Carport - do it yourself - and CHEAP

[David48]

Carport - do it yourself - and CHEAP

Building a Carport, Thai Style and not expensive.

Can it be down? I'm about to find out over the next week or two.

The place where I stay/live in Thailand is the home of my gf's parents.

They are Farmers, Fish and Prawn Farmers on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Tired of the Postie bike and with my gf now pregnant, I bought an inexpensive car.

The gf's old man and I get on OK so the plot was hatched to build a Double Carport.

It gives me the chance to have my wheels under cover and for him to free up space in another area.

It was actually being planned before being discussed with me ... and, being asked to pay for some of it, that approach went down like a lead balloon because that 'some of it' was never discussed ...

Since then, I've regained my cheerfulness as the build is just under way and the split on the costing works out about 1/3^rd me ... 2/3^rds him ...

When I get a copy of the Materials Invoice, I'll be able to explain better.

But the agreement is that he paid the initial Bill and I pay the balance.

Photos below ...

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[David48]

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The 'Before' Area.

Just metres deep of Bangkok mud with a thin crust of sand used as a walkway between the the small dwelling and the FarmHouse.

The Builder, the Farm Father (gf's Old Man), the gf's sister (owns the small dwelling), her Thai bf, my gf and various others who drift in and out, begin to discuss what is to be built.

I learn a new phase ... 'Mai Me Tung' ... no have money ... because the gf's saying to me, 'Don't worry, Father help you pay for it' ... I'm thinking ... ... I just wanted a few bamboo poles and some of that black shade cloth attached to the side of the house ... that's enough to keep the sun off my wheels!

My 'Mai Me Tung' (no have money) was politely smiled at ... then back to the serious business of deciding what was to be built, how it was to be built and, importantly, what materials were to be purchased as the Builder was hired on a labour only basis.

Fast forward a few days and we have ...

Steel ...

Father did make an enquiry about 'Stainless Steel', but advised by the Builder that it would both be to expensive for the job and the concrete doesn't adhere to it well. Well that was the translation for the gf of a conversation to which she was ears dropping ... who knows.

Posts, both long and the short ones for the foundation.

I couldn't imagine how they would use the short ones for the foundation till the gf sent me the photo.

New roof tiles.

I was pumping for the cheaper 2nd hand ones, but the price difference was little and apparently these are the thinner type, so not so expensive. I said the build was going to be cheap!

Those bags are 50 kilos.

Now I'm not a small guy and can unload the back of their truck of the 20 kilos bags of Fish food without breaking a sweat ... but moving the 50 kilos bags ... man, that was hard work ... I was literally breathless after the first 3 I moved.

So, at this stage I fly back and have to leave them to it, on the promise that the gf sends me the photos.

She's done well thus far.

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[cornishcarlos]

Good luck... It always starts out cheap and then by the time the 3 bed detached house is built, you wished you had stayed to supervise

Bamboo and a piece of shade cloth would have worked...

[tingtong]

David,

do you know the child story "Stone soup"?

this project kind a remind me to that, only you being on the sucker side.

no doubt it will be nice and great, but i think your original idea summed up the cheap one with bamboo and shade cloths, even if you throw in some tin roof should be fairly simple and cheap.

just make sure they dont make a little car palace next to the house, or soon you need to upgrade the house too, for matching the design

[cooked]

I have to agree, the 'paying the balance' bit without setting a limit is slightly worrying.

[David48]

First the steel gets some attention ...

Gf's Father

Note the rare use of a welders mask!

More unheralded practices - Preparation!

Prior to Painting

BTW ... that's the car I bought in the background

Whole Family gets into the act ... 3 generations in that shot

Note the worker protection wearing gloves ... pink slippers ...

Same but different ... apparently good quality ... price for 1 tin is 235 baht/3.5 lit

All things considered ... a good start ... well done Farm Family ...

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[David48]

Set out, Posts, Holes, Footings ... but no Shoes!

Footings marked out

A proper post hole digger probably would have been faster ... but labour is cheap

Then you grab 3 of the short pipes from the pile and ...

Now that is Bangkok mud their driving into with the footings.

Originally, the gf's Father wasn't going to put in formal footings, but the builder convinced him otherwise.

The roof is lightweight so not too serious in that department.

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[David48]

More Footings ...

Have to honest ... no idea what the timber plank does beside supporting the post while the concrete dries ...

So, grab one of these ...

Finally some appropriate footwear for a building site.

Hole for the rero to pass through to link the footing steel.

Careful that string-line Somchai

Safety standards have slipped

Before the pour ...

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[IMHO]

Any idea what the projected budget is?

The FIL wanting to use stainless is either a concern, or a very bad misunderstanding

[David48]

Any idea what the projected budget is?

The FIL wanting to use stainless is either a concern, or a very bad misunderstanding

The estimate is 30 - 35K Baht with a floor material I can only describe as decomposing granite.

Builder is on 500 Baht a day

Relatives, who are the labourers are 400 Baht

Food and drink provided for both.

Yes, the Stainless Steel was apparently a joke ... apparently ...

