Thread: Big or small. My first picture thread!

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

hi,

i have a better suggestion a projection screen!

In reality a plasma screen is better and cheaper over 42"s, anything 37 or lower get an lcd.

Panasonic or pioneer are good for plasma and sony or panasonic for lcd.

But like i said what most would do is get plasma and projector it feels like you've spent a lot in reality it works out very cheap.

I have a comment on your houses, which is a criticism in kind but one that obviously has given you great pleasure and i presume good investment;

I think your design is based on space and size rather then design and i think all the houses i have seen have no character or any style!

so in summary no design and no style, basic use of materials but this is what makes property development is it not, bland is beautiful!

Having said that if that's what people want then you've done well at delivery.

Remember projector.........

Thanks sincerely for your honest comments!

Really it is such a real challenge and to design something that will appeal to the masses.
My general rule is to remain neutral and when detailing the houses and it seems to work.
Yes there a couple of houses I would not like to live in myself but if the customer likes it who's to argue.
Moreover I find that especially Europeans come here and want the exact opposite to what they live in back home. Big and roomy and to be fair ostentatious IMO. They love to take the pictures back and show their friends their bedroom which is bigger than most apartments in somewhere like London.
Americans generally like big, and the bigger the better (nothing personal of couse).

Been only in this business for the last 4 years or so and am still learning.

Projector OK.

i dont want to sound like you have done a bad job, quite clearly you have become successful and have an enterprise thats doing well, which must be congratulated!

As you have said and that which is obvious people want to buy/lease your houses and that means your hitting the right market!!!!!!

That is an achievement!!!!!


Most here im sure appreciate that and i am one of them, i'm just saying as you have just mentioned size means better for Europeans so i understand and you are clearly business minded and guaranteeing your success by giving the customer what they want. You also want to maximise profit, which can be seen maybe a little bit too obvious in some certain areas.

I just havent seen anything new in your buildings that arent in all thai magazines, and in some ways have seen much better use of design and aesthetically greater approach to building and design. thats all that i meant by it!

congrats!

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Moreover I find that especially Europeans come here and want the exact opposite to what they live in back home. Big and roomy and to be fair ostentatious IMO.

Good observation, the Europeans do the exact same in Australia. In fact I think it's worse there because many come from poor background, so the big house is sign of success in the new country.

They have a saying about the Italians "I came, I saw, I concreted!"

Whats the average price of one of your places 4 bed 4 bathrooms.

Originally Posted by AZZZEY68

Whats the average price of one of your places 4 bed 4 bathrooms.

If you allow 18,000.00 Baht per square metre you can have yourself a very nice home. This price includes good quality air cons, kitchens, built-in robes, quality floor and wall tiles and plumbing and electrical fittings, insulated curtains, solid wood doors, remote control rolller doors and security systems but with no furniture.

When I started this business the price allowance was 7,500.00 Baht per metre so you can see how inflation has affected the price over the past 4 years.

The price also includes civil design drawings, bulding permission but does not include the land price.

Our new project on Maprachan Lake just otside of Pattaya.
Almost 6 Rai in all and this hopefully will be our best.
Underground services (elctric and telephone) with large plots should be able to attract some interest.

When selecting a piece of land always make sure that the council services including electricity and water are available, has good road service and is conveniently positioned and with regard to main roads and schools.

Finally make sure you have the land title deed thoroughly checked out by a knowledgeable legal entity.

I will post pictures of the land development and if anyone is interested and over the coming months.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I will post pictures of the land development and if anyone is interested and over the coming months.

Yes please.

A view of the land and from the rear looking east.

My wife wanted to leave 1 tree on the property. I have not told her yet it will be directly in the centre of the road.

Expect to throw another 2.5 mill Baht at the project and to do the walls, roads and underground services and estate drainage including subdivision.

Fingers crossed and arsehole puckered always but very nice land in a great position.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by benlovesnuk

I just havent seen anything new in your buildings that arent in all thai magazines, and in some ways have seen much better use of design and aesthetically greater approach to building and design. thats all that i meant by it!

congrats!

