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Working with a reputable architect in Thailand

Krabi Architect Many people dream of designing and building their own villa so that they can live in the tropical paradise of Thailand in style – Ton Company Ltd. is proud to have made that dream come true for countless satisfied customers. We have over 10 year’s experience, with more than 60 successful Architecture and Construction projects in Thailand already under our belt.

Designing and building your own property from scratch, can be the most rewarding experience. It can also be challenging and stressful, particularly in a foreign country where you are unfamiliar with the language, culture and local construction industry. We have the wealth of experience and local industry knowledge to make your project both a stress-free and enjoyable process.

We are the number one Krabi Developer, delivering architecture and construction projects throughout Thailand including Krabi, Phuket and Trang. Thai architecture is highly distinctive and specifically designed for a tropical climate - we specialize in Asian Tropical Architecture and Construction and are familiar with both typical Phuket Architecture and Koh Samui Architecture.

Our qualified team of construction professionals speaks English, French and Thai. Our management team consists of licensed Architects, licensed Construction Engineers, Foremen, Project Manager and Landscape Designers. Every project is allocated to a dedicated Project Manager who will take personal responsibility for ensuring all your requirements are met.

Our unique and comprehensive Architect & Construction Service encompasses the complete ‘end to end’ process from buying land and creating construction plans to adding finishing touches such as landscaping and interior design. We even offer a Property Management Service if you want to generate a future rental income.

If you have already decided that Thailand is the location for your new home, then you won’t need us to remind you of the many benefits of living in this most beautiful and vibrant country!

Initial Consultation

So, you have made the important decision to build your dream villa in Thailand and you are now ready to turn that dream into a reality.

Your initial consultation is an exciting opportunity for you to share with us your vision and discuss your functional requirements. This will include the type of construction, specifics on the number and size of the rooms and their intended occupants and purpose.

We will ask you many questions at this stage as we want to pin down your exact requirements as early as possible so that we can provide realistic advice on what is achievable within your proposed budget. We will also furnish you with ideas and recommendations of our own, which you may also wish to consider.

As part of our comprehensive service we can also purchase the land on your behalf – if you opt to do this independently then it is important to bring along any documentation related to your plot so we can ensure that there are no potential issues that may affect the project.

Based upon your first consultation an architect from Ton Company will give you an initial proposal confirming the project scope and provide you with a preliminary cost estimate.

Design

Our core design concept is to create simple, yet elegant Thai villas designed for tropical living such as the traditional Krabi Design and Build. The layout should be practical and maximize space and we will take care to ensure that ongoing maintenance is manageable and economical.

We regard every design project as collaboration between the architect and the client and view our clients as contributing members of the design team. In fact, we encourage an open dialogue throughout the entire process and our client inclusive approach ensures that you receive continual expert advice and guidance on all aspects your project.

Based on information gathered in your initial consultation, our architect will provide you with a Schematic Design to give you a visual image of the property and the room layout. This is not intended to be the finished article and your architect will continually revise the design with you, until you are 100% satisfied. You will review the Schematic Design together to ensure that you are happy with the room layout, flow and the overall look and feel. Your architect will also explain anything that is not clear, so don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as possible. We want to ensure that we are all working towards the same end result and it is significantly easier to make changes to the design at this early stage!

Design Refinement and Development

We will propose the most efficient and cost effective method for construction and constantly evaluate the design throughout the entire design and development phase.

At this stage your architect will present a much more detailed Schematic Design to provide you with a picture of the finished product. It will include the structural elements, plumbing and electrical installations and even details of the finishes, such as lighting arrangements etc. We will help you check the Schematic Design thoroughly and only once we have answered all of your questions and you are completely satisfied, will we ask you to approve the design.

Construction Documents

Next your architect will prepare the Construction Documents that must be submitted to gain a permit or approval to build – don’t worry, your dedicated Project Manager will lead the entire process for obtaining build permission, so you are in safe hands. It is at this stage in a build project that you should investigate reliable builders and contractors, but again, Ton Company Ltd. will take care of that for you.

We also have our own construction team so depending on availability we will be happy to bid on the project as well.

