coolthaihouse.com blog

A good while ago we were in the process of buying and subdividing some land and had some need for a legal consultation + help in doing the transfer. Today would not go the lawyer route. At that time I stopped by a recommended Thai lawyer who was in the area, just to ask some basic questions. The land was already under contract and was scheduled to close in about 1 week. At the time before engaging the said lawyer (who was recommended by some acquaintances doing a large project + others on various other forums) I asked what the costs would be for the envisioned services….. the response ‘not much, don’t worry, not expensive’. (more…)

Our Thai friend has been looking for an affordable house for a while. While I thought something fairly close to Pattaya was cheap if it was around 1 million baht, I have learned there is a whole lot of houses cheaper than that around. However, you must be careful when looking at something that seems like it would cost more to build than the asking price. (more…)

I think the preface to any ‘rip off ‘ worker story must be that normally the workers are pretty good and honest – but times they are a changin’ in good ole Pattaya, Thailand. There are some sleazy folks out there waiting to pounce at the first opportunity. I do consider myself lucky to still be able to count the times I’ve been ripped off on a single hand.

The prerequisite to getting a shifty contractor is 1.) being in a real hurry to find someone. 2.) finding someone you haven’t worked with before. In this case the work at hand was pretty easy no skilled required stuff. Move some blocks, rocks, and coconut stalks. (more…)

Recently I spotted a farang dumping garbage by the side of the road in one of those quick ‘hope no body is watching’ moves. While there is always refuse problems in developing countries I would pretty much think that Expats that come to live or visit here wouldn’t and shouldn’t contribute to this problem. I was driving by and didn’t have time to stop, or maybe I would have pulled over and whacked that guy on the side of the head (more…)

I had previously written about land that wasn’t the same size as stated in the chanote previous short chanote writeup. A couple of things have happened since then. One is that I definitively accept the explanation of my lawyer friend as to why it is this way. Working example: You buy a chanote which states there is 6 rai of land for 1 million per rai, 2500 per tarang wah, total price is 6m baht. The sales agreement states you are buying that plot of land for 6m baht. Later you find out there is really only 5 rai of land there. Why is it you aren’t entitled to a refund? Because just as likely there may have been 7 rai of land there, in which case you’re not obligated to pay more either. (more…)

prev article on short land. Since the previous article I’ve heard from a number of people who have had the same problem. One neighbor (thai/farang) lost about 1/2 rai out of 3 rai. Near the new land a thai couple lost 2 rai out of 10. (more…)

Hand dug wells are pretty effective if properly done. See a write up on water (including wells) here water. One important point is that when water is reached a pump is utilized so that the well can continue to be dug out deeper than the current water level. This is especially important since normally the well is not being dug at the low water level in the dry season. (more…)

I just love to talk and listen to Thai construction workers. They are really plugged into some interesting stories.

A lot of times the workers are fairly skilled and enjoy doing good work. But they understand when the boss, the subcontractor, wants to skim some profits. How does it work? The subcontractor goes in and puts in a fixed price bid to do a house or several houses. The case in point is a big subdivision around here. Then he needs to ‘extract’ some extra money. How does he do it? He corner cuts his way around things. (more…)

Peter M – the project continuesI like the new site look…very clean and contemporary! Member base seems to grow.

Anyways, a quick update on my housing project.

After my big confrontation with my lazy contractor two weeks ago about completing the project and doing a good job or else…he put on a good show for about four days. Actually had more than 3 people on site, visited everyday and work seemed to be progressing. (more…)

from Peter M Small but important little question. When you arrange to buy all the materials and just pay for labor, what happens when you get handed bills for new drill bits and so forth? Isn’t that an expense a contractor would assume? (more…)

from DickDozer, I bought a home in Chiang Mai in a nice subdivision for around 2.5 mil baht. The only problem is we have these F’n dogs around here that start barking at around 5:30 AM every day. They wake me and the wife up and are beginning to get on my nerves The construction of my house is the same as yours. Tile Roof with metal beams. I’ve been up in the attic and one of the things I noticed is that there isn’t any insulation. (more…)

from Paul RReally enjoy your site. Seems to be the only one of a kind.

We have a 1,200m2 site in Bang Pra (Chonburi) near the golf course where we are planning to build a 250m2 high quality home – hopefully starting in the next 2 months or so. (more…)

neil mi have read, with interest, your site and noticed the difference between Thai construction and farange construction. there is one point that i have noticed not mentioned and that is damp course, to stop water invasion from the ground up to the house. this is standard in western countries but in the years that i have been in Thailand i have never seen it used. do they us any material for this or just allow water saturation to deteriorate the property over the years? i intend to build a place myself, (don’t tell me, i know it will be hard work), and would like to know before i start. thanks for any info you could provide on this. should my place develop i will update you with horror stories. (more…)

from Peter M On the homefront, I’m getting frustrated with my workers. I’ve set a very decent deadline for the work at Mar.30 and they seem to be coming up with all these jobs outside the contract that doesn’t have priority…like painting and handrails. As with most jobs, the contractor quotes a ridiculous price and than after I haggle it gets reduce to half the price. (more…)

From Lawrence R I’m looking for an experienced plumber in the Bangkok area, any recommendations please?

From Robin T: Trouble with Termites

I believe I have expounded on this subject before so here are some more specifics.

Firstly our village house was built (badly) in the Spanish Villa style which became popular some 10 years ago. We only occupy it intermittently, so for many months at a time it’s virtually empty. Termites seem to thrive on peace and quiet.

It uses the nasty construction technique of pre-cast columns which I thoroughly dislike (only to be used for industrial sheds) The columns were drilled and a few masonry nails were hammered into the holes. This is the only keying that the infill block walling has to hold it in place. Over time, foundation settlement and shrinkage the walls part company with the columns by some 5mm or so. This allows an ideal secret passageway for your local hungry termite colony. (more…)