Finding a handyman for small repairs in Bangkok

For those of you who live in Thailand, you will know what a path filled with error and error this seemingly small feat can be. Having lived in Bangkok for over 5 years, I can honestly tell you that everyone I've met has had the same bad experience to tell and 90% of the time, things that go wrong will go wrong! It truly is one of the most impossible places in the world to find a decent and reliable contractor who actually bothers about his work as much as his pay.

Let me just give you an example of how crazy things can get here. It's one of the funniest (yet all true) local stories you'll ever hear, posted by an expat on a Thai forum. Here's how his story goes:

"Just acquired a second-hand Volvo. I like to do my own repairs whenever possible so I replaced the timing and serpentine belts, air filter, changed the oil, etc.--routine maintenance stuff. While I was doing this at one point I lost track of my 10mm wrench and asked my wife to help me find it. That led to a discussion about the importance of keeping track of parts, tools, etc., which then led my wife to tell me that the Thais have a saying for all the extra bits left over after a job is done, "Farang Tam Gern," the gist of which means that those bits mean that farangs (or other foreigners) use too many parts! I had heard this said before long ago. Little did I know that I would see this in action the next day. I noticed that a brake hose was ratty so bought a set of four replacement hoses. I installed the first one without difficulty, but the rear hoses were in such a cramped area that it was almost impossible for me to get at them. I therefore decided to go down to my local garage and have them installed there. Well wouldn't you know it--I walked over to check the first hose after the mechanic had installed it and noticed that it had been installed without the anti-rattle clip that keeps it firmly in place. I scouted around the floor until I found it and presented it to the mechanic and asked him to make sure that those were installed with the hoses. I am sure he said to himself, Farang Tam Gern, or worse! Can't complain too much as labor for replacing three hoses ran to 400 Baht and they let me bring in the parts (try that in the US!), but the point of my story is that if you are using an non-authorized service center you should be very careful because this attitude is pretty common."

And so it is, for every trade and pratically every Thai person you deal with. Another really common problem here is that people just don't bother showing up, and neither do they believe in calling to inform you too. Doesn't matter if you've confirmed the appointment 10 times or just spoke to the guy 5 minutes ago. Even if he told you he was on his way, there is always that chance that he was on his way upcountry than to your home. More than 50% of the time, it's a no show and almost a 100% of the time they are late. I'm not talking about half hour or an hour late. I am talking about being a day late. Yup. Try and beat that! So, just when you have given up on anyone showing up and have managed to cowboy the job together, without any notice or call the handyman shows up at your door-step a day late for his appointment expecting a warm welcome!

My advice when looking for a handyman or contractor in Thailand is to contact a proper home improvement company rather than try to save a few hundred baht (a few dollars) by hiring Mr. Somchai from the village. Chances are he won't show up and if he does, do not expect the same kind of standards you are used to back home in the West. You get what you pay for and most of the time, these guys are not properly trained to do the job so beware of the safety implications!

In the end, all we can do is laugh and learn from the experiences of others and pray that it doesn't happen to us. If it does, Just remember I told ya so! :o)

This article was submitted by Lin Yee, a Chinese national who lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand.

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