How not to build a house in Thailand

[@douglastassell4070]

Hello Les, you are correct in what you say. We had an experience similar to you are describing when we had a small lake and fish pond dug to get the soil for building up the land. The wife’s family insisted on a relative to do the earthworks and I was not happy upon hearing how they were going to go about it. I have some experience in this as my father was experienced in this field and had taken me to work with him in the holidays. So I said produce me a plan of the work, there was no plan so I put my foot down and said I refuse to have anyone without a plan. This did cause a problem within the family but I did not budge and thankfully my wife supported me 100%. I insisted on meeting the biggest earth contractor in the area, I do not speak Thai but read his hand gestures and understood everything with his gestures as my dad’s gestures were similar. After 15 minutes I told my wife to negotiate a price which I was happy with. He was superb, moved his big machinery in the same day and we have a deep lake and big fish pond. He did say to my wife that he could feel me reading his thoughts….I was as well as his hands. You are correct though, family will insist on family even though they can do a shit job. Keep the great vids coming Les. Thank you.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks for that, Earthworks is an art well done to sticking to your guns.

[@barrydwyer2039]

Hi Les, Totally agree with your comments. About 40 years ago I was thinking of building a house in Trinidad my ex partners country but when I saw how they operate I quickly knocked that whole idea on the head. I had thought of bringing proper craftsmen from the Uk and forming my own building company, all the essential trades. Bricklayer, carpenter, plumber, electrician and architect and only employing local labour. But even local labour was a probem because once they received any money they disappered until the money ran out. This was the case with most of her family when they had property built.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

In my early days here I was thinking of setting a charity up teaching Electrics and doing free installations for the poor to get the practice and also to make Electric safe for the poor. Too many hurdles to jump through with work visa and investment required. There is a guy in Cambodia doing this and I wanted to copy his idea.

[@kevingammon8557]

Yes, fell into the trap of using friends of the family, and it created many an argument with my new wife. Amazingly, we stayed together, certainly tested our marriage. We stopped work halfway through using the excuse we were going back to England and, on our return, employed someone else to finish the work.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thinking of a way out can be stressful to avoid a loss of face.

[@eunicef1]

I've always admired people that can do all their own DIY.

[@douglasfisher8665]

I'm not a Builder but I have an understanding about how things are done correctly. I designed and Built my own single storey house in a Rural Village.I used local labour who were well versed in Construction Work. I cleared all the land myself, then they built a Block Wall very well, upright and level. After that they built a 2 Car Garage. Then the House was built. They used boblines and spirit levels to get the pillars and walls true.I bought all the materials myself after shopping around for the best prices and good quality. I did all the electrical work myself using conduit and proper junction boxes, every thing was earthed and RCBO breaker box used. I have seen Thai electrical work, example, joining wires together with tape!! I wouldn't ever use a Thai Electrician. I did most of the Plumbing and all the painting. I Watched all their work and sometimes they asked which way I wanted something done. They recommended 2 Guys to do the Ceilings who did a good job. I was happy with the House, Garage and Wall and it is still GOOD. There wasn't any upsets only friendly discussions.

[@MisterMitchMM]

Very sound advice Les. Adding to that, never loan money to family or friends because most times it ends badly. I can build a house from the ground up. All trades but at my age I have no desire to build another house. Thanks Les. All the best. 👍😎🙏

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Well said! Thanks for watching.

[@youthoughtitwasbadbefore6134]

My only experiences in having something built here in Thailand went exactly along the lines you said. We needed to erect a wall outside to prevent rain getting into the Thai kitchen outside. My girlfriend at the time wanted her cousins husband to do it. Everything started out fine. He set up a string line to align the building blocks and started to lay the blocks. But its hot thirsty work so he needed a few beers to keep motivated. Before long he needed to go home for a bit of a sleep. So his helper a young guy was left to finish of the wall. Well when I came home and saw the wall beautifully straight along the string line but curving gracefully inwards from the base to the top. Kinda funky actually. Anyhow the poor lad was terrified that the giant fat farang was going to lose it outright. Hey it stopped the rain and it is still standing to this day. Gave him a decent tip for his efforts and nobody lost any face. Love Thailand.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Any curves can be filled with render lol. Tolerance goes a long way here. Good to hear the wall still works.

