Housebuilding Thread

[prefabs]

Re your windows. Bet the contractor makes up his "loss" in another way.

But, might be a lesson here for us.

1. Get someone to build a very small house for you.

2. Move in.

3. Get someone to build your main residence.

4. Never leave your very small house till big house is finished, just so you can watch everything.

[prefabs]

Also had a chuckle about your roof tiles. Few years ago, up North, my mate had a house built in a jungle setting. If you know Scottish soccer, you will know about the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic. Mate specified GREEN tiles, builder saw his chance and marked up the price, says hard to find. Mate tells him every house in Chonburi is having green tiles, get them esy. Mate goes offshore for a month, as he is approaching from a couple of mile away, guess what? BLUE tiles. Builder says sorry, used all the extra money looking for green tiles, but no hev.

One more thing. When shopping for roof tiles, colours etc.? Will your better half ask if her roof looks big in this colour? That is what happens with me whe I go shopping with women

[rgs2001uk]

Oh ouch Crossy, what a cock up with the window frames, expensive lesson for Somchai.

Will be passing by your way on my way to Nakorn Nayork tomorrow, will keep my eyes peeled for the latest attraction to the route, Chateau Crossy.

[Crossy]

Thankfully it's all sorted although why anyone would think that I would spend pots on nice hardwood frames and then paint them I don't know. I was absolutely fuming but managed to keep from exploding, Wifey could see the steam coming from my ears so she did the damage control.

I suspect Dusit knew he was in trouble before we arrived because he caved very quickly when I commented on the white paint all over my frames. There were a few comments about 'protecting the wood from the concrete' but they soon fell by the wayside.

I actually let him get away with cocking up the downstairs walls (they should also have been set back) because it doesn't really affect the look of the house so he only had to demolish half of the walls, maybe he was still reeling from that

[Daffy D]

Current issue is with the roof tiles, after Wifey spent most of a day deciding which colour she wants we now find that they are out of stock pretty well everywhere Dusit is phoning round getting 50 here, 100 there

Erm! won't there be a problem with colour (color) match?

[Crossy]

Current issue is with the roof tiles, after Wifey spent most of a day deciding which colour she wants we now find that they are out of stock pretty well everywhere Dusit is phoning round getting 50 here, 100 there

Erm! won't there be a problem with colour (color) match?

My thoughts exactly. Not my problem, if they don't match they go back! Wifey will see to that, she can be even more picky than me and the roof is her baby.

We have six completely independant roof pitches so provided all the tiles on one pitch match (same batch number) I doubt there will actually be a visible issue. Dusit said he would be talking to CPAC (the manufacturer) today, maybe he can cut out the middleman.

[mrbojangles]

It's these type of problems that make me extremely nervous trying to control my build from Saudi. Coming along nicely though Crossy.

[Crossy]

Today's jolly outing was to the door man, it's actually the same outfit who made the ill fated windows but Wifey forgot to take photos last time.

[onionluke]

I painted the back door on our house green , you know the green that was still prevalent in Britain up until the 1970's on back doors and janitor's offices doors . My old dad said they had to use up all the surplus paint . Well it is just a little homely touch .

[rgs2001uk]

On 19/01/2012 at 10:42 AM, mrbojangles said:

It's these type of problems that make me extremely nervous trying to control my build from Saudi. Coming along nicely though Crossy.

Mr BJ, its at times like this I wish I was back there with you, leave it to the mrs to sort out.

[rgs2001uk]

Crossy,

after Somchais cock up with the windows, have you mentioned floor battens to him yet, you are having a wood floor arent you?

Dont forget skirting boards, they aint there to make a place look pretty or as a fashion accessory, think of expansion and contraction.

Sorry to be the bearer of unglad tidings.

Anyway heres a picture of some nice wood to make you happy.

[Crossy]

RGS yes we've talked about the floor structure, it's not totally clear yet what's going to be done but we are having hardwood skirtings.

And so on to today's exciting episode

A mysterious load of bent tubing arrives (OK I know what they are really).

By today the tubes have been rustproofed and their role is revealed.

