Laos House – build progress

Here is the progress of my house build in Laos. Building a house has never been a dream of mine, I’d rather buy. I guess this way we get what we want within limits. The goal is a manageable house, not too large, open plan, flowing to outdoor patio areas and a garden to maximise the tropical environment and indoor/outdoor flow. Living and entertaining downstairs with private living areas upstairs.

I will be satisfied with a few simple things that are current bugbears.

• Closer to town/work and avoiding the main road to the airport (busy and crazy drivers)
• Living in a quieter area, not having a blacksmith, woodworker and karaoke as noisy neighbours
• Having a kitchen inside the house! Less dust in the kitchen as it’s not open air
• Not being on such a main road I can walk the dogs more
• Able to care for and enjoy a small garden, and
• Being able to feel relaxed and can enjoy and a place for friends

The design, assisted by my amazing friend Greg, creates a 120 sq m house positioned to create a small oasis. 12m x 7m with rooms along the house each with a view into the courtyard. Usually, houses face the street however I have turned it to give privacy, a garden view to all rooms, plus the section is not big enough otherwise!

A week ago on 31 October the land looked like this. A digger came in and cleared the overgrowth and we met the builder. The next day we had the land cleared as it had to be levelled. To the left and right are vacant sections. As the left one is very close I decide to face the design to the right.

We levelled the land and built a small hut for John’s father to sleep in. He is the security watchman as he didn’t trust anyone else to do it. Sitting in the hut did have a nice feel so I think we have found a good spot to build. The land next door is the neighbours who have not yet built and they gave permission for us to use it so that’s very convenient. Because they haven’t built was another reason to position the house the way it is so the rear is on the boundary and we face towards the other undeveloped section on the other side, however, this is much larger and unlikely a big house will end up close, famous last works maybe.

On the 2nd, we bought timber for marking out the design and foundation holes and a septic tank were built. This all had to be done before the special Buddha day that was selected for us. That day is tomorrow! So a lot of work happened in the first week. In the last 6 months, we have only been considering the design and not much else. So it’s full steam ahead now.

Sun 3rd Nov was the big day. We invited 5 monks and 5 novices with the help of our friend Ms Not. Planks were placed over a foundation and an elder and 10 monks prayed for an hour for the land and house. Rosie, as you can see, didn’t want to miss out and made her way to the front with us. We prepared gifts and donations for the monks and threw money, rice, sweats and old coins into the foundations and into the crown of 80 friends and family gathered.

It is tradition to sit up all night until dawn to protect the land. I always thought this was from spirits (I did it for friends 5 years ago), however it is to protect the land from neighbours putting bad things into the foundations to bring bad luck. So a similar story. I had the flu all week so I really wanted to go to bed but time ended up flying and dawn had come before I knew it – thankfully.

Only 10 days later and the house is taking shape. I was able to stand in each area and really picture it. A week ago the foundations looked huge yet today it feels like a 60m2 area not too big but comfortable. The design feels like the right one now it’s on the ground! Progress has been quick and that I am pleased about. I don’t want the progress to drag out and the faster it’s done the faster I can move and be happier.

10 Nov. Today I bought 300 poles of bamboo for scaffolding, the builder prefers it over wood and a large drum for water for rendering the concrete poles (I Think). I’ll find out soon.

12 Nov. Progress continues with the foundation. Dropped the first 35,000,000 to the builders as progress payment today.

28 Nov The last week has seen the construction of the upper floor. The progress is astounding.

1 Dec. This is the top floor being prepared and rebar going in. I have purchased 5 tonnes of 14mm steel so far. A lot of steel has gone into the house. Thailand made steel as well, more $$$ but higher quality, the Lao made steel is no good I am told. I’m just following orders.

The walls downstairs have been started now. As at 22 December.

It’s now 28 Dec about 2 month since the land was cleared. Walls are being built and the window frames installed. Mr Sinsay is the window and door maker and is using Rosewood that we sourced. About 50% of the budget is spent and it’s going to require a bit more than anticipated I suspect. Tomorrow is Buddha day so all the builders are taking a few days off. The 1st is ‘Falang’ (foreign} new year, Lao new year is in April but taking a holiday over foreign new year is also done.

