a few basic costs

[nookiebear]

Have done some "winging it" with local builders, told them what we wanted and they did it, have been 90-95% satisfied. Found 2 basic types, those that provide all and you pay them, and those that provide the labor and you provide the materials.   

I lean towards the 2nd as you get the look/materials you want.  However, is it all Thai Engineering which can leave a lot to be desired.  But if you are there every day, supervise, monitor, and see what is happening, I would do it again. 

In the states, Building inspectors and planning boards would sh$t a brick at this approach, but from a cost standpoint, I have been very pleased.   

My advice (I have also built a home in the US) is:

1.  If you are flexible, can monitor the building, use the village contractor (and pay for materials yourself). 

2.  If you cannot be there, got with a certified contractor that signs you up for what you need to start with.   


I am about to build again here on land my TG owns, and expect to do option 1. However, I have already made mistakes with both so I feel I know better what to look for. 
 


 

How much did it cost for that reinforced sentry box outside your place?

[dimple joe]

Any experiences - suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Nobby's "Please remember the following here in Thailand" reply is excellent.

I recommend that D/D prints it out and sticks it somewhere that he can read it every day.

The comments are an uncanny reflection of my own experiences over the years.

There are many good builders out there. If there weren't then how would all of the building that goes on get done? There are many locals having great houses built by local builders.

D/D is a farang not a local and as such is likely to suffer similar treatment to Nobby and myself.

I applaud your defence of local artisans, although you do seem to be in a minority.

Like anything that people gripe about here. There are good stories and bad stories. I just think it is unfair to generalise, that is all.. I know of 2 very good "local" builders, within a short distance from where I live, that I would recommend to anyone.

It's just a pity that rather than offer your experiences and recommendations, you chose instead to complain about those who did.

[urleft]

How much did it cost for that reinforced sentry box outside your place?

Had to erect 5 of them to ensure proper 360 degree coverage, overlapping fires, and cleared fields of fire.   

[Albert]

So do you employ a local rice farmer to build your house or do you employ a well known building contractor,maybe even a European builder.
Local rice farmer cheap and job will get done.
Staff employed,brick layers,electricians,plumbers,floor tilers,roofers,and unskilled labour,etc,Mostly all rice farmers
Well known building contractor employes,brick layers,electricians,floor tilers,roofers,and unskilled labour,etc.
All local unskilled probably rice farmers.
Probably best to cut the middle man out and employ the rice farmer at a fraction of the price,because that's what your going to get anyway.The good old trusty rice farmer

[CO-CO]

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.

[toffo]

There are loads of decent Thai building teams around.. Just go look at the builds before to see if its good or not so good.. Alan is no different he still uses Thai ppl

[CO-CO]

There are loads of decent Thai building teams around.. Just go look at the builds before to see if its good or not so good.. Alan is no different he still uses Thai ppl

Agree entirely toffo - Alan's teams are trained and controlled.

I am happy with my build - I wanted Thai prices and was prepared to accept Thai standards. End result fine - electrics are a dog's breakfast and the plumbing needs rectifying but I am very happy with the overall build and particularly some of the cenent work.

[toffo]

CO CO.. What did you get for 1 million? Im looking to build a bungalow for that price and im curious to know if its ok.. Obviously it wont be a mansion but saves paying rent everymonth like i do now..


SORRY JUST SAW YOUR EARLIER REPLY AND ONLY READ HALF EARLIER 

[Starman]

Any experiences - suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Nobby's "Please remember the following here in Thailand" reply is excellent.

I recommend that D/D prints it out and sticks it somewhere that he can read it every day.

The comments are an uncanny reflection of my own experiences over the years.

There are many good builders out there. If there weren't then how would all of the building that goes on get done? There are many locals having great houses built by local builders.

D/D is a farang not a local and as such is likely to suffer similar treatment to Nobby and myself.

I applaud your defence of local artisans, although you do seem to be in a minority.

Like anything that people gripe about here. There are good stories and bad stories. I just think it is unfair to generalise, that is all.. I know of 2 very good "local" builders, within a short distance from where I live, that I would recommend to anyone.

It's just a pity that rather than offer your experiences and recommendations, you chose instead to complain about those who did.

I did. I have said there are 2 building firms nearby that I could recommend. I also said that in my experience common sense prevails.

Not sure what being a "farang" has to do with things. Then again I can speak Thai so I can communicate directly with the builders. Same goes with electricians, plumbers, car mechanics etc. If you can do the negotiations yourself then there are rarely any problems.
In my experience.

[nookiebear]

How much did it cost for that reinforced sentry box outside your place?

Had to erect 5 of them to ensure proper 360 degree coverage, overlapping fires, and cleared fields of fire.   

Good Man,I knew you wouldn't leave any thing to 'chance'

[nookiebear]

There are loads of decent Thai building teams around.. Just go look at the builds before to see if its good or not so good.. Alan is no different he still uses Thai ppl

Agree entirely toffo - Alan's teams are trained and controlled.

I am happy with my build - I wanted Thai prices and was prepared to accept Thai standards. End result fine - electrics are a dog's breakfast and the plumbing needs rectifying but I am very happy with the overall build and particularly some of the cenent work.

All of us,,,,,,,,,,,,,, except for you have used 'ceMent'

[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.

[Nobby]

I did. I have said there are 2 building firms nearby that I could recommend. I also said that in my experience common sense prevails.

Not sure what being a "farang" has to do with things. Then again I can speak Thai so I can communicate directly with the builders. Same goes with electricians, plumbers, car mechanics etc. If you can do the negotiations yourself then there are rarely any problems.
In my experience.

I think you are quite right in explaining that you have the added advantage as detailed above and a wealth of local knowledge too. Sadly, many don't have this at the outset.
Communication is a very important aspect to consider when undertaking a building project and sadly that is where I failed because 1) I spoke no Thai at that time and 2) was working away from Thailand so many errors surfaced that could have been avoided had I had my finger in the pulse  daily.
I hope these discussions help others considering building here in Thailand.

[CO-CO]

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.

[CO-CO]

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