Thread: Aussie Style House Build

Originally Posted by malmomike77

you should have set 2.5m concrete posts in first to put in a shade frame and netting around the sides to keep the pests out

See PAG's post above re: use of blue plastic water pipe. We will be doing pretty much what is in this image along with the blue plastic mesh usually used to dry rice.

Originally Posted by MAF

I was particularly interested in the mesh.

G'day MAF, thanks for the mesh recommendation. We're going with the blue plastic mesh usually used for drying rice after harvest. It will go over a frame made of blue plastic water pipe.

Originally Posted by peciacake

See PAG's post above re: use of blue plastic water pipe. We will be doing pretty much what is in this image along with the blue plastic mesh usually used to dry rice.

i did see PAGs post and my comment is based on nearly 15 years of varying success in growing veggies, admittedly the posts lose something in the aesthetics dept but you soon get over that after 2-3 tries

Originally Posted by malmomike77

I think you are over worrying

Fingers crossed, albeit Tony Eastmead's experience hasn't been good. He has, I believe, learnt to live with the cracking, in much the same way as suggested by Ootai above.

^ the cracking will settle down once the house and foundations have settled and then you'll settle for a few imperfections, believe me if a few cracks are all you end up worrying about consider your build a success. Its looking great btw.

Originally Posted by malmomike77

did see PAGs post and my comment is based on nearly 15 years of varying success in growing veggies, admittedly the posts lose something in the aesthetics dept but you soon get over that after 2-3 tries

If you look closely at the left side of the image above showing the back of the house, you'll see the 2.5m concrete posts used for the shade house & trellis where we grow our seedlings, passionfruit etc. We don't want anything as substantive for seasonal veggies - we'll give blue plastic water pipe a go first.

Originally Posted by peciacake

Progress Update 02/05/23

Rear of the house and veggy garden beds as seen from the top of the new water treatment plant tank:

Attachment 101312

peciacake.
What is the pitch of the roof over the verandahs? It looks almost flat.
Are you going to install gutters and collect the rain water?
If as I expect the answer is yes just make sure you put in enough downpipes. When I put in the gutters I made the runs between the downpipes too long and as a consequence the gutters couldn't handle the flow.
My mistake was putting gutters in places determined by the design of the house rather than the length of gutter between downpipes.

I really like the design of your place as it more a functional design rather than an aesthetic design. When I tried to do that all my missus said was "that's a box".

You are indeed a lucky man to have a wife who seems to be willing to take on ideas that are outside of the Thai norm.

Originally Posted by ootai

What is the pitch of the roof over the verandahs? It looks almost flat.

It's not flat albeit it isn't very much either - I want the solar PV panels to get as much daylight time as possible, so I asked for the pitch to be reduced accordingly.

The image below shows it better - I don't know what the pitch actually is.

Thanks for the advice on the guttering and downpipes. Yes, we will be installing guttering - plans include rain water harvesting. It will be after construction has been completed so the final design is still a work in progress. I'm thinking three X 4" down pipes across both the front and back of the house, feeding into a 6" ring main. Yuri isn't keen on this as it will ruin the aesthetic. Water security is my main concern though, particularly with the Obotor's plan for five villages to draw from Ayong's reservoir, which currently serves only two villages.

Originally Posted by peciacake

Yuri isn't keen on this as it will ruin the aesthetic.

If properly done not really too messy looking.

Progress Update 07.05.23

The painters arrived yesterday and were straight into it. First job was to assemble their high-tech scaffold, made from cold drawn seamless high tensile bamboo and pieces of poly cord. Watching them clamber about on it made me shudder with apprehension, but no doubt they've been doing it that way since Adam played for Collingwood. Considering their average age is 60+ they would certainly know the risks by now, so no sense worrying about what might happen if any of them slipped.

We had a short discussion with the Chang about the amount of cracking in the render. The Chang, who has worked for Khun Pu for decades just smiled enigmatically and shook his head. Roughly translated, I think he meant que sera sera. Then they went to work applying a sealer / primer over the ceiling and walls, completing the full house by about 17:30, which I thought was a pretty good effort. It included adding a decorative white polka-dot finish to the tiled floor on the verandah and inside the house too. Yuri was less than thrilled with their new floor design, complaining that the white dots didn't match the tiles. I told her not to get upset, Khun Pu wasn't charging any extra for the decorative finish, and besides, it will eventually wear / wash off. Not sure about the splashes on the window frames. But hey, since when have we thought the painting in our house would be any different to other Thai houses.