It’s 6 January now and haven’t posted an update in a while. The walls have been going up and the internal stairs 17th Jan.

Below mid Jan the plumbing started.

I bought the roofing steel early January and the roofing contractors made a start on 18 Jan. So we have the roofing guys, plumbing guys and builders working. On the 12th Jan I went to Vietnam for 50 sales meetings and are here until 29th so not a great time to be away, but getting decisions and payments made remotely,

On the 20th the electrician also started cutting through the bricks and installing electrical piping. I am not a fan of cutting bricks but it results in not having plastic flashings running down inside walls. More importantly, I discussed with him CB’s and earthing before I left. The control panel will be under the stair cupboard.

It’s now the 24 Jan. Making design decisions on the day via WhatsApp

12 Feb 25, progress looks slow but it’s still going at a rapid pace. Rendering the brick walls has been done internally and externally. The roof is on and the concrete details are being added.

Inside the electrician is laying the electrical supply in the ceiling cavity and the support struct for the nibsom (gib board ceiling) is being constructed. The builder is below showing me where the entrance steps will be (complete with planter boxes!)

22 Feb 25: The timber is being stained, sealed and installed under the Soffits. The ceiling gibson is up and has almost been plastered. It is starting to take shape. I purchased 30 million kip of paint (and primer) this week.

Rosie and Milo (3 months) like the new location. The electrician continues to lay electrical cables in the ceiling space, after completing the cables inside the walls.

It’s the 22 March, where has time gone. Below is where things are at now, nearing completion. The last month has been purchasing toilets, basins, tiles for bathroom walls and tiles for the floors, extra wood for the doors and windows (which have still not been made).

The upper balcony is nearing completion, tiles are down and I purchased timber for the balustrades today.

Below is a receipt from the rangehood and gas hob I bought from Thailand online, the lady’s desk in the AC shop (old school) and one of the wood suppliers.

It’s 26 April, approx 6 months from starting. The build has gone very fast although the first 3-4 months tings seemed to race ahead, these last 2 months seem slow. The bathrooms have been tiles and kitchen made. The door and window maker after 5 months hadn’t started making anything until last week so that’s a hold up. At the moment myhouse has no circuit breakers. I now have 12! Wiring is something that has been done well, and everything is earthed.

AC and lights have been fitted. It’s a little odd having this in the house when there is not a single door or window! I’m more worried about the dust, smoke etc in the air getting everything than theft. I can’t wait for the doors!

Outdoor lights have been installed. Terracotta tiles laid. This is a wide angle shot from the garden area about 2 meres down this side of the house. It is looking like a hotel perhaps. From the front it looks large. It is a simple Lao design, one a lot of hotels use traditionally so perhaps this is why it has this feel. It is a nice feel though, and nothing wrong like feeling like you are living in a hotel – I have just has this thought and I like the idea. At first I felt embarrassed the house seemed too large, or grand, but it’s really just down to simple details.

Below is a full frontal view, it’s the side actually as the side of the house is at the front of the property. This is a view that will never be seen as it’s taken from the vacant land next door. It is a nice view, however I value privacy and peaceful outlook over what others see as I didn’t want to be on the balcony staring into the neighbours. So this is a glimpse from a rare angle.

Doors and windows started going in about 12 May, a little challenging for the builder but they were installed, a few gaps which required fixing. The cement kitchen bench was finished and the wall surrounding the property started by John’s family (brother and cousin). They did a good job. I started to go to the house every morning and in the final weeks stayed there much of the day to supervise. FInishing seemed to have it’s difficulties near the end,

We moved on Sunday 1 June!! A village elder and Johns father came to bless us and the house, making merit to and feeding the spirits. We have spend the week organising,, cleaning etc. Next needs are a gate and then work on the garden. The dogs are loving it and I can’t wait to take them walking from here. It’s better being closer to town and it’s so quite. We are loving the space!