Starting Our House Project

[nickynomates]

We will be starting our house project the end of this month in Buriram.

We plan to post regulary in the hope that people will learn from the many mistakes i can feel are going to happen.

We brought 2 rai in mid town for 1 million baht its a good bit of land and comes with full papers. Wifes name of course.

We will raise up at the end of this month 50cm and get several trees taken out roots included by digger I will be there all the time for this work. Cost quoted for this 70,000 baht local specilaist and friend of her family. ( i know first mistake never use the family or friend of ) But he came over very well and I saw work done by him soile nthis time iof the year is best top soil quality no clay and price i am comfortable with. I will let you know first week in the new year on that one.

Then i plan to get the draft plans drawn up and find out how to get them approved if any one has advise on this please post.

Wifes a stunner by the way not relevant just wanted to tell someone.

[Beardog]

Hi,

I am not sure you want all topsoil on where you will actually have the house. I live in Bang Sare, near Pattaya & all the soil used to build up the houses are the hard red -black clay rockish soil (very compacted so the rain does not remove your nice top soil.)Around all the areas outside the actual house building area you can have good topsoil for a lawn or garden so it will be fertile around the house area. 3 companies all suggested the same for the couple acres my girlfriend bought .

We are having a good topsoil graded around for the lawn around the house area. I know Buriram gets its share of rain & a good dowsing might float off your topsoil.

you should get a ton more advisor's for this post.

Good luck to you

Beardog

[chownah]

2 rai raised 50 cm takes 1,600 cubic metres of dirt. A good ballpark estimate for large quantities of dirt delivered, spread, and minimally compacted is 100 baht per cubic metre....that would put the cost at 160,000 baht for the project....so....if you are raising the entire 2 rai by 50 cm then you are getting a really good deal at 70,000 baht it seems.

[nickynomates]

To me the price is very low. But is guenuine

Next weekend i will meet up again with the guy who is doing the work.

So far im told 3 days to clear the land and they will use digger to get all major roots up.

I am told that they will spray the edges of the area.

We will pay in 2 stages once happy gound is cleared. 10,000 baht and remainder at finish of work.

I will be there for the period of filling when it starts.

We are paying for job to be finished and did not go into truck loads.

I will drive some 1 meter stakes about 20 of them and put them into the ground and mark at 50cm making the marks level myself so there is no argument on where they need to fill to and to what level.

After this we will ask if its still 70.000 just to be sure. and i will have a few people around to hear this as one thing i do know is that most contractors have no hesitation in letting a Farang down. But if it means loosing credibility among the rest of the village they will go the extra mile for you.

Wife will have simple paper work ready to be signed by them at this point with the folowing.

Dontractors name

Date to start.

Date to finish.

Price of work.

I think i have it covered and if they do a good job i have no hesitation with a few bottles of JW at the end to show our thanks.

Wifes a fantastic cook as well I now its not relevant but i just wanted to tell it to someone.

[Beardog]

To me the price is very low. But is guenuine

Next weekend i will meet up again with the guy who is doing the work.

So far im told 3 days to clear the land and they will use digger to get all major roots up.

I am told that they will spray the edges of the area.

We will pay in 2 stages once happy gound is cleared. 10,000 baht and remainder at finish of work.

I will be there for the period of filling when it starts.

We are paying for job to be finished and did not go into truck loads.

I will drive some 1 meter stakes about 20 of them and put them into the ground and mark at 50cm making the marks level myself so there is no argument on where they need to fill to and to what level.

After this we will ask if its still 70.000 just to be sure. and i will have a few people around to hear this as one thing i do know is that most contractors have no hesitation in letting a Farang down. But if it means loosing credibility among the rest of the village they will go the extra mile for you.

Wife will have simple paper work ready to be signed by them at this point with the folowing.

Dontractors name

Date to start.

Date to finish.

Price of work.

I think i have it covered and if they do a good job i have no hesitation with a few bottles of JW at the end to show our thanks.

Wifes a fantastic cook as well I now its not relevant but i just wanted to tell it to someone.

I am sure the crew will appreciate that if she offers a little gin kow along with the whiskey!

That is a real good price for sure!

Good luck & hope it goes well!

[chownah]

Around here if you get too precise with your requirements no one will come to work for you. If this is a friend of the family he might be doing you a big favor by doing the work at give away at a give away price and might be offended that you are turning a freindly arrangement into a big deal. It is good to try to be sure everyone is on the same page as to what needs to be done and the price....but I'd try to be as low key as possible....for instance, putting up the stakes to be sure you get the amount of dirt agreed upon...no no no no no....you are putting the stakes in to HELP them know when to stop adding dirt...you are HELPING them, not questioning their honesty. Seemingly small changes in emphasis like this can make a big difference in how you are perceived by the community....a community where you will be living....and seeing these people and their friends daily. You don't want people thinking you are a stingy jerk who is thinking they are all dishonest and thieves...do you?

I advise determining which part of the land is most critical for obtaining the full 50 cm of fill and have them start filling there first....because when they see how much dirt you are expecting they may very well want to renegotiate the price or the amount. I could be wrong but just in case this happens (it happens alot in Thailand from what I've heard) you will at least have the important place filled (probably where the house will be and the driveway) so if you decide to abort the full contract and come to some "reasonable" settlement for partial work done then you can continue with work on the house without having to wait to acquire more dirt.

