Thread: Marmite's Pad

Day 1:

The builder who is putting the posts up comes round to give the final quote for this part of the build. After a few misunderstandings by the Midget thinking she can think, we get a price (20% more than the original 'rough' quote given a few weeks ago).

Then we get a phone call saying that the price of rebar is more than he quoted so he'll need a bit more. I tell him that he should pay for it as it's his fault his quote is shit. He brings the money back and then I realise that I was being an arse and he's still more reliable than most of the other pricks (and cheaper as he is the Midget's uncle and he's doing it on the cheap due to family (his wife mainly) pressuring him).

I have to go over and apologise tonight and hope he doesn't tell me to piss off.

Fucking day one and it's doing my nut in. I think I'll just leave it to the Midget to sort out.

yep, building can be fun, Marmite

let midget handle the difficult bits, you choose the paint colour

It'll gets worse.

Problems before you even get started
This is going to be a great thread, I can feel it in my water.

I spent a lot of time and effort to find a house already built and ready to move into. The only thing it needed was a proper kitchen and a couple of water heaters. After the experiences of completing a kitchen and installing 3 water heaters, I was incredibly proud of myself for not trying to build a whole house.

Best of luck. Stock up on lots of booze; painkillers and anti-depressents.....and try to read lots of motivational stories....

You know my wife. She built the first one, and bought and over saw all the renovations on this one. You need to price what you are buying one day just you and the wife. Cement, bricks, white or red, rebar, good sand, plus plus plus. Then you get a rough idea of the profit being built in. But always remember that the laborers get 200 baht a day at the most. Prices have sky rocketed since the floods. If ya want I can pm you the wifes number and she can talk to your wife.

Best of luck mate. Its a grind, it really is. Just a major interior renovation, taking 8 weeks drove me nuts, and turned my mustache totally white.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I realise that I was being an arse and he's still more reliable than most of the other pricks (and cheaper as he is the Midget's uncle

You've done a good thing really. He will now know not to squeeze you for too much

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I have to go over and apologise tonight and hope he doesn't tell me to piss off.

Don't be too creepy. He got the prices wrong remember

Firm but fair, that's what you have to show him

Just show him you trust him. Buy him a few beers too

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I have to go over and apologise

No you don't
Tell him you are a splendid guy and prepared to give him a second chance because he is family.

MtD,

Here is my advice. As you know I have built a home or two here in Thailand and even had a few makeover homes done. This is what I have learned thus far.

1. Patience can be a virture, sometimes.
2. I often let the Thai builders do it their way, but only for a day. Yes, I might lose a 1000 baht or so, but it does allow me to see the direction they are heading (sometimes good, sometimes bad).
3.You and I both get by with our Thai. Use it. Mai dai and mai ow comes to mind. Simple and plain.
4. Stick to your guns. K. Dee now knows what I expect, but it took awhile.
5.Be prepared to use Thai autocad (drawings on wood or in the dirt).
6. Finally, do not be afraid and actually jump in and show them what you want. My 30 minute lessons often saved me many days and baht.
7. Try not to drink early in the day...

It sounds like you have a lot of fun ahead.

Why does everybody who goes to Thailand build their own house?

Must be a bit of a headache. Isn't it easier to just buy one that's already been built?

Maybe it saves money, I don't know, but the aggro is time and effort that could be spent doing something else so maybe not such a big saving.

Originally Posted by hillbilly

7. Try not to drink early in the day...

sound advise .................

Originally Posted by aging one

But always remember that the laborers get 200 baht a day at the most. Prices have sky rocketed since the floods

well, now they get a min of B300

Originally Posted by Looper

Why does everybody who goes to Thailand build their own house?

I didn't
Too stressful

Originally Posted by Looper

Why does everybody who goes to Thailand build their own house?

Not everybody is retarded, some rent

but if you are gonna throw money away, the cost of buying Land and watching your self penciled dream home evolve(or to be more honest, be gremlinised by a bunch of Primates) is priceless

Looper, that needs it's own thread

OK - We're all chums now.

There are actually 2 uncles who work together. 1 is cool and didn't get pissed off, but the other one is jai rawn maak. He's OK now.

They had made an effort to organise taking all the stuff to site for me, but now I will have to pay to get it delivered, so it serves me right.

Their fee is 20k on top of the cost of materials, so I know exactly how much them and their crew will make (10k less than they would normally charge).

It should all be back on before the weekend; as soon as the steel and shuttering is bought and delivered.

Originally Posted by Looper

Isn't it easier to just buy one that's already been built?

Will the current owners give us the land? Can you buy a place with 200msq of living space for about 700k?

Originally Posted by hillbilly

5.Be prepared to use Thai autocad (drawings on wood or in the dirt).

Definitely. I even did my own!

Ground Floor - 4 m grid. Some minor things have been changed.




1st Floor




Post layout & heights

I like the way you have named the space. ie Bakery, tool shed

One of those bathrooms needs renaming to Wanking Space though

Originally Posted by superman

It'll gets worse.

Only if one allows to be.

Some situations turn out in splendid favour.

Best of luck to Marms new venture...

Originally Posted by superman

It'll gets worse.

you are so right about that super.... and in the end no matter how close of an eye you keep on the work, it will still be out of wack.

make sure you have plenty of beer in the fridge Marmite... for your consumption not the labor.

SEA any short coming you see are not visible to the normal eye. The way you have decorated and planned your house is just superb. A big build and a successful build in a very very nice location. I really like the screening you had. Found the place in north Pattaya as well. It is still not even known up here.

this thread is useless without pics


good luck mate, if its finished by the time i get back, we will come up and stay

^
Here you go

^ thanks mate, wheres that? samui?