Looks like one hell of a big home!
Looks like one hell of a big home!
what is your total budget for your house ?
It looks to be around B4m, but I might be way off
Doc,
Your question is a good one but not necessarily all that easy to answer, for multiple reasons, but mostly because of the exchange rate. But since you appear to be thinking Thai baht let me break it down as best I can rounding up or down to make things easy.
Approx 1 Rai of land = 1,723,500
Drawings & misc permits = 80,000
137 truck loads of dirt = 130,000
misc & utility hook ups (some is a deposit) = 50,000
house with wall (minus air con) = 5,400,000
air con through out the house with wiring cable/wire inside the walls = 150,000
swimming pool = 650,000
My numbers for planning purposes are intentionally slightly high for my benifit to make sure there are no over runs but I figure that I'll use any of the left over for landscaping and the total will come in but not exceed 8 million. We shall see.
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff....and it is all small stuff"
Hillbilly, you know how it goes in Thailand, even with the best of planning, ther will be unanticipated family visitors. I would probably have been better served if I had revolving front door with family coming in and out and there needs to be a place for them to hang out as well as continue to provide the solitude that I hope my office will provide me with. Yup, it is probably bigger than what is needed but "it is what it is"...
why the wall ? must feel like to bee in jail
SEATraveler, any chance of enlarging your plans a little?
No Smeden, just the contrary. The land is big enough to support having this wall of conservative height. It offers the privacy and peace of mind and the wall will be accented on the inside by a garden. 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 more 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.
The garden and landscaping 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.
There is 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 their own. Anyway, I'll keep all posted as progress is made.
Here are some pics from when they poured the concrete footers for the walls and columns.
Date on the above pics from when they poured the concrete footers was 5 February 2008. Yesterday.
Is this better?
Green for Khun BosseO on providing the enlargement to the floor plan.
OK those are what I meant, the house costs
my estimated B4m was way under, so nearly B5.5m
mind you, when I saw how they were making the footings I expected a high cost! when mine were poured they just used the edges of the neatly cut hole as former for the concrete, no nice blocks.
should be a nice place
I have reported your post
.[/quote]
OK those are what I meant, the house costs
my estimated B4m was way under, so nearly B5.5m
mind you, when I saw how they were making the footings I expected a high cost! when mine were poured they just used the edges of the neatly cut hole as former for the concrete, no nice blocks.
should be a nice place[/quote]
Thanks Doc. The builder is well aware of what my expectations are as it relates to doing things correctly. Your observation and comments of the column base preparation work and the use of cinder blocks reconfirm my thoughts on contractor wanting to do a good job and following through with that. More to come.
7 Feb 2008,
Date for beginnning the digging of the hole for the swimming pool has been moved up to 15 February 2008. Here is a diagram of the swimming pool.
10 February 2008: The number of workers at the site remains high and all the the workers seem to be gainfully employed. As a consequence, progress continues on schedule with the recent activity focused on the concrete pour for the columns.
Here are some updated pics of the progress being made:
Contractor advised me that if I desire the inclusion of a system to get ride termites now is the time to install the system.
Apparently the system includes the installation of some type of PVC pipe that has some holes in it, placed around the perimeter of the house and then has a influent hole with a cap in which a chemical can be placed to get ride of termites. I've got to contemplate this as I do not have all the needed info to make a decision...
^Don't think that PVC is very expensive - do it!
40K baht for the system installed is what I can get out of reading the Thai scripted e-mail. I'll need to get the wife to read and translate for me to get the full details. Apparently, the systems requires recharging annually and not sure of potential impact, if any, on ground water. I'm wondering if termites are infact an issue that hiring a termite exterminator on a one time deal might be the answer.
Still looking at and considering viable options.
It is an option that I am using but my house is 1.5m over ground.Originally Posted by SEA Traveler
Termites living in the soil below a house will eventually come inside the house by building pathes on the concrete framework.
Looking at your photos, it seems there is not much space below your house so I think the pvc piping is the best option for you.
Khun Lom,
I do not take your recommendation lightly, have given consideration, and appreciate the candid thoughts provided... As it turns out, I have decided to go with a treatment is supposed to last for 5 years, that along with the fact that the floors will be approximately 1 meter or so off the ground, the doors in the house will be teak and are retardant to termite infestation, and the makha floors in 2 of the rooms are also resistant to termites should, although there is never 100% assurance, resolve any potential threats of termites. Additionally, remaining vigilant on my part to identification of the signs of any termite activity and taking prompt action will ensure the desired protection.
Thanks again for your thoughs on this matter.
Received cost estimate for my PVC Windows and Pool Patio French Doors yesterday. The estimates were actually within the budgetary allowance so will go with this company that offers steel lined PVC windows that are maintenance free, have tinted glass, will easily accept fly screening, and have secure locking devices.
The excavation for the pool was suposed to start on the 15th of February but have not had a report on that progress so I sent out an inquiry just a few moments ago and should be hearing back soon on status.
The termite control is worth it if you have loads of fitted furniture in your place, I think rent o kill charge like 5k baht per year, your furniture if it is made to fit will use pine batons, Thai termites think that is delicious.
Sea Traveler get the termite system installed another great thing about it is they can bait them and check periodically if you have some in the area and pre-empt any infestations you might have..
Grub a grub grub... Understand the word of caution. Sort of like insurance... have it and just hope you don't have to use it except in this case, it is preventive... like brushing your teeth.
What would a reasonable expense to have the complete system installed be? I'm figuring the perimeter around the house with all the corners and stuff might be close to 100 meters in length.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)