[@davidphillips9244]

Sound advice Les.. I had the same problem here with so called builders.. I went through 3 of them and like yourself I still had to do the final tuch ups..

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks for that it would appear by the comments a lot of folks are or have been in the same boat. Thanks for taking time to comment, very much appreciated.

[@RodneyDouglas-rq7bm]

The notion that Thais are not competent builders is nonsense.I worked my entire life in construction. My wife and I recently built a home in THailand. Fortunately my wife was there through the whole process as the builder rarely showed up to supervise. The majority of the work was done by a Burmese couple and a Thai couple with 1 older Thai laborer. The painting, electrical and tile work was subcontracted. WE used only the best of materials. The quality of the workmanship was superb. Particularly the concrete finishing , painting , door stainings. The tile work was the best I have ever seen.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Happy to hear you had a good experience well done, my point is there are those that know and those that they think they know

[@zazeel1]

Hi Les, good to hear your views on building a house. That can be a stressful experience even under the best of conditions..... even renos can be stressful. I'm sticking to ready built in the future. At least you can see what youre getting!! Lovely to see the lake walk!! So do you have any problem with aggressive dogs along the route?

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

The lakes are dog free which is nice, people walk their dogs here as no soi dogs. It is a nice walk, many people do their exercise walking around the lakes. I might start. Thanks for watching.

[@JuJu-ml5ej]

Alright, mate! Many thanks for your insights.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching.

[@AmericanInThailand]

Sound advice sir! Well done!

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thank you kindly!

[@PloyandJayinThailand]

Great tips 👌we let our Thai family members make a wall and patio, but a bigger builder company made our main house. Not everyone can build modern houses 🙏

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks for sharing! Plenty of Bob the builders here.

[@Mekhong3876]

Our family members built our house, little did they know I was also a builder! 😂 13 years on, luckily our house is as good as it was the day it was built. 😎👍

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Good to hear some good stories well done. Thanks for taking time to comment. 🙏

[@hagar6359]

very true about electrics mate. As soon as you touch it, your name goes on it. I use Thai electricians in some of the installs I do. I make sure it meets Australian standards. good video mate

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks for that, Electrics kill and should not be treated with contempt here as some Thai's and Europeans do.

[@Viva_Thailand]

3 ways to avoid problems: Always Hire a real builder . Always buy the materials yourself. Always supervise on the job EVERY DAY .

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Wise words thanks for watching.

[@Edward-Plantagenet]

Quite interested in renting a good quality house in the Rayong area but needs to be nicely fitted out or renovated to a high standard. Not easy to find. Plenty of ramshackle run down rubbish. Where are those lakes? Looks very pleasant for walking / running.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

They are out there, Budget and Quality sometimes do not go together. But it's fun looking. Best wishes, Chackpong is my area and surrounded by Lakes.

[@Edward-Plantagenet]

@@RetiredandLivingthedream Yes I quite fancy that area. Budget up to around ฿40K (above that it’s better to buy for me) so hopefully we should be able to find something.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

@@Edward-Plantagenet Wow that’s a good budget. You can have a 3 bed house with pool fully furnished for 22,000 a month.

[@Edward-Plantagenet]

@@RetiredandLivingthedream Sounds good. I’ll mail you when we get back (having a few days away). Happy to pay you a finder’s fee 😀 Always easier to find when you’re in the area IMO, the rental websites I don’t find very useful. We’re in no rush for a few months.

