How much is expensive as hell.....
Might have to scrap my plans of a Volvo XC90 and go for wifeys choice of a Chevy Captiva.
http://www.acmen.com/Originally Posted by BosseO
I have built several kitchens over the years
my preferred method is to make a skeleton frame from 1" x 1" wood, then fit solid wood doors to this frame; also it is easy to sit whatever type of work surface to it. I have fitted granite to my house in Chiang Mai, but will prob use solid wood to my new house in Mai Rim
Not only do the cabinets look good, they can be fitted to any space and last as long as you want.
I have reported your post
Just a bit of info on cabinet makers here in Thailand.
There are some truly great craftsmen working with wood. Simple tools and solid wood make for some truly outstanding results. Where do you find them you ask?
Check out any boatyard that specializes in 'service'/repair. I know of a couple in Pattaya and at least two or three in Phuket. Boat builders are another source but they generally tie up the good ones on a salary basis. (Maybe part time work is available during slow times.)
I've seen a LOT of really excellent wood work on boats that are generally wood framed with doors/drawers. These guys are also adept at working in odd spaces and with strange -to them - styles.
Just a thought.
E. G.
"If you can't stand the answer --
Don't ask the question!"
Any in Chiang Mai?Originally Posted by El Gibbon
December 2007,
Stoped in at a local (USA) swimming pool contractors shop last evening. I explained to him my circumstances of building a house and pool in Thailand and that I was basically just looking for an education on swimming pool equipment. He was a nice enough guy and sat back to listen. As they don't make pools the same way here in the North East of good old USA, I kept him on track to explain the equipment and he did run through the equipment functions and the various pit falls to avoid. The pool contractor pretty much used exclusive Hayward pump, filter and components and gave me a lot to think about. More than what I really needed and after departing, realized that I still had some unswered questions, most of which were a result of not knowing for sure what pool equipment was available in Thailand as I did want to stick with what was readily available there where there would most likely be repair parts and the know how to repair were present.
18 Dec 07
Conducting lots of research, contacting suppliers in the U.S., and putting out feelers on this forum for good solid info on swimming pool equipment. I've pretty much narrowed it down and during my January sojourn to Thai will discuss with pool contractor and others. I am considering ordering the selected filter, pump, and Jandy Never Lube Valves upon return to the States and hand carry them back to Thai in March. Any considerations for the power requirements (110 vs 220) that I need to be aware of? Any one have any insight to suppliers and installers in Thai for the adding of a saltwater chlorination system to the overall pool filtering system? Lots to consider but I'm sure things will gel and be worked out as a result of mid January visit.
Great topic, great read! Thanks SEA Traveller for posting it all.
So what's the size of the plot? Is it indeed 100 square wa or is it actually a rai? I'm a bit lost in strange units like square feet or meters. I noted that you said someone was correct in highlighting that the units to match up but then you didn't say which it was, if the sq. meter number was incorrect or the Thai unit?
Secondly: That's a major wall! My question is: Why? Is this going to be a gated, managed development, or is it pretty much open in that the owner divided up some plots, is selling them and will end his involvement there? I think the wall is very high and I'm not quite sure why it's needed.. please enlighten me, it's one of the few things I don't yet 'get' in Thailand.
In my development all plots have a concrete lining around them that's less than a foot high, with posts every x meters to put lights or flower pots or whatever, and then metal fencing that's still not very high, about a meter I guess. As a result the whole area looks very open friendly. ( Then of course on the OUTSIDE perimiter wall of the gated community there's fortress walls, a crocodile infested moat, gun turrets and all that jazz. )
One advantage that I could see to a proper wall like you have is that it would keep cats out... But then you're looking at this concrete wall all the time so I'm not sure I wouldn't rather have the occasional cat-visit.
Last edited by WhiteLotusLane; 19-12-2007 at 09:22 AM.
White Lotus: The plot is 1 Rai = to 400 sq wah = to 1,722 sq ft = to 4 Ngan = to .40 acre = to .16 hectare... Yes, the wall... It is not yet complete as it will need to have a 2nd coat of milrew resistant paint applied and then the final coat. That will be completed after construction of the house. It will be somewhat attractive when it is completed. I had the wall built so that it could easily have electric run through the pvc conduit I had put in the wall. Realizing that if someone wants to intrude, they will find a way but I did not want to make it easy. There is the probability that I will also be putting a decorator railing at the top of the wall to retard the ease of any intrusion. But "why the wall?" you ask. Well, the 1 Rai is not exactly a small lot and the wall will provide some privacy of which I enjoy. When the landscaping is completed, it will complement the perimeter wall and additionally, the wall will mitigate the ease of small kids from wandering in to and possibly falling into the pool that is to be installed.
