Did you ever want to build your own house? The idea that from your design, a house emerged. I had such a notion, over 30 years ago.
For all the usual reasons, My desire was thwarted by lack of salary, bonus too low, land prices running ahead of my buying power. In fact, I put the idea on the ‘back burner’ and for those intervening 30 years, concentrated on conventional ‘modern box’ living. The idea for an individual home came again when, through a change in circumstances, I found myself living in SE Asia.
Everything that previously prevented my build plan was now eliminated. My salary had not really jumped crazily but it had jumped enough to make a house-build a viable option. Land was cheap… I mean…really cheap compared to Europe, and so were build materials and labour.
It looked like my build dream might become a reality…
Background
Did you ever want to build your own house? The idea that from your design, a house emerged. I had such a notion, over 30 years ago. For all the usual reasons, My desire was thwarted by lack of salary, bonus too low, land prices running ahead of my buying power. In fact, I put…
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Background
Like many, we had dreams of building our own place. The satisfaction of taking an idea, even a design, a dream… and watching as that dream became a reality. A lot of people have ‘build a house’ on their bucket-list. Most of them remain an unfulfilled wish. But for us, after a lot of work,…
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Background
They say anyone can build a house… and anyone can…in theory. However, you need steely resolve, tenacity, single-mindedness and of course funds if you are to end up with what you want. We were not rich so that ruled out a lot of locations. Time was not on our side so we could not wait…
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Background
Not everyone realises the time and effort, plus the equipment requirement needed, to produce blog content! We have had a few requests to know what cameras, software, etc. we use to produce this blog, so here goes… Still images All photos were shot using a Canon 5D DSLR, a Canon 7D DSLR, a Canon PowerShot,…
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Background
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…
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Background
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,…
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Background
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? United Kingdom Thailand Land Finding land for building is difficult. The UK is crowded. There is high demand for…
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Great website. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to tell the story. Lots of good information so far. I am looking at building in SE Asia, maybe Thailand or the Philippines so this is a great read. How long did your build take?
In answer… about 1 year, but there was less pressure because I was working out of the country throughout the build. I hope you will post your build story, too!
Very decent website. There is nothing like a good build story to enjoy. thanks Pav
Thanks for stopping by.. Hope you enjoy the whole thing!
Interesting, thanks for posting. Will follow the story!
You are welcome!
Great website!
Are u living the dream now?!?
Thanks, and…yes!(of course – I love it here)
A real pleasure to read and absorb the detail of your “journey” from the initial desire to self-build your own home to completion & occupancy. Am very grateful to have this web site as a reference point.
Without wanting to intrude personally, how did the relationship with your wife hold up and what are some of your tips on those moments that inevitably cause anxiety in both when things don’t go as planned?
Hey, Greg!
Thanks for stopping by the website. This is meant to be the link between the TD build thread and a visual of the build (when I get around to it!) on YouTube – over 20 hours of footage to sift through, edit and publish! I am glad you have found the story useful and I wish you luck with your own endeavours!
With regards to the relationship, a number of factors were in play and I think they all contributed to how it turned out. 1. it’s my design. by that I mean – my concept, my sketches, my plans, and the engineer/architect turning that into build plans, PJ had input, for example, the Buddha room inclusion but since she has no construction background (and I do) she pretty much left the build design side to me. 2. I was working away for most of the build, which is not ideal as anyone will tell you. I was confident though, that she could PM the build, once she knows what is going where… it happens. No one argues with her, she’s resolute and determined! In fact, my not being there helped. 3. the other thing that helped was having a rock-solid contract, clearly laying out everything in undoubted detail. 4. When it comes to the finishing touches – lighting, flooring, wall colour, etc she had a good say in that. She has contributed to what the house will ultimately ‘look like – it’s her home as well, of course.
So…the relationship not only ‘held up’ but I think it has got stronger. The key to any disputes of course is communication – not easy with my limited grasp of Thai and her likewise with English – but we did it! Get agreement through discussion before the issues become overblown.
Hope this helps and do stick around for the rest
thanks
TD and PJ