Terrible jobs done by local workers.

[thaibeachlovers]

Having had 2 electricians try to kill me with bad wiring and a welder that can't weld, I'd like to know if anyone has actually had a GOOD job done by local workers ( I won't call them tradesmen )?

Perhaps there is an opportunity for someone to start a company that employs competent tradesmen for small jobs around the house.

[crazygreg44]

that's normal here . . when our electrician was finished connecting the electricity of a new house to the existing one, we found out the day later that our tin roof was hot ! Luckily it was not the rainy season or we would have been grilled to dead on our verandas.

Just make sure that work is done correctly, don't leave builders and construction people unattended. I always watched over the construction from the very beginning to the end, and had been able by thus correcting a few issues so far.

[jocko]

It would be great if ex pats could start a small building company and get good tradesmen to work for them but there is just to many issues here to even think about it, it's a good idea before getting any building work done is ask around and have a look what they have done before but mind you electrical work here is minefield and if you could find a competent one you have done well, it's easy to fix a bit of rough cement etc but not electrical or internal plumbing .

[kevvy]

tell me about it , building 38 houses and every minute have to check the building quality .if you stay on top of them you will get a better job , and if the first time is no good tell them to do it again or they will not get paid . this works. well for me anyway . The first houses are finished and my wife and I are very proud of the houses and the quality of them .And cost just over 1 million. good house good workmanship .

[thaibeachlovers]

that's normal here . . when our electrician was finished connecting the electricity of a new house to the existing one, we found out the day later that our tin roof was hot ! Luckily it was not the rainy season or we would have been grilled to dead on our verandas.

Just make sure that work is done correctly, don't leave builders and construction people unattended. I always watched over the construction from the very beginning to the end, and had been able by thus correcting a few issues so far.

That only works if YOU know how it should be done. Most expats probably don't have a clue.

I always have to go around and redo most of the work they do. I only employ locals because it's not my house and I want someone to blame if it all turns to tears.

[HeijoshinCool]

Every Thai male is a jack of all trades but master of none.

I have never met so many grown men who thought they could do anything with any tool. But can't. Shoddy work abounds.

However, just last week, after six years here, I stumbled upon a house under construction. Small, but it caught my attention and I checked it out.

Outstanding! Joinery like I've never seen in LOS (all done with rudimentary tools), windows and casings all handmade. Everything level, square and plumb! Tiles flush, consistent grout lines. wooden floor upstairs with tight, tongue-and-groove joints, sanded beautifully.

The guy had never built a house before. This was his first. It had an intelligent, functional layout that he spent two years drawing and revising. He said it's the only one he'll ever build. It's for his mother and himself.

i spent a good hour complimenting him.

[jvs]

I am not saying this is the case but most people want to pay the least amount possible and expect a good job.Pay peanuts,get monkeys.

I had some simple work done by locals and the quality is really bad,it started falling apart after a few months.

We had a new house build a little later and the foreman was absolutely first rate,he looked at the plans and got busy.We had to pay him and his crew a good rate but it was certainly worth it,also the electrician did a very good job.

Not a single thing had to be done twice and the house is all square ,level and will stand for a long time to come.

Try to find a quality build house in the us of Europe these days,a lot of bad builders there also.

[impulse]

Gosh, on so many threads, I see people suggesting a starting salary of 8,000-15,000 baht for hiring locals.

Then these threads show up lamenting the poor work they're getting from the locals they're hiring.

I'm starting to think it's not coincidence.

[givenall]

The only it would be a good if heir expats works too since there are really no cconscious workers in Thailand that can be trusted.

MPST of big projects are with migrant workers

Sent from my ST18a using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[kurnell]

We had some landscaping done by a couple from Korat that did a very nice job. Our neighbor (who is a drunk and a boor) was so impressed that he basically ordered them to do some work for him (see drunk and a boor) and they refused as they had seen him in action. He offered to pay them whatever they wanted, and again they refused. How about that?? Good tradespeople with principles!

I am looking for an electrician to install safe-t-cut if anyone know one??

[Salapoo]

Gosh, on so many threads, I see people suggesting a starting salary of 8,000-15,000 baht for hiring locals.

