If you’re looking to build a house in Thailand, you’ll likely hear estimates of around 15,000 to 20,000 Baht per square meter, which means an 80 square meter house would cost around 1.6 million Baht. However, it is possible to build a house of the same size for much less. In this article, I’ll share a success story of a friend who build a cheap house in Thailand for only 500,000 Baht, and offer some insights into the process.

The house was built in 2014 over the course of three months, from February to April. The foundation was built on columns, around 80 centimeters above ground level. The house was constructed from an iron frame, with special wall panels for the exterior walls that were screwed onto the frame. These wall panels were about 5 millimeters thick, made of a cement composite material, which was also used for the roof panels. The interior walls were made of plasterboard, and the bathroom walls were built with hollow blocks.

The house was divided into two separate apartments, each with 40 square meters of living space, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The total cost of building this house was originally estimated at 470,000 Baht, but some additional requests from the owner pushed the final cost up to about 500,000 Baht. This price included all of the building materials, such as concrete, roofing, windows, and the two bathrooms, as well as the cost of labor.

While building a cheap house in Thailand may sound like a daunting task, it is certainly possible, as demonstrated by my friend’s experience. The key is to be creative with materials and design, and to find a skilled builder who can work with you to achieve your goals.

One important aspect to consider when building a cheap house is the quality of the materials you use. It may be tempting to use low-quality materials in order to save money, but this can end up being a false economy, as these materials may wear out or break down much faster than higher-quality alternatives. It is important to strike a balance between cost and durability when selecting materials for your house.

Another important factor to consider is the design of your house. Simple designs with fewer frills and ornamentation can often be built for less money, while still providing a comfortable and functional living space. A small house with fewer rooms can also help to reduce costs, as well as energy and maintenance expenses.

In conclusion, building a cheap house in Thailand is certainly possible, and can offer a great way to save money while still achieving your dream of owning a home. By being creative with materials and design, and finding a skilled builder to work with, you can create a comfortable and functional living space that meets your needs and budget.