Thread: Budget Build - Nong Khai

Hey all, Looks like the pain is going to begin in April. My wife and I will back in Thailand for most of the month and hope to begin the construction of a 100 m2 2-3 bedroom, 1 bath house. It will be used principally by her mom, step dad and sister, who currently live in a hut. Hope to get it done for around 600,000 TB.

The build itself hopefully won't be that complicated. I suspect the issues related to the property and family are the biggest hurdle. The property is owned by step father's mom. She intends to give 1/2 of it to step father sometime, but hasn't yet. The other 1/2 is to go to step father's sister who I understand may not be the greatest neighbor. We offered to purchase the land from her. I believe the original price was 70000TB but now it has risen to 160000TB. I suspect it may be the frang price, but my wife isn't sure. We will check the land records when we get back. An added twist, there mother and step father secured a 180000 note with the land, so it really would be closer to 340000TB to buy it (pay off the note and purchase the land)- which it probably isn't worth. In the event we don't purchase, I suspect I will require a usefruct or superficies. I am paying for the build and want to protect the interest in it. There are a couple concerns, one being step father and mother divorce and step dad kicks MIL off the property and keeps the house. Frankly, I would like to just buy another piece of property but the family has it own ideas. But enough about the background. On to the build.

I have designed two floor plans, which are bastardized versions of the free Thai house #7. Also, I stole a number of ideas from other builders from this forum, including Udon dreamhouse (floor plan and style) and chang ya (outdoor kitchen).

The first floor plan is for is a 101 m2 house with 2 BR, 1 bath, combined living room/dinning room, an indoor kitchen and a small outdoor kitchen/laundry.

The second floor plan, which is the one we are leaning towards is a105 m2 3 BR, 1 bath, combined living room/dinning room, and a large outdoor kitchen and laundry.

Both floor plans have a large 19 m2 covered porch. Family loves to gather outside so they will likely use this area the most. Also, they like to cook outside and being issan food is the main interest, an outdoor kitchen is probably best. Also, while I would like a tile roof, it might not be in the budget. No AC, just ceiling fans and windows. For me, the important features are: (1) decent, safe place to live; and (2) indoor plumbing. Hope to put the plans out for bids in the next couple weeks. Likely a Thai style build, but hope to include some western construction practices when possible. Family will not be the contractors.

I will upload pictures of the floor plan (as soon as I figure out how to do it) and pictures of the land (if the family ever sends us pictures - this apparently hasn't been a priority for them). Keep your fingers crossed.

Joe

Joe reading that mate it sounds fraught with problems ,, I know you won't but I would walk away now

Good luck mate !

Upload via photo bucket its easiest

Nice plans, but sounds like a right ballbuster of a situation. I would wake away, and tell them to forget it, and that you may be interested again in a few months time, on your terms.

Whatever you put into it, say goodbye to it, regardless.

Never be afraid to walk away when things you are giving away aren't being given away on your terms or the people are unappreciative and unhelpful.

Originally Posted by Luigi

Nice plans, but sounds like a right ballbuster of a situation. I would wake away, and tell them to forget it, and that you may be interested again in a few months time, on your terms.

Whatever you put into it, say goodbye to it, regardless.

Never be afraid to walk away when things you are giving away aren't being given away on your terms or the people are unappreciative and unhelpful.

Its a real ball buster. No doubt about it. Hope to get it worked out in April when we are there, if not, we simply wont do it. Wish it was more simple, but things in Thailand rarely are. Buying another piece of property is a real likelihood.

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Joe reading that mate it sounds fraught with problems ,, I know you won't but I would walk away now

Good luck mate !

Upload via photo bucket its easiest

Thanks. Will try the photo bucket route.

Originally Posted by slimboyfat

Good luck.
I am just at the finishing stages of a house based around free plans no.7

https://teakdoor.com/construction-in-...am-having.html (A small home what I am having built in Kanchanburi Province)

Also on a budget!

Edit - just noticed you had already commented on my thread!

Thanks. I read your build blog with keen interest. Still astounded how much and the quality of house you got for the $. It really turned out great. Tiled roof too boot! Gives me hope that I can maintain the budget I set.

