The headache of selecting an ID
Although our friends advised to get the IDs to meet us at our convenience, we tried to always make the trip down to their offices to get a better feel of their design aesthetic. We prepared a package containing the floor plan, mood board pictures and design requirements and sent it out to the various IDs
1st Round:
1) Metamorph Design - The first ID to reply to our inquiry. Met the boss who was patient and understanding: we mistook the office address and as a result were late for the appointment by an hour. He showed us a couple of his previous works which would fit our style, and addressed the list of requirements we had sent. One of the few IDs who bothered to read through our brief prior the the meeting. Arranged for a 2nd meeting to look at their design.
2) Association - We were really looking forward to meeting them, especially after looking at their portfolio. We really hit it off with the boss, he understood our design requirements and we felt that his style was the closest to what we were looking for. It helps that we like their office decor Unfortunately, his design fee was really high and he recommended that we take up one of his other IDs. He assured us that he oversees all their work, and that they share similar design styles. Arranged for a 2nd meeting to look at their design.
3) Fuse Concepts - Decided to meet them as we thought their portfolios looked good. ID was responsive in arranging for the meetings, even when we had to reschedule due to a last minute emergency. Unfortunately, that's the only positive point. The ID did not read the details, and without discussing any design or layout we were pushed towards materials and design selections that we did not like (which we had stated very clearly in our inquiry email). ID insisted on a second appointment instead of adhering to our request of sending the quotation, and we decided not to follow up with them.
4) Artistroom - Came recommended by a friend who had used them for their BTO reno. First impression was not the best, the ID was late by over an hour, and did not make any attempt to contact us. However, he did redeem himself by rushing down to a location at our convenience, and he seemed truly apologetic throughout the meeting. We were impressed by some of his past works, and liked that he was open to all our ideas. Arranged for a 2nd meeting to look at his design.
5) EightyTwo - We really wanted to like them. We liked their portfolio, and they were recommended by a friend. The ID we met supposedly had the top sales for the month (according to their notice board), but he was horrible at communication. He basically shot down all of our ideas by stating why they would not work, and proceeded to give suggestions which did not meet or requirements. For some strange reason we decided to make an 2nd appointment, in the small chance we might be wrong about them.
6) 3D Conceptwerks - Heard good things about them, and were impressed by the ID's knowledge. Had a really long first meeting and where he shared quite a bit on the renovation details. He gave us a few good ideas as well, and by the end of the first round of meetings, he was a clear favourite. Arranged a 2nd appointment.
7) Halls Interior - We didn't get a response from them via their company email, and decided to re-send the mail to the direct email of one of the partners. We got a response the next day and made an appointment to meet in town, as by this time we were really tired from traveling to their offices. He was the most opinionated ID, and was the only one who asked if we were ok for him to make a brand new design, based on what he thought was the best. We decided to let him try, and agreed for a 2nd meeting at his office.
OUT: Fuse Concepts
2nd Round
1) Metamorph Design - met up with the boss and a new junior ID, whom would be in charge of our reno. They did up some 3D renderings based on our requirements, which really helped us visualise the spaces. However, we felt that they didn't really get our design and we didn't have much of a connection with the junior ID. Quotation price was acceptable, their prices are not the lowest in the mkt but not as high as the others we met. Decided not to follow up with them.
2) Association - met with the junior ID and has a short chat before the boss joined us for the meeting. We were shown 2 possible layouts, both of which made good use of the space while considering our design requirements. A rough figure was given to us, and we had to press them after the meeting before they provided us with a detailed quotation. Apparently the project manager is in charge of the costing, while the ID is solely in charge of the design work. We were disappointed that nothing on design was shown, but decided to continue to consider them due to their strong portfolio.
4) Artistroom - We were shown their suggested layout, which did not meet our requirements but we were impressed by their attention to detail. However, they impressed us with their layout so much, to the extent that we actually changed some of the ideas we had previously. Arranged for a 3rd meeting for them to incorporate some changes into the layout plan.
5) EightyTwo - Our 2nd appointment ended in 20 minutes. All his suggestions were waaaay off from what we wanted, and he had no prepared any quotation for us. We ended the meeting quicky and decided not to follow up with them. In all, we had the worst experience with this ID. His listening and communication skills need a lot of work.
6) 3D Conceptwerks - had a fruitful appointment, we liked some of the suggested ideas but ultimately did not decide to follow up with them because of: 1) the cost: they are the MOST EXPENSIVE; 2) lack of suggestions - despite being knowledgeable, the ID refrained from making any suggestions and would only mention the pros and cons of every decision. We decided that we would prefer someone who was experienced and confident enough to push for their choices, as we can be pretty indecisive ourselves.
7) Halls Interior - the dark horse of the lot. Their office is beautifully decorated, and we were really impressed by the ID who was the only person to show us drawings at the 2nd meeting. He had taken the effort to draw our views of every single room in our house! We must have spent almost 2 hours discussing everything, all the way from the layout to possible material selection. He even took the time to show and explain to us the different catalogues. We felt that he really went above and beyond what we expected from a 2nd meeting. Decided to meet up a 3rd time to look at a revised layout
OUT: Metamorph Design, EightyTwo, 3D conceptweks
The Final Round!
2) Association - had a few email communications where we had to chase for clarifications on the quotation, which we then realised was not very detailed and did not include costs like sanitary installations and cost of new doors (which we did request for). As much as we like their portfolio, the lack of attention to detail (3D drawings were only upon request, and charagable) put us off. In addition, we didn't have much of a connection with the junior ID, who was completely overshadowed by her boss. She must have said at most 5 sentences in the entire hour of the last meeting.
7) Halls Interior - They came a very, very close second. We would highly recommend them to anyone! Their costs are on the high side but still reasonable, and they have a top notch atitude towards the project and their clients. We clicked well with the ID (he's one of the partners) and felt that he could manage the reno well. The only thing that worked against him was that his design style was not what we were looking for, they tend to veer towards a modern design which was not what we wanted. We felt that there was a small, tiny possibility that there might be misunderstandings along the way, which was why we eventually chose...
ARTISTROOM - Their attention to details and willingness to listen and incorporate different ideas made them a top choice. What won us over and made us choose them over Halls Interior was the fact that we clicked better with the ID, and that he had a similar design style to what we were looking for. It also helped that they did a wonderful job for my friend's place, which was featured in a couple of publications. We liked that their quotation was super comprehensive and detailed, to avoid us being hit with additional costs halfway through the renovation (which is never a nice thing to experience).
A pretty lengthy post, but I wanted to type our experience shopping for an ID as it was not a easy thing to decide on. Basically we spent a 2 months having multiple meetings every weekend, which meant traveling to and fro from our current home in the west to their offices (which are never in the west), before we could narrow down our choices. I was glad we started the search for the ID early, and managed to confirm our choice even before our 2nd appointment. That gave us a lot of time to reconsider our design requirements, do additional research (on renotalk ) and to consider new ideas.
Next up: Our new layout!
Congrats on your new place! I really like the louvered doors, I was planning on doing the same for my full height shoe cabinet but we ran out of budget. Apparently spray painting stuff is really expensive! And yes, that half boxed up pipe is...really a piece of work