Trying to Build Home in Issan, on a Slab! What a Nightmare!

[DavoTheGun]

I am trying to build a home in Issan Ferang Style with a touch of Thai, high ceilings, long eaves etc, BUT I am being told by everybody you MUST use poles and Cement Blocks, no Slab floor done later.

Every body is in the act, Mama, Sister, Brother inlaw, Village Boss, Potential Builders, who I do not think can read a Plan,

<deleted>, why do they build these houses on poles all the same but maybe higher then your next door neighbor,5 Meter poles,etc how do the oldies get up these steep stairs. They also bring more sand in so that any drainage goes into next door, why do the neighbors put up with it ?

A cry for help please guys, why am I being told what to do by people who still cook on open fires, when Thailand has the highest incidence of Lung Complaints, in the world ! I have shown them all of the 7 Homes I have Built in Australia, including in Port Douglas which has survived Cyclones, I have told them that if Thailand ever had a Cyclone, they would be wiped off the Map, I may as well talk to the hand.

[Showbags]

If you are paying for it...build it as you like.

The fixation with raising land...even when not needed is just crazy here......think everyone either wants to be higher than everyone else...or the mentality of just follow everyone else....either way

[Soutpeel]

I am trying to build a home in Issan Ferang Style with a touch of Thai, high ceilings, long eaves etc, BUT I am being told by everybody you MUST use poles and Cement Blocks, no Slab floor done later.

Every body is in the act, Mama, Sister, Brother inlaw, Village Boss, Potential Builders, who I do not think can read a Plan,

, why do they build these houses on poles all the same but maybe higher then your next door neighbor,5 Meter poles,etc how do the oldies get up these steep stairs. They also bring more sand in so that any drainage goes into next door, why do the neighbors put up with it ?

A cry for help please guys, why am I being told what to do by people who still cook on open fires, when Thailand has the highest incidence of Lung Complaints, in the world ! I have shown them all of the 7 Homes I have Built in Australia, including in Port Douglas which has survived Cyclones, I have told them that if Thailand ever had a Cyclone, they would be wiped off the Map, I may as well talk to the hand.

My suggestion grow a pair of testicles

[weegee]

Davo...it takes time, but you have to learn to say... NO, NOT THAT WAY....My way or the highway.

if you want the slab down first to your specs.....hire someone to pour it thats all....then find someone to do the rest.

Some places raise the land to get the fall for their sewage, from what i have witnessed....doesnt matter if it goes to the neighbours...

So build yours higher than next door ok?

Good luck, if you allow them to do it their way....you will be rebuilding the place again in 3 yrs....guaranteed.

[Beechboy]

Surely, or I always was thinking, the elevation is to protect against invasion by reptiles, snakes etc.

Forgive me if I am on the wrong track.

[Soutpeel]

Surely, or I always was thinking, the elevation is to protect against invasion by reptiles, snakes etc.

Forgive me if I am on the wrong track.

I found a 12 foot electrical fence and a Doberman in garden kept the in laws away

[weegee]

White Tiles around the outside of the house, seems to deter the reptiles......Thats what i was led to believe...They dont like the brightness and find it difficult to slide around on the slippery surface.....(gives the dogs a chance to have some fun)

[weegee]

double post deleted

Edited April 30, 2014 by weegee

[DP25]

I have shown them all of the 7 Homes I have Built in Australia, including in Port Douglas which has survived Cyclones, I have told them that if Thailand ever had a Cyclone, they would be wiped off the Map, I may as well talk to the hand.

Thailand does get cyclones, they cause a lot of damage down in the south along the coast, but Isaan is pretty far inland. They like to build on poles because of floods, which you may remember from 2011 is a serious threat that can result in stagnant water a meter or two deep for weeks on end.

[onionluke]

The workers like to have the roof on before the slab is poured to protect them from the hot sun whilst toiling.

[farang000999]

From their perspective, you are building the house for them so they probably don't understand why you are so opinionated.

