Aussie Style House Build

Progress Report.

Many will probably find this post as boring as batshit, but not for this little black duck. I'm wrapped to see the progress from Day 1 to today.
(for Day 1 image please see earlier posts)
The image below shows progress to date, from earlier this afternoon.

Day 16. Closing in on completing the columns. The crew down to eight today. Three of the team were away, making it a slow day by comparison. One column had to be redone after it failed QA - the Chang noticed me looking seriously at it after they removed the shuttering. A quick site meeting and it was kango hammered clean before the shutters were put back up. This crew continue to impress - eight travel each day from Roi Et with three staying on site (the three who were not at work today - maybe bad Som Tum?).
Hopefully the roofing and block work teams are as consistent and productive as this team.

Attachment 94666

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Originally Posted by peciacake

Many will probably find this post as boring as batshit, but not for this little black duck

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Not me mate. Love this stuff. Will be down to see some live action soon. Great stuff. Keep it coming.

Aye, nice work cake.

:tumbs:

peciacake
Is there any chance you have a plan of the house you could post here so I/we can see how the surround verandah works in the design?
Just to get you to commit after a good start what is the estimated completion date?
Keep posting pictures there are never enough.

Post #75 has a 3d rendering. May be more further down.

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Originally Posted by ootai

peciacake
Is there any chance you have a plan of the house you could post here so I/we can see how the surround verandah works in the design?
Just to get you to commit after a good start what is the estimated completion date?
Keep posting pictures there are never enough.

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Screenshot showing the floor plan. Scheduled completion date is June. If progress remains at the current rate it could be May.
Attachment 94702

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Originally Posted by Norton

Post #75 has a 3d rendering. May be more further down.

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Norton thanks for that I had read the earlier posts and seen the 3d view and the plan but had forgotten that they were there. I went back last night and had a bit of a look again.

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Originally Posted by peciacake

Screenshot showing the floor plan. Scheduled completion date is June. If progress remains at the current rate it could be May.

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peciacake
Be carefull about getting excited and bringing your expected completion date in earlier, don't forget the 80/20 rule i.e. 80% of the effort is required to get the last 20%.
In my experience with your build the last 20% was the hard part, hopefully your builder remains the same to the end.

While I did see a few changes the main one was you have made the house smaller and now only 2 bedrooms. Also done away with the outside dunny is that to come later with the verandah?
If the Thai's start on about the front door and back door lining up tell them that's so the spirits can go straight through and won't get lost.

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Originally Posted by helge

And the Buffalo War, please

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The Water Buffalo Wars are still well and truely with us. Our antagonist, the village chief, had another go today, coming from a different angle. He lobbed up at Yuri's mums shop this morning telling Yuri there'd been a complaint to the Amphur about us building on government land and he was doing an investigation.
Yuri was straight onto the front foot, firing straight back, "Who did you speak to at the Amphur?" "The boss" replied the chief. "Show me your phone then." said Yuri. After much scraping of his feet on the floor and mumbling to himself the chief handed over his phone, saying maybe it wasn't the boss. Yuri looked at the call history and there was only one call this morning, made by the chief: no one had called him. Quick as a flash she wrote down the number and told the chief she would call and speak with the receiver. Low and behold it was answered by the Obotor officer who looks after Ayong, a decent man who knows Yuri well. He told Yuri the chief had phoned him this morning, saying our house was being built on government land. The Obotor officer said he knew full well it is Yuri's fathers land, but the chief's claim needed to be investigated.
By this stage the chief had suddenly remembered an urgent appointment and left hurriedly while Yuri was on the phone.

About 1:00 this afternoon the Obotor officer turned up at the shop and spent about ten minutes talking with Yuri, her mum and various customers. He put the chief's claims to bed straight away, saying we had nothing to worry about (famous last words....). We were free to build our house: any complaint by the chief was not sustainable and he would tell his boss the matter is closed. We'll no doubt find out if this statement hold up in due course. Personally I don't think the chief will give up so easily - this has all the makings of going the full 15 rounds.

While the Obotor officer was there, Water Buffalo using the dam was brought up (the clear implication being this is why the chief complained). The chief was named as one of the main offenders. The Obotor officer said he was aware of this and advised a complaint should be lodged using the online reporting form. Apparently there's been three complaints submitted about the chief this way already. The result...crickets. No surprise there I hear you all say as you nod your heads knowingly.

Ahh, Thai local government. Frustratingly difficult one day, bloody impossible the next.

I have written this in a slightly dismissive manner, however the underlying threat worries the hell out of me. That a village chief can potentially have our build stopped and the any chance of obtaining a chanote dismissed really does cause me some serious grief. I'm counting on the due diligence Yuri carried out when researching her dad's land's via the Agricultural Land Reform Office: Sor Por Kor (land reform). I'm backing Yuri, not only is she the brains of the outfit, but as she demonstrated today, she can give as good as she gets. In comparison, the chief is not even in the same league.