The design of the steelwork was borrowed from the roof of the Teak supplier in Bang Pahan, his workshop has the same curved steel structure. That's not the final width of the eaves, there's a further 1.3m overhang to come which should provide shading to the wall and windows and reduce our cooling requirements. I'm hoping that the high ceilings and wide eaves mean we don't need to use the A/C.

The roof chaps are pretty adept at climbing around the structure, one even has a safety harness

Boss welder, note the safety RayBan's and safety harness.

[Bpuumike]

don't forget the sugar cane and the coconut otherwise "they" will surely get ya....

Ooops, tell me about the coconut. I was planning to leave one in the corner of my own plot, within 2m of the planned house walls. Didn't think they were a prob but you sound otherwise??

[necronx99]

don't forget the sugar cane and the coconut otherwise "they" will surely get ya....

Ooops, tell me about the coconut. I was planning to leave one in the corner of my own plot, within 2m of the planned house walls. Didn't think they were a prob but you sound otherwise??

I think he was talking about offerings. But beware of leaving coconuts too close to the house unless the are full grown and you know their 'drop' zone.

[Bpuumike]

don't forget the sugar cane and the coconut otherwise "they" will surely get ya....

Ooops, tell me about the coconut. I was planning to leave one in the corner of my own plot, within 2m of the planned house walls. Didn't think they were a prob but you sound otherwise??

I think he was talking about offerings. But beware of leaving coconuts too close to the house unless the are full grown and you know their 'drop' zone.

Thanks for that, I didn't think there was any prob with their root system. This one is the shorter variety and fully grown, in fact has about Thb1,000 getting ready to enter the drop zone - except I know they'll be 'cropped' before they drop.

[Crossy]

The replacement windows have arrived

Roof structure is progressing well, apparently the tiles issue has been solved and all will be sourced from a single supplier and batch.

Windows go in.

The roofers use standard Thai style welders

This is the commoning point for the welders, only one cable goes from each welder to the torch, the return path being via the structural steel in the beams and columns.

To my surprise even lengths of steel simply laid on the upper floor have sufficient connection to allow welding without a grounding clip.

[necronx99]

The replacement windows have arrived

Roof structure is progressing well, apparently the tiles issue has been solved and all will be sourced from a single supplier and batch.

Windows go in.

The roofers use standard Thai style welders

This is the commoning point for the welders, only one cable goes from each welder to the torch, the return path being via the structural steel in the beams and columns.

To my surprise even lengths of steel simply laid on the upper floor have sufficient connection to allow welding without a grounding clip.

Witchcraft.

What fills in the rest of the roof, the big gap between the peaked roofs?

[mrbojangles]

Nice looking roof Crossy

[Bpuumike]

Nice looking roof Crossy

Yes, looking very nice. Do I understand from an earlier post you (or the good lady) call this 'Ayutthaya' style?

[Crossy]

What fills in the rest of the roof, the big gap between the peaked roofs?

Nothing, the open space in the centre reaches right up to low earth orbit. It will actually have at least one table with brolly, several plants, a small fish pool and a tree sticking up through the hole in the middle not my idea and I'm not totally sure how well it will work, we shall see.

Nice looking roof Crossy

Yeah, I think it will look better when it gets the extra 1.3 metre overhangs.

Yes, looking very nice. Do I understand from an earlier post you (or the good lady) call this 'Ayutthaya' style?

Indeed, steep curved roofs like this are prevalent in Central Thailand around Ayutthaya, Wifey's mum lives in one which is over 100 years old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thap_Khwan.jpg

Obviously we're building in steel rather than wood but our contractor is trying to keep the structure similar to the wooden version, inside will be cathedral ceilings with vents in the gables to let hot air out just like the traditional ones.

[steelepulse]

>> 11-07-10 Things are going to be somewhat basic for the scheduled 6 month construction period, they do have a separate loo though, I will not be testing it.

Any rough estimate on completion date. It looks to be a fair bit behind schedule without reading through the whole thread.

[Crossy]

Any rough estimate on completion date. It looks to be a fair bit behind schedule without reading through the whole thread.

Actually we're not too bad considering we were stopped for 3+ months due to flooding.

Probable move-in will be June but I'm not actually counting, I'd rather it was right than on time, contract is fixed price so K. Dusit has no reason to go slow.

