You might be close to retirement age, or perhaps you run a business in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, and you wish to build your dream home; whatever your situation, if you are planning to live permanently in this tropical paradise, we present a comprehensive guide to constructing a house to help you navigate the process.
Owning Land in Thailand
You may already know that foreigners are not permitted to own land in Thailand; this is a law that was introduced in the 1920s to prevent Japanese investors from buying large chunks of Bangkok. So, how does one manage to secure a plot of land on which to build a house? There are several ways; the most common is the 30×30 lease, whereby you lease the land for 30 years, with an optional extra 30-year period. Make sure a lawyer checks the lease before you sign, and if everything is good, you can go ahead and start planning the build.
Set Up a Limited Company
If you happen to already have a share in a Thai limited company, the business entity can acquire land; however, the company must be active, in other words, it must be trading. You cannot set up a company solely for acquiring land, as this is against the law, and you run the risk of having the land confiscated. Consult with a Thai lawyer if you decide to go down this route.
Planning the Build
Hire a reputable architect to design the house and make sure you use the best building materials that are suitable for the climate. We recommend a หลังคาไวนิลโปร่งแสง (Translucent vinyl roof), which will stand the test of time and give you natural lighting. Use insulation blocks to give you a comfortable interior during the hot summer, and sliding aluminium windows with tinted glass. Much like any country, your plans must be approved by a government official, and your builder can organise this on your behalf.
Choosing a Builder
There are quite a few custom builders, and you should insist on viewing some of the previous builds before coming to an agreement. It is normal to make stage payments on a new build, the first is usually when the footings are complete, the second payment when the roof is completed and another payment when the interior fittings are completed, with the final payment on completion of the project. Of course, a contract would be drawn up, and again, you need a lawyer to scan the document to ensure you are adequately protected. If you are running a small business, here are a few tips to help you.
Building Maintenance
The design of your home should take into account upkeep and maintenance, and we advise you to use composite materials that are efficient and easy to maintain. Minimum upkeep makes for a comfortable life, and your builder can manage maintenance.
We hope that this short article helps you navigate the process of building your dream home in Thailand. Make sure that you talk to a lawyer before signing anything.