[DavoTheGun]

There are many countries as hot if not hotter then Thailand, Vietnam for instance, here thay build many houses on slab, but as I have also pointed out they have been occupied by Ferang, French Belgian USA etc so have learnt other ways of many things, Thailand has not had this advantage, and I have told them in no uncertain terms, as I am paying WILL be my way, but still the Blank Stare!

I was told this morning that I will not find a builder in Issan who will build for me, but have found one in Buriram, who not only reads plans but has email also! Bonus.

But the Village Boss says I must have his approval and pay him 50,000Bt, is this normal?

[Cow San Load]

isaan does get some flooding http://flood.gistda.or.th/

http://flood.gistda.or.th/flood/y2013/FL82_Spacial/82_compare/Compare3yrs_11.jpg

take some time and look deeper.

Edited April 30, 2014 by Cow San Load

[DavoTheGun]

I also must point out, the house will be on a 3 Rai block ( Small Farm) a little bit out of the Village proper about 1 Klm.

[farang000999]

Paying 50,000 to a village elder for permission to build a home... they must think you are a complete idiot.

I would recommend

1. get away from the in-laws and extended family

2. rent, don't build

[Showbags]

There are many countries as hot if not hotter then Thailand, Vietnam for instance, here thay build many houses on slab, but as I have also pointed out they have been occupied by Ferang, French Belgian USA etc so have learnt other ways of many things, Thailand has not had this advantage, and I have told them in no uncertain terms, as I am paying WILL be my way, but still the Blank Stare!

I was told this morning that I will not find a builder in Issan who will build for me, but have found one in Buriram, who not only reads plans but has email also! Bonus.

But the Village Boss says I must have his approval and pay him 50,000Bt, is this normal?

No it is not normal.

We just got our leaders approval on such things and cost a 200b bottle of pipers.

[Showbags]

Actually.....sounds like a village full of idiots and I would run run run....

[cooked]

For what it's worth: I dug a trench around the perimeter of where the slab would be. Reinforced this with iron, 'with bits sticking out'. I then built in one layer of 8cm blocks all around said future perimeter. I built the slab inside of that, with reinforcement attached to the 'bits sticking out'. This means that the slab is 15cm above the surrounding ground. I will continue using ACC blocks which are very light but load bearing. I will be building in steel supports, so that, as mentioned above. I can get the roof done and work away from the sun. My brother in law didn't even do this, he just built up with 15cm concrete blocks on the edge of the slab, no movement so far.

[cooked]

Paying 50,000 to a village elder for permission to build a home... they must think you are a complete idiot.

I would recommend

1. get away from the in-laws and extended family

2. rent, don't build

He he. The boss lady is our neighbour and she sometimes asked when I think I will be finished building the extension (answer: when I have some money..). The decision as to whether to build or not is up to you, I live from my pension so I won't be losing any capital, I live here for free anyway. Since I've been here, together with the brother in law, we rebuilt two houses and will be building a new one after the rice planting is finished. I have a great extended family, we all live in a compound and get on very well. Isn't that sweet?

[weegee]

There are many countries as hot if not hotter then Thailand, Vietnam for instance, here thay build many houses on slab, but as I have also pointed out they have been occupied by Ferang, French Belgian USA etc so have learnt other ways of many things, Thailand has not had this advantage, and I have told them in no uncertain terms, as I am paying WILL be my way, but still the Blank Stare!

I was told this morning that I will not find a builder in Issan who will build for me, but have found one in Buriram, who not only reads plans but has email also! Bonus.

But the Village Boss says I must have his approval and pay him 50,000Bt, is this normal?