[@ddyeo503]

My Thai wife has an older home that is two stories high. But the roof rafters and roofing have seen their better days. Plus my Thai wife is disabled and she is considering removing the roof and changing the house changed to a one story house and then having a easier roof put on the house. The old roof is very steep pitch and no way at all to get up on the roof. I told her to ask around and see if you can hire a contractor that could do the job for her. She lives near Nang Rong,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

I have seen roofs replaced whilst the original roof stays in place they build over the top of the old one then once built dismantle the old roof

[@ddyeo503]

I suppose you could do that if the rafters are sound. In fact a couple seem to be steel rafters. I'm from the US and I have never seen a roof like this. But that is something to consider, building over the old roof. But the termites have been a problem there too. She is hoping the wind won't destroy the roof for a few more years. Right now we are going through the process of getting her a spousal visa and then she will go back and hire someone to do the roof in a couple years,,,,,,,,,,,,,. @@RetiredandLivingthedream

[@anthonycarney7849]

I have seen them been built but the finished house looked good I have been looking at houses &villas for sale in rayong there r good ones hopefully I will get well &go there for a holiday &get a look at the area I am irsh if I make it I will give u a shout for a chat&a beer if u bont mind 😊😊

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

No problem always available for a chat. Best wishes for your future plans.

[@joerobertson289]

I used a friend of a friend (Bob the Botcher) to build my wee abode nearly 7 years ago! I am no site agent but no damp proof course was installed between the block work - the house now has rising damp, the bathroom door opened the wrong way etc, nearing the end of my house build nobody would work for the main man in charge of building my home because he didn't pay them! He ended up bringing his wife along to finish my build ha, ha!

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thai houses do not have damp course, we seen a Brand New house on a development of about 60 houses less than a year old with damp, we also seen many others with signs of damp. Hope your all done now and can live with the result. Bast wishes thanks for the comment.

[@sammygoh]

Does prefab houses solve some of these substandard issues?

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

There is a number of options available I will do a video on this subject.

[@billsimpson2392]

We have men come to Australia from Asia countries ( one country in particular) Les claiming that they were "Master Tradesman" back where they came from and OMG.... So I think I can understand what your saying...

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks Bill, if it looks wrong then it is. Some cars here cost more than getting a house built.

[@gorgeousthailand4748]

Did my house build in isaan using family, friends and myself, in the main its ok, and for what i paid, am more than happy with it. The big issue was they didnt charge much at all, and when it was completed, they all moved in, lol.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

That is service for you, quality assurance as long as they are resident. Thanks for watching.

[@billtimms6537]

Hi Les, anyone who has had anything to do with building by Thai friends or family will agree 100 percent with you 😂, cheers mate.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks, sometimes the smaller jobs are worth paying for others to do in this heat.

[@VictorHenderson]

One thing that drove me insane as I watched some "builders" do some refurb work (watching from afar via Line) was their refusal to use drop cloths or any sort of masking tape etc when they "painted". Unbelievable how they expected my wife to do the clean up each day wiping up globs of paint off the tile. Don't get me started on how they left grout and cement all over the tilework.... oh yeah. (working myself into a froth)... why put a slope on the shower floor eh? That is just too much work. No wait.. how about lets cement the toilet down w/o proper gaskets so that it stinks 24/7. Gah... last one is how they use some sort of putty to mush sheetrock seams that is guaranteed to shrink and crack in about a year.

[@G7FX_REVIEWS]

So where do u recommend getting professional tradespeople in Thailand.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Word of mouth and recommendations. It can be difficult.

[@charliestride8803]

Morning Les Just let you know there is a buget this Wednesday 6th March

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Yep I seen it, I will be watching it here whilst having a Chang, 7 pm here so wind down time, should be interesting seeing them trying to Bribe everyone. But not much wiggle room Thanks for the info.

[@harold6863]

Is it ok to involve the water buffalo? 😂 love the videos cheers Les👍

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

The buffalo is taking care of the grass.

