I am looking for help from those who have already built or are in the process of building a house in Thailand.
I am trying to draw up some plans for a 3 bedroom bungalow i want to build in Pars home village, but she says the designs are 'too long, house have to be square, not look like monkey house'.
My design had a sort of two houses in one look about it, so we could have our own living room, kitchen, farang toilet etc, and her mother the same with no access between the two, at least that way a little bit of privacy could be had.
Of course in an ideal world, and i dont wish to sound harsh here, her mother would stay in her own home and the seperate quarters wouldnt be a problem.
Her mother is 78 and lives in a ... well im sure you all know what she lives in. Par thinks we can make her last years happy by providing her with a lavish european style home, i personnaly disagree. I think she is happier with what she has known all her life. Last year i built a sort of shower/toilet block next to her home for when i visit but she doesnt use it, insisting on her old squat toilet and her cold water plastic bucket shower.
Enough rambling now and back to the point, anyone with plans,photos or advice would be much appreciated. I have tried the usual coolthaihome etc and found them no help.
Cheers in advance
Nigel

You could try Homes dd. It might give you some ideas, a few inches down the page in the middle click the box with the amount of money you want to spend and it will come up with various house plans also try Smile homes
should give you some ideas.
How big is the land?
what is the budget?

Or here:


http://www.dtcp.go.th/workinfo/house_model/doc_house.html


Nick

hate to sound stupid but can these websites be changed to English, the designs look good but iam just guessing what iam looking at

there is a a block on there for 3.5mil bht is that just one semi of the block or the entire lot?
also the cheap places look like bungalows???

Nigel
Depending on how much time you intend to spend living in the house, if it is upcountry in a rural location, I would not spend too much money. About ten years ago I built a similar 3bed brick and tile bungalow with large lounge, western bathroom and kitchen costing me around 600k baht using 85% quality materials. Thais will always want 100% ie the most expensive but it will not be appreciated.
From what I remember the builders seem to stick to a rule of everything in 3 metre by 3 metre sections to be economical.
Since I built mine, which at the time was one of the best in the village, many more have copied us finding falangs to finance a new house. Thais are now very much for keeping up with the Jone's and being bigger and better. But in my opinion it just isnt worth it in fact I preferred the life we/they had in the old wooden house on stilts! If they were to admit they would too but it is the face thing!
Also I think it is a case of the grass is always greener for instance they wanted an open entrance with a shutter door, better, ok up to you I said. Two months later, no good, too dusty -want/suggest glass patio door!. Two months later, house too hot! Install more aircon, now two expensive to use.
Think carefully and remember most time is spent out of doors so give plenty of attention to providing good shaded areas and ensure the kitchen is situated in the open at the back of the house.
You already have identified that her mother will not want to change.
Also I don't know if you will be around during the building works but that is advisable or you will not end up with what you want
bman

Cheers bnanaman
How long does a project like this generally take, i know that is a bit of a how longs a piece of string question.
The thing is i can only be out there for a month and iam torn between being there at the start (to make sure things are looking like going how i want it) or at the end (to make sure it is finished how i want it).
To be honest my plan was to go out with my brother, who is a tiler, to fit kitchen, lay tiles etc ourselves, so near the end is more sensible, but would that be too late to put things right ????
At first this will be, for myself, only a holiday home used probably 1 month of the year. Later hopefully it will be my home full time, if and when this happens depends on many things.
When you say the kitchen should be at the back and in the open, do you mean no walls just a covered canopy type thing. i had planned for a euro kitchen indoors.
Out of interest you dont have any photos, plans etc.

