Thread: Architect's Cost

^thanks for the kind words guys,

another thing about getting a good set of drawings is that costs can be determined easier and then set.
napkins and fag packets are open to abuse by the builder, who will claim that there are many extras to the job throughout the build, and rightly so,more commonly than not

Originally Posted by splitlid

^thanks for the kind words guys,

another thing about getting a good set of drawings is that costs can be determined easier and then set.
napkins and fag packets are open to abuse by the builder, who will claim that there are many extras to the job throughout the build, and rightly so,more commonly than not

Cheers mate.

getting away from poor upset people and focussing on the topic

It all depends on what you want and what your experience is

If you have no idea of what type of house or how you want to live, then consulting a good architect can solve those problems, they will ask you all the relevant questions. They will design a house for you, will make any changes after a few discussions and draw the final plans. After that, they will visit the site, talk to the builders and make sure all the specs are kept to

you will have to pay for all of that, of course

on the other hand, if you have some experience, know what you want and how you like to live, doing some basic drawings and plans will be easy

these can be given to any reasonable architect who can translate them into proper drawings for the builder and planning

you can have the architect supervise the building works, or you can project manage yourself, or any combination, up to you and what you feel comfortable with

Doing the latter, you will save a lot of money and feel that you have created your house, not some professional. BUT you do need some experience otherwise mistakes could be made

I have no self-interest in selling myself or my company, these are just my ideas based on my own building experiences

Originally Posted by Tomesarn

Originally Posted by Humbert

Originally Posted by Tomesarn

I would strongly advise getting 3D renderings of both interior & exterior

I heard from Splitlid last week on something unrelated but he's not posting here too much anymore. He does great renderings.

Yes, I've seen his work and it is good. He probably doesn't post here anymore due to arrogant know-it-alls such as Dr. andy....

well, I post what I think I know, like most members

sometimes I am wrong and will admit it

It is always nice to hear from someone such as yourself throwing out words like "arrogant"

if you cannot take the fact that someone else disagrees with your views, then forums are hardly the place for you

Originally Posted by DrAndy

It is always nice to hear from someone such as yourself throwing out words like "arrogant" if you cannot take the fact that someone else disagrees with your views, then forums are hardly the place for you

Agree, we need to tone it down a notch in this part of the forum.

Originally Posted by Spin

Originally Posted by Humbert

Originally Posted by Spin

I just paid 3500 baht for a full set of drawings of a bungalow I designed. I gave the woman the floor plan and a list of materials and their latest prices. The drawings came back a week later.

The builders have started so the plans must have been ok.

Bear in mind that there is a big difference between a licensed architect and a draftsman. Many contractors in Thailand will commence construction with drawings done on the back of a napkin.

This particular lady works for Roi-et city council in the architecture dept and has done so for over 20 years.

She had no idea she was working for a farang, hence the sensible price.

that department is often a good source of reasonable quality; I also found one of my architects through the local council office

essentially they are working "on the side" so do not charge excessively. Another advantage is that they know the local planning laws and also the people involved

Originally Posted by DrAndy

essentially they are working "on the side" so do not charge excessively.

From what the gf tells me, our drawings we done inside Roi-et city hall during working hours using government equipment.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Another advantage is that they know the local planning laws and also the people involved

Couldn't agree more, the drawings were approved without our needing to visit any officials, even contact with the local orbortor was done in the background without any input from us. Overall, it was a totally stress free experience.

Originally Posted by Spin

From what the gf tells me, our drawings we done inside Roi-et city hall during working hours using government equipment.

A corrupt official, how shocking.

no, not corrupt, efficient

Interesting thread.

I see the term "Architect" used a lot. In the UK this is a protected term and to use it the person claiming it has to be registered. To qualify you need to do ,as a minimum, a 7 year BA (Hons.) Arch. degree course which includes 2 years of practical experience. Should anyone claim to be an "Architect" and they are not qualified then they are liable to be sued. And chancers are.

Having once met a former student who had dropped out from a Thai BA (Hons.) Arch. degree course she told me that the same criteria applied. She claimed to have got to Part 3 and then dropped out.

So, no doubt there will be numerous Farangs claiming to be "Architects" in Thailand based on having "humped the monkey" in the UK then doing a bit of "back of a fag packet design" in Issan. Hey presto "Architect".

Point being Thailand is full of ex-SAS, Navy Seals, Special Services etc. No doubt the Farang Architectural "profession" is the same.

Should anyone Thai or Farang be encountered claiming to be an "Architect" and wanting to be paid as such then proof of qualifications should be obtained.

For the record I am not an Architect. In fact I have made good money rectifying Architects "oversights". Long may they prosper.

Originally Posted by Top Cat

So, no doubt there will be numerous Farangs claiming to be "Architects" in Thailand based on having "humped the monkey" in the UK then doing a bit of "back of a fag packet design" in Issan. Hey presto "Architect".

For the record, it is illegal under Thai labor laws for a farang to practice Architecture here in Thailand. But there are several farang-Thai firms where the architect of record is a Thai national.

^same same with Law companies I've heard many people say they have a farang lawyer, no you have not

Many professionals have to declare themselves 'consultants' so they can be granted a work permit. I am an environmental designer by profession but in the eyes of the Thai government I am a marketing consultant.