Avalon

kendo · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:51 am Post subject:

Dawn,
I have edited my post, sorry if it was me that ruffled your feathers,i am not trying to be smart just dont like people getting a raw deal, i am new to this forum stuff no offence intended. Mr. Green

caller · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 2:03 am Post subject:

sessachief · Amateur Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 31

Both my wife and I visited Avalon and Avalon 2 . The simple fact of the matter was a poor build quality and certainly poor design of the zone in general. Avalon 2 is better, but build quality is still poor.
Most people should see that. Clearly in Thailand Buyer beware.
I actually really liked the chap that showed us round, but even he was realistic about the quality!

johnnyk · Ace Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 1046

Every new build has problems and I had some as well, granted not nearly as severe as others.
But I was able to have them resolved without any public drama and in several other instances I got more than I asked for. Again, I can only speak from my own experience thus my statement that overall I am content with the house I bought.
I'm not unsympathetic to buyers who had big problems but from some of the things that were posted here previously I wonder how they approached things. Ranting and raving certainly don't get anything done here.
That's my 2 satang, I'm off.

caller · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 5:08 am Post subject:

Wanderlust · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

Dragon,
So far only one poster has responded that actually lives there - all the other responses have either been discussing the issues surrounding a previous thread concerning the developer, or have been people that only looked at the houses. I have only ever looked at the houses from a distance and i, like others, wasn't keen on the design, but that is just personal taste. My suggestion to you would be to visit the development you are interested in and knock on a few doors and speak to the people living there direct. You can also see at first hand any problems there may be, and armed with this knowledge make an informed opinion, as well as specify a contract that deals with these things (although these contacts are sometimes not easily enforced). As has been said many times before, buyer beware, and also if it seems amazingly cheap for what you are getting then the chances are it is not very good quality - you pays your money and you takes your chance. Good luck anyway.

huahinsimon · Professional Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 352

Super Joe · Ace Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 1194

trouble is 'most' property buyers wont help themselves
back home they would employ a surveyor to carry out a structural survey
they would employ a solicitor to cary out land searches and all the other legal issues

here 'many' believe what they read on the internet
'most' do not pay 2,000 baht to a local engineer to inspect the properties
'most' do not pay 8,000 baht for a solicitor to do a land title search
instead they believe what the developer tells them

in 4 years ive seen 0 engineer inspections, 1 land title search, 1 customers ask to see architects drawings and about 50/50 with getting solicitors to check contracts/leases

this environment facilitates the unscrupulous businesses to flourish, obviously these precautions can not prevent every eventuality, but they may the majority of disputes
.

pfotoguy369 · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 7:08 pm Post subject:

I actually live in Avalon full time. For the most part I like it here, It's quiet and far enough from town not to be bothered by it but close enough to get to when something is needed.

By biggest gripe would be water pressure or the lack of it at times.

Most of the problems I've had have been with outsiders meaning TOT wanting to rewire my house for Internet and trying to pull scams like telling me the plastic connection box was a lightning protection device and trying to charge an extra 300 baht for it.

Security seems to be OK (knock on wood) they drive around and check on things through the night and so far there have been no problems.

You have to keep in mind YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR COUNTRY and goods and services are not the same.

there's the right way and the Thai way and if you're going to live here you'll have to make some adjustments.

It's just Thai logic.
If you have a Thai driving license and you take it in before it expires as you normally would they extend it for 1 year. But if you let it expire and take it in they extend it for 5 years.
_________________
Foto

If you really didn't want to know the answer, why the hell did you ask me the question!!!

dtaai-maai · Guru Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 963 Location: Thailand

Super Joe · Ace Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 1194

foto, does that mean you have no water storage tank ?
if you do get a bigger pump, if you dont have a tank put one in, underground
.

miked · Specialist Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 133 Location: cha-am

i have been following this post with great interest. how do some of you expect quality in building from non qualified builders.?? every thai seems to be a "builder". if your having a house built and don't understand the building process then employ someone who does. if you don.t understand squaring the ground, hip joints and ridge tiles then again employ someone who does. i have lived in Thailad now for 15 months and in that time have only seen one foof constructed properly, and that is on a house is in Samut Songkhram. before you put your trust in a Thai "builder", have a good look at the electricty poles. try and spot one thats upright.
in my short time here i now understand that a Thai promise means nothing, a guarantee even less and a contract?? don't waste your time.
Thai's can build properly but will take every short cut they can. its up to you to control the building process. if you choose not to then don't complain when it all goes wrong. you are in control, you have the money and cash is king.
mike

miked · Specialist Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 133 Location: cha-am

just a point to add. i have never been to the Avalon development, but have only heard good things about it. i am under the impression that its a good quality development.

kendo · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 1:10 am Post subject: Re: Avalon

Miked,Sorry you are talking rubbish you cant stereotype every Thai builder it's no different from the U.K cowboys everywhere maybe a lot of sub standard building around HH is down to greed on the developers front,i have built a big villa up north in issan the builder was fantastic, the house is amazing, and no problems, if anyone would like to see they are welcome to have a look at my house, just PM me your e-mail.my house has been built to the highest standard and was very cheap, i think a lot of these developers have a lot to answer to, but thats all down to personal opinion, i am not a builder, but my thai wife project managed the house with me, over the internet perchased all the materials from 2 builders merchants (playing one off against the other) and had the builder on 3 prices one for the house, one for the perimeter wall, and one for the water tower and all these prices where on stage payments, no way was i ever going to get turned over by the builder.

sessachief · Amateur Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 31

If people believe Avalon is a quality build, then you deserve everything that befalls you. If one thinks Avalon is well priced and delivers for you, then that may well be the case. Prices at the start of project were very very reasonable, but quality no.
As I say I have looked at Avalon, and Camelot and several others in and around..Hua Hin. Re -sales are a bench mark sometimes!
Anyway buyer beware and you should not go wrong ! !