Then these threads show up lamenting the poor work they're getting from the locals they're hiring.

I'm starting to think it's not coincidence.

Yeah, I know.

They should be paid much less.

btw, it isn't just poor work, it's the inability to do anything but poor work. Try to educate one and they'll do the job even worse out of spite.

Thainess.

[kannot]

that's normal here . . when our electrician was finished connecting the electricity of a new house to the existing one, we found out the day later that our tin roof was hot ! Luckily it was not the rainy season or we would have been grilled to dead on our verandas.

Just make sure that work is done correctly, don't leave builders and construction people unattended. I always watched over the construction from the very beginning to the end, and had been able by thus correcting a few issues so far.

That only works if YOU know how it should be done. Most expats probably don't have a clue.

I always have to go around and redo most of the work they do. I only employ locals because it's not my house and I want someone to blame if it all turns to tears.

Nope it doesnt work even then, they get all arsey and say its the Thai way ( ie bone idle) the next day they dont show up. Been through many, yet to find a single good workman here in 2 years.

They come into your house and leave mess and crap everywhere, dont put down dust sheets, paw all over your walls and then give you a "hit me in the face" grin when you see the mess they have made!

[barefoot1988]

just horrible and not just limited to the construction sector.

for example, authorized car brand dealer workshops that you pay a hefty amount for labor charges. many of them doesnt even use a torque wrench

[EyesWideOpen]

I have remodeled 4 condos here. There is one secret you quickly learn here.

When the workmen show up, you show up. When they go to lunch , you go to lunch.

Left on their own, they would truly start to do bizarre things, so did not take a lot to time to realize I needed to be there. I have thirty years of contracting experience, so my input into the work to be done had some meaning... :-)

I actually had some workmen thanking me for showing some tricks to better workmanship. The tile guys were astounded when I showed them the tile spacers I wanted them to use....They had never laid eyes on them before.

[arthurwait]

One of my MIL friends is an excellent welder, but it's the only decent welding I've seen in Thailand. The rest is just filler rod melted on top due to them not having the skill and experience (bother to practice) to use the correct amp setting/temperature. I've seen people using arc welders on thin steel and not understanding why they are burning through, then just keep proding at it until enough rod (and slag ) is on it so it doesn't fall apart when touched.

[manarak]

There are few workers that are really qualified.

I think Thailand would benefit enormously from some formalized master/apprentice systems which exists for example in Germany.

[bina]

really. then why is it that every house ive lived in in israel is also shittily made? the same rule applies: when they are on site, u are on site...my husband is in great demand here for fix it jobs because he is a real 'yekke' (polish pedantic anal type worker, from korat) compared to the shoddy workers from over the green line ... actually have met quite a few guys with really good hands and really good workers so maybe its just the pay/team/manager/owner problem? and not a thai problem?

[kikoman]

I can not believe that I am one of the few Falang's in Thailand that has a host of great construction workers that I hire for additions to our home, as we speak I have (3) people putting up a Brick room partition wall, great block laying, I can not guess how many coats of cement he has plastered my walls with, very many ,very thick.

He came and looked at it and said he would do it for 1000 baht and I told my wife no to pay him a decent wage, He ended up charging us 1500 baht for (3) people to complete the job. I can not see the profit they are making 300 baht per day to lay the brick 2 workers (600) baht and 3 workers plastering today (900) baht total 1500 baht, our regular worker is in great demand and was going to charge us 3500 baht for the same job.

We did buy then ice coffee and sodas during the day and after work brought them a little bottle of whiskey.

They did a great Job and I was more than satisfied with their work.

Cheers:

[manarak]

I can not believe that I am one of the few Falang's in Thailand that has a host of great construction workers that I hire for additions to our home, as we speak I have (3) people putting up a Brick room partition wall, great block laying, I can not guess how many coats of cement he has plastered my walls with, very many ,very thick.

He came and looked at it and said he would do it for 1000 baht and I told my wife no to pay him a decent wage, He ended up charging us 1500 baht for (3) people to complete the job. I can not see the profit they are making 300 baht per day to lay the brick 2 workers (600) baht and 3 workers plastering today (900) baht total 1500 baht, our regular worker is in great demand and was going to charge us 3500 baht for the same job.