The image below shows the scaffolding mentioned above. Light weight, easy to assemble and move. It does the job well. Would I get up on it - not a chance. But as I said, they would have been using it for years.

The image below shows the scaffold set up ready to paint the gable. The painters assembled it on the ground then lifted it up into place - I couldn't watch as two of them leaned over the edge of the verandah and hauled it up into position. No PPE / safety harnesses in sight.
Shaking my head while I walk away....

Looking good mate.

Originally Posted by peciacake

But hey, since when have we thought the painting in our house would be any different to other Thai houses.

Been there

They are swines

Did you get a "we don't give a shit" smile ?

Originally Posted by peciacake

it will eventually wear / wash off

Hmm
Might if the paint is cheap enough

Primer can be a problem

Originally Posted by peciacake

The image below shows the scaffold set up ready to paint the gable.

Check your roof for damages

And good luck

Originally Posted by peciacake

it will eventually wear / wash off.

Probably not in my lifetime. I spent a year with scrapers and rags soaked in acetone. I never finished, I just gave up.

Meanwhile, the project as a whole is looking good. Do you have a target move-in date?

Originally Posted by Shutree

Probably not in my lifetime. I spent a year with scrapers and rags soaked in acetone. I never finished, I just gave up.

Meanwhile, the project as a whole is looking good. Do you have a target move-in date?

G'day Shutree, yes you are right. No sense getting upset about it. Painters in Thailand are all the same from my observations. It's a pity as it detracts from the overall quality of the build. Given Khun Pu's high standards I'm surprised he's so accepting of it, particularly with the number of houses he's built for farangs. Two jobs I've guaranteed myself upon completion - render crack fixer and paint spill remover. I can see a lifetime of work ahead of me...

Completion is likely to be late July - the plans for Yuri's kitchen are still a work in progress and the built-ins for the bedrooms are going to be right at the end too.

Mate's House Ceremony

Attended a good mate's house ceremony this morning. He used a large building and design company we considered for our build at one stage. Lucky for us we were pointed towards Khun Pu, who is a country mile in front of the mob who built Peter's place. His build commenced in February 2022, and still isn't fully finished.

The house ceremony was the first one I've attended and provided valuable insights on what I'm in for: I will have little choice in proceedings. Approximately two thirds of the village attended, with the ceremony scheduled to commence at 08:00. By 10:30 the Monks still hadn't arrived, not that it made any difference as the party had been in full swing since before 08:00. It is planned to carry on until 22:30 tonight with a floor show after dark featuring Cambodian dancers and singers up on stage. Will Yuri and Greg be doing something similar? Not bloody likely, I'll be in bed asleep. At least that's my plan....

At 09:20 the heavens opened and delivered a short 5 minute deluge. Just enough to make the site one big sticky, slip hazard that had plenty of us slipping over as we tried to do the snake dance around the house. The builder kindly used sticky clay to level and backfill the site. Very considerate of them I thought...

The image below shows Peter's place all dressed up for the big day. The level of preparation was impressive - Thai's do work hard at ensuring they have a good time. A lot better than Aussies, who would never go to this extent for a house warming party.

Don't ever let a chance go by...

More to follow shorty as the tiler has almost finished. And it is pure class. He is a master tiler, with his wife an excellent assistant. Pity the painters weren't as good

Originally Posted by peciacake

At least that's my plan....

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,

An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

Update on Painting

After Yuri mentioned her concern to the tiler's wife over the splashes and drops of paint on the newly-laid tiles, word filtered back to the painters. No doubt direct from the tiler's wife, who is, I've noticed, an influential member of Khun Pu's team. Her voice is often heard above any others during discussions and conversations on site: she is not afraid to voice her opinion. So it was no surprise to see all five painters busily at work cleaning the tiles when I arrived this morning. Full credit to them for the job they did too. Almost spotless is an accurate description. Pleasingly it even passed Yuri's critical eye. The paintwork now in line with the overall quality of the build. Our dream of having a high quality, good value build is back on track.

Fantastic solution. Sometimes the gentle hint hits its mark.