As far as the wall keeping the cats out, I guess that is possible but not the primary intent and certainly I won't be looking at the wall all the time. the garden and landscapping will complement the wall and there will be enough area inside that the wall is not intrusive at all while at the same time will provide the desired privacy.
This is no fortress wall around the community and as it stands now, their is no management oversight. I have however discussed the possibility with my beloved spouse, about getting the neighbors together to set up some type of structure to our area. We shall see how that piece goes. So, the wall thing is pretty up to each individual. In fact there were two developments in that same area where we bought that were gated and managed communities that I liked tremendously but when asked if I might be able to do something with making the wall around the perimeter of the property higher, I was in formed that I could not do so. I ruled these communities with wall height restrictions not for me. And although we have met, talked to, and like all the neighbors we have met who have just built their homes in our little community, their walls are not as high but they do have walls. In fact, their walls are probably closer to 1 meter in height. I don't feel that the height of a wall around one's property is necessarily directly related to the degree of friendliness. I do however feel that the manner of the interaction between neighbors is a direct reflection on the degree of friendliness. Wright, wrong, or indifferent, to each thier own. Anyway, I'll keep all posted as progress is made.
Do they have dry powder paint that goes in the concrete mix and is trowled on in the last lawer of mortor? You never haft to paint, doesnt come off. I did a 4-plex with that a soft biege which I owned 23 years, total maintance free. Could bring over color from home if they dont have t. They paint concrete here in Florida, always repainting or sandblasting trying to get the paint to stay on. What a waste. Idaho is where we got the color to put in mortor. Good luck farmerfloyd
The colorant is iron oxide and is available here.
There are lots of other pigments that can be used in cement, but they are never the same density as paint. If you like the effect, then it is a good way to go; you can always paint over when you get fed up with it
January 2008
“Ground Breaking” for the future residence of MTSINTERNATIONAL and wife was set for the 18th of January 2008. Since our last visit to Thailand in October 2007 when we addressed the final changes to the house drawings and the time line for the house construction, we stayed in contact with the contractor and continued on with our planning process. We had been advised by our contractor that in preparation for the construction, he had arranged for any and all building permits, made the temporary electric hook ups and had the meter installed, made the temporary water hook up, and finished the construction of temporary housing for his workers. He sent me some pictures of efforts in advance of our planned mid January arrival in Thailand.
All efforts had been coordinated and all was on track.
Last edited by Marmite the Dog; 04-02-2008 at 12:44 AM.
We arrived in Bangkok from the States on the 13 January and for 2 days took care of some banking and family business before heading to Ban Chang where our house was to be built. We contacted our trusted contractor upon arrival and headed out to the land/house construction site. To my pleasant amazement, the contractor had initiated all the necessary preliminary efforts to begin construction. He had already rented a back hoe and had no less than 28 holes of approximately 1 meter square and 1.75 meters deep dug.
The contractor had an assortment of rebar, cement, stone, sand, concrete mixer, cinder blocks, super blocks, and steel already on site and his workers were all proceeding with their assigned duties. A real professional operation.
The contractor took me around and introduced me to the engineer, the site supervisor, and the rest of the workers. Oh yea, the beginning of a great project.
Last edited by Marmite the Dog; 04-02-2008 at 12:57 AM.
We discussed the “ground breaking” ceremony arrangements and I was again pleasantly surprised that he had followed through with my previous request and had already made all the arrangements for the ceremony. Yes sir, arrangements for the spiritual person to oversee the ceremony, food, and all the other things required for the ceremony had been arranged for. I was advised that the ceremony would begin promptly at 0900 on the 18 January as that was the most auspicious date, based on the birth dates of myself and wife and what ever other considerations were included. The cost for this ceremony was 6,000 baht. I did not really know what to expect but what I was to find out was that the ceremony was very well planned, organized, and conducted. I was a fantastic ceremony. Wife and I, lead by the spiritual person offered prayers, food, flowers, incense, and gold colored coins. We tied 9 different pieces of wood (including sugar cane, banana, and teak), colored ribbons and other things to 2 different rebar columns that were to be raised. We spread coins and flowers along with some other gold type cards into the 2 holes where the 2 “special” rebar columns were to be raised and assisted by the workers, raised the 2 “special” rebar columns into the holes that were framed with cinder block and had stone placed on the bottom and then poured concrete at the base where the columns had be set on stone inside the cinder block frame. The whole ceremony, took about an hour and was impressive as well as being very enjoyable to participate in.
Last edited by Marmite the Dog; 31-01-2008 at 05:41 PM.
