boonkhim

I did. Although the contractor is a recommendation from my ID. My ID only come up with the design and drawings. Her takings is 10% of the final bill. I chose her contractor cos they have been working together for some time and also to ensure there's co-ordination between them.

that's a very expensive headboard. But maybe that also depends on the size of the headboard?

I want to do up a photo wall in my place, and looking for reasonably priced photo frames. Looking for plain black ones with glass. The ones at Ikea are ok design wise, but they are plastic. Any other place to recommend that sells photo frames?

For me, I would choose granite. cos i don't want my kitchen top to look like those in the coffeeshop (not sure is it cos no maintenance or what but they look dull and unappealing). But having said that, it also depends on the laminates that you are choosing for your kitchen cabinet and whether it matches the kitchen top that you have chosen.

Hi Where can I find the most selection of bar stools? I need one with metal legs (non swivel-able). Thanks

usually it's held in september, once a year.

Hi I did went to four ID firms (excluding hers) and a contractor for quotes. The IDs gave me roughly the same amount and the contractor never get back to me (don't know is it cos they are too busy or what? tired of chasing him for quote) Compare to the quote I got from those 4 firms, i must say not much difference. The reason why I chose her is her credentials.

For my case, its slightly more expensive but partly its due to some of things that we have chosen such as the caesarstone top. Plus she can't not charge us the 7% GST. A note of clarification - she is from an ID firm but the firm mainly provide consultation. They have a list of contractors that they use.

My ID works that way too. She only comes up with the design and does coordination work between us and the contractor. She gets 10% of the final bill. I chose to do this way cos I don't have the time to co ordinate/supervise the contractor. (I have two kids and my husband is always traveling). Time is previous. So I prefer to let her handle the above. Basically, what she did was she will choose all the bathroom fittings, sink, taps and show us pictures, we select from there. So far only went with her to choose the tiles. We bought the hood, hob, heater, oven and told her when's the delivery, she will co-ordinate the rest. She also get quotations for us. We mainly communicate through emails, sms and phone, unless we need to go to her place to select materials, paint color etc. The downside, of course, is the cost. But for me, its money well spent. And most importantly, you must trust the ID.

what abt legrand mallia series?

You can try Diethelm furniture. Bought my computer chair from them 8 years ago and its still good despite 'abuses' from my two kids. http://www.diethelmfurniture.com/

So far I only managed to find one combination microwave / grill oven, the brand is Brandt. and it costs $1499. Are there any other brands in Singapore with this feature?

Can try: 1. Platform 2. Perswood 3. Jasons Parquet 4. Dr wood Please feel free to add on to the above list.

I'm not doing any fancy TV console or feature wall for my resale flat, just kitchen cabinets and MBR wardrobe. No major hacking of walls either. In such case, I don't see the need to engage an ID. The actual renovation work is simple and can be done by a contractor. But I am looking for a professional to advise on interior decorating aspects - · Wall color · Wall paper · Sofa, coffee table, artwork · Layout of furniture · Floor color · Wardrobe laminate color and finish Any such firms in Singapore, providing interior decorating advice?

I agree but unless you have the luxury of time (ie you need not move out of your current place for the buyer in the stipulated time frame), you need to hunt/shortlist an ID or contractor first base on the floor plan. Things that have been changed by the seller, all I can do is, describe as best as I could. That is why it is very frustrating that the contractors are refusing to quote me base on the floor plan. After all, that is what quotation are for. It is just a quote. Anyway, one would only have the key to the flat in question after the second appointment.

Are there ID companies around that are happy to provide advisory services only? Meaning just use them to advise on wall color, furniture, lighting, wood flooring, etc but not to do the actual contractor work.

So far I don't have problems with IDs, all respond quickly and very professional. Unfortunately quotations are also sky high. The problem I have is with contractors. Recently I called one and he refused to give quotation unless he view the flat. Is this normal?

So far I've been quoted $7.50psf by one flooring company, for burmese teak wood (parquet sized strips). Is this about the market rate?

hi Not Mace, but I have been using sofix to clean my laminate. Its good and cleans well. I always stock up when carrefour has a sale on sofix. Best price. Two bottles for only $12++.

I called up two different contractors for quotation, they were recommended by friends & relatives. But they refuse to meet up. Asked me to fax over floorplan and requirements, which I did. Never hear from them again after that. Its been 1 month already. In the meantime, I have seen 5 IDs and got excellent service. Unfortunately quotations are on the expensive side (> $50k). I want to compare how much cheaper is it to do my reno via contractor, but if I need to chase them even for quotation, then I can't imagine how much chasing I need to do during the actual work. Do you guys get the same kind of treatment from contractors?

not quite sure what is the correct term for that piece of wood/joining/divider that is on the bedroom entrance. one of the bedroom that has laminate flooring has it but not the other. therefore i thot that room was parquet flooring.

i see... cos I couldn't see the groove in the other bedroom so i thot its parquet.

hi can check something - all the three bedrooms uses different flooring? one of them is laminate, the other wood flooring, is it laminate or parquet? thanks

I'm thinking of finding my own flooring specialist, wardrobe and kitchen cabinet specialists to do up my place, so only need a contractor to hack existing tiles, build up walls, fix doors and windows, rewiring, plumbing. Are there contractors out there willing to take up this kind of "small job"?

If I engage a contractor (instead of ID firm), will I be limited by choice of tiles and laminate finish for carpentry? I know they always bring you to one or two tile shops, and have a catalogue of laminates right? What if we can't find anything we like? Can we go to more specialist shops like Stiles, Goodrich, Lamitak? Will they refuse, even if we are willing to pay more? My friend said that some of these contractors have exclusive agreements with certain tile shops, therefore you must get your tiles from these shops. Even if you offer to pay more they also refuse. Got such thing ?