Joe, I wouldn't bother. As you say, 50% will belong to the step-father and the other half, his sister , that's if the old crone decides to give it to them.

Just whereabouts is the land in question and how much land?

Why not look for a similar property that is already built and for sale.

Unless you are going to clear the note and buy it outright, at massive overs, forget about it. Just stop talking about it now.

An usufruct does not protect you from people who want you gone.....

My money's on Joe being a bottle of Lau Kaow a day man by the end of May

Good luck and stock up with Xanax.

i hope your will be build the way you like it good luck !!
i will follow your huise build. Udon Dreamhouse

Do you have somebody to build your house.If not you can ask the builder of our house in Udon thani.
He is a verry good constuction builder He is not giving you a headace.
greeting Udon Thani

Originally Posted by Udon Dreamhouse

Do you have somebody to build your house.If not you can ask the builder of our house in Udon thani.
He is a verry good constuction builder He is not giving you a headace.
greeting Udon Thani

Thanks UD, I don't have a builder yet and would love the builder's contact information. Please PM it to me. The houses would be very similar except mine will have a larger porch and a outdoor kitchen in back.
thanks again
Joe

don't do it

Buy some land in your wifes name and build a house on it You can protect your interest better that way.It all sound very messy but good luck anyway

thanks to all for raising concern regarding the property issue (and Nigel for doing it twice!). I know you have seen certain mistakes made time and time again and are trying to warn me off of making a similar mistake. I appreciate the concern, really. we are working on the issues and hope to have them fully resolved. if not, we will buy a different property or the house will be in my name in usefruct or superficies. I realize this is far from perfect, but it is what it is.

I apparently can't post pictures until i have 20 posts so I will stop over to the general forums then come back to post floor plans (if I can figure it out) and maybe a few pictures of the land (the only ones I have, which the family provided me and close ups and of no help!). I opened a photo bucket account so maybe you will get a peek at the problem property.

Joe

My money's on Joe being a bottle of Lau Kaow a day man by the end of May

Good luck and stock up with Xanax.
__________________________________________

You must be psychic Kurgen since the first truck load will likely be only booze and Xanax!

the issues will never be resolved if you are dealing with fucking half wits
buy something else

Originally Posted by reinvented

the issues will never be resolved if you are dealing with fucking half wits
buy something else

Yes.

They are treating the poor OP like a wad of soggy toilet paper. He tries to help them, they degenerate him.

Is short, and with out being disrespectful, tell them all to fuck off. You offered, they got all up uppsy, that's it, offer withdrawn, they get nothing.


An old neighbour had a wife that had a large number of rai up country. They let the sister manage the farming of it for an agreed 50/50 split. After the first year no money, usual excuses of waiting for whatever, problems with whoever, second year no money. Fine. The wife put it up for sale. You can't do that says the sister. Yes I fucking can says the wife. Sold it, bought a rental property with the cash and the sister was fucked off.

They're taking you for a fuckwit. cut them all out and forget them.

They are simply masters of give an inch, take ten miles. You being nice to them is weakness to be exploited.

agreed you can't fix stupid. we will also be looking at some other land and a few other properties (including some foreclosures) when we are there in april.

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Joe whatever you do mate ,, please just take your time !

Step back a bit ,, then take some more time .

Agreed.

At the very least, tell them that you will postponing anything until the start of next year, in order for you to think about things. Then forget it for a while and come back to the idea in 6 months time.

You are the boss. You dictate to them. If someone doesn't appreciate or like a gift before they even get it, they don't get given it. Simple.

Originally Posted by Joesixpac

we will also be looking at some other land and a few other properties (including some foreclosures) when we are there in april.

Wise move. Land will be in wifes name of course but do get a Usufruct. If heaven forbid, something happens to the wife you will have protection against in laws selling.

Noticed in Slimboy's thread you figured his was about the quality you wanted. If so figure budget of about 10k baht per square meter for material and labor.

Good luck.

Hello where do you live? The costrution Worker live in Udon thani
He can speak a little english but youre wife can speak with him .
He can n contact you by line or e mail so that you alway's know what he is doping
Later i give you his nr