More to come - stay tuned for the next gripping instalment of the Water Buffalo Wars...

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Originally Posted by peciacake

village chief

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When is the next 'village chief election' ?

A donation to his coming opponent's PAC could be a good investment.

Or at least a rumour of such a consideration.

peciacake
I don't want to add to your stress but here's what it (Google) says about Sor Por Gor land title.
The bit that is the concern is the "for agricultural only".
I have no doubt when the land was ceded to your FIL it was not IN the village but now is hence why you want to build there.
It is one of the things I hate most about Thailand i.e. the multiple land title differences.
While they may serve to prevent the "peasants" from selling their usually only asset it is in my mind a joke.
What is not a joke is how people here with a little bit of power can cause havoc for anyone they aim at.

As for helge's question about the next election, I believe they changed the rules a few years back and the Pu Yai Ban is now a lifetime appointment, for your sake I hope not.
Also get Yuri to have everyone she knows to make a complaint.


Sor Por Gor 4-01 (S.P.G.. 4-01), is an allotment of land from the Land Reformative Committee, and under no circumstance may this land be bought or sold. It confers the right to occupy only and be transferred only by inheritance. It seems that the land may be used for agriculture only.

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Originally Posted by peciacake

I have written this in a slightly dismissive manner, however the underlying threat worries the hell out of me.

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Understandably but after a succession of complaints and investigations the Obotor office will have the final say.

Yuri is doing a great job getting all sorted so focus on the build and let her handle the situation.

Man. Sounds like a tough and stressful way to start off your project and life here.

House progress looks good. Wish you guys the best.

Yuri's extended family in the village total 73 and the senior members hold respected positions in the community through their involvement with the Temple. A groundswell of support is forming around one of the family members in the wider community to replace the chief when he compulsorily retires at 60 next October.
The Amphur has now become involved in complaints about the chief's after further matters improperly dealt with by him were raised. My expectations regarding any positive outcome for Yuri and I remain low. Roll on October 2023.

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Originally Posted by Stumpy

House progress looks good. Wish you guys the best.

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Many thanks Stumpy - very much appreciate your support

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ootai

I don't want to add to your stress but here's what it (Google) says about Sor Por Gor land title.
The bit that is the concern is the "for agricultural only".

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There is a lot more to Sor Por Gor ootai. There is a specific act covering just Sikhoraphum district set down by King VIIII that provides owners with the certainty to both build dwellings and sell certain agricultural lands. Like I said, Yuri has done (and continues to) her due diligence. She's been onto the Land Office in BKK today getting copies of old maps as, like me, she knows the chief will not give up easily.

Builder's Attention to Detail: Anti Termite Protection

Being a process driven person, little things count for a lot particularly when it comes to doing things properly. In this regard the builder's attention to detail reinforces my belief we've got a good builder.
The build includes installation of an anti-termite reticulation system It consists of a network of heavy duty 16mm pipes fitted with small sprayers. These are located below the suspended floor about 15mm above ground level in every room cavity. The pipes are periodically filled with anti-termite chemical that is drip fed to the building floor cavity. The distribution system provides an effective chemical barrier, lessening the risk of termite invasion.
We were impressed to see the way the team went about installing the system. They could have placed the sprayers randomly, but instead they made sure each sprayer was spaced exactly as per the instructions to achieve maximum coverage of the termiticide. While it doesn't guarantee a termite free house, the way it's been installed lessens the risk.
Pipe Reticulation System- A Revolutionary Anti-Termite Treatment - The Constructor
Attachment 94785

Progress Update 09.11.22

The team really hit their straps today. Their productivity was excellent and made up for a lower output on Monday. Formwork for the floor panels was installed, termite pipework completed and 65% of the floor panels were installed. They would have installed the complete floor had all panels arrived on the delivery truck. It was a surprise to see they didn't squeeze every panel on a single load. I'm sure it had nothing to do with overloading the truck. More likely the supplier in Roi Et was worried the bottom panels would be crushed under the weight.

The image below show the truck shortly after it arrived at 11:45

Attachment 94787

































At 2:00pm the team were well advanced in offloading and installing the panels

Attachment 94788



































This was despite the truck driver / crane operator, who got his licence out of a packet of Kelloggs Corn Flakes. He almost wiped out his dogman on numerous occasions and tried hard to hit the columns with the floor panels several times. Luckily his aim was as bad as his crane operation.

Attachment 94789

Looks good

I'm sure that BuckaRoo would stop the build right there.

