In the bad old days, building a home on Koh Samui was much like flipping a coin. You might get a solid structure built to appropriate safety codes, or you might get something thrown up by an underpaid and uncaring crew of workers getting over last night’s revelry. The latter resulting in a perpetual headache rather than a dream come true.

Fortunately, nowadays things are different. In the wake of Koh Samui’s emergence as world holiday hotspot, the island got into gear in improving its infrastructure and enforcing its building regulations more carefully. Money has poured in from private foreign investors and the national government in Bangkok and the effect has been impressive with a significant shift in terms of quality construction that has seen professional firms like RS Built establish themselves on the island providing professional services and creating villas that match the best in the world in terms of quality standards.

Many of the buildings under construction by such reputable firms on Samui today adhere to strict international building codes, making them safe, attractive and durable, even in a tropical climate. Some construction firms are also embracing the “green” revolution in building design, and new structures are increasingly utilizing innovations such as solar energy and water collection systems to harness Koh Samui’s environment for the maximum benefit of investors and residents.

Increasing numbers of savvy, experienced buyers have played a role in the island’s improvement. As Europeans and North Americans have become more aware of Samui’s appeal, foreign hotel chains and luxurious private villas have sprung up to meet the demand for top of the line accommodation. These investors in turn put pressure on construction firms to greatly improved their own products and match ever higher standards. Companies that rise to the challenge like RS Built now import expertise and materials from abroad, which can be an expensive practice on an island, but proves worth it for their customers and therefore their reputation.

It is a welcome sight to see the care the best villa builders operating on Koh Samui are now taking with the environment. In too many other resort destinations around the world, short-sighted developers have put up eyesores and destroyed the natural surroundings, in effect destroying the very appeal that made the destination popular in the first place. This is not the case on Koh Samui, where firms such as RS Built have gone out of their way to help preserve the fragile island ecosystem. Green designs are just the beginning, as firms seek to one continually improve their approach and show their commitment to the environment. In the end, everyone wins.

Building a villa or other property on Koh Samui is no longer a venture fraught with risk. With a reasonable amount of research and by contracting the right firm, the process can be a fun and safe way to realise the property of your dreams at a price that won’t turn that dream into a nightmare. Local firms like RS Built are reliable and environmentally responsible, ensuring your villa in paradise will still be part of that paradise for years to come.