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  1. #1
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    Stupid Question About Building Prices & Quality

    Stupid Question About Building Prices & Quality Please forgive me if this is a stupid question.


    I've tried hard to search all the forums and gather prices, estimates, reviews, happy stories, horror stories, about people's experiences. But something still needs to be drilled into my head.


    I'm mostly comparing to
    A) Cost of a 'Mass' built project in Las Vegas (Toll Brothers)
    B) My personal experience with host costs & building in France (Did an extension out of so much concrete it will last 500+ years, which is good as many houses there are that old (and my church is 800+ years)).




    Am I correct in understanding:
    If I want the same level of quality that I will get in the west, with a house that will *last* (minimum of 100+ years), it will either be unfeasible or significantly more expensive than doing the build in the west?


    If so, why?


    And as a backup question:
    Instead of traditional brick & mortar, are there are alternatives that are either of better structural integrity or of significantly low cost that rebuilding is not a significant expense (PreFab/Knockdown, etc.?)




    Thank you all.

  2. #2
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    Your biggest expense will be the cost of flights, wages etc for the tradesmen you bring in from overseas.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JayBird View Post
    If I want the same level of quality that I will get in the west, with a house that will *last* (minimum of 100+ years), it will either be unfeasible or significantly more expensive than doing the build in the west
    Waterproof your Wet Rooms to protect rebar

  4. #4
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    If I want the same level of quality that I will get in the west, with a house that will *last* (minimum of 100+ years), it will either be unfeasible or significantly more expensive than doing the build in the west?

    Apart from wats,palaces and government buildings Thais seem to believe maintenance is optional, especially preventative maintenance. Until relatively recently most domestic residential buildings were made from timber, so it's still too early to say if modern brick and concrete homes will last 100 years, but if they do they will probably be looking their age ! There is no reason to think that a house built of modern materials will not last 100 years, if you employ somebody who knows what they are doing. You might have to pay a bit extra for a pro builder instead of a part-time builder/farmer but not prohibitively so. You will have to pay a bit more for the best grade paint, but not excessively so. If you go cheap and nasty expect to repaint in a few years !

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Best to let your Thai girlfriend/wife project manage. Less hassle.

    Deposit her project costs into her bank account. Stay in your home country until it's finished.

    When you arrive you will have a surprise.


  6. #6
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    I live in Thailand, she wants to build it with her money, she wants to make it as good as my place in France, I'm just trying to help.

  7. #7
    I'm in Jail

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    ^ it depends on what she/you want...obvious ...but you have to decide the material and type of construction. Concrete Beam & infill, Concrete Pad and Brick/Block etc per western houses, Wood on Plinth, Container there are loads.

    The concrete issue is largely down to how long the footings will last (is it an area with a highish water table where the footings are wet all the time) and the quality of the structural components inc Roof steel and welds - they spot weld and that's asking for trouble and they don't grind back and clean. Helge is right also, get plastic tanking in your wet rooms - all this isn't expensive its just in the planning.

    I'd still say if you build well at the start (siting of the the build and footings) and invest a bit more than the Thais usually do then you'll get a place that will last. A hundred years is a bit arbitrary.

  8. #8
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    Okey, so it is possible to build something that will last a while here. Then my other question was:

    Am I right in thinking the cost at that level of quality will be more here than in other western countries?

  9. #9
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    The key difference from 'Western' building is that largely (though not all) the Thai build will not be the subterranean foundation, followed by the block / brick structural walls method.

    They will basically use a spot or pile foundation and then cast a plinth / ring beam and build up an RC-frame structure. this will bear the load. the infill walls will not be load bearing.

    Its like a high rise in Dubai but on a domestic scale. floors will generally be concrete cast (ground floor) or concrete plank (upper floors) which are then slab cast for rigidity. Roofing basically the same as in the West.

    Finishes again as per the West and once done you cannot really tell which building method has been used.

    Style (I hope) will follow Thai tradition and not an American 'box' which is less suited to the Thailand climate. That's a personal decision, though!!

    As has already been mentioned, whichever way you end up 'building the dream', get the best builder you can - research, check previous work, make sure he can actually do the job, make sure he is adequately financed (i don't mean, from you only), and ... above all... DO NOT GIVE HIM ALL THE MONEY AT THE START!

  10. #10
    I'm in Jail

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    ^ TD i fear posters have wasted their time responding, he posted 5th june and has not logged in since 7th June

  11. #11
    Freelance Astronaut
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    Quote Originally Posted by NamPikToot View Post
    ^ TD i fear posters have wasted their time responding, he posted 5th june and has not logged in since 7th June
    Damn!! another build thread bites the dust!!!

    we need entertaining - you n me cant do it all!!

    lol... at the rate I'm posting those last few photos i reckon everyone will be finished before me!

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp View Post
    lol... at the rate I'm posting those last few photos i reckon everyone will be finished before me!
    - I for one am looking forward to the construction of the formal garden with Elizabethan Knot hedge, Medicinal and Herb Garden, Moat and of course the Ha-ha.

  13. #13
    Freelance Astronaut
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp View Post
    Damn!! another build thread bites the dust!!!

    we need entertaining - you n me cant do it all!!

    lol... at the rate I'm posting those last few photos i reckon everyone will be finished before me!
    all in good time....

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