We did buy then ice coffee and sodas during the day and after work brought them a little bottle of whiskey.

They did a great Job and I was more than satisfied with their work.

Cheers:

try to see how they fare with symmetric tile-cutting, hermetic joints, textured paint and planning of hidden but accessible electric/plumbing conduits.

[sustento]

I can not believe that I am one of the few Falang's in Thailand that has a host of great construction workers that I hire for additions to our home, as we speak I have (3) people putting up a Brick room partition wall, great block laying, I can not guess how many coats of cement he has plastered my walls with, very many ,very thick.

He came and looked at it and said he would do it for 1000 baht and I told my wife no to pay him a decent wage, He ended up charging us 1500 baht for (3) people to complete the job. I can not see the profit they are making 300 baht per day to lay the brick 2 workers (600) baht and 3 workers plastering today (900) baht total 1500 baht, our regular worker is in great demand and was going to charge us 3500 baht for the same job.

We did buy then ice coffee and sodas during the day and after work brought them a little bottle of whiskey.

They did a great Job and I was more than satisfied with their work.

Cheers:

You don't want to make too many posts like that! Praising the Thais too much will get you shunned and cast out into the darkness

[bangkokstick]

1000 Thb a day minimum...

[kannot]

really. then why is it that every house ive lived in in israel is also shittily made? the same rule applies: when they are on site, u are on site...my husband is in great demand here for fix it jobs because he is a real 'yekke' (polish pedantic anal type worker, from korat) compared to the shoddy workers from over the green line ... actually have met quite a few guys with really good hands and really good workers so maybe its just the pay/team/manager/owner problem? and not a thai problem?

No its definitely a Thai problem, simple example laying blocks with joints not staggered, even the crappest workman in the Uk wont do this.

Reason dont have to cut the first rows of blocks..........lazy.

[Soutpeel]

One of my MIL friends is an excellent welder, but it's the only decent welding I've seen in Thailand. The rest is just filler rod melted on top due to them not having the skill and experience (bother to practice) to use the correct amp setting/temperature. I've seen people using arc welders on thin steel and not understanding why they are burning through, then just keep proding at it until enough rod (and slag ) is on it so it doesn't fall apart when touched.

There are plenty of excellent welders in Thailand, in fact real Thai welders are some of the best skills wise in the world, however the average farang building an Isaan mansion will never come across them, simply because the real Thai welders will not work for THB 300/day or THB 1000 or THB 2000/day...

even at the "lower level" some of the Thai welders are earning around US$ 100/day, the very good ones THB US $ 200/250/day and at forman level US$ 300+

[Soutpeel]

There are few workers that are really qualified.

I think Thailand would benefit enormously from some formalized master/apprentice systems which exists for example in Germany.

There are plenty of skilled tradesmen, eletrical/mechanical I&E, welding etc etc...but the average farang will not come across them or is prepared to pay for them and most work for big companies in industry and all have been through proper training and apprenticships...

so I think people are getting very confused with Thai "tradesmen" they see building houses and the real tradesmen who work in industry...

My opinion....pay peanuts get the monkey...

But knock yourselves out if it make you feel superior...

[kannot]

There are few workers that are really qualified.

I think Thailand would benefit enormously from some formalized master/apprentice systems which exists for example in Germany.

There are plenty of skilled tradesmen, eletrical/mechanical I&E, welding etc etc...but the average farang will not come across them or is prepared to pay for them and most work for big companies in industry and all have been through proper training and apprenticships...

so I think people are getting very confused with Thai "tradesmen" they see building houses and the real tradesmen who work in industry...

My opinion....pay peanuts get the monkey...

But knock yourselves out if it make you feel superior...

OK will do, so how come when I go to BIG developments by BIG well known construction companies the work is still..................awful?

Think LPN, SANSIRI, you want photos of bum guns that dont fit up to the walls, toilets that dont fit up to the walls, not fastened down properly so the toilet rocks, floors cracking up in which the developer had to refund all owners ( Sansiri Condo on the beach at Khao Tao)

Electrical sockets they forgot to connect. Starting prices at about 6-8 million baht.

