How To Start With Construction Of My Dream House

[carlooshall]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a good resource to find contractors? I have been looking online and all I have seen are sites where you have to describe the job then wait to get called from a contractor or if I find a directory type of site there is a limited number of contractors in my area, but I know there are many more. I am trying to build my first house and I was planning on hiring all the contractors so I need a good resource to find them. Something with reviews and article would also be very beneficial, please let me know if anyone knows of a good place to look.

[londonthai]

you don't specify where. Most probably there is no such directory.

if you are doing only a smallish house, there is not much point opproaching companies advertising through net or in the specialised magazines, who do larger projects, moobans.

put your advert in local building stores, supermatket in thai, in the area you are going to live. Ask the shopowners of those shops, if they know some reliable builders. Stop by some building sites which are well organised and ask the headman for the company details. Word of mouth will give you the best results, but you might need a translator

[Crossy]

Do you have a house style in mind?

Have a look here http://www.crossy.co.uk/Thai_House_Plans/index.html , all these plans are available FREE from your local amphur, they will also suggest builders who can do the job for a sensible price.

If you have a Thai wife, get her to do the talking (you should hide to avoid the 'farang' loading!!!).

Edited March 9, 2009 by Crossy

[Cuban]

> If you have a Thai wife, get her to do the talking (you should hide to avoid the 'farang' loading!!!).

So important.

However, it would be wise to ensure that your wife is capable of communicating clearly as to what is required.

Take a drive round the area to see what the local builders have built, consider finding all te other farang houses in the area and who they used. For the costs you will save it's worth bribing them with beer to find out the pitfalls first hand directly.

Consider when you will have the work done, amazing how many 'builders' have to disappear when there is rice planting or harvesting to be done. Much of the profit for a builder will be in the percentage he charges you on top of the basic price of materials, consider paying for materials directly. Also keep your receipts - see the thread last year on when it comes to knock the house down.

One thing I'll mention here because I was talking about it with a 'relation' when he made some changes to his family home, consider the impact of weather, we are talking sun and rain. I say this because the builder will build what he is told to do - seldom apply higher level thoughts. The case in pont has resulted in a lovely wall that creates a muddy pond each time it rains. Heavy soil and no drainage consideration means that he will need to drill (knock through more likely) drainage holes before the rainy season starts. Not to mention the soil erosion that this may encourage. Yes his face did drop when he thought about it.

[apetley]

It might be worth having a look and asking the same question on coolthaihouse.com.