To put it very bluntly.....that is absolute CRAP!!!! You only pay someone who is actually doing the building, (except normal Gov charges)

[seajae]

mate, due to the amount of fill they put on the land before building they need to have what is equivent to deep peerage/floating slab in Australia so that the house doesnt sink and has foundations on something solid. Are you also looking at a truss roof with framed walls so that there are not cement coloumns all through the house and more open style rooms. Have to admit I hate the concrete columns as it restricts what you can do with the rooms, roof trusses let you have bigger rooms. Simply build it your way, tell the relo's to go f*** themselves as it is your house and you are paying for it, it has nothing what so ever to do with them and if they dont stop they will never be welcome there. Dont pay the head man, he is a corrupt thief like most of these figures, he sees you as a way to steal some cash, you can report these people to the authorities now for corruption, tell him that you dont mind donating a bottle od good scotch but thats it. If in doubt get legal advice, free in here now.

Good luck, just do what you want, f*** the rest of the idiots that think they know better.

[CharlieH]

Didnt pay our village guy a thing.

If I had time over again, I would rent NOT buy or build, nightmare and only one benefitting is Thai.

[marko kok prong]

I have found that they usually put up the roof and then pour the slab,is it a two storey dwelling?

[bangsaenguy]

I have worked a few large scale construction projects in Thailand. I think slabs are not the norm due to the instability of the ground. We've used bell bottom piers on large pumps to keep the foundation stable. Projects that haven't used these have big problems with settling. We are building a new house. The carport and shop area are 1 level nad we poured a slab. The main house is 2 levels and no slab. Use a lot of rebar. Only my experience

Edited April 30, 2014 by bangsaenguy

[krisb]

Here we go....

You say this..'.I may as well talk to the hand'.

Correct... you may as well....Welcome to building in Issan!!

Building in the village without a professional Thai builder is very very similar to belting your head into a concrete wall. Very painful.

DON'T use these so called village tradesman who say they can do the work....They are full of crap. Waste of time, money, and you will end up hating them, your blood pressure will sky rocket, then hate the village and the idiots that live there, and make you wish you never wanted a house there. Forget trying to build a western style house out there, ever. It won't work. Oh btw, your wife will likely insist these guys she hired know what they're doing, then you will be angry with her, creating more angst, causing you to be convinced 100% all Thais hate westerners, and even your wifes on their side not yours.

Plans!!...HAAAAA...what plans?...welcome to Issan, the only plan there is get lao kao, and drink it, then go work for you the falang and lie to your face, they are terrible liars mind you village 'tradesman'...

After over 20 years of building here in Australia, building a house in an Issan village makes me think why did I start the job? I thought I could, and not that I can't, it's just a slug everyday.

It's too late for me now, come too far, although have considered knocking it down, but you still have time to re asses your build plan.

In hinds sight, I should have just bought a Thai lanna house and dropped it completely built on the land, then hooked up the electrical and plumbing, job done!, no stress, no village idiots, and a beautiful square house. I mean that's all we want right?

Here's a pic of our bricklayers. All drinking at the end of the day. Most wouldn't show up daily, just when they needed a bit more money from sucker falang me. I sacked most, knocked down walls and so it went like that until I could have killed someone. I was fuming. My neighbour Henry threw a brick at one. I just drank a lot of beer.

Anyway, that's our story, perhaps yours will be different, but I really doubt it mate.

[krisb]

There are many countries as hot if not hotter then Thailand, Vietnam for instance, here thay build many houses on slab, but as I have also pointed out they have been occupied by Ferang, French Belgian USA etc so have learnt other ways of many things, Thailand has not had this advantage, and I have told them in no uncertain terms, as I am paying WILL be my way, but still the Blank Stare!

I was told this morning that I will not find a builder in Issan who will build for me, but have found one in Buriram, who not only reads plans but has email also! Bonus.

But the Village Boss says I must have his approval and pay him 50,000Bt, is this normal?

50k baht are you joking now?..tell him to shove it. Laugh in his face, that will get him going.

Gee you got a giant learning curve ahead of you.

Have a look here mate. It's just an idea and plenty other places around to buy these types of property.

http://www.thailannahome.com/

Edit to say their prices are quite stupid. Much cheaper around if you look around.

