Who Has Done It? Reliabable Builder In Isaan

[David Peters]

Yes, I get your points about the heat. Next time you built you will know a lot more.

Always face the main living areas to the north and north-east. Make sure you have plenty of overhang on the roof so that no sun hits the windows. A wide verandah right around the house solves this problem. I have those spinning fans (are they what you call whirly birds?) on my roof. They are extremely light and I cannot see the problem with the C-Pac roof not taking the weight. One thing I notice with lots of new houses being built around me- none are pulling aluminium foil under the titles. This is a 'must'. I also put insulation batts on top of all the ceilings. This you can do now if your ceilings are the square section types that one can just push up.

In the meantime, plant those big bushy trees, put whirly birds in and try some ceiling insulation if you can.

[bunnydrops]

Kun Matt

An example--Up near Nong Khai, My wifes relatives have a daughter whos husband build a beautiful house for them, spent about 3M five years ago. Greek columns, stainless steel gates and balcony railings, western kitchen, 3 car car port, etc, etc. They don't live in the house. They live and cook in the carport. Use the upstairs bathtub to hold water to mop the upstairs.

On the topic of stainless steel fixtures, if you live in the countryside near Khorat, Don't waste the money, I learned the hard way. So much salt in the water system here, they all rusted in less than two months.

[KunMatt]

Kun Matt

An example--Up near Nong Khai, My wifes relatives have a daughter whos husband build a beautiful house for them, spent about 3M five years ago. Greek columns, stainless steel gates and balcony railings, western kitchen, 3 car car port, etc, etc. They don't live in the house. They live and cook in the carport. Use the upstairs bathtub to hold water to mop the upstairs.

On the topic of stainless steel fixtures, if you live in the countryside near Khorat, Don't waste the money, I learned the hard way. So much salt in the water system here, they all rusted in less than two months.

Exactly. The house sounds lovely and I'm sure it would be well suited for the faring who designed it, but as you can see the people it was intended for will not use it in the same way we would.

Build them a house that is identical in build to the nicest house their village but make the outside and garden even nicer. That way everybody wins, apart from the previous holder of "nicest house in the village" who will hate them for stealing their thunder!!

[KunMatt]

Yes, I get your points about the heat. Next time you built you will know a lot more.

Always face the main living areas to the north and north-east. Make sure you have plenty of overhang on the roof so that no sun hits the windows. A wide verandah right around the house solves this problem. I have those spinning fans (are they what you call whirly birds?) on my roof. They are extremely light and I cannot see the problem with the C-Pac roof not taking the weight. One thing I notice with lots of new houses being built around me- none are pulling aluminium foil under the titles. This is a 'must'. I also put insulation batts on top of all the ceilings. This you can do now if your ceilings are the square section types that one can just push up.

In the meantime, plant those big bushy trees, put whirly birds in and try some ceiling insulation if you can.

I truly hope I never have to build here again mate! When we move away in a couple of years I want to rent from then on.

I had the choice of making our outside seating area (veranda) facing south and looking at 3 sides of serene peaceful picturesque jungle with just the sound of the birds and gekkos singing and the wind blowing through the huge bamboo trees, or face it north and be directly facing our crazy nextdoor neighbours and a open house opposite them where 50 drunk guys come to watch Muay Thai outside every weekend.

I've been told by the people who sell the whirlybirds and by CPAC that you cannot use them. The metal struts holding the tiles up cannot handle them. I have gables with vents so I could use exhaust fans but no idea what type are available here (?).

[THAIPHUKET]

Interim report

to watch the process of decision making is fascinating. First, they looked at a picture book, selected a house which turned out to be 50 m long. They had to laugh about themselves. Then they went to a local supplier of building material. He had an engineer who would again show pictures, more reasonably sized. And depending on the choice he will provide to total calculation of cost of material. For a house 20x14 meter it comes to 600.000. Simple materials only. Offer for labor has not been requested,

[zxray]

We are building now photo attached. Contracters wife is a friend of my wifes, we are in the States now, my father inlaw is on site every day. The contracter we used also built a store for us in 2009, and a house for my mother inlaw in 2010. This is near Chumpueng. I am not sure where you are located. I could get you the name of the contractor if you are nearby. We were happy with the other work that he did for us!

