost of a new car over here that is the eqivalent of a small house! Perhaps you are better off putting cash into a car and getting the house on tick?

TBWG buriram_united sawadi
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on July 23, 2012, 10:20:16 PM: Quote from: TBWG on July 23, 2012, 09:57:51 PM
Hi

It's been said many times before but worth repeating ~~~ only spend what you are prepared to loose or walk away from!

If you have doubts about your relationship, well .........................................

As for a will I made an appointment with a BKK lawyer and his remarks were along the lines, what do you need a will for you have b**ger all in your name, now your wife that is another matter.

In fact I have in my name a vehicle and a motor bike, bearing in mind the cost of a new car over here that is the eqivalent of a small house! Perhaps you are better off putting cash into a car and getting the house on tick?

TBWG buriram_united sawadi
You can't compare a house to a car+motorbike on your name but that is your view, ok.

I think making a Will is necessary to be on the safe side, you never know the future and property value only go up (car value decrease).
sawadi
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 23, 2012, 10:23:38 PM: Quote from: rufusredtail on July 23, 2012, 09:21:30 PM
Interesting about having a will, separate issue ,

For the reasons quoted by TMWG. that is why a will for the land owner is NOT a seperate issue.

Consider this.....

You build and pay for a house 100% on land owned by another. That person dies and despite all your financial involvement, if any member of the land owners family want you out of 'your' home, YOU MUST GO! becaue they now own the land and building.

TB honest, I agree with the renting idea too! after all, we are all but visitors here, whether we like it or not.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Various 57 on July 23, 2012, 10:42:53 PM: Quote from: Thaitanik on July 23, 2012, 10:23:38 PM

TB honest, I agree with the renting idea too! after all, we are all but visitors here, whether we like it or not.

I think for someone here to retire with a new wife or Girlfriend then renting is the way to go [ unless as TBWG has said " You only spend what you are prepared to loose or walk away from" ]. For the younger guys with Thai Children then building or buying is an option, after-all we all want the best for our Children :)

Then there is always the Condo option ,rent in Isaan and have a bolt hole in Pattaya party8
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: TBWG on July 24, 2012, 12:20:22 AM: Quote from: Admin on July 23, 2012, 10:20:16 PM
Quote from: TBWG on July 23, 2012, 09:57:51 PM
Hi

It's been said many times before but worth repeating ~~~ only spend what you are prepared to loose or walk away from!

If you have doubts about your relationship, well .........................................

As for a will I made an appointment with a BKK lawyer and his remarks were along the lines, what do you need a will for you have b**ger all in your name, now your wife that is another matter.

In fact I have in my name a vehicle and a motor bike, bearing in mind the cost of a new car over here that is the eqivalent of a small house! Perhaps you are better off putting cash into a car and getting the house on tick?

TBWG buriram_united sawadi
You can't compare a house to a car+motorbike on your name but that is your view, ok.

I think making a Will is necessary to be on the safe side, you never know the future and property value only go up (car value decrease).
sawadi

I agree entirely money is better off in property than in cars or motorcycles.

However, this is Thailand and say property prices increase which in my experience they have done over the last 10 years and I expect them to continue to do so for the immediate future. But for a farang 150% of nothing is still nothing.

Whereas well looked after farang owned vehicles hold there value much more so than in Europe or the rest of the world, so 60-70% of purchase price is better than a kick in the butt!

As previously mentioned for wills it is very important to establish what happens to your right to tenure should your partner die first. Once again this is Thailand and all depends on family, no matter what is in writing if they want you out they can make life pretty unbearable.

So I repeat ~~~~ only spend what you are prepared to loose.

