Thailand is a tropical paradise, and it is no surprise that many foreigners choose to set up home in the Land of Smiles. In this short blog, we offer a few valuable tips for those who are looking to build their dream home in this unique nation.
- Hire an architect – The builder would probably offer to design the property, but we recommend hiring an experienced architect because he/she would focus on the small details that can make all the difference.
- Securing a plot of land – There are several ways to do this; the most common way is to lease a plot of land for 30 years, with the option for a further 30 years. Foreigners are not permitted to own land in Thailand, as you are probably aware, but there are other options, such as using a Thai company to acquire the land. Talk to a Thai lawyer about this for more details.
- Use high-quality materials – One good example is a แผ่นไวนิลหลังคา (Vinyl Roof), which is built to last and does not fade, crack or rust. Blocks with high insulation properties will keep the interior cool in the hot summer months, while aluminium windows and doors are perfect, as they do not rust or fade. Choose materials with maintenance in mind, and you will spend less time upkeeping your home.
- Watch out for the rainy season – Ideally, you want the roof installed before the start of June, when the rains begin. Starting a build in April/May might not be the best option for this very reason. In Bangkok and Northern Thailand, the rainy season ends at the end of October, while in the south, the rains can continue into December. Timing is everything when building in the tropics.
- Choosing the right builder – There are builders, and there are builders, and when designing a unique house, you really want a custom builder with a lot of experience in constructing to order. It is essential to view some of their previous projects to see what their workmanship is like, as this is the only way to be sure their work is up to standard.
- Consider placement and direction – Think about sunrise and sunset before you decide the direction of the build, which is preferable to realising after the event that the front/back of the house is under attack from the blazing sun! If you are running a business, you could design a home office so you can work from home.
- Tinted glass – The heat is unbearable in April and May, and tinted glass makes a huge difference; it also protects furniture from UV rays, and your a/c doesn’t have to work so hard.
- Install solar panels – Thailand has more sunshine hours than almost every other country, and while it might be a considerable investment, you can become energy independent by installing a solar energy system. You could have a complete system that supplies all the energy you need, or you could connect to the grid and combine the two power sources. Talk to the architect about this, and he can explain all the options.
- Consider building up the ground – Typically, when Thais build, they will add at least 1 metre of soil to ensure that the house is not prone to flooding. This should be done a few months before the build starts to give it time to settle. Of course, you should check about flooding before buying/leasing the land, as the last thing you want is floods to attack your home.
- Don’t forget building insurance – Google can put you in touch with a reputable insurer that offers building insurance, which protects you against fire, floods and other natural disasters. A property is a costly asset; therefore, you need comprehensive insurance.
We hope that this short article goes some way to helping you navigate the build process and make sure that you hire a lawyer to check all contracts and agreements. The builder would be able to deal with the building permits, etc, which must be applied for at the Land Registry Office.
Living in Thailand is a wonderful experience and one you will not regret.
