Home repairs, hard to know if you're paying too much.

[giddyup]

I have been in Thailand 8 years and have dealt with quite a few "handymen" in that time, and there's always a certain amount of negotiation on the price. There's also some uncertainty if you're going to get a decent job or not. In this case I need quite a few small to large jobs done, like painting a couple of walls in the bedroom, fixing some roof leaks, replacing a couple of metres of termite destroyed skirting board, a bit of painting outside, and that's about it. The boss of a couple of workers first quoted me 28,000 baht and reduced it to 25,000 baht and he supplies the materials, paint etc. The price seemed pretty high to me, but he seemed to do a reasonable job on a neighbours house, so I couldn't be stuffed shopping around for a cheaper price, but it still irks me that I may be paying through the nose, know what I mean?

[ezzra]

Rule of the thumb in Thailand is when you're contracting the work of

a so called handyman, figure that in most cases, it will cost you more,

take longer than the estimated time, and in most cases, you're not

going to be happy with the results and probably, part of it will have to be

 done over again, so word to the wise, have the job descriptions and costs

written down and signed by both parties to avoid misunderstandings later,

and good luck to you....

[robblok]

I would personally pay for the materials myself, because I would worry that they would use inferior materials to cut cost. Then again, if he were to quote without materials he might up the labor cost to make up for what he could skim off the materials.

 

its a hard process gone through it a few times too and its never fun. 

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

I would personally pay for the materials myself, because I would worry that they would use inferior materials to cut cost. Then again, if he were to quote without materials he might up the labor cost to make up for what he could skim off the materials.

 

its a hard process gone through it a few times too and its never fun. 

He said he only uses a name brand paint, besides that there's not much he has to buy.

[Rimmer]

Moved to DIY forum

[robblok]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

He said he only uses a name brand paint, besides that there's not much he has to buy.

If its only the paint then there is not much to worry about. I recently had a really good painter and he was expensive. Believe 8000 baht for the whole living room. But he did it good and neat. 2 layers and a grounding layer. I am going to use the same guy again for the outside and some other rooms. I supplied the paint (wanted the best paint)

[NanLaew]

Rimmer has handily moved this to the DIY forum where one can ask about what to expect price wise. Pictures of the scope of work helps since 'small to large' is a subjective assessment but I would think that 25k is steep. I bricked in an unsued car port and converted it to an air-conditioned office for a bit less than that. I agree with supplying the needed products or if clueless about what you need or agreeing to the guy supplying the materials in an 'all in' deal, try and make time to go shopping with the guy so you know you what you are paying for and what you are getting.

[taninthai]

what the op quotes is basically a days work for 2 men,,,even if they take 2 days its a ridiculously high price,,,,again 8,000 bht to paint a living room is high price painters in the uk don't even get paid that in a day,,,,,,,,,yes obviously if you get a decent job done its better paying a bit more but still both sky high prices really.

i prefer to just stuff like that myself ,,,,,,cheap and no one to blame but myself if it comes out rubbish.

I'm currently trying to get a 20 meter fence and sliding gate put in same as the one in picture so far been quoted 79,000 then another guy 55,000.......can see I'm gonna end up attempting it myself within the next few months..lol

Edited May 19, 2017 by taninthai

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, taninthai said:

what the op quotes is basically a days work for 2 men,,,even if they take 2 days its a ridiculously high price,,,,again 8,000 bht to paint a living room is high price painters in the uk don't even get paid that in a day,,,,,,,,,yes obviously if you get a decent job done its better paying a bit more but still both sky high prices really.

i prefer to just stuff like that myself ,,,,,,cheap and no one to blame but myself if it comes out rubbish.

Yeah, well, I'm 75 so my climbing on to a roof with a pitch like a Swiss chalet days are over. As is painting ceilings etc.

[bankruatsteve]

If you have any DIY ambition, you should take on the painting.  That is like the lowest of the labor class here so you will be lucky if that comes out good.  DO NOT allow your contractor to buy the paint.  For example, TOA is a very good brand but they also have crap paints under the same name.  When it comes to paint, only get the good (premium) stuff.  And if you don't DIY, do not let them thin out the paint to 50% or any percent.  Maybe 10% on the primer, but that's it.