TBWG buriram_united sawadi
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Alan on July 24, 2012, 01:14:51 AM: There is a solution here TBWG. Buy a motorhome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for the guys who want to own a house on anothers persons land and worry about future ownership I would suggest you build a house that can be moved or sold. Thai traditional houses can and do get moved or sold. With many modern type building methods now available a house no longer needs to be a permanant part of the land its occupying. Technically all you would loose is the footings and services cost.
It would be interesting to know how some Thai partners and their families would react to the farang knowing that the house is only as permanant as the relationship! king1
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: John the Traveller on July 24, 2012, 05:42:23 AM: Good point Alan.
I have seriously thought about a traditional Thai home for not only its aesthetics but its portability. thumbup
As one day I would like to live in Satuk (TBWG country) I have also considered a house boat. Farang can own a boat 100% :biggrin:
I still have a few years to ponder the problem.
Cheers,
JT
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 24, 2012, 06:37:34 AM: Quote from: Admin on July 23, 2012, 10:20:16 PM
Quote from: TBWG on July 23, 2012, 09:57:51 PM
Hi

It's been said many times before but worth repeating ~~~ only spend what you are prepared to loose or walk away from!

If you have doubts about your relationship, well .........................................

As for a will I made an appointment with a BKK lawyer and his remarks were along the lines, what do you need a will for you have b**ger all in your name, now your wife that is another matter.

In fact I have in my name a vehicle and a motor bike, bearing in mind the cost of a new car over here that is the eqivalent of a small house! Perhaps you are better off putting cash into a car and getting the house on tick?

TBWG buriram_united sawadi
You can't compare a house to a car+motorbike on your name but that is your view, ok.

I think making a Will is necessary to be on the safe side, you never know the future and property value only go up (car value decrease).
sawadi
I did do that and you are right it cost me $26000.00 dollars for an imax but has been a good investment, dont have to get mini buses to buriram anymore
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 24, 2012, 09:25:08 AM: Quote from: John the Traveller on July 24, 2012, 05:42:23 AM
Good point Alan.
I have seriously thought about a traditional Thai home for not only its aesthetics but its portability. thumbup
As one day I would like to live in Satuk (TBWG country) I have also considered a house boat. Farang can own a boat 100% :biggrin:
I still have a few years to ponder the problem.
Cheers,
JT

I know what you mean. if I lived near him, I'd want to move too! :D :D bananadance

Seriously though, I once viewed a property not on Thai land but over Thai water. It was on a jetty and very nice too. The farang owner (French, I think) also showed me his Tabien Baan (house book) IN HIS NAME.

So JT you could always get a houseboat and float further down Moon River when David goes a bit crazy! party13
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 24, 2012, 03:05:08 PM: Well its been an eduacation, a few questions , are plaster sheets availiable , i have seen mant cement block , then coated with cement mix , but inside the house many are bare cement block walls , no ceiling , only rafters then corrigated iron straight on top , also walls here are 90x 35 pine , is that available there , bec i have heard that wood is delievered at night , restrictions on it , any help appreciated.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: TBWG on July 24, 2012, 08:39:40 PM: A big vote of thanks to all the posters and I agree I would not like to live next to me!!!

As to the house book (Tabien Bahn) it all depends on the colour of the book, I have a yellow house book in my name, but all this does is note I live in the said property, it does not afford me any ownership rights.

With regard to building a property I think it is a mistake to try and impose western building methods on the Thai climate. Thai ways of building have evolved over the centuries for a good reason as have the western building methods and all are driven by the climate.

To answer a few of RRTs questions. Yes, gyproc plaster board is readily available from most builders merchants. Not sure if pine is available over here because I think the termites would have eaten it before the supplier could deliver it. Hardwood is plentiful over here and readily available for delivery in daylight hours at a reasonable price compared with Europe.

So Thais build the way they do for a good reason and any deliveries of wood in the nightime is iffy and will get you in trouble with the Boys in Brown. buttslap

Good Luck

TBWG buriram_united sawadi
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 25, 2012, 07:50:02 AM: Are there any books on building a house, in english that you would recomend, you mentioned termites , they spray chemicals before building , and have you heard of treated pine , they use a lot here, i built a pole house with it , arsenic is pressurised into the wood , termites will not eat the wood at all, do they have treated pine there, you mentioned hardwood , what sort of hardwood do they have, cost?,what did you use, thanks
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: John the Traveller on July 25, 2012, 03:40:12 PM: I know what you mean. if I lived near him, I'd want to move too! :D :D bananadance

Seriously though, I once viewed a property not on Thai land but over Thai water. It was on a jetty and very nice too. The farang owner (French, I think) also showed me his Tabien Baan (house book) IN HIS NAME.