Edited April 30, 2014 by krisb

[inzman]

There are many countries as hot if not hotter then Thailand, Vietnam for instance, here thay build many houses on slab, but as I have also pointed out they have been occupied by Ferang, French Belgian USA etc so have learnt other ways of many things, Thailand has not had this advantage, and I have told them in no uncertain terms, as I am paying WILL be my way, but still the Blank Stare!

I was told this morning that I will not find a builder in Issan who will build for me, but have found one in Buriram, who not only reads plans but has email also! Bonus.

But the Village Boss says I must have his approval and pay him 50,000Bt, is this normal?

50k baht are you joking now?..tell him to shove it. Laugh in his face, that will get him going.

Gee you got a giant learning curve ahead of you.

Have a look here mate. It's just an idea and plenty other places around to buy these types of property.

http://www.thailannahome.com/

Edit to say their prices are quite stupid. Much cheaper around if you look around.

I think those prices are a bit over the top. It pays to shop around , same homes can be had for about half the price. I see them along the roads frequently and pop in to check the price.

[marko kok prong]

Here we go....

You say this..'.I may as well talk to the hand'.

Correct... you may as well....Welcome to building in Issan!!

Building in the village without a professional Thai builder is very very similar to belting your head into a concrete wall. Very painful.

DON'T use these so called village tradesman who say they can do the work....They are full of crap. Waste of time, money, and you will end up hating them, your blood pressure will sky rocket, then hate the village and the idiots that live there, and make you wish you never wanted a house there. Forget trying to build a western style house out there, ever. It won't work. Oh btw, your wife will likely insist these guys she hired know what they're doing, then you will be angry with her, creating more angst, causing you to be convinced 100% all Thais hate westerners, and even your wifes on their side not yours.

Plans!!...HAAAAA...what plans?...welcome to Issan, the only plan there is get lao kao, and drink it, then go work for you the falang and lie to your face, they are terrible liars mind you village 'tradesman'...

After over 20 years of building here in Australia, building a house in an Issan village makes me think why did I start the job? I thought I could, and not that I can't, it's just a slug everyday.

It's too late for me now, come too far, although have considered knocking it down, but you still have time to re asses your build plan.

In hinds sight, I should have just bought a Thai lanna house and dropped it completely built on the land, then hooked up the electrical and plumbing, job done!, no stress, no village idiots, and a beautiful square house. I mean that's all we want right?

Here's a pic of our bricklayers. All drinking at the end of the day. Most wouldn't show up daily, just when they needed a bit more money from sucker falang me. I sacked most, knocked down walls and so it went like that until I could have killed someone. I was fuming. My neighbour Henry threw a brick at one. I just drank a lot of beer.

Anyway, that's our story, perhaps yours will be different, but I really doubt it mate.

Good post,when my wife recently built her shop/small house opposite our main house i stayed away,just let them get on with it,she paid for it out of her own money[well i paid really,but from her monthly allowance],as you say all you will do is give yourself grief,does not matter a fig if you have built houses in Aus,this is thailand,and they all think falang know nothing,only have money,i was told this recentley at a funeral,'all falang have money' a lady told me when i tried to tell her there are poor people in falang countries she refused to believe me,then asked me how long it took me to drive here from Australia,that's what your up against here.

[stickylies]

I have shown them all of the 7 Homes I have Built in Australia

u think that impresses them? the only thing they conclude is you have too much money.

[MobileContent]

It looks to me you build the house for your in-laws and they might not like your design once you move away.

When I build our home, I used an iMac to design it with a correct floorplan and damn it was pure stress but the results are great. My wife backed me me up from the beginning and told everyone this house is build by my hubby to feel comfortable when living in Isaan. After three years and heavy raining, thunderstorms, flooding etc our home is still dry and in great shape.

The only thing I let my in laws decide was on which day the construction started because it has to be a good day to not upset the spirits.