I had similar experience that came out great. We were spending half of each year in US so we selected a trucked in wood house and a matching guest house since we would not be there during construction but would be there for installation. We had a pool built during our absence by a European contractor. Everything worked out great. One contractor oversold his abilities and had to be replaced and some electrical work had to be redone.
I bought a $50 ticket to Malaysia just in case when flying on a one way ticket on Korea Air. They asked to see it in Seattle on departure and again in Seoul.
In the US when you visit relatives you might take flours or food. In Thailand my Thai wife gives relative 1000 baht if we haven’t seen them in a long while. A buffet dinner is also a much appreciated gift as well.