Now based in Singapore, Aga and his wife have loved Bali for a long time. They decided to build a home here and chose to invest in a new development in Canggu. On their YouTube channel, they explain all the details of their build as they document their experience. Now in the final stages of their build, we sat down to discuss building in Bali.
Who are you and where are you from?
My name’s Aga. I was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Australia. Over the years, I’ve worked and travelled all around the world, but for the past 10–11 years, I’ve been based in Singapore.
What brought you to Singapore?
I run an AI consultancy where we focus on automation and AI agents. That’s what keeps me there now, but I originally moved because my previous company in Brisbane was bought by a Singaporean firm. I went up for what I thought would be a two-year transition… and never went home!
I know that feeling! So what drew you to Bali, and how often have you been coming?
My love affair with Bali started right after high school. My first trip here was with friends — we stayed in a tiny shack in Kuta for about five bucks a night, no hot water, but free banana pancakes and tea. I thought it was amazing.
Fast forward a few years, I met my wife in Melbourne, and our first date was actually in Bali. A friend was DJing here, so I invited her along. That trip kicked off a period where we were flying back almost every month for birthdays, reunions, and holidays. Bali’s always had a special place in our hearts.
Being based in Singapore, is it easy to pop over?
Yes, exactly! Bali’s only two hours away, so I come regularly. Over the past year, with our villa build, I’ve been visiting at least once a month, and closer to completion, almost every two weeks.
Why did you decide to invest in Bali?
We sold our Brisbane apartment about a year ago. The Australian property market’s crazy right now. We started looking at other options — Europe, other parts of Asia — but Bali made the most sense. It’s close, we love it, and we’ve spent years here. So, investing here felt natural.
Once you decided to invest, how did you choose where to buy?
My wife and I don’t have kids, so our priorities were different — great restaurants, gyms, social spaces, and a lively atmosphere. We focused on Canggu and Pererenan because they offered that balance, despite the traffic headaches.
After exploring Uluwatu, Seminyak, and other areas, we chose “Canggu Hill” near Surya Gym. Our villa’s right at the top of the hill, overlooking the rice fields.
Did you consider building on your own or did you go with a developer?
We went with a developer. We’re just not experienced enough to manage a full build remotely, even though Singapore is close. Plus, Bali’s full of horror stories about construction gone wrong!
We wanted less stress, so we worked with a developer recommended by our real estate agent. At the time, it was literally just a hole in the ground. Other developers had show villas, but we chose this one because the land frontage was 50% bigger for the same price. That extra space was a huge factor.
How was the design process with the developer?
They had a base layout — pool, floor plan, bedrooms — but allowed us to make changes. For example, we reconfigured the main bathroom, added a bathtub with rice-field views, installed a skylight, and eventually built a rooftop terrace.
They were very receptive to changes, which was great, but it also meant we had to stay on top of communication. Things like electrical wiring don’t automatically get moved when you change walls — that was a surprise!
Tell me about the villa itself.
It’s a two-bedroom, three-bathroom villa over two levels. It has:
- Large pool with a sunken outdoor dining area
- Open-plan kitchen, dining, and living with glass walls that open fully
- Two bedrooms upstairs with a void above the dining area
- A rooftop terrace with a pergola, bar, and uninterrupted sunset views
That terrace was the best decision we made. Watching the sunset there makes all the stress worth it.
Were there any challenges during construction?
Plenty! The biggest one was decking. Our original contractor ran off with our deposit — not just ours, but two other villas’ deposits too. We had to hire a new contractor through our interior designer and chase the money later.
We also had delays due to rainy season, and since we’re based in Singapore, there were moments when we really needed eyes on the site to avoid costly mistakes.
How’s the villa holding up now, especially with Bali’s recent rain and flooding?
Pretty well overall. We had some minor leaks in the void glass panel after heavy rain, but the developer has been excellent. We have a 12-month warranty — longer than most — and they’ve been proactive about fixing issues.
Was your developer based in Bali?
They’re based in Jakarta but fly in regularly. We’ve had such a good experience that we’re actually buying another property from them.
For anyone thinking about building in Bali, what advice would you give?
There’s lots to consider:
- Do proper due diligence — check land rights, zoning, and future developments nearby.
- Hire a good notary — ours was amazing, caught things missing in the contracts, and saved us headaches.
- Get everything in writing — especially with design changes.
- Expect surprises — Bali has a “that’s Bali” culture. Things will go wrong, but staying calm helps.
- Visit regularly or hire someone you trust — you need eyes on the ground to avoid costly mistakes.
Building in Bali is a rollercoaster. There are delays, miscommunications, and unexpected costs, but if you work with the right people and stay flexible, it’s absolutely worth it. Watching our first sunset from the rooftop… all the stress melted away.
Photos by Aga
Follow Aga’s build journey on YouTube HERE
If you are building in Bali (or have just finished) and would like to be featured in our Build Diary, please contact us at admin@bali-interiors.com
