House building in Pattaya

[Sapper 0]

Hi all,

 

Anyone any expeience of building their own house or building for sale in Pattaya?

 

It is something that might interest me later on once I stay permanently but would like to know what sort of pitfalls you run into. I would imagine you have to manage the project pretty closely and make sure the land you buy has the correct planning permissions etc.

 

If anyone has any experiences and/or advice I would appreciate hearing it.

[ting_tong 63]

you might want to stay here for 3 to 6 months, including the high season times...........................lots of stupid falangs, aka "holiday makers" here right now.

 

I think the "real thailand" is up in the northeastern side.

[Sapper 0]

I see where you are coming from on the Farangs... I am back in Pattaya in Feb, should see a few then. I already have a few properties in Pattaya but want to look into building a few houses to just sell.

 

Although my house I eventually build will be away from Pattaya, I think building houses around Pattaya (around the resevoir for example) will sell well. Just don't want to go into it blind and would like to hear peoples "horror stories".

 

Thoughts appreciated.

Edited December 26, 2005 by Sapper

[JohnnyK 28]

Make sure the land is in order with regard to title etc. How you work the ownership is up to you BUT a good lawyer is 110% necessary.

That said, take some time to find a good one as there are lots of crap ones.

Most new Thai houses are built in the same way - concrete footings, concrete/rebar skeleton etc.

I would want to be there for the more detailed work like plumbing, kitchen/bath, joinery, tiling etc as IMO Thais are, ahem, not known for paying attention to the fine points.

 

Go around and look at building sites to see as much as you can. Go on your own or get an agent to take you and look at houses in different price ranges, you don't necessarily get what you pay for.

As an example, I was looking to buy in Hua Hin so I went to about 10 or 11 different projects. The construction specs, methods and quality were about the same on a house for 2.5 million as it was on one for 5.5 million and the location of the 2.5 million house was better!

 

There's a website called coolthaihouse.com (I think) that is interesting.

Edited December 26, 2005 by JohnnyK

[Sapper 0]

Thanks Johnnyk,

 

Website is perfect! Gives me most of what I was looking for.

 

I was also looking at land in Hua Hin and thinking of building there. Only thing I was worried about is some people might think it is too far out!?!

 

Even though it takes less time to get there than it does to get up Nern Plab Wan!