Building A Kitchen

[jimbbc]

Are there any companies in Pattaya specializing in kitchens? or do I have to use one of those Thai guys that says he can do anything? This is a condo.

[kurgen]

I used Buddy Decoration on Theprasit Rd 0891223831

Built a made to measure European style kitchen at a very good price.

The husband and wife owners are very nice and helpful and speak English as well.

After it was finished and paid for I noticed a couple of little bits I wasn't happy with.They CAME BACK FREE OF CHARGE and did the snagging.

[suiging]

There are many specialist Kitchen Companies in town with prices covering the full spectrum. Pick up a free copy of the jolly Patters Trader and read away.

The only reason for this post is to share what happened to me in every stage of a recent build including the Kitchen. Wife ( farang ) and I visted just about every kitchen company in town. Finally because she believes money grows on trees, she fell for an Index number with all the trimmings.

The guy's from Index did a magnificent job on the fitting ( even all wearing little white suits for the installation...very smart ) and provided the expected heafty bill.

Point was the price quoted for me and the missus bore no relation to the price I ended up paying. Reason ? as with all things here, we got a local Thai to do the negotiation after we made our selection ( making sure he went to the store on a different day to us so they could not make the connection ).

Bit like the National Parks, one price for whitey one price for locals. Find the one you like and get someone unconnected to do the biz.

[wca01]

Call

0868448242

This guy will make everything for you to very, very cheap prices.

Ask him to come to your place for an offer.

If you cannot speak Thai you will need a translator.

WCA

[COBBER]

There are many specialist Kitchen Companies in town with prices covering the full spectrum. Pick up a free copy of the jolly Patters Trader and read away.

The only reason for this post is to share what happened to me in every stage of a recent build including the Kitchen. Wife ( farang ) and I visted just about every kitchen company in town. Finally because she believes money grows on trees, she fell for an Index number with all the trimmings.

The guy's from Index did a magnificent job on the fitting ( even all wearing little white suits for the installation...very smart ) and provided the expected heafty bill.

Point was the price quoted for me and the missus bore no relation to the price I ended up paying. Reason ? as with all things here, we got a local Thai to do the negotiation after we made our selection ( making sure he went to the store on a different day to us so they could not make the connection ).

Bit like the National Parks, one price for whitey one price for locals. Find the one you like and get someone unconnected to do the biz.

This is a common misconseption here. Business owners here will rip off anybody , thai or farang, given half a chance.

Do as much homework as you can to guage what the right price should be. Negotiate hard. Get firm quotations. Dont pay too much deposit, ensuring that you still have some leway if the end result is not up to scratch. Never pay tradesmen wages in advance.

Surely these are things you would do in your former country so why would you not do the same here.

[icecubes]

Do as much homework as you can to guage what the right price should be. Negotiate hard. Get firm quotations. Dont pay too much deposit, ensuring that you still have some leway if the end result is not up to scratch. Never pay tradesmen wages in advance.

Surely these are things you would do in your former country so why would you not do the same here.

100% Correct.

very good advice.

[wilko]

Don't forget the basics...it's all very well having a nice Euro-kitchen but if it's a haven fort rats & roaches you'll never get rid. Check where the drains are and seal off any as well as outside wallls.

[suiging]

Totally agree with the mom and pop operations. Just wanted to point out that no matter what we said to the guys in Index, best we could get was 5% ( wife Chinese and she goes blue with rage if she does not get rock bottom deals ), Thai builder considerably more.

Not a misconception, it happened.

Edited November 27, 2006 by suiging

[Digger]

I used Kitchen Studio in my place and found them to be very good at the time and after 4 years, the kitchen still looks excellent. The cabinets are a laminate coat on chipboard but still in very good condition and no problems with hinges etc. They also supplied and fitted all the other bits and pieces like fridge, oven, hob etc etc. Probably not the cheapest, but the designer guy (think his name was Matty from Finland) made a nice workable layout and they came in ontime and got everything sone in 3 days including all the granite work tops.

[COBBER]

Totally agree with the mom and pop operations. Just wanted to point out that no matter what we said to the guys in Index, best we could get was 5% ( wife Chinese and she goes blue with rage if she does not get rock bottom deals ), Thai builder considerably more.

Not a misconception, it happened.

Suiging, Sory if i did not make the post clear enough. I was not refering to your specific experience with index. The point that i was trying to make was that most expats think that they only rip off farangs. This is far from reality. Thais are fair game as well.

[suiging]

Totally agree with the mom and pop operations. Just wanted to point out that no matter what we said to the guys in Index, best we could get was 5% ( wife Chinese and she goes blue with rage if she does not get rock bottom deals ), Thai builder considerably more.

Not a misconception, it happened.

Suiging, Sory if i did not make the post clear enough. I was not refering to your specific experience with index. The point that i was trying to make was that most expats think that they only rip off farangs. This is far from reality. Thais are fair game as well.

Agree,

Same world over.