In the past decade, significant investment in Thai resort property has allowed construction companies and building firms in popular destinations like Koh Samui to enjoy a near constant flow of contracts and projects, both large scale and small. In many cases, the properties built are impressive and appealing to the international market, drawing investment from all corners of the globe.

The flip side to the building boom, however, was that developments were often built at breakneck speed using a high percentage of unskilled labourers and often without adherence to the standards required in more regulated parts of the world. A general lack of regulations and checks also meant little was done to control the impact of widespread construction in more remote locations and this sometimes led to serious environmental issues, not to mention structural problems appearing not long after the completion of a property.

As the building industry has expanded and developed on Koh Samui, the quality of construction services on offer has also improved. The island’s fame as a holiday and second home destination is gradually attracting more sophisticated home builders, which in turn means higher standards of professionalism with skilled building specialists such as RS Built now offering quality construction techniques, better materials and a more comprehensive focus on best practice throughout the construction process .

The general economic slowdown has inevitably caused consolidation in many areas of Samui’s economy, including within the property market. A positive effect has been that a number of the island’s less reputable construction firms have either closed up shop or moved on in search of more lucrative short term opportunities. This has allowed companies with experience and capital to establish themselves on the island, building a solid reputation for success and customer satisfaction. The local government on Koh Samui has also played a part in quality control by instigating more effective building codes and conducting site visits during different stages of a project to ensure local laws are followed. This has created a significantly more reliable investment environment for those looking to buy land and build their dream island home.

Professional home builders such as RS Built apply their own quality standards in order to offer investors the best possible techniques and products during a build. A full project specification and cost breakdown is provided before construction starts, and regular reports are provided to ensure the client is kept up to speed with progress. Companies like RS Built rely on their reputation, looking at each new project not only as one to add to their list of accomplishments, but also as a marketing tool to attract new clients. A professional approach to construction demands that the builder understands his clients’ needs and matches their expectations by providing consistently high levels of professionalism and site management. The firms that successfully achieve this continue to receive regular enquiries and take on projects in various locations around the island.