'You will be shocked," a real estate developer warned me when she learned of my plan to build. "Building a small house is actually a big problem. Though I have been in this business for decades, I can hardly bear it. It is very frustrating. Why don't you buy a ready-to-move-in unit from the housing project? It will be much better."
I didn't understand her warning until construction started. Though I selected a respectable company, problems gradually popped up, and my dream of a new house has become a real nightmare. Every time I leave the construction site, the contractor reduces specifications of the materials or makes shortcuts on the process to maximise his profit. However, every time I show up, the workers will ask for financial help or extra payment, claiming that the job was different from the plan (or whatever reason they can come up with).
On pay day, all employees will immediately stop working when they get their wages and rush away promptly to spend their money. Some start drinking at noon and immediately get drunk _ they can't continue their job until a few days later.
Many times, the workers have stopped with excuses far beyond my expectations. For example, when the rainy season started, they left _ for weeks or months _ to grow rice, and left my unfinished house as all the materials soaked in the rain.
From an easy job that was supposed to be completed in months, it has now been a year. Moreover, it consumes far more of my time, money and mental energy than I had originally planned.
At first, I thought about suing the contractor, but I dropped the plan as I didn't think it would help. If my civil case goes to court, all construction needs to be stopped and it may take years to fight. Also, no contractor will show up in court, that's for sure.
No matter how many construction teams I use, all appear to come with the same manner _ tricky and lazy. I have to be extremely careful and patient in dealing with them. I now understand that building a small house can ultimately be a real big problem.
"It's not just your home. The construction business is sub-standard like this nationwide," said a friend of mine, who spent eight months refurbishing his kitchen. He told me to calm down. "Signing a contract does not help. If they cannot get enough money, they'll just flee and leave your house unfinished and you will never find them. We are at the mercy of construction workers. I'd do it myself if I could."
I believe many houses being rebuilt, repaired or refurbished after the big floods last year may face such idiotic problems as well. If one can find a good team that builds the house to a good standard, it is very good luck.
Lack of standards, morale and professionalism have long been deep-rooted in the Thai construction business. It seems to have gradually become a common thing in this country.
That is why we always hear about unfinished housing projects, sloppily built bridges and pot-holed roads. And it seems that no government agency wants to tackle the problem.
You can ignore it, thinking that it is none of your business, but one day when you have to build or repair your house, you'll know what I mean. Then you'll have a critical decision to make.
Buy an expensive ready-to-move-in house or do it yourself.
Peerawat Jariyasombat is a travel writer for Life section of the Bangkok Post.