In the Uk I could get a new house for that with a 10 year guarantee, where everything had been checked and although problems sometimes occur its nothing like the scale in Thailand.

ps 30 years building trade in the UK

Doesnt seem to matter if you pay peanuts or top dollar they all want to do it "The Thai way" fast and furious.

Another example look at the waste pipe coming out from your sink in the kitchen, how is it connected to the blue drain pipe? in many case they just shove it in the hole and dawb in some silicone................not good when there are proper connectors which will almost never leak.

Do your door frames have architrave all round? most dont, result you see all the cracks where render meets wood.

All can be seen with the above developers and others.

Ive been in condos with astronomical prices and same old issues time after time.

Never seen so many leaks as there are here with water either, plumbing fittings are poorly made, threads are not good.

[Soutpeel]

There are few workers that are really qualified.

I think Thailand would benefit enormously from some formalized master/apprentice systems which exists for example in Germany.

There are plenty of skilled tradesmen, eletrical/mechanical I&E, welding etc etc...but the average farang will not come across them or is prepared to pay for them and most work for big companies in industry and all have been through proper training and apprenticships...

so I think people are getting very confused with Thai "tradesmen" they see building houses and the real tradesmen who work in industry...

My opinion....pay peanuts get the monkey...

But knock yourselves out if it make you feel superior...

OK will do, so how come when I go to BIG developments by BIG well known construction companies the work is still..................awful?

Think LPN, SANSIRI, you want photos of bum guns that dont fit up to the walls, toilets that dont fit up to the walls, not fastened down properly so the toilet rocks, floors cracking up in which the developer had to refund all owners ( Sansiri Condo on the beach at Khao Tao)

Electrical sockets they forgot to connect. Starting prices at about 6-8 million baht.

In the Uk I could get a new house for that with a 10 year guarantee, where everything had been checked and although problems sometimes occur its nothing like the scale in Thailand.

ps 30 years building trade in the UK

Doesnt seem to matter if you pay peanuts or top dollar they all want to do it "The Thai way" fast and furious.

Another example look at the waste pipe coming out from your sink in the kitchen, how is it connected to the blue drain pipe? in many case they just shove it in the hole and dawb in some silicone................not good when there are proper connectors which will almost never leak.

Do your door frames have architrave all round? most dont, result you see all the cracks where render meets wood.

All can be seen with the above developers and others.

Ive been in condos with astronomical prices and same old issues time after time.

simple because the BIG well know construction companies dont hire tradesmen either, they are paying peanuts for their labour as well to maximise their returns...as stated the real tradesmen ie the real electrians, welders etc are not building cr*ppy condos....they are working in industry in Thailand

[Bcgardener]

I employ real Thai tradesman, electricians and welder fabricators and all my staff are very competent tradesman. Welders tested and certified to AWS (American) standards and electricians that can read complex electrical schematics. You simply won't get these people doing homebuilding work. My welders make 25,000 a Month plus OT plus bonuses plus other allowances. All are trades school trained and some have worked overseas on high quality industrial projects. Most of the good tradesman are working in companies that do either export manufacturing or local oil and gas. At the rates I pay my staff I am still at less than 25% of similarly skilled tradesman in Australia.

Sent from my GT-P5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[kannot]

There are few workers that are really qualified.

I think Thailand would benefit enormously from some formalized master/apprentice systems which exists for example in Germany.

There are plenty of skilled tradesmen, eletrical/mechanical I&E, welding etc etc...but the average farang will not come across them or is prepared to pay for them and most work for big companies in industry and all have been through proper training and apprenticships...

so I think people are getting very confused with Thai "tradesmen" they see building houses and the real tradesmen who work in industry...

My opinion....pay peanuts get the monkey...

But knock yourselves out if it make you feel superior...

OK will do, so how come when I go to BIG developments by BIG well known construction companies the work is still..................awful?

Think LPN, SANSIRI, you want photos of bum guns that dont fit up to the walls, toilets that dont fit up to the walls, not fastened down properly so the toilet rocks, floors cracking up in which the developer had to refund all owners ( Sansiri Condo on the beach at Khao Tao)

Electrical sockets they forgot to connect. Starting prices at about 6-8 million baht.

