Up2U

As I'm banned for life on TV I didn't see your postings there.

You did not answer the question about your own profession / discipline, but I am sure you are aware that we all have spent years learning our craft and that the experience is worth at least a token payment.

I am a civil engineer, but I would still expect to pay an architect to design the space and layout of a new home, as well as a contractor to build it. If I was supervising the construction, which I have done on work up to and including nuclear power plants, I would also employ skilled engineers from mechanical and electrical disciplines to supervise their specialities.

We may have the reputation of bum-crack boys, but even when building a single house there should be an element of professionalism at all levels.

Sadly with many Thai contractors you will not gt this, even at foreman level. If you cannot keep the standards up with your own experience, then the worst of the Cambodian/Burmese refugee labour will be on your site and will cost you many times the savings you hope to make by dispensing with a few professionals.

You don't need expat help, but you do need professional help and I would suggest that you find local engineers that will be willing to supervise the job. You can then supervise them.

And please let the contractor buy the materials - he will have standing arrangements with suppliers for discounts, for late-billing and so on - which will mean that his quote of labour+materials will be far lower than his quote to you of labour-only with you supplying materials (when they are available). And what about plant (excavators, compactors, concrete mixers, vibrators, etc., etc.)? Who supplies?

Really, you are heading for heartbreak.