Finding and Building a Residence for Mr and Mrs MTSINTERNATIONAL

[SEA Traveler]

HERE ARE SOME PICS OF THE COMPLETED SOI PAVING PROJECT...

[Nawty]

When you say 'retractable' fly screens, do you mean the roller type ?

Did you use these for windows or doorways ?

Would be interested to see a price for them to compare to the company I used here in Bkk. We used the the roller screens throughout the house, I shall try to find a pic and post below.

Smaller window screens, retract into roller at top, so open and close vertically...but they can also be installed horizontally.



Sliding door screens



Sliding doors

[SEA Traveler]

Yes Khun Nawty to all of your above references to the fly screens. As I am away from the house and won'r be able to view until I return in a few days, I am unable to comment or take and provide pictures at this time. I will however upon my returen and give you a report on the roller/retractable fly screens. Ciao for now.

[skidley]

SEA Traveler, Just read your whole thread this morning, very impressive!

I have recently bought a Rai of land in Ban Chang and have started getting the plans drawn up by an Architec. Hoping to start building January. I was actually astonished just how much your house resembles alot of aspects of what i am designing.

Also i am interested to know who your builder is. Sounds by your last post that you only need to finish the pool and you will be free of you builder / Project Manager. The first thing i need done is land fill and perimeter wall.

[SEA Traveler]

SEA Traveler, Just read your whole thread this morning, very impressive!

I have recently bought a Rai of land in Ban Chang and have started getting the plans drawn up by an Architec. Hoping to start building January. I was actually astonished just how much your house resembles alot of aspects of what i am designing.

Also i am interested to know who your builder is. Sounds by your last post that you only need to finish the pool and you will be free of you builder / Project Manager. The first thing i need done is land fill and perimeter wall.

Thanks tons Khun Skid. Send me an e-mail [at] mtsinternational[at]hotmail.com to discuss details about contractor. Ciao!

[SEA Traveler]

The home and pool are now both completed and the Mrs and I have been residing in the new home since 14 September (except for my few weeks away while working in Kuwait). As with any new home once you actually live in it, there are a few little things that end up requiring the contractor to fix/repair or a few construction quirks that pop out at you that also require rework. My place was no different however, I do consider myself fortunate that all items are minor and the contractor has already initiated corrective actions. Here are the type of items I speak about:Kitchen: no shelves in lower Kitchen Cabinet, Kitchen: no door stops on the Kitchen Cabinet Double Doors, Master Bathroom: put the fan switch with the shower light, not the switch for the light above the mirror, Master Bedroom: what is the one switch for? Master Bathroom: screen for the Master Bathroom window. (can a screen for the guest bathroom be installed also?), Outside Water Faucet near Master Bedroom Window: Fix screw around faucet, Guest Bathroom: Hot Water hose from Hot Water Heater is crimped. Uncrimp, Guest Bathroom: Put a turn off valve for the cold water going into the hot water heater, Driveway: 1 tile cracked and grout in several areas is coming out. There was one other item that gave us a shock one evening.

There was a noise in the guest bathroom and when I went it to check it out at 0300 in the morning, there was a spray of water coming out of the hot water heater. I ended up turning off the water to the house and later that morning the contractor came to repair the connection of the water pipe to the hot water heater. Fixed and anticipate no other issues with this item.

The completion of the pool is another issue. After my initial pool contractor bailed out on me, my house contractor agreed to complete the pool. There was considerable rework that needed to be done and that was in fact completed with success. I’ll spare you the technical details but know that the pool was successfully completed and we have been swimming in it. Still need to get the Ph and chlorine in balance the way that I would like it but that is a work in progress item. All things are a go. The house party will not take place until sometime in early 2009 due to the fact that our household good and furnishings will not be there at the home until then. By then, the house will have already developed some character with scratches and other little dents and marks but that is all part of owning a house. The landscaping is another thing. We did some minor landscaping and will be doing some more along the way. It takes some time and we are in no big hurry.

In summary, the trust and confidence I put in Khun has paid off. He delivered an acceptable product to specification (many of which were Western type specs) and at a quality level I considerable better than what can normally be found in Thailand from a Thai contractor. Khun has helped tremendously along the way and I appreciate his acting in my behalf during the effort because we were away for most of the construction. Anyway, here are some of the final pictures of the place. It was a challenge and now it is done. Time to enjoy! I’d welcome the opportunity to address any questions about the way I did things. Know though that there are many ways to skin a cat and we all have our own preferences for what we want and the way we do things. Enjoy and happy construction in Thai.

[SEA Traveler]

and more pics but before I forget, there were a few things that I did to assist in making the home more liveable. Little things like adding cushins inside the door to minimize the noise of wood on wood when the door is closed, and adding the same type cushins on the few table and chairs that we have in the house to avoid scratching the floor, etc. I'm sure there were other items but they escape me now.

[Loombucket]

The place looks absolutely fantastic Khun Sea and what a difference a little grass and some plants make. I hope that you will both be very happy living there, for a long, long time.

