Big or small. My first picture thread!

[Loy Toy]

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Looks wonderful.

I'm pretty happy with my lot but not so happy that I don't feel a twinge of envy.

You have a great looking lifestyle.

got any jobs for a driver or something?

Mate it is not that difficult to achieve something like this.

I sincerely wish others would have a go.

Just brought another 5 rai of land around at Maprachan lake ( a bargain) and as it has work out it looks like I have already got 2 orders for properties houses and within the first week.

If I was to show anyone on TD how cheap it still is to build beautiful houses here most people would not believe me. Yes there are risks involved but I really adhere to the old saying (nothing ventured nothing gained).

I also, and as a farang trust my wife and that my man is critical and with regard to what ever succes I have had here.

No drivers mate! Maybe when I get a bit pissy and my missus has to drive me home only.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Now this is the first house that I built and still is our favourite.
Brought the ground floor as a shell construction and finished it of perfectly in a lot of peoples opinion.
This will be the place I take my family back to live and once the lease term is over.

Loy Toy

From the photographic inferences, all the properties you have so kindly displayed are unequivocal inspirational credits to your developments.

Individuals differ greatly in their personal selections and choices in life, of course.

However, the obvious flexibility you are both willing to display and consider in catering for alternatives, merits a Green

Well done.

It is indeed a great pity, if not a disastrous situation that true title cannot be conclusive to the alien provider and purchaser.

[Redneck]

So LT, you're designer/architect, builder and project manager. And these houses look marvellous.

But you also say you had no building experience when you started.

How did you climb that learning curve? I presume you didn't just pick up a brick and a trowel on day one and start having a go.

[Loy Toy]

Originally Posted by Redneck

So LT, you're designer/architect, builder and project manager. And these houses look marvellous.

But you also say you had no building experience when you started.

How did you climb that learning curve? I presume you didn't just pick up a brick and a trowel on day one and start having a go.

Great question Redneck!

My background is mechanical engineering and have been quite successful in the industrial packaging market.

With regard to my success (in that line of business) was understanding market requirements and be able to design the products that people needed and wanted to buy accordingly and on a computer using master cam or solid works.

I basically used the same design philosophy when designing a house. Studied what was available in the market and tried to design something better with more valued added features, (and by cutting out the middle man) at a far reduced price.

Designed all of the houses on my computer and according to what I thought people wanted to buy. Simple as that!

Regarding the physical work and particularly the civil engineering most of it is common sense. When we have a visit from the building department people they always say I over design the strength of the main house structure and for sure it is better to not take chances.

Have a great right hand man also (Thai) who my English builder mate wants to pinch from me and take him back to the UK.

From the start I was involved and how I wanted things done and particularly with regard to the finish of the houses. Lead from the front and the Thais will follow you to the end of the earth.

Team effort mate, and big balls

[Texpat]

Very nice buildings LT. Nice thread too.

Can't green you at the moment. Thanks for sharing.

[kingwilly]

Originally Posted by chitown

She says 9 bathrooms? the poor farang must have his wife's whole family living with them!

Originally Posted by bkkmadness

Why the need for so many bathrooms in these houses and big condos? Seems to me like it's a waste of space.

absolutely not, I HATE waiting for toilets/bathrooms in western houses, dinner parties, not a problem in asia,

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

but some your type of carp as well.

Careful, he'll tell you they are Koi and then you'll have to flounce off and leave the forum...

[kingwilly]

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

got any jobs for a driver or something?

actually i'm looking for one, my weekend driver decided that i live too far down the soi for him to get to and fro work each day....

can you drive an automatic?

[Loy Toy]

Using more materials such as that sandstone cut off brick that is very easy to lay and gives a good effect.
We imported the jacuzzi and the hand carved decoration cost about 7,000 Baht.
All in all this bathroom feature cost us about 40,000.00 Baht with the jacuzzi.
Customer was very impressed and it didn't break the bank

[kingwilly]

awesome stuff mate.

[Loy Toy]

This is a pool on another property that is about 3 years old.
It is an infinity or free flow design and I prefer these pools and when compared to the skimmer box design.
About 10-15% more expensive to build but worth the extra investment IMO.
All pools have a seated jacuzzi area and have 2 high powered pumps which are quite expensive and make up about 30% of the overall build cost.

[Jet Gorgon]

Nice stuff, LT. I don't like all the stairs but the different levels add nice twists to the design layouts. The raised bed platform -- I would worry falling off it if I had to go pee in the middle of the night.
I love the water features of your first house. The pool with the dolphin design -- first pic, I thought a dead dog was floating in the pool.
Lovely work, though I much prefer all wood.

[Propagator]

Awesome thread Loy Toy. I agree with JB that the master bedroom would not be suitable for me, but as you say horses for courses. Look forward to the rest of the thread as it progresses.

[Loy Toy]

This house has to be one of my favouites because of it pratical internal design and cost of build. A freestyle pool shape, although with far more skimmer boxes fits well with the house shape.
When I took this picture was one of the few times that the owners kids were not in the pool.

[Loy Toy]

You may notice and with regard to the above photo I built 4 sky lights which bring natural light into the living room. I recessed the internal roof cavity leading down to the ceiling level and the affect is amazing.
Again the roof tiles (polycarbonate) are not overly expensive and as you only need a few the investment is well worth the result.

[Loy Toy]

This particular customer wanted a big fcuk off staircase and that is all he seemed to be worried about. To be fair and without all the other furniture it is a poor picture but the end result was fantastic.
Also, and with regard to the landing at the top of the stairs (his gym area), and when the windows are opened, allows fantastic air circulation around the entire house.
Very impressive and when you walk through the front door also.

[KhonKaenDan]

I like the house, and it sounds like you gave your customer just what they wanted. In this day and age, that is some times very difficult to accomplish. Congratulations!!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this house at about "15". The house is big, but that is what your customer wanted and that is great.

[DrAndy]

I agree, the houses look good quality

some of the design features are not to my taste, but who cares! if they sell the house, then they must be good

[jizzybloke]

When do the tennants leave the place you want to move into LT?

[Loy Toy]

Originally Posted by jizzybloke

When do the tennants leave the place you want to move into LT?

The lease was to finish in September (I think) and as I have been told by my wife they want to extend for another year. My wife handles all of these issues.

They are a lovely couple and as far as I'm concerned they can stay as long as they like.

Just build another one exactly the same I have resigned myself too.

Why do you ask Jizzy?