MY house build to begin.

[Barney]

Fence builder has been around and fitting the fence sections, man gate and vehicle gate to follow soon. Still fabricating.
Just a fairly standard Thailand fence design, only request as normal is a good standard and fit. Each section is individually measured and fabrciated for final fitout. The post are not exactly the same but close.
Normal 304 stainless steel and aluminium inserts.
Have so far gone for the smooth natural concrete finish instead of render or paint, if it does not look what I have envisioned in my head when I get back, ill just change it.
I will be looking for some solar power LED lights for the post tops when I get back, if any body has seen some similar to the photos let me know.

[Barney]

Good to get a break in the weather so the missus can get back to her duties.

Was able to get the gate and fence contractor back for alignment and install of the main gate and the electric drive on the gate.
Drive now installed and all operational. 2 remote controllers and a third fixed in the house so we do not have to go outside to open the gate for visitors.
I decided against additional vehicle sensors, perhaps just something else that can go wrong. But can be fitted retrospectively if required later.
Have the GF checking now about any app so he gate can be operated by the phone.

She has also been madly getting involved in her landscaping, laying paving bricks, moving and planting trees we have been cultivating and also buying and having delivered other trees and plants. Grass and other ground cover to be placed later.
She has a design in her head and laying out plant accordingly. I'm advised I will be surprised when I get back.

[maaka]

you will be lost for things to do once the build is over...

[Barney]

you will be lost for things to do once the build is over...

Your probably correct maaka, but, I have always been able to find interesting things to do, like sitting and contemplating my navel while daydreaming.

We still have the task of demolishing the old house that served us well over the years while building.

To be honest my GF is tireless and has done most of the organising and work, she has been lucky that I have been able to mentor and inspire her with cash endorsements from afar and when I am home give her that deserved pat on the back.

[tamada]

you will be lost for things to do once the build is over...

Maintenance and upkeep are built-in to pretty much any construction, especially so in Isaan so Barney will have plenty to do beyond the add-on's, modifications, things he missed and other handy man stuff that keeps some of us compos mentus while embracing the fruits of our labours in retirement.

...unless you're renting of course and then your kinda stuck with it.

At least Thai partners aren't big on the regular, "I need a new kitchen" demand when they get a hint of your end-of-contract bonus!

[ajarnudon]

Looking great Barney

[Barney]

The demolition of the old house that stood us well over the last few years while building has now had the demolition started.
As soon as she put the word out the neighbours were straight in and took the roof tiles, stripped out the windows and most likely the bathroom fittings, internal doors, cable had been stripped out, outlets and lights.
Soon the walls will be smashed down.
At this rate we won't have to many trucks of rubbish to take away.

[ajarnudon]

Almost seemed too good to knock down Barney

[Barney]

Almost seemed too good to knock down Barney

It was actually well built John but there were plenty of termite trails up the doorways and walls.
It had a raised floor section in the house and my concern is it is a haven for snakes and once disturbed they will come a hunting.
My missus thought the few cobras we saw around the house came from next door but I have my doubts.
There are some very beautiful big black scorpions in the old rockeries ( which use to come inside on occasions) so they will probably not make it once the area is cleared of rubble.

Got the ghost house delivered today and when it is dry the ceremony will take place. The old ghost we moved from the inside termite mound out back to the front yard for construction will be very happy. He's a good ghost.

[Barney]

House building is always interesting so I look forward to following this thread. Any thoughts on how long it will take and budget?
I think stress is part of the construction process here in LOS. It will be interesting to see what you have planned for in terms of stress and the actual, well worth monitoring and keeping record of.


OT...............

I went way back and had a look at the start of the thread and time has gone so fast, 2015, 3 and a half years ago. We are still going trying to complete. Some have mentioned you never really finish. Now well into outside paving, fences and landscaping.