Looks so greek :)

(except for the guys working)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peciacake

Builder's Attention to Detail: Anti Termite Protection

Being a process driven person, little things count for a lot particularly when it comes to doing things properly. In this regard the builder's attention to detail reinforces my belief we've got a good builder.
The build includes installation of an anti-termite reticulation system It consists of a network of heavy duty 16mm pipes fitted with small sprayers. These are located below the suspended floor about 15mm above ground level in every room cavity. The pipes are periodically filled with anti-termite chemical that is drip fed to the building floor cavity. The distribution system provides an effective chemical barrier, lessening the risk of termite invasion.
We were impressed to see the way the team went about installing the system. They could have placed the sprayers randomly, but instead they made sure each sprayer was spaced exactly as per the instructions to achieve maximum coverage of the termiticide. While it doesn't guarantee a termite free house, the way it's been installed lessens the risk.
Pipe Reticulation System- A Revolutionary Anti-Termite Treatment - The Constructor
Attachment 94785

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excellent choice, we had the same system installed several years ago when we build the house, and we are glad we did. A few months ago we had an ant infestation (those small ones) , we tried all the different suggested remedies to no avail, then we called an pest exterminating company , and they said the ants were probably under the house and were coming up from cracks in the concrete. they connected to the system and pumped up the foundation with insecticide.
Ant problem solved !!
and we also have the additional benefit of not needing night lights as we glow in the dark LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peciacake

Progress Update 09.11.22

The team really hit their straps today. Their productivity was excellent and made up for a lower output on Monday. Formwork for the floor panels was installed, termite pipework completed and 65% of the floor panels were installed. They would have installed the complete floor had all panels arrived on the delivery truck. It was a surprise to see they didn't squeeze every panel on a single load. I'm sure it had nothing to do with overloading the truck. More likely the supplier in Roi Et was worried the bottom panels would be crushed under the weight.

The image below show the truck shortly after it arrived at 11:45

Attachment 94787

































At 2:00pm the team were well advanced in offloading and installing the panels

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Looks Great,!! It must be exciting seeing your dream take shape.:)
Nice property! with the lake in the forefront, is the lake in your property or bordering to it? If so it would be a great place for a Thai sala.
Look forward to the rest of your build.

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Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai

Looks Great,!! It must be exciting seeing your dream take shape.
Nice property! with the lake in the forefront, is the lake in your property or bordering to it? If so it would be a great place for a Thai sala.

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Thanks for your kind words Buckaroo. Yes, it is very exciting. Every day I find myself shaking my head, saying "How good is this." No doubt there's going to be some hiccups along the way but so far the team doing the foundation, columns and floor have done a great job.

The water is the reservoir for Ayong and Pratoon villages. Our property shares a 120 metre boundary with the dam.

PC if I may call you that. Like a few on here we had our homes built and watched much of the process. I was very specific and paid a bit extra for a few things but not significant in the grand scheme of things. Of course coming from a western country our mentality along the build process make you "Shake your head". What I have found though after all is said and done, being we are older, do all the headache and stress really matter?. Do your due diligence but don't lose sleep over it. When its done, you and your wife will lay down at night with a roof over your head and you will realize life is good. :)

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Originally Posted by Stumpy

life is good.

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Hi Stumpy,

You're right: life is good for us farangs, who have not faced the difficulties and challenges most rural Thai's have to contend with on an almost daily basis.
We've got absolutely nothing to complain about.

PS You can call me anything you like except late for dinner.

Finishing the First Stage

Today was a key marker point - the completion of Stage 1: foundations, columns and floor, after work commenced 24.10.22.

The Team continued their high productivity and professionalism, topping off the floor panels with two loads of concrete. They had it all done by 2:00 today taking a well-deserved early knock off. It's a pity they live 140 klms away around Roi Et as it would've been a pleasure to sit and have a beer with them. But after another hard week's work, straight home would be my choice too, even if the beer on offer was free.


Attachment 94881




































The Team - as good a team as you'd find anywhere, plus an Aussie fossil.

Attachment 94882

Quote:

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Originally Posted by peciacake

Finishing the First Stage

Today was a key marker point - the completion of Stage 1: foundations, columns and floor, after work commenced 24.10.22.

The Team continued their high productivity and professionalism, topping off the floor panels with two loads of concrete. They had it all done by 2:00 today taking a well-deserved early knock off. It's a pity they live 140 klms away around Roi Et as it would've been a pleasure to sit and have a beer with them. But after another hard week's work, straight home would be my choice too, even if the beer on offer was free.


Attachment 94881




































The Team - as good a team as you'd find anywhere, plus an Aussie fossil.

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Watching them barefoot in concrete makes me cringe. Certainly not OSHA approved.
Can you spell "Cement poisoning".
"Prolonged exposure to wet cement can make you susceptible to Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD). ICD will cause the skin to itch, scab, and become red or swollen "
Concrete irritation, burns, and dermatitis - HexArmor
But I watch Thais do it all the time presumably with no side affects. Go figure.