Renovation in Phuket — survey first, demolish second

What we renovate

• Whole-house and older-property renovation
• Villa refurbishment, including properties being prepared for rental
• Condominium and apartment renovation
• Bathroom and kitchen refits
• Shops, cafés and offices

What to inspect before you commit

Work down from what is hardest and most expensive to fix, because if those fail, the whole plan changes.

• Structure — cracking at columns and beams, settlement, and reinforcement condition in older coastal buildings
• Roof and water ingress — previous leaks, ceiling staining, gutter condition
• Electrical — incoming cable size, consumer unit and earthing, which rarely match modern loads in older houses
• Plumbing and drainage — concealed leaks and pipe falls
• Damp and mould, especially in houses closed up for long periods
• Termite damage to existing timber

Keeping a renovation budget under control

• Split the budget three ways: safety-critical work, work that improves how the place functions, and cosmetic work
• Finish all concealed services before any finishes go on
• Hold a contingency for what the demolition reveals — every renovation has some
• If funds are tight, complete one zone properly rather than starting several

Frequently asked questions

Renovate or rebuild?

If the structure is sound and the existing layout works, renovation is usually faster and cheaper. Once you are altering primary structure or rearranging nearly every room, the cost approaches new construction while you remain bound by the old building's limits. We price both options after the survey.

Do condominium renovations need approval?

Yes, and the conditions differ by building — working hours, use of the service lift, and which elements may be altered. We check the rules and prepare the submission.

Do we need to move out?

For single-room work, usually not. For whole-house work involving demolition and services, moving out temporarily makes the job faster and safer.