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Managed to find a cheaper PE which is lower than the contractor's original PE quote. The contractor is agreeable to omit out the PE for me to engage my own. My PE also adviced us to pay the RTO separately and not through the contractor to avoid possible disputes. So at lease this part of the issue solved.

Thanks! I am enquiring with the bank on whether the contractor can do site clearance work without touching structural elements, until approval is obtained. Now I have a pressing question; after signing the contract/quotation 2 days ago, I recieved a mail from them to increase the PE fees from $15K(as quoted) to $18K stating that when the PE saw the drawings, their fees are higher due to 3 sty extension at the rear and front porch extension. a) Is it reasonable to pay the additional $3K ( as the PE is a 3rd party) or b) Should we stick to the agreed quotation; the contractor should have checked before quoting. c) Should the overall quotation be fixed; ie.contractor should have done their due diligence in pricing for scope. We are now worried that they will start claiming for items they missed out in their quote but reflected in the drawings. Appreciate feedbacks!

Hi, Heard that material price is going up and we are about to finalise the contractor. could you kindly pm me the contacts for marble supplier and also recommendation on materials. Thanks in advance.

Hi, the rto is in the quotation to be appointed by contractor, and we are still in the finalisation stage to confirm the contractor. So we don't know who the rto is.... Btw did any of you take a construction loan? Care to share the requirement? the banker wants us not to start any work until bca approval. But we want the contractor to start with non structural work first. How do you get your loan?

Thanks for the reply. Zooming in on one contractor. Anything to note and include in the agreement other than:- 1) construction schedule 2) payment schedule 3) drawings with annotation on intention and contractors quote as agreement ( to ensure most items included to avoid variation)

1) Possibility of reducing cost to around $260K for this extend of work? I do not know the extend of work. It is not uncommon for people to spend $400K to $600K on A&A. I know of someone who spent $900K on A&A too. Hence, $360K+ don't seem unreasonable. If you wish for forumers to give you more advice, you may want to detail the itemized works and costing. 2)There are many small time builders. Get to see some of their past works and talk to the owners for reference check before deciding. 3) Any experience of variation orders during construction; ie. contractors request for more money due to some situation during construction etc. Need to keep budget in check. Quite common for VO during construction when you add additional power point, lighting point, want more taps, want higher class sanitaryware, or evern variation to the design, etc... 4) If there is no architect, who inspects the work progress? Do you go down regularly etc? There should be an architect to sign off. In your case, did your contractor inform you that there is no architect? Thank you for your advice. Here are additional details. 1) Reducing the scope to:- Extent 4.2m at the rear - shift kitchen and toilet back for bigger dining area. Create an extra bedroom on 2nd and 3rd sty (parquet finish). (Existing 4 bedrooms, propose 6 bedrooms.) Re-configuration of walls at the rear to the maid and store. Relocating existing double glazed windows to the rear bedrooms to save cost. Other slide fold glass doors **** room and windows at front bedrooms will be normal aluminium single glaze. Re-tiling to 1st storey. Re-varnish existing parquet at bedrooms. New timber decking infront. Modify RC carporch to open balcony. Autogate and front boundary wall and small part of side wall. (All tiles, sanitary fittings, light fittings by us, owner...) Wondering if the following quote is the norm:- a) preliminaries ( precon survey, CCTV sewer, insurance, services detection, protection, signborad, scaffold) - $27,800 b) Clerk of work - $2500 c) PE including drawings and submission to URA & BCA - $20,000 ( As architect is not required for A&A, can omit off $5000); thus my enquiry on supervision if there is no architect. d) Electrical works are not quoted but to set aside $15,000 and $3000 for lightning protection. How is the payment to contractor done? Progressively upon their completion of certain works or by fortnightly ( irregardless of progress?). Do you impose liquidated damages, or retention fees if delay of work etc? Feedbacks are welcome. Thanks.

Hi, am new to this forum. Am in the process of selecting contractors ( shortlisted 2) and revising scope and cost for extending about 4.2m x 6m to the rear for a 3-sty corner terrace and converting the carporch into a open balcony. The intial quote was around $360K ++( including PE, submission but exclude finishes and lightings), and am now considering relocating existing double glazed windows instead of changing, and keeping most part of the boundary wall, to reduce cost. Would welcome some advice on:- 1) Possibility of reducing cost to around $260K for this extend of work? 3) Any experience of variation orders during construction; ie. contractors request for more money due to some situation during construction etc. Need to keep budget in check. 4) If there is no architect, who inspects the work progress? Do you go down regularly etc? Thanks in advance.