Thread: Finally starting the build.

OK, thanks, will look into this; I'm hoping the two cats will keep the mice/rats/snakes/snake eating snakes away...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

(Do big horrible people eating snakes come in through the ventillation or just 10,000 mozzies?)

None of the above. Put vinyl screening material between the eve cover and wood it's attached to.

Screening comes in rolls, 1 meter wide. Your architect will know.

No problem. The snakes will eat the rats, then just get yourself a couple of mongeese to eat the snakes.

If you then develop a mongoose problem, you may need to invest in a Leopard, or a badger.

Also worthwhile to put the termite spray piping around as they build. There will be termites in your land. Easy to do and makes it easy for them to come in to spray. Just tell them you want it, they will know.

^ OK. ^^^ OK. On the list, thank you.

Along with Norton, let me provide a photo of the small blue pvc piping used for termite control. I thought I had several pictures of it, but could only find this one. It's kind of dirty looking now, but you can see it running around this area (future bathroom. You can then see how it extends out the side of the house and that is where they will add the termite poison.





One thing I really like about our house build is the roof truss system. It's not a bunch of galvanized steel tack welded by some guy who may or may not know what he is really doing. Plus, the act of welding destroys the galvanized coating in the weld area. Yes, they can slather on some kind of rust blocking primer, but this truss system and it's mechanical joining system is pretty impressive. Here's a sample pic.




Definitely ensure you're attic space is both insulated and well ventilated. I think ours will be, but to be even more careful, I'll be looking at adding a couple of whirlybirds probably sometime next year. I won't use the electric or solar powered ones, more stuff that can go wrong. We get a nice breeze so it will just spin on their own.

I'll also be adding another 6 inches of fibreglass up in the attic as well.

Good luck !

Steve

^ thanks, mate; good pics and advice - just the kinda input I need.

Anybody know what to do about Bat infestation in the eve's?

Holy shit BB....every two weeks. Do you how much damage a Thai construction crew can do in two weeks? I left a bunch of guys to install a A/C unit for about 15 minutes while I headed off to 7/11. When I got back the kunts had the indoor unit mounted half way across a window instead of centered. This after we had marked the center of the window top with a big black marker pen so they could not fuck up....

The hole for the inlet piping had to be re-drilled....the wrong one filled and patched....and they thought I was just being picky....

There are an estimated 16 million stories like this on the various expat forums in Thailand....and they are all true.....

Originally Posted by koman

Holy shit BB....every two weeks. Do you how much damage a Thai construction crew can do in two weeks?

You are of course correct, but do you know how much damage a hi-so Bkk architrect can do to my wallet every 2 weeks!

I have the latest plan updates. After much tooing and froing, we have decided upon this layout/build. The architect reckons on 1.2 million, I will try to get it built for 1 million...

Any thoughts on the plan?

I will be going to the land next week (maybe 10 days...), checking that the FiL is happy with the build, checking that it'll fit on the plot ok, agreeing on where the front door will face, etc. Then the foundations will be under way as soon as possible, so I'll be needing to sort out the water systems (waste waters) too.

Don't give bed 3 access to you loo. Make em walk.
Double access bathrooms are a pain, and you will always be getting locked out.

Bedroom 2 will be the study area/occassional bedroom, so it won't much matter in reality; only me and the missus will use it for 99% of the time.

Moving right along Boo. Keep it up!

Be careful trying to get that price down, it may end up in poor workmanship and cut corners.

Yep, the price is going up, I have to accept that... I will be buying a couple of spirit levels and a couple of plumb lines, and instructing the FiL to keep the basic foundations strong and straight; spend as much time on it as he needs to, but get it right!

The little stairs between the outside kitchen and the terrace will be needed; maybe we'll have them at the same level? I haven't seen to every detail yet... The fridge will likely be in the pantry, yes.

The roof has been changed several times, but I like the simplicity of this roof with plenty of overhang - I like the idea of sitting on the front or rear terrace, reading a book, watching the cats go hunting and having a beer...

We also had a design with a mezzanine. Even though it added extra space over the main living area, it ruined the roofline (changed it into an H-shaped roof) because it didn't fully cover the terraces... Instead, I've decided to spend a couple of hundred baht building a smaller study/office/garage area further down the road - maybe creating a courtyard type effect...

You need to think about roof ventilation. I don't think you have any gables to put vents in. You can get slotted panel to vent the eaves but need somewhere for the hot air to escape the roof.

Think this has been discussed before but well worth doing that.

Thanks, Bung. These are all going on the list to chat through with the architect and FiL next week. I want a clear understanding of how things will come together and what I want.

The roof and the water system are on the list. Also, the electricity circuits are gonna be an early conversation too...