Hiring the Contractors

As soon as the Construction Documents are complete we will begin to source the contractors for construction. With our in-depth knowledge of local Thai contractors, we perform a number of critical activities on your behalf including:

Pre-qualifying contractors for invitation to tender.
Analyzing tender bids from selected contractors and conducting tender negotiation.
Selecting contractor(s) and preparing all necessary contracts.
Agreeing construction timelines with contractors to ensure work will complete within project timelines.

Construction

This is the moment that you have been waiting for, although it can prove the most busy and stressful aspect of the entire project. However, with Ton Co. Ltd. managing the entire construction for you, you are able to sit back and enjoy watching your dream take shape and finally become reality!

Your dedicated Project Manager will adopt a strong ‘hands-on’ approach and perform the following activities:

Evaluate monthly bills from the contractor to ensure no over payments
Evaluate and cost all variation requests from the contractor
Maintain Project Accounts.
Prepare final Project Accounts in preparation for client handover.
Identify areas that require specialist contractors such as landscaping
Manage on site construction using specialist inspectors and engineers to ensure all building works comply to quality expectations and Building Regulations
Ensure full Health and Safety procedures are adhered to.
Handle day-to-day site issues such as "Requests for Information", and ‘Requests for Approval’
Conduct regular site meetings with contractors to address issues and ensure progress
Ensure construction works remain on budget.

Completion

At last your new home is ready! As we want to ensure that your villa is everything you dreamt of, our Project Manager will provide a full aftercare service so that you can move in and enjoy peace of mind. Your Project Manager will:

Compile a ‘Defects’ list and manage all defects until resolved
Handover to client and manage the defect liability period for a further 12 months.

With a reputation for exceptionally high quality Thai architecture, we are confident that you will our find competitive prices and excellent customer service impossible to beat. We are more than happy to show you our current projects and arrange a visit to one of our sites, so why not contact us today to make an appointment?

Designing for the future

Krabi Architect Ton Company Ltd continues to invest in people, recently bringing in new talent to join its in-house architectural team. Here, we meet Somphong Yeabsul (Khun Tae), an accomplished licensed architect with 9 years of experience following his graduation from Mahasarakham University and Masters Degree from Chulalongkorn University. A specialist in building and environmental technology, he has worked in all the major tourist areas of Thailand – Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Phuket – before his move to Krabi to join the area’s leading architecture and construction firm.

How do you find Krabi compares with other tourist areas in Thailand in terms of the rate and quality of housing developments?

I would say Krabi is most similar to Koh Samui, as it was maybe 3 – 5 years ago. Many people compare Krabi with Phuket, but actually in Phuket the trend is now for very luxurious residential property and at a much higher density – in town homes and condominiums. In Krabi, I think the great advantage is that you have so much space and land is not so expensive. It is still possible to build an affordable individual villa on a large plot, which is ultimately what most people prefer.

You have worked in an international setting and with many foreign clients for the past 5 years: what would you say are the main issues for them when planning a holiday or retirement villa in Thailand?

The biggest issues are usually climate related. The weather in Thailand is much more hot and humid and also there is a lot of torrential rain during monsoon season. These factors influence the design a lot more than many clients imagine. I try to design homes that blend western functions and facilities with local architectural features to create comfortable and practical living spaces with good air flow. Shaded outdoor space is also very important as most people will end up spending much more time outside than they may first imagine.

In terms of style, my portfolio is quite varied, which fits well with Ton Company’s own range of residential projects. I like to work across the board from simple, but functional town homes to modern and innovative statement villas – it depends what the client wants from the project.

How do you use your training in building technology on the job?

Building technology involves incorporating the latest scientific research into the project design to make it environmentally-friendly on various levels. For example, I am very interested in energy conservation and designing energy-efficient homes that work with the natural environment. So it is important as an architect to choose appropriate and durable building materials to reduce power consumption and wear and tear; and also to design spaces that maximise natural ventilation and ensure natural light and shade at the right times of day. These things help to protect and reduce the impact on the environment, and also keep running and maintenance costs down for the owner – both major concerns for Ton Company.

A technical understanding of the construction materials also allows me to work more effectively with our in-house engineer, Khun Sittiporn, which means a smoother design process for the client.

