GreenTur2011

Hi there, of course i can understand that each will have their own idea of how they want their individual house to be. but if the architect or builder is getting 2 jobs/project together, they might be able to offer a better deal. e.g. the increased amount of raw material, e.g. bricks, steel, piping etc. will get them a better price from their supplier. as for the architect,they will be earning from two project instead of one. and if we source for our own tiles and others accessories like toilet fitting, door & windows , volume will add to negotiating power, no?. just my 2 cents worth of thought. At present i have narrow down to 2 architect , both quoting 30-35k for architect & PE service . if yours can offer a better rate, i dont mind giving them a call. Alternatively, most buidler charges 38-45k for the same services. Sure 5,10k is not much if you consider the overall charges of rebuilding - but this saving can then be use for other stuffs. BTW, i got a rough est. for building a BIPV solar roof. And if someone has already installed it on their roof, can you help by letting me know how much did you pay, who is your spplier/contractor and your rating on the overall performance of the company and their product? Much appreciate it. BTW, i am not just looking for cheap deal but fair deal. From most of the architect & builders i talk to or contact so far, for someone out to build a simple, down to earth house - i just feel that a lot of the services & cost are overprice.i mean, building a fancy house with fancy design, window/doors, interior decoration is cheaper than a simple, down to earth house with no interior decoration?? i fail to see the logic behind this?

I am also in the process of looking for an architect and builder. can you pm me your architect & builder? The QS - did the architect help you to find him or you found him thro other mean?

I have bought a landed property recently & plan to rebuild it to a 2.5 storey house. But after searching and asking round, I found that many a architect and builders has quote the prices and fee on a higher side than i expected.(ok, i expected an increase in price, but a 60% increase within 6 months? seem kind of ridiculous.) I am thinking that may be we will have more negotiating strength in numbers. Anyone interested? it will also cut down a lot of sourcing time. We can share information as well as negotiate for better price. I am thinking of getting an architect to do the drawing, find a demolition company to do the demolition (if cheaper this way), find a builder to build the basic structure (of which the tiles etc. will be supply to them). this way, we can help each other - building price as well as on look out for cheap tiles (during warehouse sales), negotiate on tiles prices etc. P.S. if you have strong negotiating talent, I really need your help!

i have approach an architect who quote me 35k (the lowest so far). but the same architect did for 22k for one of the forum writer. when ask, he says cos there were 2-3 project together. maybe if we can work together, we can cut down on the prices.

hi pantieileen, thanks for the inform. i try sourcing from the internet, maybe just my luck that most of them turn out to be LV architect. Btw, where did you find your down to earth katespade architect? from the builder? or did you source for them separetly? i got a list from the yellow pages, should i start calling them one by one.....

hi victor, could you pm the contacts for your builder? and how do you get to know abt the warehouse sales? thro the newspaper? thanks.

I am glad you are happy with the outcome of your house. could you pm me your architect & contractor contact? Thanks.

Hi all, I am new here and would appreciate some advice. I just bought an old house and plans to tear it down and rebuild. Btw, its a small 1400 sq ft place. Actually, i visited the forum a year back and has some idea but now i feel very frustrated cos what the architect & builder told me is completely different. Initially i want to build a small basement (for the bomb shelter & laundry etc), i was expecting it to cost maybe 100k or so, but the builder told me it will add 300k to build it. Isn't ridiculous? I also went to an architect (who suppose to be a friend of a friend of a friend - and so much for "friend") and he quoted me 50k for his services, not inclusive of TOP survey and submission fee. But i read from the forum that some of your architect charges round 22-30k. ??? I mean - am I a carrot or what? So far, of the six builder i approach - i have unpleasant experience from 4. The moment i told them what i want - which is a simple house with none of the fancy stuffs, their attitude changes. Either they become dis-interested or quote you something unreasonable( e.g. they say they can build a 2.5 storey all in for 500k, but quote me 600k to just build the structure of my house.) Has their business become so good that they can afford such arrogant? If anyone can recommend a good & sincere architect and builder, it would be great. Btw, does the architect just draw up the plan for the house? Thanks for any help you can give.