The gf's Father is reknown for his sense of 'humour'.

[harrry]

Why not pay 10K extra and have a proper concrete pad put down. Will be much more permanent than gravel and give a good surface for working on the car. Also gives the oportunity of enclosing it later.

[David48]

harrry, that's a good thought.

From my perspective ... couple of reasons.

The slab would require much more substantive footings.

The roof tiles would probably have to be the better quality ones.

It's being built directly in-front of another dwelling so to en-close it later isn't fair to what's existing there.

I'll probably get 4 of those concrete planks, common in Thailand as use them as car tracks.

[David48]

Cement ...

Contemplating the mean of life concrete

So nice you can even see your reflection in it.

The water is free, so add lot's of it ... typical soup.

One up ... five more to go.

All up and looking good

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[Neeranam]

Any idea what the projected budget is?

The FIL wanting to use stainless is either a concern, or a very bad misunderstanding

The estimate is 30 - 35K Baht with a floor material I can only describe as decomposing granite.

Builder is on 500 Baht a day

Relatives, who are the labourers are 400 Baht

Food and drink provided for both.

Yes, the Stainless Steel was apparently a joke ... apparently ...

The gf's Father is reknown for his sense of 'humour'.

Interesting topic as I'm planning on making a carport. It will be onto the side of my house. I'm planning on about 5,000 baht.

Why on earth are you paying relatives to work? Or even stranger, why are they accepting.

My father in law who lives 500 km away is coming to help and might also build a wooden shed. He is a builder. He does me favours like I do him favours. I(well a police 'friend') got him out of jail once, for example. I bailed him out a few times for cash. If I keep handing out to relatives, I feel they would take advantage and view me as the gullible farang with never ending money.

Edited October 3, 2013 by Neeranam

[David48]

Interesting topic as I'm planning on making a carport. It will be onto the side of my house. I'm planning on about 5,000 baht.

Man, 5,000 Baht, that will be some build.

I hope you'll do a few before and after photos?

I didn't know you could build it so cheap!

Any ideas what sort of materials you will be using?

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[Neeranam]

Interesting topic as I'm planning on making a carport. It will be onto the side of my house. I'm planning on about 5,000 baht.

Man, 5,000 Baht, that will be some build.

I hope you'll do a few before and after photos?

I didn't know you could build it so cheap!

Any ideas what sort of materials you will be using?

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I will post some before after photos. We have a concrete driveway there already.

So basically I think there will be two metal posts and a roog, no walls. Haven't decided yet. Maybe I can't build it so cheap but I don't have a lot of choice right now. Also, only for 1 car, unlike yours.

Edited October 3, 2013 by Neeranam

[IMHO]

Any idea what the projected budget is?

The FIL wanting to use stainless is either a concern, or a very bad misunderstanding

The estimate is 30 - 35K Baht with a floor material I can only describe as decomposing granite.

Builder is on 500 Baht a day

Relatives, who are the labourers are 400 Baht

Food and drink provided for both.

Yes, the Stainless Steel was apparently a joke ... apparently ...

The gf's Father is reknown for his sense of 'humour'.

You sure are being generous with those labourer rates, especially with the added perks - maybe they were just joking again when they asked to double the going rate?

Assuming it's 6M x7M (or bigger?) and is using steel for trusses instead of recycled wood, the price sounds about right. Might not look right after you add in the lao kao bill though

Edited October 3, 2013 by IMHO

[shaggy1969]

Interesting build David.

I do like seeing a start to finish build...will be following this one.

What are the dimensions?

Never seen those type of hollow poles before,are they reinforced?

The ones i have used in the past have always been square with a footed base.

The more I see about Pa the more I like him

[David48]

The estimate is 30 - 35K Baht with a floor material I can only describe as decomposing granite.

Builder is on 500 Baht a day

Relatives, who are the labourers are 400 Baht

Food and drink provided for both.

You sure are being generous with those labourer rates, especially with the added perks - maybe they were just joking again when they asked to double the going rate?

Assuming it's 6M x7M (or bigger?) and is using steel for trusses instead of recycled wood, the price sounds about right. Might not look right after you add in the lao kao bill though

Originally the labour rate was going to be ...

Builder is on 400 Baht a day

Relatives, who are the labourers are 300 Baht

But the Farm Father reckons they are working well and not lazy and up each rate by 100 Baht a day.

The build is going quickly, so maybe a better rate for better work?

He's not taking anything and he's the hardest worker.

As for the lao kao ... zero.

Only one of the workers is a drinker and he buys that out of his salary.

They have designed it with both C-section for both the beams and the battens ... I reckon that's over-engineered ... but good luck to him ... he bought the materials ... wasn't my contribution.

IMHO, being in the Industry ... I always appreciate your input ...

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[David48]

What are the dimensions?

Never seen those type of hollow poles before,are they reinforced?

The more I see about Pa the more I like him

Dimensions - not sure, but I'll asking today. 6 x 4 metre as a minimum but will confirm. Big roof overhang.

Reinforced poles ... maybe ... don't know for sure.

I do know they they have steel 'tie-ins' you can see in the close-up crop.