Ray

[zxray]

what happened to my photo

[callao]

I am starting a house in Vientiane Laos got 1 meter high building pad from last year and am going to starting building soon, lots of good information here, I have always wondered where you run the electrical runs in a post and grade beam brick house 2 story with a concrete slab 2nd floor I have a good simple plan, I will remember to vent the roof attic space and insulate everywhere and am going to put in as much covered patio and veranda areas as I can, Ive built a few houses in california so will supervise as much as possible and do the bathroom plumbing and sinks western style myself with vented SS and the electric runs and equipment, thanx for the info

[Pormax]

No headaches? Think that is almost impossible. I had a large 2 bedroom single floor house built in Buriram, and in the end because I was on sight most of the time it turned out ok-ish. But many things were done not anywhere near the standard of western builders. The problem that one has to understand is there are few if any really specialised tradesmen. Every body does a bit of this or that. This should not be too much of a problem with a Thai house but if you are having a western style kitchen and toilet/shower room then be careful as many of the 'builders' will not have done this before, these areas of mine were almost a disaster. No one knew how to erect the two cubicle showers, the granite work surfaces holes for the sink and hob were cut too large and I had to buy more granite worktops then explain to them what to do. The Thais could not see the problem. I personally think the most important person is not the builder but the foreman. Ensure he is really experienced, can and is willing to communicate with you. From my own experience the Thais do not like you looking over their shoulder and one has to be very careful with them because at the drop of a hat they will down tools and disappear. I would be very surprised if your budget is kept to. The other problem you have to contend with if you are building in a rural village is that if someone dies in the village then all work must stop for 3 days in respect of the dead. It does not matter if the workers are from the same village or not. During my house build there were 6 deaths and 5 weddings so it took almost a month longer than planned. If you start out not expecting the western standard of building the stress level will be much lower. Best of luck.

[MrRed]

I have just had some work done in the village and there was a wake on,the workers did not stop work and leave at any time.Maybe that is a rule in your village.

Agree with everything else in your post though it can be extremely stressful and annoying,i have a foreman who has worked in Saudi and Sing so this helps with his understanding of building around the world.

The main thing i find annoying is they don't think to clean up after themselves........they do now when i keep the grog back until its done!

Edited August 20, 2012 by MrRed

[CTO]

Wife built this while I was away, smart move as it prob turned out cheaper and better.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/578392-50-000-baht-1-bed-home/#entry5587955

Our main house was cheap, again done while I was away mostly, but it's totally Thai Style. Well - mostly, has a large open area up top that is covered by the roof but allows a great breeze through.

I think if you expect Farang quality at Thai prices, good luck.

Maybe it can be done, but looking at the 5 star hotels I've stayed at in Bangkok, not often, and pretty tough to do so in the sticks.

Go with the flow.

[Zvereva]

Presently in Sakon Nakhon, would appreciate any recommendations for a good architect/builder or one of each. Looking to build a house. Any other help and advice will be appreciated.

Natalie.

[tig28]

Hi Natalie

I found this dedicated Thai construction site to be of great help:

http://www.coolthaihouse.com/forum/

[sarotti]

Presently in Sakon Nakhon, would appreciate any recommendations for a good architect/builder or one of each. Looking to build a house. Any other help and advice will be appreciated.

Natalie.

Hello

Try Kannika. She buildt our house and also have more houses for sale in the area only one minute from town center, if that should be of any interest for you. Say hello from Dag and Pan

Kannika([email protected])

0427325423

[Boyce]

The best bet is to have a look at what is being built in the area where you intend to build , and look at the quility , and get a rough price from the builders and if you like there work , and go from there.

all the best in the project, don't get to involved it will drive you crazy just let the thai builders get on with it.

or you can call this guy www.alanthebuilder.com

Boyce

[DILLIGAD]

I use the same accountant as him and know he pays Thai tax, employs over 25 Thai workers who take care of over 25 Thai families, so with that in mind, I would safely say that the Thai registered company called Alan The Builder is 100% legitamate and as he has been successful here for quite some time, his reputation and the companies goodwill is something to be proud of.

Maybe a few members here are living in houses built by this company???

Edited September 15, 2012 by DILLIGAD

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed please stay on topic

[DILLIGAD]

I think going with the flow is a very good idea. Let the Thai family choose what they want and meet them in the middle about finetunung. I think us farangs spend too much money on houses here as our standard of living is reletively high in most western worlds.

