What kind of lifespan do condominiums in Thailand offer?
Within the last decade, Phuket has seen major growth within the condominium sector. As this is still a fairly new concept to those locals and others based in Phuket, people are now starting to ask the questions, such as what is the expected life span for a condominium building?
A fair question and an important one might I add.
In Thailand, a typical condominium building will be constructed using concrete and reinforced steel. A post and beam structure is used with reinforced concrete, along with brick and mortar walls. The building structure will almost always last longer than other components. Due to the weather out here, this type of
construction has proven to be the strongest and most durable. Of course, over time components break down and buildings deteriorate. When purchasing a property in a building it helps to know the correct age so you can keep on top of the maintenance.
Generally, the roof is always the first thing to need replacing. The roof’s life’s span can vary from 10-15 years, after this if problems persist then this should be replaced. Any buildings that include elevators should make sure these are serviced regularly and look to replacing these every 15-20 years.
Fortunately, as standards and quality of materials have improved a lot over the last 10 years and in terms of plumbing, this too has come a long way. If installed correctly this can remain operational for as long as 50 years. Windows too will have the same kind of durability, however over time resealing may need updating.
For a building to remain functional, it will require cyclical maintenance and replacement of most of its major components over time. Once a building reaches 50+ years, you can expect that is has been through a few major repairs.
As an owner, it is extremely important that your juristic body committee maintains and uses the best management companies so as to keep things in check all the time. Regular maintenance can preserve the building and give it a life span of 100+ years. In Thailand, it is common to enforce a sinking fund be paid during registration. This is an emergency fund that the juristic committee has access to in case something major needs repairing as a result of structural issues. Usually, this payment is a one-off and can only be used in such cases. Having such a fund in place plays a vital role in helping to preserve and maintain the building for the longest period possible.
