Koh Samui has in recent decades blossomed into a second home destination for international visitors seeking to invest in a tropical lifestyle. The island has taken slow but steady steps in improving its infrastructure, and now boasts a wealth of dining outlets, shopping centers, and all the necessities to ensure long term livability, including international schools and hospitals. Bangkok Airways, the main carrier that feeds traffic into the island, has been increasing its code-share partners worldwide to bring in more visitors, many of which are flocking to the host of five star hotels, which now include the likes of InterContinental, Conrad, Banyan Tree, and Four Seasons. In its infancy, there were some instances of unscrupulous developers and builders delivering less than the dream home that was originally sold, but with the overall evolution of the destination, many reputable companies have since been credited with handing over properties fit for an island paradise.

The story of the three little pigs may be a children’s tale, but the moral it teaches might as well be literally written for the construction industry. The purchase of a home, whether it’s a first or a second holiday getaway, is likely for many to be the biggest investment in a lifetime. How safe a house is built can be a matter of life and death, and the quality of finishings is instrumental in adding value and longevity to the property. Some developers offer a turn-key service, providing the full gamut of third party services, starting from legal services, and including architects, builders, decorators, and landscape designers. Some would-be homeowners who are experienced in the building trade might attempt to buy a plot and gather their own team to build the house. However skilled you may be, it is always advisable to seek the advise of a local professional builder such as RS Built that has experience with luxury properties on the island.

What many who attempt to go the D-I-Y route fail to remember is that the surroundings factor into the building process itself. Professional companies like RS Built are well equipped and have experience in dealing with Samui-specific issues, such as steep slopes that many of the villas are built on. Drainage and the amount of rainwater run-off, especially during the monsoon seasons, should also be kept in mind, and the build materials used should be only those that are fit to tolerate the tropical humid climate. Windows and doors should be built to maximize natural ventilation without sacrificing on the vistas. Certain tropical trees and shrubbery should be planted in the garden to not only provide privacy and shade, but also to prevent soil erosion. As many of the earlier builders found out, savings made on inferior materials only add up to significantly higher maintenance and material replacement bills in the long run.

After a luxury property is completed to the highest of standards, one important service that is often overlooked is property management. The service may not seem as important as getting the correct plumbing and electrical wiring installed, but the only way to make sure a dream home stays attractive is by making sure it’s managed properly. Other than keeping the repair bills low, well maintained homes naturally attract more guests, which is a popular way for homeowners to see some return on their investment while they are not staying at the holiday home. Should the homeowner decide to sell their property one day, having a well built and finely maintained luxury home will only add to the value of the transaction.