happy builder

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Construction Photos
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redbrick.jpg
Little Red BrickNot made in this 'factory' but equally indispensable on every building site for small filling work. Some builders still make entire walls with them, particularly in Pattaya, but they work out very expensive and labour intensive per m2. Here they cost 70 Satang each, and it takes about 50% longer to build a wall with them.jazzmanFeb 08, 2009
Lonon_dimmer.jpg
DimmerI'm a firm fan of the bTicino brand, but because of budget and needing a lot of switches and sockets for this motel project, we're using Lonon brand fittings from China, bought in GlobalHouse. I've been testing some of this stuff for about 6 months and it seems ok. The range costs about half that of bTicino, which represents a big saving. The aesthetics are as good as bTicino, and don't have any ugly screws in the escutcheons like some far more expensive brands. Like bTicino, these can take 1, 2, or 3 mjazzmanFeb 08, 2009
bTicino_weatherproof.jpg
Weatherproof switchesbTicino weatherproof recessed switches. Excellent for switches or opwer in garden wall etc. The lid flips up but the switches can be pressed though the transparent cover. This 3-module unit can be equipped with switches and/or power sockets. Cost around 300 baht. bTicino also make a surface mounted one.jazzmanFeb 08, 2009
walls.jpg
Day 6 - The first walls .One lady mixing and passing up the bricks, one man bricking: Just 3 hours work for this much The others are preparing the 4" WC pipes and grey water pipes that will be under the floors - with five bathrooms, this is a bit more work than for the average house. Foreman thinks we'll have everything finished in 4 weeks. we'll see. We've been working together for three years now, and he and his family have almost become part of our family - grainjai permitting :)jazzmanFeb 08, 2009
ceiling_fan.jpg
Ceiling fanWe have two in the living room and one in each bedroom. Cost: 620 baht.
Sorry about the green hue - the color seems to get everywhere...
jazzmanFeb 07, 2009
wall_extractor_fan.jpg
Wall extractor fanThis fan is only 28W but poweful and very silent. We have one in the bedroom it helps clear the perspiration on hot nights. Sorry about the green hue - the color seems to get everywhere...jazzmanFeb 07, 2009
Downlight.jpg
DownlightWe used these recessed ceiling downlights throughout the house. They'll take normal bulbs or energy-savers. Cost: Baht 38 each in GlobalHouse.jazzmanFeb 07, 2009
Day_5.jpg
Day 5Had some unusual rain in Isaan for 2 days so the time was spent painting the rest of the steel in the shed, getting a truck load of dirt delivered, and bending more braces.
The ground beams are poured and the roof steel half finished. I still never fathomed out why they have to use a platform to load the mixer. Notice the plastic bags round my expensive steel scaffolding to protect it from cement (a lesson learned from previous jobs).
1 commentsjazzmanFeb 07, 2009
ground_beam_formwork.jpg
Ground beam 'formwork'As mentioned, this is a low budget Thai style construction. We will be pouring the ground-beam concrete directly into the trenches in the earth, when the trenches have been lined with plastic sheeting. This will also fill the rest of the footing holes to lock everything in place.
The ground beams a re 20 x 20 with four runs of RB9 and RB6 braces at 20 cm.
jazzmanFeb 05, 2009
starting_the_roof_steel2.jpg
day 4. Starting the roof steelThe roof steel (ring-beam purlin) is bolted to the holes provided in the pre-formed cut-outs on the posts.jazzmanFeb 05, 2009
cheap_labour.jpg
Cheap labourFor all of those who are wondering why our labour bill of only 1,000 baht per square metre is so low...jazzmanFeb 05, 2009
Preparing_materials.jpg
Day 2 MaterialsOrganising the materials, painting the steel with red oxide, straightening the rebar and digging the first couple of holes.
The sand cost 280 baht/cu, the gravel 380 baht/cu, and the TPI cement 95 baht per 50 kg bag. The smooth 9 mm rebar (RB9) cost 38 baht per 10 m length.
The pre cast reinforced columns 15 x 15cmx 2.50 m columns cost 275 baht each. They come with a cut-out on the top with a hole for bolting a steel or wooden ring-beam.
jazzmanFeb 04, 2009
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