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Decided to give a pat in the back for these chaps @ gong studio (interior design) singapore Have been exploring for a few months suitable designs for our flat @ bukit merah. Went to several agencies around Jurong and Ubi, hoping to find a reasonably priced quote. No doubt it was all rather quite competitive in pricing, but from the manner that the consultant was speaking to us (my wife and in-laws), it seems that some of them were pushing for more costly finishes. Unfortunately, my in-laws didnt feel that they were "listening" to our needs. Instead, recommending what seems to be a cookie-cutter approach One of my school mates introduced us to gong studio. A newly set up firm. Understand that some of the staffs have prior experience in other agencies. Anyway, she came over on Sunday night during our family dinner. And yes, she presented her ideas after touring our place while we were having our dinner. She dropped by 2 days later and slipped the plans underneath the door. Called to ask why and she wanted all to visualize and be able to make comments, esp my in-laws. She has been responsive, and been tending to my queries (practically daily) on the phone. She has even suggested to drop by to understand in better details? All this, without the agreement signed. So here we are, nearing to the completion of our renovation. It definitely started on a right note for us, and so far, it has been a good experience. They are always there to supervise when the contractors are present. On several occasions during our spot checks, our place was well-kept and neat. To all, believe you will find one that suits your needs, and understand your requirements. Enjoy the experience, that's very important too

Hi all, currently looking for a contractor who is reliable to change my ceiling in my house (SemiD) hoping to find a good but cheap contractor to help me with this ! Please recommend if there is anyone you know who can do this for me at a reasonable price Would really appreciate your help ! Thank you

An acknowledgement to begin with...I owe this forum a blog since I have been greatly benefited by its contents in my own renovation journey. So thanks to everyone who have contributed here.. We bought a 5 room HDB at cantonment close...And our 1st task was to choose an Interior Designer. Did some research on this forum, facebook and websites of Interior designers in Singapore and shortlisted the following: 1. Arteliving - Recommended by a friend. Quote was 2nd highest. Slow to respond and hence rejected. 2. Weiken - Selected based on forum reviews (must admit reviews about his ID is mixed). rejected for no particular reason. 3. Rest n Relax - Contacted twice. Firm did not revert at all. 4. Triple S Interiors - Contacted twice. Firm did not revert at all. 5. Summit Design Studio - 3rd best quotation. Rejected for no particular reason. In fact obtained quote just for the sake of comparison. 6. ***** - Was shortlisted as Top 3. Could have selected but ultimately didn't since they didn't perfectly fir the bill. 7. Altier Tang - Was shortlisted as Top 3. Experienced designer, very knowledgeable but didn't select since the quote was on the higher side. 8. Renzz - Highest quotation (way above all others) naturally rejected. 9. Defong Trading - Selected for renovation. Best quotation (at least 10% below others). Kevin Tan was the ID (read a lot of good reviews about him in this forum). Very very impressive, very knowledgeable, very responsive. turned out to be the perfect choice for our renovation job. Our renovation comprised the following main tasks. Redoing whole of Kitchen and 2 bathroomsFeature wall/console, shoe, storage and display cabinet in the living roomFalse ceiling in the living roomPainting, redoing house grills and electricals.Note: We didn't go for any 3D designs. Whilst the designs give you an idea about how your house will look, in my opinion, they are overrated and the real output looks different from the designs since the designers do a good job of glamming up the 3Ds. that's my personal view and of course you are free to disagree which is fine. Kevin Tan was a thorough professional during the entire process of renovation. Absolutely helpful and very friendly & comfortable to deal with. Promised an end date and delivered bang on that date. Before and during the renovation process, Kevin accompanies us to select tiles and sanitaries. Gave good suggestions while selecting tiles (please only select homogenous tiles coz the others are crappy) and also during other stages of our house design. Not pushy, very very patient and super responsive. Very honest and straight to the point. Will highly recommend him to anyone. The thing which became apparent is, it doesn't matter which ID company or designer you select, it all depends upon how the workers are who do the job....and each ID has his/her own set of workers...so its important for the ID to have and maintain a good set of workers...in Kevin's case, he has a good team who did a nice job. At the end of it all, the house has come out very well and in accordance with our expectations. Will post pics soon for everyone to see and judge. To everyone who will go through this process...here is wishing you the very best and hope you end up having a house that you dreamt of....