In the Uk I could get a new house for that with a 10 year guarantee, where everything had been checked and although problems sometimes occur its nothing like the scale in Thailand.

ps 30 years building trade in the UK

Doesnt seem to matter if you pay peanuts or top dollar they all want to do it "The Thai way" fast and furious.

Another example look at the waste pipe coming out from your sink in the kitchen, how is it connected to the blue drain pipe? in many case they just shove it in the hole and dawb in some silicone................not good when there are proper connectors which will almost never leak.

Do your door frames have architrave all round? most dont, result you see all the cracks where render meets wood.

All can be seen with the above developers and others.

Ive been in condos with astronomical prices and same old issues time after time.

simple because the BIG well know construction companies dont hire tradesmen either, they are paying peanuts for their labour as well to maximise their returns...as stated the real tradesmen ie the real electrians, welders etc are not building cr*ppy condos....they are working in industry in Thailand

Nice to know that 30 mil baht condo is a pile of junk then.

Where are the trade schools? where do they learn all these skills? Its a minority workforce you talk of.

[kannot]

There are few workers that are really qualified.

I think Thailand would benefit enormously from some formalized master/apprentice systems which exists for example in Germany.

There are plenty of skilled tradesmen, eletrical/mechanical I&E, welding etc etc...but the average farang will not come across them or is prepared to pay for them and most work for big companies in industry and all have been through proper training and apprenticships...

so I think people are getting very confused with Thai "tradesmen" they see building houses and the real tradesmen who work in industry...

My opinion....pay peanuts get the monkey...

But knock yourselves out if it make you feel superior...

OK will do, so how come when I go to BIG developments by BIG well known construction companies the work is still..................awful?

Think LPN, SANSIRI, you want photos of bum guns that dont fit up to the walls, toilets that dont fit up to the walls, not fastened down properly so the toilet rocks, floors cracking up in which the developer had to refund all owners ( Sansiri Condo on the beach at Khao Tao)

Electrical sockets they forgot to connect. Starting prices at about 6-8 million baht.

In the Uk I could get a new house for that with a 10 year guarantee, where everything had been checked and although problems sometimes occur its nothing like the scale in Thailand.

ps 30 years building trade in the UK

Doesnt seem to matter if you pay peanuts or top dollar they all want to do it "The Thai way" fast and furious.

Another example look at the waste pipe coming out from your sink in the kitchen, how is it connected to the blue drain pipe? in many case they just shove it in the hole and dawb in some silicone................not good when there are proper connectors which will almost never leak.

Do your door frames have architrave all round? most dont, result you see all the cracks where render meets wood.

All can be seen with the above developers and others.

Ive been in condos with astronomical prices and same old issues time after time.

simple because the BIG well know construction companies dont hire tradesmen either, they are paying peanuts for their labour as well to maximise their returns...as stated the real tradesmen ie the real electrians, welders etc are not building cr*ppy condos....they are working in industry in Thailand

Where are the real construction people? you seem to be talking welding ie oil and gas industry, how about brickies, carpenters even people who can mix concrete correctly and not soup?

Uk construction companies also use the cheapest labour but walls are still straight and level, blocks laid correctly.

Even companies like C PAC for concrete fail a slump test regularly when they deliver to me and I send it back

[tuky]

One of my MIL friends is an excellent welder, but it's the only decent welding I've seen in Thailand. The rest is just filler rod melted on top due to them not having the skill and experience (bother to practice) to use the correct amp setting/temperature. I've seen people using arc welders on thin steel and not understanding why they are burning through, then just keep proding at it until enough rod (and slag ) is on it so it doesn't fall apart when touched.

There are plenty of excellent welders in Thailand, in fact real Thai welders are some of the best skills wise in the world, however the average farang building an Isaan mansion will never come across them, simply because the real Thai welders will not work for THB 300/day or THB 1000 or THB 2000/day...

even at the "lower level" some of the Thai welders are earning around US$ 100/day, the very good ones THB US $ 200/250/day and at forman level US$ 300+

Thats right, in my industry Thais are famed for their welding skills. Several projects I have been involved with will only have Thais as welders.