Thanks for the advice you have given

Nigel
Your project seems a little like mine started.I was working in the Uk and going out every six weeks and left everthing under the 'control???' of my Thai wife. It caused her some stress as she knew she was responsible in my absence and sometimes the Family would try to overule her/me.
However like you I planned a european Kitchen inside but at the suggestion of her mother it was built on the outside under an extended roof with 3 ft high brick cement walls and decorative ironwork to give total throughput of breeze/air and with a lockable door for security before the main wooden backdoor into the house.
Of course on this ocasion I had to admit my idea for a european style would have been unbearable inside the house.
I don't belive a europen kitchen inside is practical.
Also the western style bathroom had an obligatory Thai rectangular tiled tub in the corner to store water in addition to my electric heated shower. this was for the times when water does not also flow or the power is off as happens sometimes at certain times of the year as no doubt you know.
After all they understand their country's limitations better than us, remember this is Thailand and not Europe something to be remembered in my opinion.
We have since tried to fit the kitchen out european style with cabinets and tiled worktops (wife's idea) without much success as everything remains on the worktops whilst the cupboards are full of father-in-law's work and farm tools.
They cannot change their habits these folks, So I have given up!
Anyway if you can't be around to supervise, you doing the finishing work will work but just be prepared.
Time scale around three months mine was but depends on your builders. I just used a local firm- again this is Thailand but you can tell them how quickly you want things done and they just get more men, mostly its up to you. But bear in mind all things are pay up front and estimates are only for the labour usually.
Hope this helps.
Bman

Those plans and prices for houses on those websites, is that the finished prices??

there are about 3 or 4 farang houses all in the immediate vaccinity, within 100 yards, of where we are going to build.
the husband of my wifes best friend has built them all and certainly appears not to have ripped anyone off, on the face of it anyway. we have spoke about price but he says, and he is right of course, how can he give us a price when we dont even know what we want.
One farang has recently built 2 houses, a 2 bedroom for himself, wife and child, and a 1 bedroom for his inlaws.
I had wanted to incorporate the 2 and make a 3 bedroom with 2 sets of facilities and no access between. My idea is (and i dont want to sound awful) when her mother is no longer with us i will have a self contained 1 bedroom holiday facility for my family to come out. Also (and once again i dont want to sound awful) when we do go out once a year at least i know my half will be as i left it !!!
I know that was the thinking behind Paul building 2 houses and perhaps this may be my best option. My feeling however is that a 3 bedroom will be considerably cheaper than a 1 and 2 seperate.
You mention the 3 m x 3 m sections, and when i have seen others been built in the village they certainly seem to use the same sort of approach. Bearing this in mind do you stick to these dimension for rooms eg 3m x 3m for bathroom and perhaps 6m x 3m for bedroom or can the walls be built wherever you want

Finally, and probably a potentially big problem, my wife is living and working in England and also will only be there for the same period i will be. She has said her uncle will keep an eye on it and send us photos etc. I know this probably sounds on the dodgy side but i have got to admit he seems a very trustworthy person. I reluctantly loaned him 100,000 baht last year, i am sure you understand why i was reluctant, but true to his word every penny (sorry baht) was paid back within 3 months

upcountry
i was thinking the same, reasonable prices. However as it is all in thai i cant really understand it and so the pictures look great but not much other use.
Have you managed to view the pages in english

quote:

I reluctantly loaned him 100,000 baht last year, i am sure you understand why i was reluctant, but true to his word every penny (sorry baht) was paid back within 3 months

A first... Congratulations!!!


Nick

quote:

Originally posted by N Barton:
the husband of my wifes best friend has built them all and certainly appears not to have ripped anyone off, on the face of it anyway.

-I presume he is Thai, - not all Thais are bad !

[QUOTE] My idea is (and i dont want to sound awful) when her mother is no longer with us i will have a self contained 1 bedroom holiday facility for my family to come out. Also (and once again i dont want to sound awful) when we do go out once a year at least i know my half will be as i left it !!!

- Thats fair enough!

[QUOTE] You mention the 3 m x 3 m sections, and when i have seen others been built in the village they certainly seem to use the same sort of approach. Bearing this in mind do you stick to these dimension for rooms eg 3m x 3m for bathroom and perhaps 6m x 3m for bedroom or can the walls be built wherever you want

-You can build walls where you want within reason but it is sems the practice to have supporting walls at these 3m spaces as much as possible. Sure our lounge is 9x3m with 2bedrooms 3x3m and 1 bedroom 6x3m, bathroom 2x3m with corridor 1x3m to back door leading to kitchen 6x3m across the back and a patio/verandah 6x3m across at the front of the house- (sounds long and thin like the monkey house your wife refers to!!!) but it comes out more square when you add on the overhangs and lean to's for shade at the sides etc.