Anyone have a definite answer?

Pa is OK ...

He's the guy who's lost his leg below the knee, but he never shuns the work and he's the guy, balancing on the beam and doing the welding ... using the safety shield.

He taught MissFarmGirl well ... a lot of him in her.

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[David48]

Now MissFarmGirl is doing the media.

Some videos of the build.

Move the Post into position <- YouTube

Post drilling <- YouTube

Post into the ground

I presume getting the height correct ... but not sure?

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Edited October 3, 2013 by David48

[Dancealot]

I have to agree, the 'paying the balance' bit without setting a limit is slightly worrying.

It is still a good idea, cooked.

[David48]

Rero through the post <- YouTube

Turn the sound down a little, loud dog

Welding the Rero - safety standards have slipped ...

Welding the roof frame 01 <- YouTube

Sound back up - Thai music to weld by ...

Welding the roof frame 02 ... Farm Father always using the safety gear.

[wayned]

When I built my house I put a carport and laundry area one one side with entrance to the kitchen area, the southeast side. A few years later I added one to the other side to shield the bedrooms from the afternoon sun. It's 12.5 x 5 meters. I used footed pre-poured poles, the same roofing as you, walled it in to 109 cm, put 4" concrete with steel mesh as floor and gated it with reworked steel gates that I had. My FIL and I did most of the work ourselves. I only hired people to put up the roof panels and do the concrete work. The total bill was less than 25k, less than what you are paying for flooring. Mine is built on fill but the base is solid clay not the water logged sandy soil that you have. Your construction seems to be coming along well and from the looks they know what they are doing but I would question the cost of the flooring unless extreme measures are required because of the soil. I only paid the workers 200 baht/day and they thought that was great as they are farmers and that it is more than they would get working in the fields. Food and beverages were provided.

Its amazing what the Thai farmers can do, I used them to build my two houses side by side, one for us and one for FIL. But, I had to watch them every second. They would add more sand and gravel to stretch a concrete mix, use nails that were too long and bend them over and the concrete guy <named Chewy, always had a low spot somewhere. I have a "lake Chewy" in both of my carports.

Good luck!

[cooked]

This car port is a better build than most houses around here. Starting with a prexisting concrete pad and pillars, we built a one story house on 8 x 8 meters for about ฿15 000.-. Including toilet, shower, metal sheet roof, windows and doors, no labour costs as we did it ourselves.

[David48]

Posts Up ...

Good to have a work platform handy

Filling the hollow central core with concrete soup

Settling the concrete to ensure good contact and minimal air pockets.

Probably one of the times the more liquid 'Thai' concrete is the best.

What I don't know if the rero steel goes through the now concrete filled hollow post ... I think maybe not.

I got a few close ups later as I was curious how they connect it all together.

But, from the hollow post, now filled with concrete, there are 2 pieces of rero steel set into the hollow post and welded to the steel beam.

The Farm Father holding a welding class

He's welding the rero steel mentioned above to the steel bearer.

The boys are probably have a well earned break.

Because of that shadow I reckon it's close, if not past 5pm.

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[David48]

Roof Framing ...

Two angles on what I described above ... welding the rero, set in the concrete to the steel beam.

Unlike other builds, the steel beam is sitting directly on the concrete post and attached by welding it.

Like many Thai methods ... simple but effective.

Working well into the afternoon.

The boys must have worked really late into the afternoon because the next morning this was the sight that greeted us.

Maybe they are worth the 400 Baht a day.

Starting to really take shape now.

Looking good I reckon ...

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[IMHO]

Only one problem I can see - it's not a double car park (or did I read that wrong?)

You need at least 6M wide and no less than 5.5M deep for a double - or at least 7M wide and 6M deep if you want it to park 2 cars not-too-close-for-comfort.

Most cars are around 2M wide when measured from mirror-to-mirror, and a as for length, a micro car needs >4M, a normal saloon >4.5M, a medium SUV needs >5M and a pickup needs > 5.5M.

Edited October 4, 2013 by IMHO

[David48]

^^ Thanks for that.

I don't have a sizing yet.

Today is Buddha Day and the Family is off doing stuff at the Temple.

I've requested a more exacting measurement and hopefully will get that soon.

Most likely I'm understating the size.

One question for you ... given the style, including preparation (buying materials, painting the metal and the like) ... what would be a usual build time for a project like this.

4 staff being ... 1 builder, 1 owner who acts like a builder but also labours and 2 grunts?

[IMHO]

^^ Thanks for that.

I don't have a sizing yet.

Today is Buddha Day and the Family is off doing stuff at the Temple.

I've requested a more exacting measurement and hopefully will get that soon.

Most likely I'm understating the size.

One question for you ... given the style, including preparation (buying materials, painting the metal and the like) ... what would be a usual build time for a project like this.

4 staff being ... 1 builder, 1 owner who acts like a builder but also labours and 2 grunts?

Based of the softness of the ground, simplcity of the roof structure (no trusses and using fiber sheets that don't require battens), no top plates on the posts, no finishing paintwork, and using precast posts, I'd say 4 days with 3 workers.