Hire a Designer
× Welcome back to the homeowners' community Log In with Facebook Log In with Google or
Remember Me Forgot Password?
If you are a provider click here to login Don't have a RenoTalk Account?
× Welcome back to the homeowners' community Sign Up with Facebook Sign Up with Google or Sign Up with Email By Signing Up, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy Already have a RenoTalk Account?
Renovation Details

Property Type

HDB

Condo

Landed

Commercial

Property Status

Area Size

Floor Plan (optional)

Renovation Details

Renovation Budget

Key Collection Period

Loan Required

I'm interested in free 12 month home insurance!

We provided protection for you and your family losses caused by any of the insured perils

Consent to contact
I confirm that the information I have provided is my personal data.
By providing this information, I understand that AXA Insurance Pte Ltd (collectively “AXA”) and their respective representatives or agents may collect, use, and/or disclose the information I have provided for the purpose of contacting me about products and services offered by AXA, and I give my consent for AXA and their respective representatives and agents to contact me for this purpose by Telephone, Text Message & Email.

*Terms and Conditions
This offer of the complimentary 1st Year free coverage for Smart Home Essential with basic Sum Assured of $50,000 on Fixttures, Fittings & Renovation, $250,000 Worldwide Personal Liability coverage is exclusively for RenoTalk visitors. Each participant is entitied to one time redemption only and the offer are not exchanged for cash. In consideration of Desmond Kwa Organisation’s collaborations with different corporations, each participant;s member is only entitled to one time. If you have previously enjoy a promotion from Desmond Kwa Organisation you will not be eligible for this offer.

*The offers are only valid for insurance plans purchased from AXA Financial Planners appointed by Frankie Tong Unit of Desmond Kwa Organisation, an agency unit representing AXA Insurance Private Limited. Frankie Tong Unit of Desmond Kwa Organisation reserves the right to change the terms and conditions without prior notice.

Disclaimers:
1. This form is not a contract of insurance. The precise terms and conditions of the plan are specified in the policy contract.
2. Buying a life insurance policy can be a long-term commitment. An early termination of the policy usually involves high costs and the surrender value payable may be less than the total premiums paid.
3. The above is for your information only and does not have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation and any of your particular needs. You may wish to seek advice from an AXA Financial Planner before making a commitment to purchase the product. In the event that you choose not to seek advice from an AXA Financial Planner, you should consider whether the product in question is suitable for you.
4. A product summary is available and may be obtained from AXA Insurance Private Limited and the participating distributors' offices. You should read the product summary before deciding whether to purchase the policy.
5. Buying health insurance products that are not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs.
6.Investments in investment-linked policies (“ILP”) are subjected to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The value of units in the ILP sub-fund and the income accruing to the units, if any, may fall or rise. You should read the product summary and the product highlights sheet (“PHS”) before deciding whether to subscribe for units in the ILP sub-fund. The product summary and the PHS may be obtained from a Financial Planner representing AXA Life Insurance Singapore Private Limited.
7. The insurance policy featured in this form is protected under the Policy Owners' Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you should you buy the policy. For more information on the types of benefi­ts that are covered under the Policy Owners' Protection Scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please visit the AXA website at www.axa.com.sg or visit the LIA or SDIC websites (www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg) for a copy of the SDIC Guide on PPF Scheme (Life Insurance).

Contact Information

Name

Contact Number

E-mail

Our team will contact you shortly after you submit this request. Do ensure that your contact details above are correct.

By submitting, you are accepting our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

What's in it for me? 5 Quotations (up to) from reputable interior designers FREE Curated Renovation Packages 24 Hour quick turnaround Join the growing 46,923satisfied homeowners
Your Renovation Budget? Homeowners with similar property type spend $35,000 SGD on average
"I Saved Up to 50%" Ashok Kumar, Homeowner "I was so stressed while looking for a good interior design company, so I'm really grateful to have stumbled upon Renotalk as they streamlined this tedious process by half! The condominium packages were a bargain, and I can safely say I've saved up to 50% from them."
Send me goodies, exclusive deals, and Inspiration for my home! We pinky promise not to spam your mailbox! Sign me up
"I Saved Up to 30%" Muhammad Fahmi, Homeowner "I used RenoTalk's method of getting quotes and received many attractive packages without hassling & bargaining! I even gained an extra 30% value and better service from the Renovators!"
×
Maintenance Details

Property Status

What service do you need?