After doing your homework, let a local part time rice farmer build theer house for around 500,000b as they will be well pleased living in a 500,000b house. The remaining funds can go on a lavish 'house party' for the whole village so that (for a few weeks) the family will feel like they are top of the (village) food chain.

[THAIPHUKET]

I have been listening to you and sofar it has been most stressless. Local material shop provided plan for 140sqm house, material 600.000, wife negotiated with local builders, who were happy to do the very first house in their own village instead of BKK, etc, being at home. Very first time that the foreman had to sign a contract to finish the house on time for the brother to become a monk, i.e. 3,5 month. Total price 150.000. Up to 10 workers show up every day. Mama pays material and workers, wife does remote control via phone. I stay completely out. Progress sofar on time, no hick ups.

If there is a franag premium included, so be it, worth my nerves ,my easy life any time.

[THAIPHUKET]

one area where I would like to have say, is safety...... when it comes to electricity. After all, we will stay there too, from time to time. Having seen what is normally being installed I wonder if you could help with =,

how to get a properly installed alternating current system in the house.

Starting with proper grounding, fuses not over 100 amp, cable not thinner than strings, etc.

Would you have a diagram, instruction in Thai to convey the message to the workers?

I rarely see lightning protectors? Why?? Lightening is a regular occurance.

[pigeonjake]

hi all,

i joined in on the building of ours,,

my dad was a builder so when i was still at school ide be with him at the weekends knocking up some building or other, so ive allways been able to lay bricks and bloks,

so like i say i joined in and to be honest the builders loved it, they even told the wife jake lay block very good, i got the to tie the internal walls in properly and not just with a bit of metal bar,

im in scotland at the moment working but i will be taking a couple of english trowels back with me, becouse im allways builing something,

more pig stys to build, i want to build a workshop,

so i was lucky that i new what i was talking about, i did my own plumbing im a welder by trade so i made sure that was done properly,

i found they was ok, you just have to keep and eye on them all the time,

jake

[ThaiLawOnline]

Building a property is often a headache in Isaan. I agree that the foreman is very important and that you must check all details.

Few clients of us had a good experience with Alan The Builder and PB House. So I would recommend them even if I never 'use' them. Same as Piman in Khon Kaen has a good reputation and Land and House in Thailand is normally also a well known company.

[ThaiLawOnline]

Just to make it clear, it should have been written that "a few clients of ours have had a good experience..."

And not the opposite. I was told by a reader who is not associated with any of the above companies that my post was not clear.

So we do recommend PB House And Alan the Builder based on our satisfied clients.

[THAIPHUKET]

I asked how to get a save and proper electricity installation again in the do-it-yourself forum. The replies are really enlightening and may be of interest to some of the readers of this post

http://goo.gl/q3OtR

[dreaming]

On time, on budget, to any sort of half reasonable electrical codes, to any sort of half reasonable plumbing codes etc. forget it! Whether Farang or so called respectable Thai builders 11 years and 2 houses and any number of friends heartaches I've seen it all!

Best solution is "Cost Plus". Get a local rice farmer "come off season house builder" to supervise - 500 Baht per day, brick layers - 300 Baht per day and laborers at 200 Baht, do a deal with a local hardware supplier for cement, bricks etc for the duration of the project then off you go.

Don't be surprised at what you see in the way of safety or construction techniques, it works. These people have been doing it for generations. When it comes to electrics DON'T let the Thais do it, get advise from an educated farang electrician. Mostly the same applies to plumbing. the Thais know nothing about septics, sewerage digesters, grey water leach drains etc.

Hi bdenner

What a diverse and interesting group we are!!

"On time, on budget, to any sort of half reasonable electrical codes, to any sort of half reasonable plumbing codes etc." ----- really its too easy -- if you are fortunate enough to find the right builder.

Here in SiSaket there is at least one such Thai builder who does both commercial and residential builds. Accurate quotes, withholding, warranty and most importantly reference sites going back more than 10 years.

Two of his clients I know personally have nothing but praise for his builds.

So to the " All Thai builders are hopeless" mob -- No !! Not all !!

Hi Tig,

I am looking at building a small house in sisaket. Can you please send me details of this builder. He sounds like just what I need. I have pm you.

Cheers

[redroo]

took me two weeks for the builder to turn up but in the end he did all wright job in putting in a seperating wall with sliding door for shop and living room.