So JT you could always get a houseboat and float further down Moon River when David goes a bit crazy! party13

Well Thaitanik that's an interesting story.......perhaps I should start building a jetty love5

David only worries the locals when he walks around his garden in a Bowler hat with a brolly tucked under his arm drinking a cup of tea and talking to his plants! I think we can excuse him as he once was a "city gent" sawadi

Cheers.
JT
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 26, 2012, 06:27:10 PM: Quote from: Thaitanik on July 23, 2012, 09:04:55 PM
[

Assuming you are legaly married, ensure the wife makes out a will leaving you the house, if you succeed her because Thai inheritance laws PLACE THE RIGHTS OF A HUSBAND AFTER THAT OF THE FAMILY DOG!

Can someone explain this to me, in australia i think if the husband dies ,wife gets all, if you divorce 60% goes to her, if i succeed my wife what do i get? IF ANYTHING.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on July 26, 2012, 09:14:08 PM: Quote from: rufusredtail on July 26, 2012, 06:27:10 PM
Quote from: Thaitanik on July 23, 2012, 09:04:55 PM
[

Assuming you are legaly married, ensure the wife makes out a will leaving you the house, if you succeed her because Thai inheritance laws PLACE THE RIGHTS OF A HUSBAND AFTER THAT OF THE FAMILY DOG!

Can someone explain this to me, in australia i think if the husband dies ,wife gets all, if you divorce 60% goes to her, if i succeed my wife what do i get? IF ANYTHING.
Everything goes to her family.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on July 26, 2012, 09:24:05 PM: Back to the topic subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFOIoGxktO4
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: olavhome on July 26, 2012, 11:10:40 PM: Quote from: John the Traveller on July 25, 2012, 03:40:12 PM
I know what you mean. if I lived near him, I'd want to move too! :D :D bananadance

Seriously though, I once viewed a property not on Thai land but over Thai water. It was on a jetty and very nice too. The farang owner (French, I think) also showed me his Tabien Baan (house book) IN HIS NAME.

So JT you could always get a houseboat and float further down Moon River when David goes a bit crazy! party13

Well Thaitanik that's an interesting story.......perhaps I should start building a jetty love5

David only worries the locals when he walks around his garden in a Bowler hat with a brolly tucked under his arm drinking a cup of tea and talking to his plants! I think we can excuse him as he once was a "city gent" sawadi

Cheers.
JT
Bought a book " how to buy land and build a house in thailand" by Philip Bryce. Published by www.paiboonpublisging.com, think in 2009. Second Edition, first in 06. isbn 1-887521-71-2. Quite ok and not so expensive. But also recommend www.coolthaihouse.com and its forum.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: John the Traveller on July 27, 2012, 09:05:22 AM: Admin the video "House built in Isaan" will inform anyone not familiar with local building techniques. Thank you for supplying it. I would be interested to hear what the final cost was. I note the lack of re-bar chairs in the concrete floor and the small guage of the re-bar used. I have heard but not seen that bamboo is used for reinforcing the concrete from time to time.
Once again thanks for the informative video it brought back memories of some builds I have been involved with in Isaan.
Regards,
JT
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 27, 2012, 03:48:31 PM: Thank you to admin , very informative, and the man who suggested the books , olavhome , graet .
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: CO-CO on July 27, 2012, 07:53:39 PM: I bought what seems like an encyclopedia of building materials in Thailand. Good coffee table material although a bit heavy - very useful source of information, cost about 800 Baht, as I recall, from the bookshop in Taweekit.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 27, 2012, 08:05:00 PM: Thanks for the reply , the actual name of the book would be a help does it have an isbn number at all , thanks :)
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on July 31, 2012, 08:50:25 AM: Can anyone tell me if solar panels are availiable in thailand , has anyone had them installed on there roof , is it expensive in thailand to do .
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on August 01, 2012, 03:09:56 PM: Quote from: rufusredtail on July 31, 2012, 08:50:25 AM
Can anyone tell me if solar panels are availiable in thailand , has anyone had them installed on there roof , is it expensive in thailand to do .
If its just for hot water, I checked it in the past and the shower instant electric hot water heaters are much cost effective, there are some other units work on gas which they are also cost effective but more expensive than the electric ones.