You are getting such a good deal that its hard for me to believe that it will happen they way you have described. Seems to me that for that price they are more likely to want to dig a big hole (pond) in one place and use the dirt to fill the rest. This reduces the cost of fuel for trucking the dirt which is a big factor with the high fuel prices...but this is just my speculation.

Chownah

[nickynomates]

Around here if you get too precise with your requirements no one will come to work for you. If this is a friend of the family he might be doing you a big favor by doing the work at give away at a give away price and might be offended that you are turning a freindly arrangement into a big deal. It is good to try to be sure everyone is on the same page as to what needs to be done and the price....but I'd try to be as low key as possible....for instance, putting up the stakes to be sure you get the amount of dirt agreed upon...no no no no no....you are putting the stakes in to HELP them know when to stop adding dirt...you are HELPING them, not questioning their honesty. Seemingly small changes in emphasis like this can make a big difference in how you are perceived by the community....a community where you will be living....and seeing these people and their friends daily. You don't want people thinking you are a stingy jerk who is thinking they are all dishonest and thieves...do you?

I advise determining which part of the land is most critical for obtaining the full 50 cm of fill and have them start filling there first....because when they see how much dirt you are expecting they may very well want to renegotiate the price or the amount. I could be wrong but just in case this happens (it happens alot in Thailand from what I've heard) you will at least have the important place filled (probably where the house will be and the driveway) so if you decide to abort the full contract and come to some "reasonable" settlement for partial work done then you can continue with work on the house without having to wait to acquire more dirt.

You are getting such a good deal that its hard for me to believe that it will happen they way you have described. Seems to me that for that price they are more likely to want to dig a big hole (pond) in one place and use the dirt to fill the rest. This reduces the cost of fuel for trucking the dirt which is a big factor with the high fuel prices...but this is just my speculation.

Chownah

Hi Chownah.

Thank you for your advise its very sound.

The house will be at the far end where they will have to start so no problem on that.

Putting in the sticks to show them where not to go past and put too much soil in is good way of reason and i will still do this.

We did talk about cost of fuel last week when we got price and it should still be ok as long as the new goverment do not hike it up over night. If it does go up its not a big deal on the price i have been given.

I have no intention of being the village cheap charley or village idiot for that matter, and i will try to find a happy medium.

When i meet up again on Saturday i will clearly ask if price is ok. Basicaly if they make me happy i will make them happy, like i said a few bottles of JW work wonders as a bonus and act of good will.

I also plan to help them have shovel will travel.

Rice season is finished and soil will come from rice land wanting to be taken lower. I am told that many people sell this to make some extra money after havest is in. I know its softer that the clay they usually put in but we are advised and assured land is free from any water in rainy season and its already higher that alot around it. Thats why we are only going for 50cm, basicaly i want a level playing field so we can see the land in its fullest form. I will leave in many mature trees in the area away from the house.

I will update early next week and let all know what is final price.

Wifes learning to cook european. I know its also not relevant but i wanted to tell someone.

[Lite Beer]

I would not be too keen to get your shovel out. You could end up in trouble for working without a work permit. Sounds a bit petty but technically you would be taking work away from a Thai.

[nickynomates]

Cool

Sorted

Wife has shovel. I love Thailand

[Lite Beer]

Cool

Sorted

Wife has shovel. I love Thailand

:D Also dont bother with the JW they will be more than happy with the local Lao Khao.

Edited December 11, 2007 by Lite Beer

[nickynomates]

Hi just to give you all an update.

Meet with contractor today and saw his machinery which looks the buisness, all well kept and large enough for the job we need doing. The digger is huge and only a year old.

He will have 8 men working on this and expects it to be finished within 4 days.

We had a good chat went over what needs doing in good detail and cost and its going to between 70,000 and 80,000 Baht.

Its a little more than first expected but i was happy with the detail and best to know know and have all on the table so no suprises.

Work will start on Jan 3rd so will put up pictures and more detail at this time.

[nickynomates]

Hi just to give you all an update.

Meet with contractor today and saw his machinery which looks the buisness, all well kept and large enough for the job we need doing. The digger is huge and only a year old.

He will have 8 men working on this and expects it to be finished within 4 days.

We had a good chat went over what needs doing in good detail and cost and its going to between 70,000 and 80,000 Baht.

Its a little more than first expected but i was happy with the detail and best to know know and have all on the table so no suprises.

Work will start on Jan 3rd so will put up pictures and more detail at this time.

Finished worked out ok cost more than expected.

I have written this up as a help to anyone and i will post soon full details.

wifes a class act.

[MrSquigle]

Stunning wife cooking western food while holding a shovel....should make a great pic. I am looking forward to it !!!

[DanBlack]

Stunning wife cooking western food while holding a shovel....should make a great pic. I am looking forward to it !!!

Still waiting for pictures of the house

OK, really the wife

[MrSquigle]

Yeah...we don't like to rush people, but waiting waiting waiting...

[chuck6660]

Nicky

Please keep us informed, I have similar plans in Buriram, and would be greatly interested in your progress and the costs incurred!

My wife and I purchased 4 rai outside of Buriram city in Koh Meung, which is currently a rice paddy. We also have a 1 rai lot in the city, this is where I plan on building our house. The land already had soil laid on top for building. I hope to get my project started within the next year.

Except for the shovel your wife sounds similar to mine...beautiful and a good cook. My wife can cook, iron and run the washing machine at the same time!