So, how different is it, really? C’mon… you want to build a house. You have, or can get, land. Should be straightforward, right?

Well…let’s see. One of the countries IS fairly straightforward, but which one?  

First of all…. if you can avoid this…do so! Trying to oversee the build without actually going to site can let smaller issues go unresolved. You do not develop the rapport with the build team. You don’t get a ‘feel’ for the house as it takes shape. Being on hand is always better if possible, but sometimes, it is not possible.

In my case, the remote project management was unavoidable, because I was in the Middle East, and PJ was in Bangkok, over 100 Km from the site. If you add in that we did not have a car, and in any case she was nervous of driving such a distance on her own (she was right to be, even though she has a full driving licence, because you cannot foresee what other, less capable drivers might do in your vicinity!)

As a result of this, the house project needed remote management, so if you are in this situation, you need to have a few things in place.

• That contract

Signed agreed and a copy with both parties. This becomes your (and the builder’s) reference and depending on how you write it, and what you include, it should steer the project along. This is why I stress that it is important to take your time creating the contract, and make sure everything is covered. It is important too, that the builder is clear about what the contract controls – he needs to understand it. He need to understand that he has to follow it. He will sign to confirm this.

A combination of a well-translated contract and discussion in Thai and English, until everyone is satisfied, all questions have been answered etc. is vital. Don’t rush this. For anyone who may be interested, a copy of the TD Towers contract is available to purchase if required. This will guide you how to create your own contract, and possibly help you to avoid leaving out anything vital! Click here to contact me for more information.

• Site representation

This is very important.

So…you can’t be there. That’s understood. So… are you going to just let the builder and his team ‘get on with it’ and several months later, they hand you the keys?(and of course, you have made all the payments). If you are wise, the answer is…of course not!

Nominate someone to ‘check’ on the progress, someone with some build knowledge, and not just a spectator. Provide them a copy of the plans and the contract, so they have the project documents to refer to if there is a doubt.

Your nominee must be empowered to make a judgement on site, as in effect they are… your official representative. It is up to you how much power you give them under that title. Finally, they must communicate with you along the way.

In our case, we employed the Engineer from the OrBorTor’s office! He was perfect for the role as he had approved the plan so he knew exactly what should be done and how it was to be completed, based on best building practise. He has not let us down.

Additionally, PJ made unannounced visits to the site, to see for herself, and to be available face to face if the builder needed any clarifications.

• Progress reports / photos

In the same way your site representative updates you, the builder needs to show he is progressing the build as per the contract and plans. This will need communication and more specifically, visual confirmation of the work. As part of his role, the builder should produce daily progress photos / videos and send them to you. This confirms work is completed, which is in the builder’s interest as he gets paid on completed sections

Of course, when you set out to construct anything, anywhere…sooner or later you have to think about money. The finances. How it’s all going to be paid for. You may be lucky, and rich. Perhaps you were left some money by a distant relative, or you had a winning streak at the bookies.

Or perhaps you didn’t.

For most of us, the cost of the project is very important, because we need to know that we can afford to complete that project and not leave it ‘hanging’ with 80% completed, because the money ran out and we can complete it only after working and earning some more.

Actually, that’s not unheard of in Thailand. Unforeseen costs, or optimistic financial planning can bring a project to a stop, and it will restart once the funds are again in place and the builders are available. It happens but it’s not really ideal.

No, you need accurate costings, a final contract price agreed with the builder, with no hidden ‘extras’ (see my section on the contract in pre-start paperwork), and a payments schedule all worked out, and most importantly, that you have enough money to fulfil the contract you are agreeing and signing. This is the same, if you are building in Europe or in Thailand – people need to be paid! And more importantly, the builder needs to trust you. This is why I said that you need to spend enough time on the plans, costings, contract and financial backing arrangements – you cannot skim over it.

For us, the build costs were in Thailand so the labour cost is a LOT lower that in UK. Added to that, some raw materials were also cheaper – here you need to go out and research those lower costs. Understand the cost of a metre of concrete. How much rebar is? Plumbing supplies. Wood. It may seem crazy but how does that saying go? ‘If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail’, and the other one, ‘knowledge is power’ is also very true in this context.

So, we had an idea, we turned it into plans, we spoke to several builders, and we got prices. We were able to break down the selected contract value into agreed, sequential stage payments which meant we did not have to find, say 25% of the contract value up front.

From my work in the Middle East, and with a foresight of the build to come, I started saving for it about 4 years earlier. No… I did not have a 4 year pre-build plan but I knew I was going to build at some point and a chunk of savings was going to help. We had used some of those savings to purchase the land, and the rest was used to start the stage payments. I also had an independent savings plan with my last employer which I knew was going to pay for the final stage payment (if you read the contract section, you would know that the last payment was intentionally larger as it included much of the builders profit, payable after the snagging list – go have a look if you have not done so already!)

Meanwhile I was still working and saving. Each stage was around 30 days and there were 10 stages, so I just had to find the stage payment on time. Using some savings and some earnings, I was able to make all 10 payments though a couple of them were delayed slightly due to money being moved around!

However you plan to do it, look at what you want to build, and get the all-important build contract costings. Then, and you must do this – honestly look and make sure that you can afford to do it.  Don’t get swept up in the excitement of building a house, especially if accompanied by ‘encouragement’ from your better half (!). Don’t let your desire to build that dream cloud your judgement. Make sure you have the money, it’s as simple as that.

Now, what to do if it turns out that you don’t (quite) have the money?

Again, it’s quite simple.

Build something a little smaller, a little less grand. Do you really need 4 beds when 3 will do? You can add that swimming pool later, so leave it out of the contract. No need to go crazy with a big, western-style kitchen if your Thai partner does all the cooking outside. Maybe you don’t need hardwood flooring in absolutely every room? We went through this process. We chopped out the pool and put hardwood flooring in 3 rooms. Will it affect our enjoyment? Not one bit. We will add that pool at a later date. We will have wooden flooring in the main living room, and for most of the time anyway, we will be outside or under zone 2!

The other area you can cut costs is where you can do some of the work yourself. So, in our contract, we cut out the kitchen fabrication and fitting, because I knew I could do that myself later on. That can be a massive saving, and that’s just one area. Same goes for dressing rooms / fitted wardrobes, if you are a handyman. We will also landscape and plant the garden, making another big saving.

Finally, it really helps to have a great builder that you can work with to make it all happen. He needs to be flexible if you want to take on some of the work, and cut parts of the contract value accordingly.