[SEA Traveler]

And so dear readers, there you have it. If there are any questions that I might be helpful in answering, feel free to address them to me at MTSINTERNATIONAL[at]HOTMAIL.COM. Thanks All for you comments and interest. It's been fun. Ciao!

[SEA Traveler]

The place looks absolutely fantastic Khun Sea and what a difference a little grass and some plants make. I hope that you will both be very happy living there, for a long, long time.

Thanks Khun Loom for your kind words and support through the project. And right back at you about your lovely place as well. We shall have to try and make a rendezvous some time down the road.

[jizzybloke]

hope that you will both be very happy living there, for a long, long time.

Same from me mate!

[SEA Traveler]

hope that you will both be very happy living there, for a long, long time.

Same from me mate!

Thanks Tons Khun Jizzy. We will try and abide by your wishes. Ciao!

[HINO]

The pool looks inviting. I think the wife and I will have to go take a plunge.

How much water left the pool on that cannon ball you did?

I know some of the struggles that were made but mostly it went pretty smooth and as you say Khun & Co. did a great job for you.

The place will keep you happy for a long time.

[SEA Traveler]

The pool looks inviting. I think the wife and I will have to go take a plunge.

How much water left the pool on the pool with the cannon ball you did?

I know some of the struggles that were made but mostly it went pretty smooth and as you say Khun & Co. did a great job for you.

The place will keep you happy for a long time.

Thanks Mr & Mrs Hino. Trials and tribulations of building a home & pool were certainly recognized. Yea, the cannon ball... well someone had do be the first... ciao!

[Nawty]

congrats.....pool looks good.

[SEA Traveler]

congrats.....pool looks good.

Thanks Khun Nawty. and it is a real pleasure beng able to enjoy it now.

[SEA Traveler]

23 December 2008

I've got a U.S. house full of particially wrapped and packed stuff I'll be bringing to Thai in a few weeks/months. International Freight Forwarding company contracted to haul my stuff over in a 20' container. I'll attempt to someday after the holidays when I get some movement on this effort to post the particulars. Ciao for now.

[Loy Toy]

Really wonderful Khun Sea and thanks so much for the time and effort you have put in and to share the build with us here on TD.

Glad to see you got your pool sorted out and it really does look beautiful.

Hope to come down and see you soon!

Again job well done and congratulations to you and Mrs Sea.

[SEA Traveler]

Hope to come down and see you soon!

Thanks for the kind words Khun LT. The move is inevibtable as 3 Jan is the retirement date... Organization is bringing me back as a contractor consultant for between 30-90 days in the U.S. which means the house warming party will be held in abeyance pending my (our) arrival and the arrival of the hold baggage/household goods. In good time though. I'll provide the advisement when the keg is tapped. Good news is that after the initial 30-90 days of the contract consultant honeymoon thing, I'll be able to conduct the international equip delivery operations while being home based in Thai. Hooooa! Turning the page. A new Chapter and adventure.

[SEA Traveler]

10 Mar 09

OK! Back in the mix again. The 90 day contract thing after retirement is almot upon the wife and I. Managed to get called upon for 2 equipment delivery trips to Eurpoe. Poland and Romania specifically so a slight more delay to actually moving into the house but it will be in April... House hold good that will fit into a 20 foot container are wrapped and ready to be loaded. Lots of books, Bar-B-Q grill, quality bedroom furniture, and all those things that I have accumulated from travels else where around the world. Things will hopefully be a lot more simple when making this permenant move to Thailand but somehow I feel that may not be the case. In any event, wanted to get back into the mix of things. Oh yea, I've had a caretaker for the house and I've had more than just a few people hanging out at the house to make sure it was properly taken care of, family for the most part. Some just stopping by for a swim ocassionally but that is what I have the house for because without family and friends, where are we???? Ciao to all. Later.

[SEA Traveler]

18 Mar 2009

Word from the shipping company indicated household good arrival will be 18 May 2009. Something to look forward to.

[SEA Traveler]

Arrived about 2 weeks ago from America back to the new Thai house after being away for 6 months. Things generally in like new condition. Grass needed a little watering, there was a little cleaning up of bird and gecko, removal of some residual cement left on the roof that was restricting water flow off the roof, and the cosmetic repair of some minor cracks on the property wall rendering. The pool is functioning properly and when it isn't raining it is being enjoyed tremendously. Contact with the Thai agent for delivery of container with household goods is still scheduled for the end of the month so we are looking forward to that date. Further update reporting with pics to be provided after completion of the move in of household goods and furniture. Ciao for now.

[sunsetter]

ello mate,hope you and family are well, hope all goes well, cant wait for the pics and update

[HINO]

Glad you made it and now life begins. The first thing out of the container is the BBQ?

[SEA Traveler]

Glad you made it and now life begins. The first thing out of the container is the BBQ?

can't recall where in the container the Bar B Q Grills were placed but surely they will be one of the first to be unpacked and put to use. Looking forward to grilling some good old fashion grilling USA style.... and often also.