Hi all, Appreciate if you guys can provide your comments and advice on this quotation by my ID. Thanks. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE (DESIGN AND CONSULTATION FEE $4500) FOC 1. Design consultation & space planning 2. Design proposal & perspective drawings (for carpentry areas only) 3. Selection of colour, material & accessories 4. Site co-ordination & supervision 5. Decoration advice A. MASONRY WORKS (MATCHING HDB TILES WILL BE USE FOR CONCRETE BASE) 1. Supply & construct 50mm ht kitchen cabinet base c/w side tiles finishing - $450 2. Supply & construct 01 nos 50mm ht washing machine base c/w full tiles finishing -$150 3. Supply & construct 01 nos 50mm ht fridge base c/w full tiles finishing - $150 4. Supply & construct 02 no shower kerb c/w full tiles finishing at both toilets - $150 B. PLUMBING WORKS (OWNER SUPPLY FITTING) 1.Supply labour to install 01 nos of kitchen sink cum tap fittings - $200 2.Supply labour to install 02 nos of instant heater -$200 3.Supply labour to install 02 nos of toilet accesorries ($80) - FOC 4. Supply labour to install 02 nos of handspray - $80 5. Supply labour to dismantle / install 01 no basin cum tap fittings - $100 C. PAINTING WORKS Supply material & labour to paint whole house interior wall & ceiling with Nippon / ICI Emulsion paint (6 wall colors +1 ceiling white color)(Premier) - $1,450 Option A - (ICI Wall Paint types to be select : Dulux All, Dulux Wash & Wear, Dulux Light & Space, Dulux Pentalie) Option B- (Nippon Wall Paint types to be select : Nippon Odourless, Easy Wash, 3 in 1 Medifresh, Vinilex 5000) painting of sewage pipe and metal door frame with gloss paint C. CEILING WORK (include air con U-box) 1. Supply & construct L-box cum cove light holder include false ceiling at living room/foyer and dining area - $2,000 2. Supply & construct L-box cum cove light holder include false ceiling at master bedroom - $750 D. GLASS WORK (standard shower screen 1800mm ht) 1. Supply & install 10mm tempered glass shower screen at master toilet (fix panel cum swing door only)(include stainless steel chrome handler) -$650 2. Supply & install 6mm tempered glass backing c/w nippon/ICI color spray between top and bottom kitchen cabinet (16ft L, 2ft Ht) - $950 E. PD DOOR 1. Supply material & labour to install aluminium Pd door at kitchen entrance (acrylic / glass series) -$850 F. CUSTOM-MADE FURNITURE ( External: Selected Laminate with Internal : Carcass in White PVC Finish ) HIGH GRADE LAMINATE TO BE SELECT : EDL & JENNINGS (up to 380 types of laminate design to select)(laminate price up to $55) Cabinet doors & drawers in ABS trimming finishing To supply Labour, Tools And Materials To Install : LIVING AREA 1. Design & fabricate full ht TV feature wall with laminate design (6 ft L, 8.5 ft Ht) - $1,320 a. Selected Laminate finish 2. Design & fabricate suspended TV console (6ft L) - $660 a. Selected Laminate finish b. internal carcass in white pvc finish 3. Design & fabricate full ht shoe rack cum partial display compartment (4ft L, 8,5ft H) - $1,040 a. Selected Laminate finish b.internal carcass in white pvc finish c. reinforce wood backing with mirror design KITCHEN AREA 4. Design & fabricate top kitchen cabinet c/w : (19ft L) - $2,090 a. doors in seleted laminate finish and ABS trimmings b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c .01 nos of stainless steel dish rack ($100) d. 01 nos of aluminium frame sandblasted glass ($100) e. supply labour to install kitchen hood & hod (item supply by owner) 5. Design & fabricate bottom kitchen cabinet