Network Services
Mover
Storage
Aircon Services
Electrician
Home Automation
Caterer
Carpentry
Flowers Delivery
Painter
Laundry System
Landscaping

Contact Information

Name

Contact Number

E-mail

Our team will contact you shortly after you submit this request. Do ensure that your contact details above are correct.

By submitting, you are accepting our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

What's in it for me? 5 Quotations (up to) from reputable interior designers FREE Curated Renovation Packages 24 Hour quick turnaround Join the growing 46,923satisfied homeowners
Send me goodies, exclusive deals, and Inspiration for my home! We pinky promise not to spam your mailbox! Sign me up
"I Saved Up to 30%" Muhammad Fahmi, Homeowner "I used RenoTalk's method of getting quotes and received many attractive packages without hassling & bargaining! I even gained an extra 30% value and better service from the Renovators!"
×

Insider Tips: Renovation Planning & Mistakes to Avoid

Interior Design & Decor

15371 views

15371 views

Renovation of your home is one of the pivotal moments in your life. Not to be dramatic here, but depending on how well-prepared you are, it can either be an enjoyable journey and memory... or it can be a total nightmare. In this article, we will reveal a few crucial tips to help you prepare and handle your home renovation project like a Pro, whether you're a first-timer or not. What we've disclosed here are not exhaustive, and we will be updating this post from time to time. Without further ado, let's dive it!


1. YOUR RENOVATION BUDGET - KNOW YOUR NUMBERS BEFORE MEETING INTERIOR DESIGNERS

It is a big mistake to NOT have a renovation budget. No matter how rich you are. And it is also unwise to have a wrong budget -- this usually happens to those who are renovating for the first time, or not doing enough market research before meeting interior designers.

Firstly, if you're not aware of this yet, on average, the interior designer's profit margin is around 20% to 30% (or more, if they are those "branded" or premium IDs). The newer (or nicer) IDs may be willing to charge lower (15% margin) to fight for some market share in this red sea industry.

But knowing this fact does not mean you should lowball your interior designer... because they also have a family to feed. And due to miscalculations and unexpected events sometimes, they may have lower profits or even lose money.

That said, knowing this information, you are in a better position to bargain for a discount on your renovation package. Depending on the amount of work required, you can usually ask for a discount ranging from 3% to 7%.

Another way you can save money is to buy the home accessories yourself. But be sure to ask for your interior designer what to buy exactly, and shop only at the vendors they frequent. This way you can get 5% to 10% discounts on the items (otherwise given to your ID as referral fees), and avoid buying the wrong sizes or types from other vendors.

Also, do be mentally prepared to spend a little more (10% - 20%) outside of your initial budget. Because it is quite common that we over-estimate what our budget can get us.

Protip: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER reveal (either verbally, in writing (your messages), or via body language) that you need the job done urgently -- and always ask for a progressive payment scheme instead of lump sum payment.


2. INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS - YOU DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW THEM... REALLY

As much as you want your interior design to be up-to-date, be careful not to try and blend too many trends into your home. Just like fashion, what looks good on someone else may not look the same on you. The key is to consider your interior design choices based on your personal needs and lifestyle.

As you'll be staying put for quite a while, it is important that you choose a practical interior design style that will complement your lifestyle... and better, increase the value of your property.

If you really want to incorporate a certain hot trend or style, be sure to check with an experienced interior designer on how to do it the smart way -- which means taking into consideration the option of transitioning into another style in the future without making any huge revamp.


3. YOUR RENOVATION CONTRACT - BE SURE TO CHECK THOROUGHLY

Whether your interior designer is some kind of award-winning big shot or he's highly recommended by someone, you still must carefully check (and fully understand) your renovation contract details. That means checking if your black and white includes the exhaustive list of works, materials, and all of the costs involved in the entire project.

As your renovation will go through a few different stages, be sure to see if your ID or contractor includes a comprehensive breakdown of the scope of renovation work (and costs) for each stage -- including the design and space planning fees, consultation and project management fees, coordination charges... and of course, the labour charges, materials, fixtures, and accessories for each and every part of your home.

