The Building Process
Building your dream home involves a series of carefully managed stages—up to 60, depending on the specifics of your project. Many of these steps require an understanding of local knowledge and regulations, which can significantly impact the timeline and execution.
In addition, Every stage benefits from the application of experience, modern project management, and advanced construction techniques to ensure a seamless and efficient process.
Below is an outline of the typical stages involved in a project, giving you a clear idea of what to expect as your vision becomes a reality
Consultancy Agreement
Building your dream home is a comprehensive process, and several key stages must be completed before construction begins.
After our preliminary discussions, and once you are confident in proceeding with us, we will prepare a Consultancy Agreement. This agreement will clearly outline the scope of services we will provide during the pre-construction phase, leading up to the final building contract.
This ensures transparency, sets expectations, and lays the groundwork for a smooth and successful project.
Financing Your Project
Before embarking on your dream home journey, it’s essential to ensure that financing will be available when required. Proper financial planning is key to avoiding surprises down the road.
The construction phase is typically covered by a fixed-price contract with agreed staged payment.
However, before construction begins, you’ll need to:
- Secure your building plot.
- Account for additional costs, such as fees, deposits, and permits, which can vary depending on the specifics of your project.
We’re here to offer expert advice at an early stage, helping you plan effectively and navigate the financial aspects of your project with confidence.
Building Plot
Many clients independently acquire or already own a plot for their project. In such cases, it imperative that a site survey is carried out to ascertain:
- Soil type- Soil test to determine what lies beneath. Rock/Clay/Sand
- Flooding
- Water table
- Drainage conditions
- Other site-specific elements that could influence the house design and construction methods/
- Please note that when you purchase the land that the Chanote posts from the land match the numbers on your Chanote (Land Title Deed). As well as the total Sqm Area matches. You may need to request from the planning department the team to come out and survey your Chanote posts by means of GPS. Please bare in mind, there is a queue system here and times can vary from 1 x month to 8 months depending on area
- https://landsmaps.dol.go.th/ you can check with your land title deed number.
- You can however pay for a private company to visit site for on your behalf, which would be quicker however there is a charge, which will be a lot more expensive than the planning office direct.
- There is the normal changing of the Chanote from the sellers name to your wife/partner/family. This is a simple process and can be carried out in 1 x day. The actual cost at the planning office should be minimal, providing everything is straight forward
Please refer to this informative website which will run you thorough the different Land Title deeds as only the Red Nor Sor Si (4) Jor (Chanote) is TRUE Owner ship
- https://www.samuiforsale.com/knowledge/thailand-land-title-deeds.html
If you are looking for your perfect plot—whether for a specific location or to suit a chosen house design—we can provide guidance and assistance in finding a suitable site.
Our expertise ensures you start your project on the right foundation, with a plot that aligns with your vision and construction requirements.
House Design
A well-thought-out and thorough design is essential for achieving a successful, cost-effective, and timely build.
We highly recommend selecting a design from the many thousands of options offered by specialist house plan companies. These professionally created, architect-designed templates offer several benefits:
- Immediate previews to help you visualize your home
- Optimal use of space
- Full compliance with building regulations
- Detailed drawings and bills of materials
- Affordable pricing for a complete package
Once you’ve chosen a design from an online catalogue, we can collaborate with the architect to customize it to suit your specific plot, special requirements, fittings, finishes, and any other preferences.
For those who prefer a fully bespoke home, we can recommend our in house Senior Level Engineer Studied Rajamangala University of Technology & Architect Silpakorn University, both 15 years’ experience in the field after Graduation, or directly with your chosen professional to create a unique design from scratch.
With our guidance, you’ll have the flexibility to create a home that perfectly fits your vision, whether you choose a ready-made plan or a custom design.
Planning & Permission
In Thailand, the planning permission process is typically faster than in many European countries. However, local regulations and requirements must still be met, and necessary permits obtained before construction can begin.
We take care of every aspect of the planning and permission process, ensuring that your project complies with all legal and regulatory standards. From initial applications to final approvals, we ensure your house is fully compliant and ‘legal’ at every stage.
Our expertise streamlines the process, allowing you to focus on your dream home while we handle the paperwork and permissions.
Tender Process
Once the plans are finalized, we can accurately determine the required materials, quantities, and labor. This allows us to obtain competitive prices from trusted suppliers, ensuring the best value for your investment.
The tender process provides you with an opportunity to:
- Match specific requirements to your budget
- Compare options to optimize quality and cost
- Make informed decisions about materials and finishes
We work diligently to secure the best prices for the highest quality, ensuring your project remains both cost-effective and aligned with your expectations.
Schedule
Once suppliers are chosen and delivery timelines are established, we will create a comprehensive construction schedule. This detailed plan will cover all essential aspects, including:
- Site access and logistics
- The impact of weather on the project
- Workforce size and allocation at different stages
- Special considerations for imported items, such as fittings
- Financial rate considerations to determine the optimal timing and completion date
By factoring in all these variables, we ensure that your project runs smoothly, efficiently, and meets your desired completion date.
