Building a house in Sri Lanka while you live overseas

01 How it works, step by step

1. Talk to us. Send us what you have: the plot, a sketch or a full set of drawings. We’ll tell you honestly whether we’re the right fit. The first conversation and the site visit cost nothing.
2. Design. Architectural, council, structural and MEP drawings, prepared in-house or alongside your own architect, with help getting the building permit.
3. The BOQ. Our quantity surveyor prepares a priced, line-by-line bill of quantities before anything is committed. We guarantee 95% BOQ accuracy.
4. Construction. A site meeting every week, photographs every week while you’re away, and progress measured and billed against the BOQ.
5. Handover. A defects list closed out before we hand over the keys, then a one-year defect liability period.

02 Staying in control from abroad

• You see the site every week. Photographs of the work, stage by stage, so you never have to wonder.
• Every payment matches measured work. Progress is measured on site and billed at the rates in the BOQ you agreed, so you pay for what has been built.
• The people you agreed the job with are on site. Anuk Shanen Perera, civil engineer and partner, is on site across every active project. Madusha Hapuarachchi, quantity surveyor and partner, measures the progress you are billed for. Meet them.
• One number for everything. Message or call +94 77 777 1201 on WhatsApp, whatever your time zone.
• Changes priced before they’re built. If you change your mind about something, ask for the cost first, so the final bill holds no surprises.

03 Paperwork to plan for

• Drawings and the building permit. These must be approved before work starts. We prepare council drawings and help with the permit.
• Someone to sign locally. Some steps need a signature in Sri Lanka. A trusted family member, or a power of attorney, can do this for you. Ask a lawyer which documents you need.
• A record of every payment. Keep each bill and its measured progress together, so you always know what has been paid for.

04 When you’re in Sri Lanka

Plan a visit while you’re home. Walk through our model house in Periyamulla to see the finishes and the standard of work, meet us at the office in Negombo, near the airport, and visit your site with us. Book on WhatsApp.

05 Questions people ask

Can I build a house in Sri Lanka without being there?

Yes. With a BOQ agreed before work starts, weekly photographs and payments billed against measured progress, you can follow the build from anywhere. Plan a visit or two at key stages if you can.

How will I know the work is being done properly?

You see photographs of your site every week, and a civil engineer checks the work on site. Each bill is backed by progress measured against the BOQ.

How do payments work if I’m abroad?

Progress is measured on site and billed at the rates in your BOQ, so each payment matches work that has been done.

What about time zones?

They’re fine. Message us on WhatsApp at +94 77 777 1201 whenever suits you.

Can you work with my architect?

Yes. We prepare drawings in-house, or work alongside your own architect. See design and estimates.

Where do you build?

Across Negombo and Sri Lanka’s west coast, from Chilaw to Kalutara and inland to Gampaha. We take on coastal villa projects selectively beyond this, including on the south coast around Galle and Unawatuna.

How do I choose a builder from overseas?

Use the same checks as anyone else, and ask how you will see progress while you’re away. Our guide to choosing a home builder in Sri Lanka lists them.