And for the payment terms, be sure to NOT to make a large deposit (or worse, full payment) to your interior designer or contractor BEFORE the renovation even begins (or even at the early stages of the renovation).

Always check (and double check) both schedule and payment terms before (and when) you sign the contract. I'm sure you have heard of homeowners who trusted their interior designer or contractor too much and paying them off too early... ended up getting delayed completion (and even non-completion) for their renovation.

And though it sounds like common sense, please make payment ONLY to the company, and not to the designer or contractor, no matter how much you trust them.

If your interior designer or contractor promised you a discount during your consultation, check if they mentioned it in the contract too. And of course, always ensure there are clear workmanship warranty and dispute resolution clauses included. Unless you're the 100% hands-off type, you might want to include a proper variation clause which allows certain flexibility to make minor changes in the middle of your renovation project.


4. CHOOSING THE RIGHT INTERIOR DESIGNER OR RENOVATION CONTRACTOR

If you're going to spend a significant 5 or 6 figure on your renovation, it makes sense to go the extra mile to find a professional interior designer you can truly entrust your home and money to.

Firstly, resist the urge of choosing the cheapest interior designer, contractor, materials, fittings, etc. Because frankly speaking, there are very few "cheap and good" deals around. As the saying goes, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".

When choosing interior designers, emphasize quality by checking their previous interior design work thoroughly, as well as transparency (honesty) and flexibility to accommodate your design ideas. Always go for quality when it comes to choosing your materials, fittings and appliances because they will increase the value of your property... and because your family deserves the best.

Besides digging up reviews of the company, it's worth to note that you should also find someone who has "chemistry" with you. Someone who can easily understand what you want even during the first meeting. This is a crucial element you must consider BEFORE the price factor.

A great interior designer would be the one who can advise you objectively, including pointing out where your ideal design ideas can be improved and where costs can be saved.

Protip: Beware of those "everything also can" IDs. These guys will say yes to any requests or ideas you have to close the deal. But once they get your money, their attitude will change faster than you can blink!

If they're really good (or unless you're really savvy yourself), chances are, they should be able to advise better ways of implementing certain design ideas. So remember, you are not looking for a "Yes Man", but someone who'll go the extra mile to educate you while making your dream home come true.

Make it a point to visit renovation forums and really study the feedback from the users there to discover the trustworthy interior designers and renovation contractors. But be careful of "phantom users" who claim to be homeowners when in actual fact they are IDs promoting themselves.


WHAT TO DO NEXT FOR YOUR HOME RENOVATION

We hope that you've gained some useful insights so far.

The next thing to do is to make a checklist of your own and discuss with your spouse on your renovation plans, including research, sourcing of IDs and renovation contractors, planning or revising your renovation budget (and contract if you have), site inspection (yes, it is good to be present at least once at each stage of the renovation), etc.

If you wish to avoid the hassle of researching for reliable IDs yourself, then let us screen the interior designers and contractors for you. Request for up to 5 renovation packages for comparison here now.


P.S. What we've disclosed here are not exhaustive, and we will be updating this post from time to time.


Header image credit: NID Design Group


Request for quotes and we'll match you with a selection of Interior Designers!

Previous

Top 3 Most Unsuitable Floorings To Have If You Live With Your Grandparents

Next

5 Things Interior Designers & Contractors Are Frequently Accused Of
getbuzz_103869736627647014230

Great post, If you want re innovation of Garden you can contact these guy for landsacping services singapore http://creativelandscape.sg/

Interested in Renovating your home, offices & retail shops?

Request for quotations here

Name

Contact Number

E-mail

Renovation Type

By submiting your request, you are accepting to our Terms of use and our Privacy Policy

...

You may also be interested in

What To Look For In Your Interior Designer
7 Renovation Problems To Avoid
6 Interior Design Ideas That Could Increase Your Home Value
How to Protect Your Renovation: Get a Reliable Renovation Contractor!
Budgeting for a Renovation
×

Sending Enquiry

Name Email Contact Number What is your preferred time

Anytime

Between
8am - 12pm

Between
12pm - 6pm

Between
6pm - 12am

Enquiry Sending Enquiry to