Building Contract
Once the pre-build stages are completed to your satisfaction, we will offer a detailed Building Contract for the actual construction of your home. This contract will outline:
- A fixed-price quote that covers all work to be done
- Timings and project milestones
- Costs and payment terms
- Progress reporting and updates
- Conflict resolution procedures, if needed
Lastly, Once the contract is signed and a construction deposit is paid, we will proceed with the build according to the agreed-upon schedule, ensuring a smooth and transparent process throughout.
Site Preparations and Footings
The first step in the construction process typically involves the Local Authority Surveyor attending the site to peg out the exact position of the house within the boundaries, of your purchased Chanote. (Mainly happens in Cities as appose to up country)
Depending on the specifics of the site and house design, special groundwork—such as pile driving—may be necessary. We coordinate with local water and power utilities to ensure connections, and dig drainage and sewerage channels as needed.
To level the site, soil may be required especially if a Rice field
Following this, we begin excavating for the foundations, as well as any basements if required.
As with the whole construction we carry out diligently to Engineers/Architects as built plans. The footings can be laid by means of Rebar/Shuttering/Concrete. We always wet down the concrete for 1 x week, as the curing process for concrete is best set as cool as possible
We will provide detailed photos of the progress, or if you prefer, you may visit the site to confirm everything is in order before full construction begins. Happy to have your own Engineer/Architect to visit site
Construction Phase: Building Your Dream Home
While the exact details and sequence of steps will depend on your specific design. We carefully coordinate the delivery of materials, manage the workforce, and provide day-to-day supervision and inspection to ensure everything progresses smoothly.
Typically, the construction work proceeds through the following stages:
- Groundworks
- Piling/Footings/ Ground Ringbeam
- Slab/Topping
- Pillars
- 1st Floor beams
- 1 st floor Slab/ Plank Lintels/Topping
- 1st floor Pillars
- Any Steel painted rust proof prior to installation
- Roof Wall Plate
- Roof Frame Work Steel/Galvanized. Galvanized epecially coastal areas
- Foil PE 5mm (Similar to Felt) Heat Barrier. Over lapped from bottom of the rafters to the ridge
- Battens Steel/Galvanized
- Blockwork/Brick
- First fix Electric/Plumbing/Air Condition. Chased in to substrate, to install conduit
- Frames Windows/Doors
- Render/Plaster/ Gypsum walls
- Suspended Ceilings
- Doors/Windows
- Painting/Tiling Walls Exterior/Interior
- 2 nd Fix Electric/Air Conditioning
- 2nd Fix plumbing Sanitary etc
- Floors/Tiles/Parquet
Please note this is standard rule of thumb. Usually many trades will be working on different aspects at the same time. We try to get the roof on as quick as possible to make the building weather proof, and fill in the rest. Once the building shell is complete, we reach the lock up stage, where the structure is sealed and secured.
Throughout the process, we provide regular reports, including videos and pictures, via the internet to keep you fully informed about the progress of your home.
Exterior Finishing
The Exterior Finishing stage focuses on completing the outer elements of your home. This includes:
- Garage
- Walls
- Brick and Stone Work
- Cladding
- Soffits & Gutters
- Stucco/Rendering
- Driveway
- Decking
- Railings
Each element is carefully crafted to ensure both aesthetics and functionality, adding the final touches to the exterior of your home.
Interior Finishing
The Interior Finishing stage focuses on all the essential details that make your home comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. This includes:
- Alarm Pre-Wiring
- Wired for Sound/Data/Cameras
- Built-in Vacuum System: It’s more cost-effective to rough in the system now, even if it’s not immediately required—plus, it’s a great selling feature.
- Main Wall and Ceiling Insulation
- Internal Drywall followed by thorough cleaning
- Bathroom and Kitchen Installations
- Carpentry Work
- Mouldings and Trim
- Flooring Installation
- Painting
- Cabinet Installations
- Tile Work
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Closet Shelving
- Light Fixtures
- Window Blinds
- Floor Coverings
- Final Cleaning: A thorough clean to make your home ready for occupancy.
This phase ensures all the finishing touches are completed, finally bringing your home to life with attention to detail and quality craftsmanship.
Landscaping and Exterior Work
The Landscaping and Exterior Work phase enhances the outdoor spaces of your home, furthermore ensuring both functionality and beauty. This includes:
- Perimeter Walls
- Garden Landscaping
- Outdoor Paved and Covered Areas
- Outdoor Lighting and Other Features
- Swimming Pool and Ponds
- Planting
Each element is designed to complement your home and create an inviting outdoor environment, tailored to your preferences and lifestyle.
Hand Over
After thorough inspections and any necessary de-snagging, your new home is ready for you to move in. We ensure that everything is in perfect condition, with all final touches completed, so you can enjoy your new space with confidence.
Follow-Up
Lastly, we conduct a visit during the first month to ensure everything is functioning as it should. Additionally, we leave a 1 x year retention to allow for any defects. This will remain with the client so we are available to address any issues or concerns that may arise, offering support to resolve any problems promptly.