Builder in Loei Province (Udon will do!) ?

[JohnG]

Hi, I'm hoping to start building a house in Loei province in about one or two months.

We filled the land a year ago, and a company is building a retaining wall around it now; we had planned to use them to also build the house, but I am "not too happy" with their work so am looking around to see if I can find a reliable builder elsewhere.

After 20 years here I know that's asking a lot, but I'm always hopeful!

House size is just over 300 m2, single storey, and I already have full plans made.

Apart from the builder we have now I have only had a reply from one other builder: NYJ House in Udon, who are very enthusiastic to come and have a look (tomorrow, Sun 11 Jan), so I would be very interested to know if anyone else has any experience with them. They have given me an "average" price of 12,800 baht per sqm which seems about right from a "proper" construction company, but I'll have to see just how inclusive that is and to what spec.

I have already come across the "you need pilings for the foundation and they're 200,000 baht extra, and I'm sorry but we don't give any discount for the amount we'll save by not having to dig a pier foundation" scam!

I asked in the "Building in Udon" thread, but that was only yesterday so I know I've hardly given anyone a chance to reply, but any information here or by PM would be very much appreciated.

[stevefarang]

James,
I just posted a reply to consider PDHouse.
If nothing else, as leverage in negotiations with other companies.
Good luck !
Steve

[JohnG]

Nothing else here either ??

[Dapper]

You just need a good foreman.

PM me if you need one.

[JohnG]

I would if I could, but I haven't made enough posts to be able to PM yet (but I'm one closer now!

Could you PM me, then I may be able to reply?

[JohnG]

Oh, thank you (that's another post closer!)

[JohnG]

Oh, forgot - where is he based?

[terp80]

Oh, thank you (that's another post closer!)

Why does it say "Posts 11" three times?

[BKKBILL]

^

It's your total post count all your posts will change to that number.

[terp80]

It's your total post count all your posts will change to that number.

Why didn't the number increase by one with each succeeding post? For example, "Posts 11," then "Posts 12," and then "Posts 13?"

[BKKBILL]

^

It is what it is.

[VocalNeal]

It's your total post count all your posts will change to that number.

Why didn't the number increase by one with each succeeding post? For example, "Posts 11," then "Posts 12," and then "Posts 13?"

^ The post count is the post count. It is the same number on all messages from first to last. If you change your avatar it changes on all your posts not just the new ones.

[BKKBILL]

^
Right you are Neal if you go to Terps first post in 29-04-2013 12:56 AM or his last post you will see a post count of 1,570, one higher when he posts again.

[terp80]

The post count is the post count. It is the same number on all messages from first to last. If you change your avatar it changes on all your posts not just the new ones.

Right you are Neal if you go to Terps first post in 29-04-2013 12:56 AM or his last post you will see a post count of 1,570, one higher when he posts again.

OK. I understand. Thanks guys.

[JohnG]

Yup. now 12 posts!

[JohnG]

Thanks for the PM, VN.

[JohnG]

Sorry I couldn't thank you by PM, but not enough posts yet!

[JohnG]

Have looked into this for a friend. very good foreign builder 12,000, good thai company I know 8-9,000 and it was very decent, village builders 4-5,000 and if you're not there when they are building will cost you a lot after. Goos luck. Good Thai builder came from Udon Thani.

Can you remember the name?

I have been in touch with a number from Udon, but some get a pretty poor press here.

[JohnG]

Have looked into this for a friend. very good foreign builder 12,000, good thai company I know 8-9,000 and it was very decent, village builders 4-5,000 and if you're not there when they are building will cost you a lot after. Goos luck. Good Thai builder came from Udon Thani.

Seen some of the work done by village builders and I can see why its so cheap (tiling @ 50 baht a metre, etc), but how long ago were the other prices?

They're both quite a bit lower than I was quoted (farang builder @ 25,000 + per sqm, Thai company 9 - 15,000).

Any and all advice much appreciated.

[JohnG]

I would if I could, but I haven't made enough posts to be able to PM yet (but I'm one closer now!

Could you PM me, then I may be able to reply?

I still need one, if you can help.

I can read PMs, but can't make any yet.

[JohnG]

James,
I just posted a reply to consider PDHouse.
If nothing else, as leverage in negotiations with other companies.
Good luck !
Steve

PD House have just opened an office in Loei, so I took your advice and have given them a copy of the plans and they told me they will have a build estimate in about two weeks.

It'll be interesting to see what price they come up with, but I doubt if it will give me much "leverage", though, as one of the first things they told me, without even being asked, was that they charge about double what other local companies charge, which is hardly the best sales pitch!

[JohnG]

Just got PD House's quote by phone; comparing all the builders' quotes on the same basis (same spec windows, tiles, same build materials, etc) all I can say is that they were honest - more than double anyone else's!!

Given my experience with a neighbouring company in Loei, I suppose you get what you pay for and with PD House you probably pay for peace of mind if you can't be there to check for yourself and don't mind paying for that.