I think you are right in what you say Ben, and good design does not cost much more than bad

He is selling his houses, so that is a good thing; he knows the market he is aiming for.

There is, of course, another segment of the market out there that demands good design, and they probably would not consider the houses he builds. I would think that building houses with good design may well make a larger profit, but you would have to think a lot more about what you want to achieve with each house.

Both you and Ben are exactly correct and with regard to your comments DrAndy.

Then again to create something so personal (and that is a home for someone) you need years and years of experience and good luck to hit the target.

Onwards and Upwards I always say and the new estate will be a product developed by us and with no outside influence.

Your comments either being positive or negative are sincerely appreciated!

yep, good luck with your new project

I hope our comments were not seen as negative, more a different view on things

With falling house prices and flat sales in the Uk at the moment how LT are you finding the market at the moment in Thailand?

Originally Posted by Lord Peter Flint

With falling house prices and flat sales in the Uk at the moment how LT are you finding the market at the moment in Thailand?

Not great but not bad either.

The mere fact you can buy a little piece of paradise here for a fraction of the price back home is still a big drawcard.

Our projects are small and when compared to others and to be honest I would not like to be in other developers shoes at the moment.

If the UK market improved just a little I could start 50 houses immediately. People with houses they just cannot move and even when offering substantial discounts.

Noticed just recently there has been quite a few enquiries and I feel because of the unstable economic and political situation across Europe. People looking for a cheap getaway residence and if things get nasty over there. Sounds ridiculous I know but that is the feedback I am getting.

I personally cannot see things picking up for a while but il check out your development in November.

Finishing up another kitchen today.

Very good value I consider at 200,000.00 Baht with good quality wall tiles and black granite work tops.

For this house the customer wanted the Master bedroom entry, and by way of the kitchen and although I tried to convince them not to do so I am happy with the result.
The lady owners thought was to have direct access to the kitchen without having to walk through the house.

Khun LT, your design concepts seem to favor contemporary style. The Bedroom door is particularly of a nice design and the deep rich looking cherry color stain finish is a very nice touch.

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Khun LT, your design concepts seem to favor contemporary style. The Bedroom door is particularly of a nice design and the deep rich looking cherry color stain finish is a very nice touch.

Thanks Khun ST and almost the same colour you use for your text.

We use solid core doors and to be honest it took us a long time to find a good supplier.

The kitchens we try to make as simple as possible and build in a lot of work top area which doubles as a breakfast bar. A lot of time is spent in the kitchen and especially if your partner is a good and willing cook. The most important room in any house IMO.

We also use imported cushioned draw sliding and door mechanisms which the lady's like. Definately work better and they last longer than the locally made units.

BTW hows your project going? When is the big house warming piss up gonna be?


Just joking my friend and good luck!

Like your work and, obviously, others do also. Do you only construct in the Pattaya area? Anything up in Isan?

Originally Posted by bobbysan124

Like your work and, obviously, others do also. Do you only construct in the Pattaya area? Anything up in Isan?

Thanks bobby, no I only concentrate on the Pattaya area but check some of the other bulding threads here as there are some great builds going on up your neck of the woods.

I am sure the good folk on Teak Door can put you in the right direction regarding building contractors and suppliers in Issarn.

Good luck mate.

Thanks LT for the advice and good wishes.
Continued success to you.

Have you got any more details on this house?

From this picture it looks like something I would be interested in building out in the sticks. Smaller pool though.

Yes mate not a problem.

I have all the building and civil engineering drawings and if you want copies I can give them to you.

The pool is a skimmer box design which is about 25% cheaper then an infinty flow pool to build.

Did you notice the 4 sky-lights over the family room.

These fixtures allows great natural lighting covering quite a large area and is quite cheap to do.

Originally Posted by English Noodles

From this picture it looks like something I would be interested in building out in the sticks.

Same same.

I am currently renovating an old Thai wooden house in Bangkok on a budget.

We are putting in a new kitchenette but the prices here are ridiculous so advice on doing it cheaply but having it looking like the one above is needed.