DrAndys Concrete Box in the City

[Ghandi]

Fascinating well documented thread, sure glad I've purchased houses that were already completed than dealing with this.


Looks like an interesting house for sure.

[DrAndy]

of course it is easier just to buy off the shelf. If you get the house you want that way, great

if, however, you want a house you have designed specifically for your own way of life, then designing and building yourself is the way to go

in addition, you can choose where to buy a piece of land, a place that suits you
rather than the builder of "off the shelf" houses

yes, it is a hassle dealing with builders (in any country!) but hopefully the end result will make you happy. You also get a good feeling from having created something rather than just buying someone elses ideas

all you need is infinite patience and lots of energy

[Ghandi]

of course it is easier just to buy off the shelf. If you get the house you want that way, great

if, however, you want a house you have designed specifically for your own way of life, then designing and building yourself is the way to go

in addition, you can choose where to buy a piece of land, a place that suits you
rather than the builder of "off the shelf" houses

yes, it is a hassle dealing with builders (in any country!) but hopefully the end result will make you happy. You also get a good feeling from having created something rather than just buying someone elses ideas

all you need is infinite patience and lots of energy

How over budget are you ?

I will not even ask how over schedule .

[Nawty]

How much are the hand made tiles ?

[DrAndy]

How over budget are you ? I will not even ask how over schedule .

within budget, not too difficult as we worked from the initial builders extimate and added what we thought the fittings would cost

we did not really have a schedule as we come and go. We wanted the basic concrete shell completed before we left last March, and it was.

We were hoping that we would be able to move in when we returned this time by the end of January. Unfortunately we were delayed (having a baby) so we did not restart until quite late.

I hope it wil be liveable in by the time we go off again at the end of this month, as we have promised a friend she can house-sit

How much are the hand made tiles ?

depends on the size 4" (10cm) are B650 per sqm, 6' are B850

in fact, you only get 0.9 sq m in a box, so really cost a bit more

[Ghandi]

For the curious minded , approx. ball park figure what you have into this house ?

If you'd rather not state , understood.

[DrAndy]

very cheap, for a Boutique, Designer, a la carte, superior, architect, pooled, modern, traditional, melange house with all mod cons

[Ghandi]

very cheap, for a Boutique, Designer, a la carte, superior, architect, pooled, modern, traditional, melange house with all mod cons

so top price about 1.5 million for the small plot of land

and around 3.5 for the home construction.


this was my ballpark figure.

[DrAndy]

land in the old city costs a lot more than that Gandhi

you would be lucky to get a bit for double in that area

[DrAndy]

well Gandhi, thanks for the green rep although I am not sure what you base your comment on - you only have your guess as to the budget

Nice House - Even If You Overpaid & Got Worked By The Contractors

the price we paid was fair, the work done to a good standard. mistakes were made but corrected at the contractors expense

[DrAndy]

new updates, the plumbing is almost complete. The electricity needs to be finalised before the system can be checked for leaks, although we could connect the pump to the builders supply

Here is the tank and pump in place, at last



and the kitchen supply now done - forgotten somehow!



it goes off to the left for the washing machine

the steps are all equalised ready for the stonemen to start on Monday. There are two flights like this to be laid with granite, and they will also be laying marble for the kitchen and entrance area




The pool floor is coming on well, the pool tiling should be finished tomorrow




The top surround will have to wait until the stonemen have finished the stairs

This is a new hole in the terrace wall




and this will be slid into it, jutting out about a metre.



This was the best place to fit it, the roof would have been a real hassle to get fitted. Although not in full sun all day, this location will get hot enough for our water purposes. The unit will also be esier to service

Alice was enthralled by the builders

[Marmite the Dog]

It's looking great. When should I start packing?

[DrAndy]

November

[Ghandi]

land in the old city costs a lot more than that Gandhi

you would be lucky to get a bit for double in that area

It looks like it will be a fantastic home.

Without a doubt the custom aspect will make it very special.

[DrAndy]

thanks Ghandi

I have just been to the house; we have got the pump working and water is flowing in all the bathrooms. Also in the kitchen and up on the terrace, so I have plugged those open pipes!

nearly liveable! the electrics should be next week

[DrAndy]

The electrician truned up today; we spent an hour or so walking around the house deciding what to put where

he said he will start work tomorrow

The stone stair treads are starting to be laid, pics later

The pool is finished inside, but the top will be left for a while



from the other end



a close up of the steps; spot the deliberate mistake



The skimmer box justs needs tidying up



I used Weber epoxy grout for this tiling as it sets like rock and provides an additional waterproof boundary

[DrAndy]

The front bedroom valcony is now finished, with hand carved panels



a close up of the panels




you can also see the front wall is being rebuilt.

We have ordered some metal sliding gates, basic and unadorned; we will think of some motif for them later

first we will have to build the beam for supporting the sliding mechanism

[AntRobertson]

Here is the tank and pump in place, at last

Given the relatively small land area [SMEG MODE]My garden's bigger than yours, BWAHAHAHAHA![/SMEG MODE] no thoughts to having an underground tank?

[Deris]

Alice was enthralled by the builders

I don't know DrA, looks like little Alice is sayiing; "Why are you waiting time taking my picture, shouldn't you be supervising or something?"

Ha ha, just kidding, cute little one.

[Deris]

It won't let me edit my crappy spelling, I ment : wasting time

[DrAndy]

Given the relatively small land area, no thoughts to having an underground tank?

no, I like to have the tank easily serviceable, and the mains pressure is enough to fill it

my crappy spelling, I ment : wasting time

I know what you "ment"

I am not sure why editting is not allowed here, it can be a pain

[Scandinavian]

The front bedroom valcony is now finished, with hand carved panels

I like this picture, it shows the size and Spanish theme quite well.

[Ghandi]

Given the relatively small land area, no thoughts to having an underground tank?

no, I like to have the tank easily serviceable, and the mains pressure is enough to fill it

Better off with an outside tank , I own a property right smack in the city center with an underground cement reserve tank and there are issues with sediment build up and contamination.

I'd say you would have been better off with a newer style antibacterial plastic tank then that stainless contraption, as you will find they will eventually rust in places and end up acting as a water heater with the high Thai temperatures the steel will stay hot all day.

[BKKBILL]

Right antibacterial plastic tank what could go wrong.

Actually stainless steel is antibacterial and the better ones don’t rust out, reflect heat just like roof foil. You know all shiny.

The house is looking great DrAndy.

[sunsetter]

The roof structure is iron, which is more of a challenge to make look nice compared to wood. Maybe Ok just to paint it brownish

nooooo!! try wrapping it in light coloured rope, coiled, seen it a lot of thai returants etc, cant find a pic at the mo