What happens after the design has been completed and approved? Do you then move on to the next project?

No, not at all! In my previous employment I was also a “site architect”, which I will continue to do here at Ton Company. This means I will work on site during construction to ensure the plan is delivered correctly by the building team and also be on hand to make updated drawings or corrections to the original plan as work progresses. This allows us, for example, to make sure tiles are laid without breaks if the actual floor space differs from the plan dimensions by a few centimetres; or to offer immediate solutions if the clients change their mind about anything.

What are you working on at the moment?

Our latest project is creating a group of five villas in the Ao Thalane area, for some clients who work in the construction industry in the Middle East. It’s been a very interesting process as they have a lot of knowledge about the building techniques for hot climates, though not so much about high humidity. We have had a good exchange of ideas and now we are working on the designs.

I am really looking forward to working here at Ton Company and also in Krabi. This seems to be an exciting time for the area and it is very open to fresh ideas and innovation, especially in the field of environmentally friendly housing. Krabi is famed for its natural beauty and we should want to protect it as much as possible.

Selling your villa to the world

Krabi Villa Do you have a new holiday home in Krabi that could be earning you income? Ton Co. Ltd., the leader in property management in Ao Nang, will do everything possible to promote it with a comprehensive rental program and dedicated website marketing team

Jittakarn Hemjit (Karn) is a graduate of Bangkok University, majoring in English. After embarking on a career, her first employer tasked her with creating a website – something she knew little about at the time. Through self-tuition, she discovered a passion for web design and has since followed up with specialized courses in Photoshop and web marketing. Since 2008 she has been working for Ton Company as webmaster and in that time has tripled their portfolio of websites, as well as updating each in terms of design and technology.

“I really enjoy my work because it’s quite complex. Our websites have to serve many purposes: they are a marketing tool for the company; a ‘shop window’ for all the villas we manage; and a place to interact with current and future customers. So there are already three interest groups that need to be catered for: this requires careful planning and execution.“Customer experience is top of the list when we design a website. We focus on making the site easy to use, with good navigation and of course ample opportunities for guests to book and pay! This is very important for our other client group, the villa owners. Many people have a beautiful home and hope to rent it out while they are away, but it can be disappointing if the management company does not have a good system in place to attract bookings.

“We aim to offer a very fast turnaround for new villas. It takes only a few days to put a listing across Jittakarn Homjit our whole network. We use a professional photographer and copywriter to create the content, in order to make sure that the villa is presented in the best possible light. Then our software provides a dedicated availability calendar and an instant quotation and booking system with secure online credit card payment, which are key features that customers look for in any accommodation website.

“The online availability calendar can also be used directly by villa owners to view their bookings and to block the dates when they will be in their home.

“Our other focus alongside great customer experience is search engine optimization (SEO) and improving page ranking. This determines where a website will appear in search engine results. The parameters are constantly changing but I keep up to date with courses in Bangkok and we have a clear strategy to maintain our first page listing for certain keywords on all the major search engines (Google.com, Yahoo and Bing).

“In addition we are always developing new websites to build our brand, which has been in existence for ten years, and we have made professional translations of our content to push the brand into new markets in Asia and Europe – we recently started offering a Russian version of our main booking site, www.KrabiVilla.ru, for example.

“We are also pro-active in seeking online partners to market the villas. We have listings that have garnered excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and work with several travel agencies that increase the reach of the properties worldwide.

“This is really a never-ending job! Things move so fast in the internet world, whether you are talking about design or software and it is important to keep up, so we can maintain our position and improve sales.”

Home Improvement

Baan Oriental Whether increasing the value of your villa, or simply making your home more comfortable to live in, Ton Company helps you plan and deliver the right upgrades

Home makeovers have been in fashion for the last decade and the trend for all things déco seems here to stay. But what if the changes you wish to make to your home are not in the DIY category of painting walls or replacing the drapes?

For any substantial refurbishment, such as remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, it makes sense to call a professional to help. Be wary, however, of the jack of all trades who claims he can do it all. A basic kitchen refitting will require the skills of a draughtsman; a carpenter; an electrician; and a plumber – and this without including any finishings such as tiling and stone cutting (for countertops), all of which require specialist attention to be carried out properly.