One early post from "old timer" was something I had not thought to much about way back then but thought a response now would be appropriate, that being in regard to STRESS. It is most certainly something to be aware of. No denying we as a couple had our moments and I think it would have been worse if I had been onsite everyday. Being a fly in fly out construction w.ore helped in the long run as I have had plenty of away time, what that away time allowed was forcing myself to have the confidence of my girl to get it done, from her finding and organising contractors, her sacking some, trial and error was in the forefront. She did not shy away from telling contractors to p.ss off. That confidence took a while to evolve, about 1 year i guess, and our nightly skype talks went from me in the early days pestering her and inquiring about the day to day house build , to over time, just me asking is everything alright. I was barking up the wrong tree with my appraoch and I came to quickly realise that she had others things as a priority in her life, other then the house, and that the house build had to just balance out for her daily routine. I was only stressing her by always asking. I soon realised that she new what I wanted to hear and i just left it to her to tell me nightly what any problems were. Believe me once you have that confidence in your partner it takes a lot of stress away from both partners especially when apart. We actually grew as a couple as time went on and during skype talks i became more involved in her and our daughters daily happenings.
When home I always drew up all detailed plans and scope of work that I had in my head on the large graph paper book, then discussed it with her, bring the builder in to talk, and she would just pass the sheet on to the builder. This made it very easy for her, my only couple of instructions was, be strong and don't let the builder dictate, listen to his ideas and pass that to me for consideration. Some may disagree but the Thais aren't dumb in how to build, they just love to short cut, it's in their blood. If they tried to deceive her, on my return I would just put my unhappy hat on and they would soon see which side the bread was buttered on and who was paying the bills. This good cop bad cop routine provided her the back up to challenge the builders with out fear.
Most certainly we have made mistakes but those stress points soon disappeared on return with a laugh over a couple of beers or a red wine together. I am a positive thinker and always look forward, no use looking over your shoulder. Learn and go ahead.
In review on what did reduce stress was we were lucky to have the old house on the property, this was part of my plan when buying land. Having a house nearby or close was definitely a benefit for us. Also the old house onsite has allowed us to build with no specific time frame and change ideas as we cruised along. It also meant the workers arrived usually on time knowing we were onsite with out actually supervising. Just wander over in the morning say g'day and for us to then go about our own daily business with enough space to live our own life. Looking at a house being built on a daily basis can be like the old saying, a watched pot never boils.
Having the pool commissioned well before the house was complete was a bonus.
Building what would be considered a, "Non Traditional" house build did have the Thais confused at times.
I remember way back when we had the flat deck completed all the inqusitive village people walking past, even the village boss visiting, all asking why there were no concrete columns etc for the blocks to be set. It took a while to have them under stand it was a prefabricated steel frame wall and roof system. Most could not believe the steel frames would arrive by truck and erected in 6 days, the steel insulated roof arrived and on in another 5 days. Lots of smiles and nods of , Oh now i can see.
We have 80% of what we wanted when we started, the other 20% was our changes along the way. Happy campers.
There's a few more post to come though.
I would encourage people to it.

[sometimewoodworker]

Drive now installed and all operational. 2 remote controllers and a third fixed in the house so we do not have to go outside to open the gate for visitors.
I decided against additional vehicle sensors, perhaps just something else that can go wrong. But can be fitted retrospectively if required later.
Have the GF checking now about any app so he gate can be operated by the phone.

I hope that you really do not mean that you have not installed the auto stop and reverse function that is triggered if there is something or someone in the way of the closing gate.

There was a case not long ago of a Japanese child killed by a powered gate that didn't have that safety function installed.

Mine is installed low enough that even a dog walking through while the gate is closing will reverse the motion.

[Barney]

Drive now installed and all operational. 2 remote controllers and a third fixed in the house so we do not have to go outside to open the gate for visitors.
I decided against additional vehicle sensors, perhaps just something else that can go wrong. But can be fitted retrospectively if required later.
Have the GF checking now about any app so he gate can be operated by the phone.