[@peterward9755]

When the builders in Thailand get paid 500 baht a day it's not going to be good but after live in the UK and and working in construction I give them credit for working in this heat I am glad I can sit back and enjoy my retirement in Trat now at the age of 53

[@MartynStokes-l9x]

Hi Good luck with that. You can't bye land in Thailand or a house. Only if you're wife or thai person so good luck and do your home work

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Everything is possible here. No need to lose everything a few simple and not costly steps you can save losing everything. It is true you can't own the Land but you can protect your investment.

[@MartynStokes-l9x]

@RetiredandLivingthedream hi like i say if you can't bye land then you don't bye a house because its no the land. A condominium yes in your name ok

[@offwiththeirheads4635]

Electrical work here is a nightmare, as you know!

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

I seen a Brand New house with a 12 way board and every MCB was 20 amp Mmmmmm

[@anthony7091]

As someone who owned and ran a building company in the west, the sparky we had on our house here in Thailand was first class. Would put many in the west to shame. I got lucky l guess with all the horror stories floating around.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Wow well done, can I ask how much per day they were on, here I understand its from 1,000 to 1,500 baht per day if you can find one. I have been asked to look at many bad installations to give my opinion. So much bad work here.

[@AntheaBrudenell-cl7zr]

Where exactly do you live in Thailand please Les

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

We live in Rayong District 3 hrs away from Bangkok, 1hr 40 min from Pattaya, 30 min from Koh Samet.

[@hongminihappy3982]

There are many professional construction companies in Thailand.

[@anthonycampbell5483]

They obviously don’t have proper trade persons with the skills & knowledge required From apprenticeships to qualified professionals when you seek out a builder ect in Thailand do they not provide builder’s certificates Trade certificates

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

They do have proper tradesmen but they are many who think they are but are not. Aircon service is one skill they learn on 2 services you can buy the gages and the gas now your a Aircon service engineer. Simple.

[@armunro]

Ah yes, quality built houses in Thailand. Take a trip to Vietnam and see how much better they build properties there. They don't put any steel in the walls to join things up, no lintels, don't let land settle before building, etc, etc, so its just a matter of time before cracks arrive and by then the builders are well gone. What to do? Build cheap and don't worry about it; fix it up when it breaks? Wife has Facebook building in Thailand groups and she says everyone, and I mean everyone complains about builders in Thailand, and this includes Thais complaining. Like you Les I do all my own building work because I am an engineer at heart and can do it all myself; might not do it as quickly as a professional but it will be done well and will last, and no dealing with the BS!

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks for that, we looked at a New build less than 1 year old with damp, they said they would fix it but looking at other property's on the development they all had signs of damp, and you only got a 1 year guarantee for the building.

[@Danster82]

But then how do you know what reputable builder is? You don't even know un England if your builder is any good let alone Thailand.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Word of mouth look at previous work. Best wishes.

[@DuneSeaJedi]

👍

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Thanks for watching.

[@paulmillward7009]

Thanks, Les. Dodgy Bob the builders worldwide. It is best to invest your money wisely and rent. My opinion.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

There are many reasons for and against doing this, I have my reasons for buying but was also happy to rent.

[@jimcraiggeezer]

Cowboy building companies everywhere..

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Plenty of bob the builders here.

[@1974imajica]

Common sense is all that is required

[@5150TJT]

You don't own a house in Thailand your wife does 😂😂😂

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Sadly to say that is where your wrong, as so many people say the same. If you take precautions you will not lose the house, you may not own the land but your purchase can and is protected, being married the house is 50/50 as it is in most western country's. Being married has its advantages, my western wife did not contribute anything towards the purchase of my house but got the house in the Divorce settlement. Be prepared for the sh*t to hit any fan and your ok with everything failure to prepare is preparing to fail. You can live here and not lose everything.

[@IrinaIrinaIrina-f1d]

End Times Jesus is comming soon

[@buyrealestateat]

what about a shipping container with a bathroom, toilet and bedroom i was thinking about getting something like that and save a lot of problems

[@AndyShortall-b4r]

There is a sucker born every minute. Never get involved financially with families. Never.