Can anyone recommend a good builder for a 200 Sqm, single level house in Udon.
Appreciate any info, photos, etc.....thanks in advance, peter
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Can anyone recommend a good builder for a 200 Sqm, single level house in Udon.
Appreciate any info, photos, etc.....thanks in advance, peter
Going through the same thing myself. I have tried NYJ, Dream UP, but probably use Alanthebuilder.com
Ask around at sights you see in the local area. There are a lot of "builders" in the Udon area but they do not typically advertise on the internet such as DreamUp or other spec home builders. If you know someone who speaks Thai, that will help since most builders are not fluent in English. Stay away from the larger companys since they are only looking for a profit and will charge rediculous prices.
Once you find a possible builder, ask to see some houses he has built and then talk to the owners for their thoughts. You can contract for the beginning phase of the house and if everything looks good, continue with that builder or find a new one if the quality is questionable.
These are all statements that can be found in other building threads on this site and nothing new. I plan to use this strategy when I begin my build next year. If you do locate a good builder, please let me know since I am looking for one as well. If I get any good leads, I will let you know. I am not far from Udon city and have already started the quest to find a builder to start my house.
Good Luck!
Good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by neturba
I have just completed my house in Udon Thani, PM if you need info on NYJ.
:england:
Hi Pete
So you used NYJ?
Yes I did, finished it last month
:UK:
Dreamup :rofl:
Should be called dream on, if you want any service or repairs, DREAM ON. I live in one. Quality? Dream on, you won't get it.
As for Alan the builder, a bigger wanker you won't get than this guy, as a builder he may be Ok but as for dealing with him, wish you luck there.
NYJ. not seen any evidence of their quality so can't comment.
too many peters in this thread
Oh man! I just signed up with Dreamup before I saw this post. Looked at a couple of houses they already built and quality was pretty damn good. NYJ layout didn't even fit onto the land even after they came and measured it!! Well too late now. Will keep u all posted with photos over next 7 months.
^Your having a shack built, and they aint started yet, bet it takes longer than 10 weeks :)
Neturba, don't panic yet. Most of the posters here are willing to find smaller builders or sub out a lot of the work. This allows you to hire and fire at will and not be locked into a package deal. If you do not have the time, but have the money, DreamUp or NYJ are not the worst choice you could make. There are risks no matter who you use and the trick is not minimize these risks by being on sight daily and watch where the money goes. I looked at the DreamUp homes in Udon and they appeared to be OK. There were several in different stages of constuction and no farangs around to keep an eye on quality. They are a little pricey for me and I have since decided to be my own project manager and hire a builder locally to see how they do. If they meet with my approval, they would be given the next phase of construction. If not, fire them and move on to another builder.
Again, DreamUp or NYJ are not the worst around and if you are only interested in having a house built with minimal involvement, a reasonable choice in my opinion. I know lots of posters will disagree, but they have higher western standards and most have some building experience. I look forward to your pictures and I am sure everyone will give their opinion.
Thanks rickschoppers for those words of comfort. Will keep everyone posted on progress
There are a number of dreamup houses at stages of completion around me, one quite close. If these are OK I shudder to think what is not OK, I haven't spotted any form of measuring or leveling equipment on site.
These people build probably 20 houses a year, and they build them with basic hand tools, every thing dug by hand everything so far poured into hand made wooden forms without any benefit of compacting either earth or poured concrete.
I will take some photo as it progresses.
I understand now why my house has extensive roof and first floor leaks to the extent that none of the bathrooms up stairs are not used due to the bathroom floors leaking into the above ceiling cavity.
OK is a very relative term Peterpan. What I meant by the comment was that the finished product looked like a house. More so than many others I have seen westerners have built here in Thailand. There are no true good contracters here in Thailand and the standard of building will never meet what we know as quality. I was merely saying that if one does not have the time to spend at the site every day as a project manager then they would have to resort to trusting one of the many canned homes like Dreamup. Is that what you did, or did you spend every day at the sight?
Since a very bad experience with Employees some 5 yrs ago, while in Thailand I don't do trust.
If I was building again here, I would get a architect to draw plans for approval and get him to spend some time on site.
Have done that overseas and it works for me, Architects for residential work here are as cheap as chips.
Admittedly this also involves an element of trust in the architect, but much safer than trusting a Spec home builder.
I see you have learned from your mistake. If you trust an architect, how do you make sure the builder follows the architect's drawings? Seems to me that most builders, good or bad, never follow blueprints unless the project manager or architect is there every day.
The key to building sucess in any location, is a accurate set of detailed drawings and specifications done in conjunction with yourself and the draftsman / architect who also provides the appropriate site management with payments tied to appropriate milestones.
The most important step is getting plans done by a competent person, rarely done here.
Most houses are sold off glossy pictures
I suppose its The thai way but working plans don't seem to fit into the thai builders mentality. I drew up a full set of plans for this house, hawked them around various builders, not one was able to comprehend them all they would do was haul out the brochures as say this is the way its done here.
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...57/house_3.JPG
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...57/house_4.JPG
Dream up house almost complete in Udon but not without some setbacks. Have to be on their backs constantly. Used a Thai engineer recommended by friend to supervise. Must admit, despite all warnings about Dream Up, fairly pleased with the results. Only single storey and simple design (not simple price!!- as warned spec is basic and everything is extra)... will post some pics later..
Was going to post some photos of my new house build but as a rookie I don't seem to be allowed. What are the rules for posting photos?
Try to take them into your gallery first (top centre option on this screen), then copy image location using the little square with yellow and a 'mountain' in it.
I thought it was only 5 or 10 posts before pics, but I could be wrong (usually am...).
It'd be great to see the pics.