I hope that you really do not mean that you have not installed the auto stop and reverse function that is triggered if there is something or someone in the way of the closing gate.

There was a case not long ago of a Japanese child killed by a powered gate that didn't have that safety function installed.

Mine is installed low enough that even a dog walking through while the gate is closing will reverse the motion.

Jerome, I may have mislead people with my comment. I was referring to additional line of site sensors that can be located before and after the gate which i did not take up as an option. If I feel the need later I can fit them. All normal safety sensors for the gate movement are in place. This includes the safety feature of not continuing the open close action if the gate comes into contact with people or a car.

[Barney]

Still sneaking up on completing small projects.
My GF went and chose some fence post lights from Boonthvorn shop and had them delivered and installed yesterday.
Wireless LED, Auto night switching, IP66, 2 day power pack.
Have procured only 4 at the main gate section to illuminte the area for security.

[Barney]

From this to this in a couple of days. Nice big excavator and 2 of the best looking tippers I've seen in Udon, ripped into the demolition of my old house. Just some clean up to go. 25,000 bht
Opens up a nice additional swathe of land to cultivate and more room for the dogs.

[Stella365]

Great job, Barney! It looks fantastic so far.

[ajarnudon]

Hope they targeted the right one Barney! Just joking, but as I said earlier it looked a nice home - I understannd that it had a termite problem. The home that I have leased in downtown Udon Thani for the past 10 years is now beset with maintenance problems. It throws up a conundrum - our permanent home will soon be 25 kms outside of Udon, but our need to be central also demands a downtown abode. The huge place we have been renting just 1 km from Central Plaza at a very low rental (that is badly in need of repair), an apartment with hardly any any storage or parking for a little more, or just pay for a hotel room a few nights a week? Not the the right forum here, but your demolition sent the mind down that track. Regards, John

[Barney]

Yes John they smashed the correct dwelling, all cleared and cleaned up, now already being utilised to increase her herb, vege and fruit tree jungle. She has had the area watering system installed, including our old house tank placed and a good powerful 2nd hand Hitachi pump procured for 3000 bht, plus the sprinklers. This tank is fed from the grey water supply by a small submersible pump. Saving her a lot of time in hand watering. Had movable sprinklers installed on the rear lawn. Amazing how fast it all grows with a bit of watering. All smiles now with more time for her to go and shop. I recommended she now utilise that spare time to mowing.
I just need to find a way of measuring the liters per hour to set the timing right. Without shoving a measuring stick in the tank. I put the old electric level switch (in orange) back on the tank as a cut off switch so it won't pump the tank dry.

[ajarnudon]

Looks great Barney. And more space for the dogs?

[peterk]

Hi Barney
Can I ask if you are happy with the builder you used? We could be commencing next year, and I'd love to use a builder with a reputation.

[Barney]

Hi Barney
Can I ask if you are happy with the builder you used? We could be commencing next year, and I'd love to use a builder with a reputation.

Hi peterk,
Unfortunately I don’t have the details of who we used.
Had a main builder for piling, pool and finished slab. They are long gone.
Nearly all other works were done by individual subcontractors.
As in Erecting steel frame and roof, used a Bluescope steel contractor.
Windows and external door installed by fabricator from Chon Buri.
Gyproc walls and ceiling by local guy recommended by gyproc supplier.
Electric by local guy.
Plumbing and pressure testing done by pool contractor.
Tiling by different subcontractors depending on either floor or wall tiling. Both are specialist work.
Painting by local guy.
Outside cladding by local guys.
So you can see all different teams.
Bought in as required.
We found this owner builder style better for our planning and budget.
Had an old house on the property we lived in, so time was not a problem.
My wife organized and supervised all these smaller contractor.
But don’t let our planning and building style push you away from a one main builder. This just did not suit us at the time.
Times are a little different now with the strong baht.
Regards
Barney


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