 

There are many workers who are good and will do whatever their skill without a "contractor" - just ask around and you can find for 400-600 baht per day.  Avoid a "contractor" - they just take money for doing F_all.

[giddyup]

8 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

If you have any DIY ambition, you should take on the painting.  That is like the lowest of the labor class here so you will be lucky if that comes out good.  DO NOT allow your contractor to buy the paint.  For example, TOA is a very good brand but they also have crap paints under the same name.  When it comes to paint, only get the good (premium) stuff.  And if you don't DIY, do not let them thin out the paint to 50% or any percent.  Maybe 10% on the primer, but that's it.

 

There are many workers who are good and will do whatever their skill without a "contractor" - just ask around and you can find for 400-600 baht per day.  Avoid a "contractor" - they just take money for doing F_all.

I prefer not to fall off a ladder and break a hip at 75, end up costing a lot more than 25,000 baht. I've pretty much (perhaps rashly) committed myself to paying now, but I will be keeping a close eye on the standard of the work and quality of material used.

[giddyup]

TOA is a very good brand but they also have crap paints under the same name

 

Any idea what are the "crap" brands? The guy said he was going to buy TOA, but didn't specify.

[bankruatsteve]

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

TOA is a very good brand but they also have crap paints under the same name

 

Any idea what are the "crap" brands? The guy said he was going to buy TOA, but didn't specify.

The premium grades will say that and cost a lot more.  Many of the village shops don't even carry the premium grades because Thai's won't buy them.  If you let the contractor buy the paint, you will not get the premium grade and he will thin it out 50% and you will need to paint again in another year.

[giddyup]

47 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

The premium grades will say that and cost a lot more.  Many of the village shops don't even carry the premium grades because Thai's won't buy them.  If you let the contractor buy the paint, you will not get the premium grade and he will thin it out 50% and you will need to paint again in another year.

Unless he thins it out before he brings it here I'll make sure that he doesn't.  I should be able to see if the tins have been opened anyway.

[VocalNeal]

17 hours ago, taninthai said:

what the op quotes is basically a days work for 2 men,,,even if they take 2 days its a ridiculously high price,,,,again 8,000 bht to paint a living room is high price painters in the uk don't even get paid that in a day,,,,,,,,,yes obviously if you get a decent job done its better paying a bit more but still both sky high prices really.

i prefer to just stuff like that myself ,,,,,,cheap and no one to blame but myself if it comes out rubbish.

I'm currently trying to get a 20 meter fence and sliding gate put in same as the one in picture so far been quoted 79,000 then another guy 55,000.......can see I'm gonna end up attempting it myself within the next few months..lol

If you are in BKK I think I know where you can buy the rollers? I'v bought some support rollers there. The ones that stop the gate falling when open.

[weegee]

15 hours ago, giddyup said:

TOA is a very good brand but they also have crap paints under the same name

 

Any idea what are the "crap" brands? The guy said he was going to buy TOA, but didn't specify.

I forget where you are giddyup....but Nippon Paints are the top of the line Paints...If you can get hold of it...USE IT.

[bankruatsteve]

11 hours ago, weegee said:

I forget where you are giddyup....but Nippon Paints are the top of the line Paints...If you can get hold of it...USE IT.

The brand of paint is not the issue.  All brands have excellent premium grade.  They also have crap grade (well maybe not crap but without the premium qualities that make the premium more expensive).

[mogandave]

I think that doing some inside and outside painting, fixing some roof leaks and replacing some skirting is more than two days work for two men.

If the guy does good work what's the big deal?

I always get multiple quotes, tell them I am getting multiple quotes, tell the I am not going to hammer them down on the price, tell the I demand quality material and work.

I also tell them I will pay for the materials prior to start of work, but after after I receive and review the list.

I pay them the balance after the work is complete to my satisfaction.

It it's a big job, I will make progress payments as well.

The quality of work is generally much more important than saving a few Baht.

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a sweet deal is forgotten."


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[BEVUP]

Depending on the leaks ( they may want to replace sheets or just a silicon job)  - the paintings nothing & also the scurting 

maybe 5000 bht materials max - 2 days work

[giddyup]

12 minutes ago, BEVUP said:

Depending on the leaks ( they may want to replace sheets or just a silicon job)  - the paintings nothing & also the scurting 

maybe 5000 bht materials max - 2 days work

Tiled roof.