This is why, in response to the increasing local demand for home improvement work, Ao Nang’s Ton Company has invested in a team of experts in each of these fields who come together on projects such as at Baan Lompai (see below), to ensure the vision of the home owners is translated correctly and to the proper standard.

The growth of home renovation in Krabi can partly be put down to the availability of new materials. “The recent opening of stores such as Home Pro has really changed the way people think about their homes,” says Pierre-Yves Loriers (Ton), the managing director of Ton Company. “If your house was built even five years ago, chances are you had an extremely limited choice of sanitaryware; built-in units were not an option; and instant electric heaters were the only way to get hot water.”

The improvement in the choice and standard of materials in Krabi now makes home upgrading almost a necessary investment in order to safeguard the value of your house. “In the villa rental market especially, we see more properties appearing,” says Ton. “It is important for owners to maintain quality in this competitive market.”

Some changes recommended by Ton Company to stay on top of the game are cosmetic: changing floor tiles to create a more modern look; or adding a semi-outdoor “spa-style” bathroom, for example. But some are also structural: redoing the plumbing to add a more energy efficient hot water boiler; or retiling the roof with the latest Dry Tech technology are just some ideas.

If possible when undertaking work, provide your building company with the original house plans. These are important in order for them to understand the way the plumbing and electrical systems – among other things – are laid out. “One of the biggest difficulties when carrying out a refurbishment is the unknown – you are never certain what you will discover once you start to break walls!” says Ton. “In order to avoid nasty surprises later (which could entail more work than originally planned), we try to assess all the risks from the start.”

BAAN LOMPAI: RENOVATION CASE STUDY

The owners of this private pool villa decided to modernize the property, which was built in 2003. The first task was to retile the entire floor surface, which had to date been covered with a motley collection of shades and patterns, in a neutral palette. Using the same, light-coloured tile throughout creates an impression of space and “flow” in the house.

Next was the creation of a new master suite, in a previously dark bedroom at the back of the villa. This was opened up with French windows onto the rear patio, and closet space was built in. Finally a new ensuite bathroom was added in an extension at the side of the house. This was designed in the latest “spa” style, with the use of plants and natural stone surfaces. The oversized bathtub and rain shower area are housed under a transparent, semi-open roof to allow maximum light.

The other two bathrooms in the house were also refitted with new sanitaryware and tiles, and each now has a walk-in rain shower.

The kitchen - which beforehand had limited built-in storage, as well as a breakfast bar and sink at an awkward height - was also completely renovated. The main counter was lowered, and built-in cabinets and a broom cupboard were added for storage. The sink was re-positioned with a new grease trap, and a dishwasher added. Finally Ton Company custom-designed a movable storage island and all counter tops were laid with black granite.

With such a major project, Ton Company also advised the villa owners to take the opportunity to redo the outdated electrical and plumbing systems and so Baan Lompai now has up-to-date wiring and a closed in technical room at the rear of property conveniently housing the water filter, pressure pumps and new hot water boiler.

Finally, outside the main house, the perimeter wall was extended higher; and a new pool shower was added. Unlike many contractors, Ton Company undertakes each project to the finish, which means that all the cleaning, repainting and replanting after such a massive job were taken care of, allowing the owners to move directly back into their transformed living space.

Krabi Villa Care and Management Service

Customer care is never an afterthought at Krabivilla.com, it’s at the very heart of everything we do. That’s why we even have a special Krabi Villa Care and Management Service devoted entirely to providing customers with supreme comfort, an outstanding level of customer service and complete peace of mind.

The Krabi Villla Care and Management Service guarantees that the security and maintenance of your Krabi villa is safely taken care of and that each and every villa guest receives the highest standard of accommodation and customer care, for an unforgettable holiday.

Our unique Krabi Villa Care and Management Service is split into two distinct packages, both of which can be tailor made to suit. The Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Owners is designed to cater for the owners of Krabi property, whilst the Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests focuses on providing our guests with a five star holiday experience. You can find out more about each of these unique services below.

Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Owners

The Krabi Villa Care Service for Owners has been specifically developed for Krabi home owners who don’t live in their property full time. Our comprehensive service ensures that your property is both secure and well maintained in your absence. We even provide a full villa rental program so that you can turn your property investment into a valuable source of regular income.

Villa Maintenance Program

It is an unfortunate fact that unoccupied properties are more at risk from break-ins, pest infestations and weather damage. The Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Owners provides an end-to-end and proactive property maintenance scheme that includes, but is not limited to:

Standard property upkeep and maintenance
Regular property visits to conduct damage inspection and assess repairs
Gardening
Pool cleaning and maintenance
General housekeeping tasks
Payment of utility bills and accounting

All work is carried out by a reliable team of dedicated, in-house professionals tasked with keeping owners costs to an absolute minimum. Our straightforward approach, open dialogue and years of property management experience have given countless customers the confidence to place their treasured property in our capable hands. Our villa maintenance program leaves you free from worry and simultaneously increases the value of your property investment by keeping it in tip-top condition and preventing the gradual deterioration that can occur if your property is left vacant.

Villa Rental Program

Our Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Owners also includes a full villa rental program for property owners keen to maximise their investment and earn a valuable rental income from their Krabi villa. Our all inclusive rental program includes a pro-active marketing campaign that exploits local media, the power of the internet and our own reputation as a brand leader in the Krabi area, to secure an impressive occupancy rate for your Krabi home. Krabi Villa will also act as your booking agent, with an effective on-line, instant booking service. In fact, we handle the entire holiday process from preparing the property for visitors and receiving guests, to managing their stay via our Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests, which has a proven track record in attracting a high level of repeat business. And while our villa rental program allows you to completely forget about the day to day running of your villa rental, we never forget that the property is yours first and foremost. We understand that although our priority is to provide you with a high rental yield, it is equally as important to offer you complete flexibility regarding access to your home.

And if you do decide to visit your property for a holiday of your own, you will benefit from our VIP arrival service - collected from Krabi airport, you will be whisked away to your own, freshly cleaned home where any stored possessions have already been unpacked and your fridge stocked with basic essentials. You will also enjoy the benefit of our Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests throughout your stay.

Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests

Based on the ‘serviced villa’ concept, the Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests provides customers with a truly five star experience that is simply unsurpassed. Our superior service is expressly designed to allow every guest the opportunity to relax and unwind in their own inimitable style and ultimately leave Krabi feeling totally refreshed and rejuvenated. It is enjoyed in the seclusion of one of our select, high specification Thai holiday villas which come complete with stunning gardens, private swimming pools, state-of-the-art kitchens, lavish bathrooms, generous bedrooms and delightful open plan living areas boasting all mod cons.

Our Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests is championed and managed by our company director who has extensive experience in the high end hospitality industry and a passion for first class customer service. It is delivered by a highly professional team of staff who are utterly dedicated to providing an attentive service and creating an atmosphere of warm hospitality, that leaves guests feeling seriously pampered. Our team are trained to recognise the unique requirements of each and every set of guests, be it a large family that requires frequent assistance or a young couple seeking more discreet attention.

This tailor made approach begins right at the very first customer contact, by following up every villa reservation with a personal confirmation. Upon arrival, guests are collected at Krabi airport and brought to their beautiful Thai villa with our complimentary airport transfer service and greeted by an English speaking concierge who will act as villa manager during their stay. The villa manager is on-call via a pre-charged villa mobile phone and can dispense a full range of services from arranging a fun excursion, to recommending a great Krabi restaurant. Guests can choose from an excellent selection of optional extras too, including personal catering and a range of in-house Thai massage and beauty treatments. And our unobtrusive villa manager instinctively knows when to melt away, leaving you free to enjoy your stylish holiday home and the delightful Krabi area in perfect peace and tranquillity.

Krabi Villa Care and Management Service for Guests includes, but is not limited to:

Round trip airport to villa transfer.
Complimentary Tuk Tuk service
Personal concierge
Welcome drink and fruit basket
Complimentary coffee, tea, mineral water and ice
Daily maid cleaning service
Laundry service (additional charge)
Pre-charged villa mobile phone
24 hour assistance
In villa Massage (additional charge)
In villa Thai Chef (additional charge)

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