Safe Work Procedures

Those who have been following my posts re Aussie Style House build would probably gathered by now that I'm passionate about safety - it's a core value. The lack of a safe work culture in Thailand is something I still can't get my head around. Take today for instance. The BIL likes to get involved in the build and has provided valuable assistance over time with his contacts and ideas. He was keen to take over installation of a new electrical pole for the shed. The old one being too short to accomodate additional cables at a satisfactory height.
He asked a mate to fabricate it, and another mate to install it. So far so good.
Then the installation began, with what can only be described as a total lack of planning. Welding the new pole in place, without PPE, without proper tools etc, etc.
The image below gives a better description than anything I can write. It should be used in Safety Training Courses where participants are asked to count the number of unsafe acts. All I could do was watch and hope no one got hurt - I've learnt the BIL likes being in charge (that's him on the lower right). He conveniently forgets how to speak English when I politely make alternative suggestions.

Take a moment to study the image and count how many high-risk acts you can see in the scene. Each one could lead to significant or even fatal injury.
BTW, the guy sitting on the ground under the tree has no legs. He lost them in an industrial accident. He's the one who made the new pole.

I could go on for an hour about the installation process today. But no doubt it contains nothing new to fellow readers. I'm sure you've seen it plenty of times in and around where you live.

Progress Update 11.05.23

The tiler and his wife finished their work today, heading off home for a well earned break. I cannot sing their praises high enough. The quality of their work, their professionalism and the pride they take in doing a top quality job is something that will stay with me as a memory of this project. They are a lovely couple too, who took the time to get to know us - we've become good friends. Both Yuri and I will miss having them around.

The electricians also came back for a flying visit: one day to install the down lights and light switches & sockets. They did a top job catering for some curly two-way switching arrangements that Yuri was keen to have. They will be back next week some time to finish off: installing 3 X ceiling fans; 3 X HWS; 3 X exhaust fans; hooking up to the mains. Getting close - almost on the home straight.

Images as detailed below:

The next two images are of the on-suite bathroom. The first shows the shower recess, complete with seat and shelf. The second show the position for the bath and the shelf Yuri wanted as somewhere convenient to put her wine glass!

The next two are images of the guest bathroom showing the shower recess sans glass screen and the reverse angle showing the vanity basin.

This last image shows the consumer unit, installed in the laundry. Quite different to Thai homes where it is often located smack in the middle of the main room in the house.
The cabling on the LHS is CAT 6 ethernet, which we've run throughout the house for both data and CCTV.

Very nice tile and sink selection. Really starting to look like what I know you envisioned since the start.

Update on Progress 18.05.23

The electricians came back to install a new power pole which is included in the build price. Khun Pu came too, taking over crane driving duties to ensure the pole went in without a hitch given the proximity to the old pole, still carrying live power. All went well albeit as the image below shows, getting the hole dug took some doing. The red clay was rock hard, even testing out my petrol post hole digger.

These guys certainly earned their money - two top workers.

The image below shows Khun Pu in charge of the truck crane, doing a good job to avoid the existing power lines. It did cause some anxious moments and I would have preferred to isolate and disconnect first, but I have come to realize it is just the way things are done in Thailand...

More to follow...

Update on Progress 19.05.23

The electricians arrived on site at their usual 11:00 start time, same as yesterday. They don't seem to mind starting their shift so late. I'm still struggling to get used to such a late start. If it were me I'd be on site at 6:00 & knock off at 14:00 & miss the afternoon heat. Having said that they went for it when the got here. We now have power to the house, with just about all circuits tested as working satisfactorily. Still a bit of external data cabling (CCTV) and hooking up the pump and electric gate controller. Other than that all electrical is now complete. And a pretty good job too albeit I would have preferred the underground power trench to be 50cm deep, not 20.

The following images show running in the new power lines:

Setting up

Tensioning and Tying Off.
Note that he's wearing a safety harness. Their working at heights compliance better that their mobile crane operation compliance.

Next one shows our new fans....

Fans Installation & LED Lighting

Fans
Given we are keen to use air con as little as possible, we searched high and low for some good quality fans. Finally settling on 3 X Mitsubishi 5-blade units. We hope these work as good as they look. Will give an update on their performance in the next couple of days. The wiring and mounting is complete however, the safety cables they come with are yet to be fitted.

LED Lights
Included in the build quote is supply and fitting 50 X 16 watt LED's. These are 9mm thick and weigh four fifths of five eights of stuff all, tranny included. They have three switch-activated settings: low (my preference), medium and bright (and I mean bright). They come in daylight and warm. We've opted for warm. The house looks sensational with them all on at night time - I will get around to posting some images with the house all lit up - it was a long and hot day today. Beer o'clock came a bit early.

The image below shows what the look like straight out of the box. One small concern is the failure rate: out of 50 installed, two have already had the medium setting fail.
If anyone would like more info on these drop me a comment.