[Bpuumike]

What fills in the rest of the roof, the big gap between the peaked roofs?

Nothing, the open space in the centre reaches right up to low earth orbit. It will actually have at least one table with brolly, several plants, a small fish pool and a tree sticking up through the hole in the middle not my idea and I'm not totally sure how well it will work, we shall see.

Nice looking roof Crossy

Yeah, I think it will look better when it gets the extra 1.3 metre overhangs.

Yes, looking very nice. Do I understand from an earlier post you (or the good lady) call this 'Ayutthaya' style?

Indeed, steep curved roofs like this are prevalent in Central Thailand around Ayutthaya, Wifey's mum lives in one which is over 100 years old.

http://en.wikipedia....:Thap_Khwan.jpg

Obviously we're building in steel rather than wood but our contractor is trying to keep the structure similar to the wooden version, inside will be cathedral ceilings with vents in the gables to let hot air out just like the traditional ones.

Appeals to me, exactly what I would like. Unfortunately my 'Planning Minister' prefers a more 'Western' approach. Can't understand why as she's otherwise very tradtional. We did look at a house on the outskirts of BKK about 10 months ago (it never got flooded, but BKK not for a house location for me) and she fell in love with the layout. Anyway, although the plot now has a retaining wall almost complete, the house design is still in the early planning stage and she might be amenable to a more traditional Thai style. Will be working towards that and showing her your photos.

In my case, up near Kalasin, the ground is sandy and pretty firm. Have been advised that being the case I don't need piles but recommended cement foundations prior to the land fill, which won't then need to wait over a rainy season.

Otherwise, things seem to be going well for you and keep up with your lively posts.

[Crossy]

To my surprise even lengths of steel simply laid on the upper floor have sufficient connection to allow welding without a grounding clip.

The mystery of how he was welding with no ground is solved, if you look at the lower left corner of the picture you can see a length of steel rod on which his workpiece is resting, it's welded to a re-bar sticking out of the deck

[KRS1]

Would anyone happen to know an approximate cost difference between using concrete and rebar for columns and support beams vs metal? - including man hours that would be saved by using metal in the calculation?

[Crossy]

Would anyone happen to know an approximate cost difference between using concrete and rebar for columns and support beams vs metal? - including man hours that would be saved by using metal in the calculation?

Labour is cheap here compared with the West so I suspect the savings would not be massive when you consider that your columns and beams would need to be manufactured.

Why not start a separate thread?

[KRS1]

I'd need to study more details before i can make a worthwhile post to ask more relevant questions. Or else i will get flamed for lack of details in my inquiry.

[Crossy]

The main roof structure gets a final coat of rustproofing.

This is where our 4m folding patio door will fit, I'll be able to sit outside with a beer and still see the TV.

These mysterious pieces of hardwood are to attach the fascia board, they get bashed into the ends of the roof tubes.

Sparks has arrived and started channelling for the conduits.

The 1.2m overhanging roof section gets started.

Meanwhile Mr Sparks has installed some boxes in wrong place in the kitchen. It's the upper left box that's too low, it's for the power supply to the extractor hood. The one below it is under the worktop to supply hob ignition, actually redundant at the moment because Wifey has chosen a hob with battery ignition, but of course being a woman she may change her mind.

The first fascia board goes on, the second roof overhang fits below this board.

These are the supports for the overhang.

[Old Croc]

I like the way you have your outdoors upstairs.

[Litlos]

Hey Crossy what are the wiring and colour standards they are using? Last week bored and looking for ideas had a look at a few Moo Baan developments and wangled my way into some partially completed houses, just do not understand when they say no, cannot. Three different Moo Baans, three different wiring standards for colour, etc. Nothing like a Safe T cut or similar, 1.5mm2 used for power and A/C supplies, yellow used as earth, blue/blue on power points etc etc. Very despairing. Mostly seems to be TT on new developments in existing areas as well, as could not locate any MEN links.

Six million baht house and as far as I was concerned would need about 20k Baht to bring the wiring to a safe configuration. About 200k Baht to bring house to reasonable in most respects, which was almost exactly the discount I was offered as soon as I started looking hard at construction. Makes you wonder eh?

Cheers

Edited February 3, 2012 by Litlos