[mogandave]

Yes, no idea how many leaks, what type of roof, what condition the roof is in, how big the inside walls are, what the inside walls are made of, what condition the inside walls are, what painting needs to be done outside (second story eaves & trim?) how much painting outside, what condition the outside paint is in etc...

Yep, 5k max for materiel, 2 men for 2 days that's 1200, so 6,200 max. Any more that that is a ripoff.


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[topt]

1 hour ago, mogandave said:

Yes, no idea how many leaks, what type of roof, what condition the roof is in, how big the inside walls are, what the inside walls are made of, what condition the inside walls are, what painting needs to be done outside (second story eaves & trim?) how much painting outside, what condition the outside paint is in etc...

Yep, 5k max for materiel, 2 men for 2 days that's 1200, so 6,200 max. Any more that that is a ripoff.


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600 baht a day per person for labour? You are unlikely to find "good" tradesmen in the tourist areas who will work for that sort of money.

I was quoted 700 baht today for just cutting the grass and tidying up which would take no more than 3 hours maximum - I was expecting 3/400.........needless to say I demurred.

[mogandave]

600 baht a day per person for labour? You are unlikely to find "good" tradesmen in the tourist areas who will work for that sort of money.
I was quoted 700 baht today for just cutting the grass and tidying up which would take no more than 3 hours maximum - I was expecting 3/400.........needless to say I demurred.

600 a day for 2 people, why pay more than the law requires?

[giddyup]

5 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

600 a day for 2 people, why pay more than the law requires?

Because if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

[mogandave]

Because if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

What do you get if you pay bananas?

[taninthai]

one thing for sure its impossible to get any half decent handymen at 300 bht a day, yes thats the miniumum wage but the workers that work for that are more the sort that are on a long term contract building hotels etc.

i have some guys at the minuite doing stuff for me at he minuite they work at hotel in the day time(MAINTENANCE MEN) so can only work 3to4 hours aday for me.

some prices i paid plaster board ceiling 42m2  7000bht ,tile bathroom 2m by 3m floor and walls ,fix toilet in and build one wall out with bricks to make shelf 6000bht,  27 roof tiles 1.5meter long installed on car port roof 1000bht,tile complete floor of house approx 40m2 tile size 60x60 cost 6000bht.

i think they are pretty good prices ,standard of work ok.all labour only prices.

[BEVUP]

12 hours ago, mogandave said:

 

600 a day for 2 people, why pay more than the law requires?

 

This is reminding me 

* Yes i have baulked at some of the prices quoted - But the wife says this is the contract price concerning the job at hand because they are not working full time with employer - I worked out it cost 700 bht a day (per person) for the laying of Mosaic tiles in pool & fish pond ( labour only ) & one of them was just a Labourer

* The Builder boss man in the moo baan at the moment has also said wages are on a sliding scale like the west - 350 (cambodians ) / 500 (Thais ) / 300 ( for dirt diggers ) going up to what ever their qualified for 

 

[mogandave]

one thing for sure its impossible to get any half decent handymen at 300 bht a day, yes thats the miniumum wage but the workers that work for that are more the sort that are on a long term contract building hotels etc.
i have some guys at the minuite doing stuff for me at he minuite they work at hotel in the day time(MAINTENANCE MEN) so can only work 3to4 hours aday for me.
some prices i paid plaster board ceiling 42m2  7000bht ,tile bathroom 2m by 3m floor and walls ,fix toilet in and build one wall out with bricks to make shelf 6000bht,  27 roof tiles 1.5meter long installed on car port roof 1000bht,tile complete floor of house approx 40m2 tile size 60x60 cost 6000bht.
i think they are pretty good prices ,standard of work ok.all labour only prices.

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[pest]

Did your thai partner receive the quote?

Many times i have heard a deal being done with wives and contractors

[dotpoom]

I bought a new kitchen from Home Pro and told them I will be having it installed myself. My wife contacted a man we had do work on our house 10 years ago. He is fitting the kitchen, taking out a bath while connecting up the water (hot and cold, share same wall) putting in electrics for  cooker hud, cooker, microwave, rice cooker etc, redo the tiling and splash back and fitting a chandelier where ceiling fan is now.....13,500 Baht.