[QUOTE] Finally, and probably a potentially big problem, my wife is living and working in England and also will only be there for the same period i will be. She has said her uncle will keep an eye on it and send us photos etc. I know this probably sounds on the dodgy side but i have got to admit he seems a very trustworthy person. I reluctantly loaned him 100,000 baht last year, i am sure you understand why i was reluctant, but true to his word every penny (sorry baht) was paid back within 3 months

-Can't advise you there mate that's your decision just be careful.
bman

UPDATE
My house is now in full swing and despite my fears about long distance management iam delighted at its progress.
Below is a couple of the many photos her uncle has emailed to us.

didnt realise could only post 1 picture

at a time

..

Keep up the posts. It looks a great place. Can you keep us informed on the costs and any problems you encounter? I'm sure it is of interest to many of the members.

BigRed

No probs Red.
I will make an album in the Photos section, i think its easier to upload photos into there.
Up to now it has cost around £7000, paint, floor tiles, glass for windows, guttering etc have all been bought but not installed when photo was taken. My estimated total is around £10,000, dont know how this compares to others who have built but iam well pleased with that.
Just for your info it is 3 bed, one bed has ensuite and there is a main toilet/shower, both are 'farang hong nam' as my wife calls them.

Nigel, House looks good and I belife when finish it would be beauyiful. We just finish our home in Hau Hin last year in September, it's took more than 1 year to compled our home. It have lot excuses from the builder...
I just please with you that you have your wife following up, because if no one there will have same problem like we have. The builder was not in update and late put thing up. I have to calls from England to checked and puching it. Anyway now our lovely home is finished and last night Dave just post house's pictures in Photo album.
Kob

The place looks like its coming on well Nigel.

Having had our place modified a few times, my suggestions are:
- Get the electrical wiring done by someone half competent (rather than just a builder who thinks twist+insulating tape is a substitute for terminal blocks). Also, get RCDs rather than MCBs.
- Get *all* wooden floors, kitchen units, doors and staircases treated for termintes. This can get very expensive if you're caught out.
- If you want the place done quickly, set a deadline for each 'phase' and offer a bonus. Our builders would stay late to finish it each time (and then spend the rest of the night drinking Sangsom).
- Ensure that mice/rats can't get into false ceilings (the seem to like running up guttering and finding their way in). Both upstairs and downstairs.

A small point,
- I got these electrical sockets from DIY (HomePro/HomeWorks) and asked the sparky to install them. I also pointed out that I wanted them *all* earthed.
Handy for mobile, camera chargers, etc. that you take over.



Cheers,
Packpao

I've got the infomartion from the builder that... It's the law now all new buildings in Thailand must have earth line as well ( not sure I use correct English ) to protect electrict shot. Did your house also processd that? If not please do for safty.
Kob

Cheers for that.
The builder seems very competent and honest, he actually informed me about the law concerning earthing and 3 pin sockets, i expected the usual sparks coming out the wall when i plug something in.

Nigel,

It does seem incredible what you get for the money! Bet you can't wait to see it completed and move in

Kob,

House looks great, really impressive, love the tiles, is the dragon "chinese" inspired? Your garden certainly looks far better than ours and the kitchen has all the mod cons. When we first saw our house the kitchen was the only bad shock, it was just a bare tiled room, not even a tap!

Ian, Thank you to looking our house... Yes, The Dragon tile is Chinese Dragon... in the book said he is Dragon of The Chin-Si King we have had cut his claws out from 5 each foot to 4, because we are just normal people... couldn't compare to the King. And the Dragon made from glass.

The kitchen was designe by Dave and he just play with the little colour as you see and all appliance are TIKA and induction hob, glass chimmney.We spends time so long to select all our furnitures and selected them and booked with Kichen guy what we want.
The garden was difference as i designe to the landscpe garden gilr, but it's still look nice and relax.
This house finish with blood and tears...especially with our dragon he was so much hurt before he look fantastic like you see on the the picture, but at the end this house is full of love.
Kob