Back to commenting on the contractors efforts, I’d have to say that he is professional in every manner. His construction practices seem to be in line with what I know to be good and parallel with recommendations made by others I know in the construction industry. Anyway, after the ground breaking ceremony and the following days through 24 January 2008, progress was made with building the cinder block framing and placement of crushed stone in the bottom of each hole where the columns were to be, construction of the rebar columns was completed and were placed in the pre dug holes and concreted in place, wood forms for placement around the rebar the were made, and the dirt was replaced and compacted.
So, that is where we currently stand. Periodic progress updates to be provided.
Last edited by Marmite the Dog; 31-01-2008 at 05:31 PM. Reason: Make bigger pics
Here is a floor plan for the house.
During my short stay in Thailand to trip for the ground breaking abd beginnning of the construction of the house, I accomplished a few other house related projects. I did some looking around up in Bangkok for better priced Teak Wood doors and flooring for the house. Where I went was an area near WangSaWang (spelling is off but close) where there were several parallel soi's of 1/2 kilo or so in length where there was shop after shop after shop that made and sold Teak Wood doors, molding, flooring, steps, railings, etc... you get the point. The store I selected had 3 sales women behind desks with 3 or 4 photo albums full of different styles of Teak Wood doors... and they spoke English and were extreamly knowledgable about the products. It was a busy place with Thai contractors coming in and picking up and ordering things. I (actually it was "we" because the wife was along) took our time and picked out the doors that we wanted for the front of the house as well as for the 3 bedrooms, storage room, 2 bathrooms, Western kitchen, Thai kitchen, and office. These doors priced out at a considerable savings from the previous shop that I had talked to... In talking to the store people about the wood flooring, it was explained to me that the "makha" wood was harder than the "teak", was equally non-appealing to termites, and although expensive, was slightly less than the "teak" wood flooring. Both the "teak" and "makha" wood flooring had the male/female slots on the lenghts of each board so we thought it safe and best to go with the "makha" wood for the flooring. I'm anxious to see how this flooring turns out.
I'm sold on the PVC windows concept. It is maintenance free, it wears well, accomodates tinted glass for the windows, has heavy locking devices, accomodates rolling retracting fly screens, and looks good. I saw several companies advertised in various magazines but saw some PVC window work done at a house when I was actually there looking at the pool construction and when asked who did the work was given the card of company right on Suk road in North Pattaya. After talking to the folks there at the sales store and finding out that it was steel that was used inside the PVC rather than aluminum I pretty much decided to go with them. In addition to windows, I am getting PVC French patio doors. I'll let you know how they work out.
4 February 2008
I've provided the Western Contractor of PVC windors and doors the dimensions for the various windows and the patio door. He is in the process of preparing the estimate. As it turns out, the sliding glass windows are less expensive than the encasement windows that open outward, and the inclusion of Georgian bars are more expensive than if the windows were without the Georgian bars. Additonally, any of the windows, either a sliding or encasement that open, they are more expensive than if it is a fixed glass window. Sounds about right and makes sense to me.
I've got a lot of windows so I'm not too anxious to look at the estimate. I've already downsized the overall initial plans to have only sliding windows without any Georgian bars but the design will still be apealing. I'm keeping all the extra key locking options in place.
4 February 2008
Swimming Pool: I've completed the swimming pool design and signed the contract with the swimming pool builder. It was not an overnight or quick process in selecting a pool contractor or to be sure of the filtering and pump equipment I wanted included in the contract. I looked and talked to several pool contractors in the Pattaya area and solicited info from fourm readers/members. In particular, on fourm member was patient enough to provide me with the basics and from that point, I was able to guide myself through the mountains of pool stuff available on the internet. I conducted a lot of research and decided on putting in a pool (5 x 9 meters at a depth of 1.5 at the shallow end and 2 meters deep at the deep end) system that is overfloor on 3 sides has 2 skimmers at the short dimensioned deep end of the pool. I've gone with a Hayward Star-clear 1200 Cartridge filter that does not require a back wash and provides improved filtering over a typical sand filter, a Sta-Rite 1 hp pump, and a salt water colrination system. Although the lighting system in the contract is for Astral 100 w, 12 v lights, I am still looking at a posible alternative. I am also considering the use of Jandy Never Lube valves that I would purchase and prince from the USA. On track for a 1 March beginning if the hole dig for the pool.
4 February 2008
Progress continues and the footers for the foundation of the walls are being constructed now. As you will see from the below pictures, the wall foundation is in the ground but the floor will be elevated up off the ground by about 75cm. I'm advised that the floor guys will come out and measure the particular dimensions, go back to the concrete floor making plant, pour the concrete into forms of the specific dimensions required, and deliver the pre-formed and made floor slab sections to the work site for tying into the foundation. Should be interesting. As I do not have the profound vocabulary of a home construction contractor, I trust you get the understanding of what I am talking about.
Here are some pictures of the progress being made.
and here are a few more pictures of the progress:
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