Thread: Simple village-style home for son/daughter-in-law

Just completed construction of a 55 square meter one-bedroom one-bath home in southern Buri Ram just off Hwy 24 between Nang Rong and Prakhon Chai on some nearby built-up land my wife has owned for years. Cost <350,000 baht, construction time ~6-weeks (well except for the sub-contracted front-doors due tomorrow). For many farangs planning to build their 'dream' home there may be a need for temporary home during construction that can be turned over to the in-laws after construction.
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While we are not going to live there, we could (I, and now we, live in an apartment half that size in the U.S., and I have lived there for the last twenty-three years). Upgrades that would be needed for 'western' living would include an air conditioner, a water tank and pump, a water heater and shower enclosure, some kitchen cabinets, and a cement driveway and carport - probably another 100,000 baht.

I put up the photos on Flickr (which will be active as long as I am around as it has all of our photos from our seven-years together). Here is the description of the process from the web page:

The house plan is a simple one-bedroom, one-bath cinder block / galvanized steel roof home of about 600 square feet costing around 345,000 Thai baht (11,000 USD). Cement block and steel roof is the typical construction method here as wood for framing is expensive and subject to termites and shrinkage because it is not kiln dried.
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The primary difference between a true 'village' house and this one is that the materials were delivered as needed and not as cash became available, and that they were all name-brand, 'premium economy' quality (e.g. BlueScope steel roofing, Panasonic and Safe-t-Cut electrical, and Jotun paints). The primary difference between this and a 'Western' spec'd home is the lack of a water heater for the shower in an 'open' plan bathroom and the 'cement' kitchen.
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Construction is complete except for the 'out-sourced' front doors which will be installed in a few days, so main construction lasted 6-weeks and move-in-ready less than 7-weeks by a crew of 4-persons most days.
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Good chance that the necessary ceremony before moving in (and, of course, more food) will take place late this month or early next month.


if this kind of a project is of interest to you the photos are on:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/901919...57705630795894

Excellent, mudcat.

Good stuff MC. A nice wee granny flat, as we'd call it. Very affordable. Tripling the size to 165 sqm for a mill baht would suit some people as their main house.

Originally Posted by Luigi

granny flat, as we'd call it.

Well, you might...but a granny flat is connected to or very close by a larger dwelling.

Plus it's...umm...a house.

muddie ... eclectic.

Flat roof, and the green and yellow rooms combined with the tile choices do make for an interesting combination.

"350,000 baht, construction time ~6-weeks" ... awesome.

Enjoy to the max!

Originally Posted by mudcat

The primary difference between a true 'village' house and this one is...

...the money spent, amongst other things. 350k + another estimated 100k for a temporary home to turn over to the rellies? Not me, but each as they wish.

Nice little unit

I don't like the placement of the General Power Outlet above where the gas cooker will sit as it will get gummed up with oil and likely will be a safety hazard in future

and you seem to have security grills on every window except for the one in the kitchen

^ Good point about the power outlet. But looks like an easy fix.

Originally Posted by happynz

^ Good point about the power outlet. But looks like an easy fix.

Thanks, will look for a childproof blanking dummy plug and use tape for now

Nice one, mudcat.

Originally Posted by stroller

...the money spent, amongst other things. 350k + another estimated 100k for a temporary home to turn over to the rellies? Not me, but each as they wish.

Guess the two ideas ran into each other. The house as is would be adequate temporary on-site lodging during construction and later on-site daycare gardening/ maintenance/security by in-laws. The extra 100k would be needed before I would be willing to live in it long term.

Originally Posted by mudcat

Thanks, will look for a childproof blanking dummy plug and use tape for now

looks like it will be a bit more difficult than that - they have cut the tiles to mount the conduit on the wall and I guess the switch is for the exhaust fan - the switch will also get the hot oil steam treatment

Looks fine and with your improvements it's under 15k. I say a damn good deal. We all know what things cost in the real world. Good for you.

I hope the main house goes up without a hitch. I'll be looking forward to another building thread. Allways nice to see someone's progress.
Cheers, and best of luck with it.

Originally Posted by mudcat

Guess the two ideas ran into each other.

Mudcat, looks like a great outcome for the kids, they'll be the envy of the village. Pay no attention to Stroller, he finds it difficult to be happy for anyone, makes him feel better. Thanks for taking the time to share the piccies.

Originally Posted by fishlocker

Looks fine and with your improvements it's under 15k. I say a damn good deal. We all know what things cost in the real world. Good for you.

I hope the main house goes up without a hitch. I'll be looking forward to another building thread. Allways nice to see someone's progress.
Cheers, and best of luck with it.

Oh no big house unless they win the lottery, this is to get them out of our house where they have been living in his childhood bedroom and into something nice (and one door down from her mom). Look forward to their visits but living with them got old after a while even though we are here only half the year.

Originally Posted by baldrick

looks like it will be a bit more difficult than that - they have cut the tiles to mount the conduit on the wall and I guess the switch is for the exhaust fan - the switch will also get the hot oil steam treatment

OK will pick up a 'Nano' brand covered box (used one on the front porch outlet) and take a close look at the wire routing when we switch it out.

Very Nice!!
I am sure your son and daughter in law would be very happy to live there, and litle by litle will make the necessary additional investment and make this house into a home.
Well done!!

Originally Posted by cyrille

Well, you might...but a granny flat is connected to or very close by a larger dwelling.

You're a lot kinder than us. We turf 'em down to the end of some distant field.

Congrats. Simple, practical, quick and a relative bargain, what's not to like.

Simple in design and it costs . But its got a bit of style to it !!
Nice work mudcat !!



Wasp

Good mudcat....