Another idea is if you want to produce electric (renewable energy) from solar panels, think about it, Its working VERY well around the world but the investment is high.
sawadi

solar panels thailand:
http://www.saveenergyasia.com/
http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/thailand--suntech-to-supply-solar-panels-to-44-mw-solar-project-_100001527/#axzz22HNP9MSm
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/04/thailand-joins-the-solar-fast-lane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdUAAm_dc3s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y85Czw1Yf-g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPTSb4u4qLk&feature=related
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Prakhonchai Nick on August 01, 2012, 03:38:19 PM: I have just come across this thread. Not one I would normally look at since my days of house building are I think behind me.

Lo and behold..what do I see. A poll concerning wills. What is the relevance of a poll on wills to building a house?

Having a will is very important, not least for us farangs and our wives. Yet is buried away in a thread of no relevance.

Admin, may I suggest/request you place the will poll as a separate thread, which everyone will then hopefully see

For the record, a will is strictly personal to the writer, and as such you cannot "have a will in both names"
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: mike on August 01, 2012, 08:30:03 PM: The company I work for in Eastern Seaboard, Rayong has it's entire roof solar panelled. Below is a link where it is mentioned.

http://www.boi.go.th/tir/issue/200611_17_10/3.htm
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on August 01, 2012, 08:53:04 PM: Quote from: Prakhonchai Nick on August 01, 2012, 03:38:19 PM
I have just come across this thread. Not one I would normally look at since my days of house building are I think behind me.

Lo and behold..what do I see. A poll concerning wills. What is the relevance of a poll on wills to building a house?

Having a will is very important, not least for us farangs and our wives. Yet is buried away in a thread of no relevance.

Admin, may I suggest/request you place the will poll as a separate thread, which everyone will then hopefully see

For the record, a will is strictly personal to the writer, and as such you cannot "have a will in both names"
you are correct my fault.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on August 01, 2012, 09:11:48 PM: The reason for asking about the panels is the cost i have 2 systems in australia 5kw costing about $8000 aud , and i dont get an electricity bill , they pay me at the end of the year , thank you to admin for the videos, one more QUERY i have a 10 thousand litre poly tank installed at one of my houses , cost to buy $1300 are plastic tanks this size or bigger available in thailand, for in my travels around thailand have not seen mostly concrete and big ceramic pots, be interested in your thougts on this subject .
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: ducati05 on August 01, 2012, 10:42:40 PM: rufusredtail, the biggest I have seen/got is 3000lt plastic tanks, I would be interested too if they came any bigger, I need to double my capacity... Yes I hear you say buy 2 oldmanwithstick but I allready have 3 x3000LT and 2700LT underground...
Or an underground concrete tank, had 1 quote of 300,000 Bt for a tank of around 45,000 lts , not cheap...
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Admin on August 02, 2012, 03:51:51 AM: Quote from: ducati05 on August 01, 2012, 10:42:40 PM
rufusredtail, the biggest I have seen/got is 3000lt plastic tanks, I would be interested too if they came any bigger, I need to double my capacity... Yes I hear you say buy 2 oldmanwithstick but I allready have 3 x3000LT and 2700LT underground...
Or an underground concrete tank, had 1 quote of 300,000 Bt for a tank of around 45,000 lts , not cheap...
Where do you live that you need such a big tank(S) of water???!!
I don't have any but have water pump which is working very well, maybe a standard water tank would have been nice to have to make the water pump work less hard but thats it....... Really, explain me, maybe there is a sensible reason to have such a big amount of water stored all the time....?! sawadi
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on August 02, 2012, 06:29:21 AM: I live in AUSTRALIA, the reason for the question is for the future of , building a house ,in thailand at a later date, 10,000 litres is really not that big ,about 3 meters across and 2.5 meters high , i have this one at the main house,my gf who is thai uses this for the garden i have this connected this tank to the toilet and the washing machine , using a pressure pump, reason been , as you know here in australia in victoria , our dams went down to 29% full so water here is going to sky rocket soon , you could not wash your car or hose your driveway, only water the garden on certain days, all due to drought, something i think has never happened in thailand, i have a beach house where there is no town water, there i have 10,000 gallons , approx 50,0000 litres, concrete tank , but you can get up to 30,0000 litres in fibreglass or poly, so theres another Question for all out there are pressure pumps availiable , cost?
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on August 02, 2012, 08:24:50 AM: My Ozzy mate built a huge tanked room alongside his house to store water and when on holiday at Kho Chang, I saw a very upmarket house for sale with a tanked basement that also kept the downstairs nice and cool.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: ducati05 on August 02, 2012, 01:49:02 PM: Quote from: Admin on August 02, 2012, 03:51:51 AM
Quote from: ducati05 on August 01, 2012, 10:42:40 PM
rufusredtail, the biggest I have seen/got is 3000lt plastic tanks, I would be interested too if they came any bigger, I need to double my capacity... Yes I hear you say buy 2 oldmanwithstick but I allready have 3 x3000LT and 2700LT underground...
Or an underground concrete tank, had 1 quote of 300,000 Bt for a tank of around 45,000 lts , not cheap...
Where do you live that you need such a big tank(S) of water???!!
I don't have any but have water pump which is working very well, maybe a standard water tank would have been nice to have to make the water pump work less hard but thats it....... Really, explain me, maybe there is a sensible reason to have such a big amount of water stored all the time....?! sawadi
Admin, I don't know if its a sensible reason but... I have 2.5 Rai, I love my gardens and I'll be happy to work in it as much as I can, The whole block (1 acre) has an underground sprinkler system broken up into 3 zones, 1 zone can empty a 3000 lt tank in 25 minutes, so even if I only water for say 15 minutes thats a hell of a lot of water for 3 zones.... the village supply during the dryest part of the year has NO pressure and takes weeks to top the tanks up again, no problem now when its raining but I don't need it now as much..
If that doesn't make sense it maybe because I'm an Aussie as well.. redman redman
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on August 02, 2012, 05:19:31 PM: why dont you pm Alan the Builder for advice. He is a forum sponsor and very helpful too!
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on August 03, 2012, 08:13:41 AM: Quote from: Thaitanik on August 02, 2012, 05:19:31 PM
why dont you pm Alan the Builder for advice. He is a forum sponsor and very helpful too!
I have no doubt i will do this in the end , signed contract , and watch it been built , someone that speaks english to you , very helpfull, i have sub contracted all tradesman to build my last two houses, but you have to be on the ball all the time, and be there, as many of you have said , using this site mainly for information because western think different to thai in many ways , you think they understand what you say to them , turns out they dont many times, that i have learnt since living with a thai , i am getting to old to take on another build , so thank you to all for the information , been an eduacation, will add some questions down the track as they come up. pray1
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on August 03, 2012, 10:14:06 AM: wise words Rufus.

I was a Project Manager and still had a few mistakes made because of the reasons you state above. Most were the stupidest error that could so easily be avoided. I put it down to the fact that Thai's say yes to everything weather they understand or not.
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on August 03, 2012, 11:45:28 AM: Quote from: Thaitanik on August 03, 2012, 10:14:06 AM
wise words Rufus.

I was a Project Manager and still had a few mistakes made because of the reasons you state above. Most were the stupidest error that could so easily be avoided. I put it down to the fact that Thai's say yes to everything weather they understand or not.
If you dont mind me asking what went wrong , what mistakes were made ?
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: Nobby on August 03, 2012, 01:28:03 PM: The main thing that was practically impossible to remidy was no 'traps' on waste water outlets from the shower rooms. A very simple thing to do and needed to stop smells and bugs. Found that one out after the floor tiling had been finished!
Title: Re: Building a House
Post by: rufusredtail on December 11, 2012, 05:09:18 PM: Hello again, tapping your brain once again, i have noticed in thailand that they produce clay bricks , very small, i am looking for if i can get bricks 230mm long by 105 mm wide by 76 mm high , either in solids which i prefer or wire cuts , any advice on what you have used , would be appreciated, thanks