c/w : (16ft L) - $1,760 a. doors in seleted laminate finish and ABS trimmings b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c. Full set drawer with BLUM silvergrey tandembox (S1 - $150, S2 - $180 - S3 - $220) - optional items d. S1 silvergrey blum drawers x 1, S2 silvergrey blum drawers x 1, S3 silver grey blum drawers x 2 ($770) -optional times 6. Full ht kitchen cabinet (2ft L) - $700 MASTER BEDROOM 7. Design & fabricate full ht casement door wardrobe Selected Laminate finish (7ft L, 8.5ft H) - $1,610 a. internal carcass in white pvc finish b. standard plywood drawer units c. standard shelves d. standard clothes hanging rod BEDROOM 2 and 3 (6ft L, 8.5ft H) - optional items 8. Design & fabricate full ht casement door wardrobe ($1380) a. Selected Laminate finish b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c. standard drawer units d. standard shelves e. standard clothes hanging rod Additional design 1 : wooden sliding door wardrobe ($130) Additional design 2 : aluminium frame sliding door with glass/laminate/mirror design ($420) MASTER BATHROOM 9. Design & fabricate suspended vanity cabinet (full set) (3ft L, 8.5ft H) - $990 a. Selected Laminate finish b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c. cresto solid surface table top d. clear mirror with cove light holder (fittings excluded) H. KITCHEN TABLE TOP (16ft L) 1. Supply material & labour to install cresto solid surface table top at bottom kitchen cabinet ($1200) - optional items 2. Supply material & labour to install imported INDIA granite table top at bottom kitchen cabinet ($2080) - optional items 3. Supply material & labour to install quartz table top at bottom kitchen cabinet - $2,240 Selection : Igalaxy, Icrystal, Icream, Imansory, Iearth, Izen, Iruby,Isapphire I. CLEANING WORK 1.Clearing of debris & haulage, supply & upload sand (by HDB Haulage contractor) - $350 2. Supply & lay corrugated paper for whole house flooring (by HDB Haulage contractor) - $200 3. Provide general cleaning for whole house (include chemical wash for bathrooms and kitchen) - $180 4. Provide final cleaning ($150) - FOC J. COMPLIMENTARY ITEMS ANTI SLAM HINGES / STOPPER FOR ALL CASEMENT DOOR CABINET PAINT FINISHING FOR ALL CARPENTRY EXTERNAL EDGE MISC ITEMS Remarks: No GST charges Above quotation not included Electrical work & Air con work 5 years warranty on workmanship & defects Total quotation (excluding optional items): $20,838 Hi all, Appreciate if you guys can provide your comments and advice on this quotation by my ID. Thanks. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE (DESIGN AND CONSULTATION FEE $4500) FOC 1. Design consultation & space planning 2. Design proposal & perspective drawings (for carpentry areas only) 3. Selection of colour, material & accessories 4. Site co-ordination & supervision 5. Decoration advice A. MASONRY WORKS (MATCHING HDB TILES WILL BE USE FOR CONCRETE BASE) 1. Supply & construct 50mm ht kitchen cabinet base c/w side tiles finishing - $450 2. Supply & construct 01 nos 50mm ht washing machine base c/w full tiles finishing -$150 3. Supply & construct 01 nos 50mm ht fridge base c/w full tiles finishing - $150 4. Supply & construct 02 no shower kerb c/w full tiles finishing at both toilets - $150 B. PLUMBING WORKS (OWNER SUPPLY FITTING) 1.Supply labour to install 01 nos of kitchen sink cum tap fittings - $200 2.Supply labour to install 02 nos of instant heater -$200 3.Supply labour to install 02 nos of toilet accesorries ($80) - FOC 4. Supply labour to install 02 nos of handspray - $80 5. Supply labour to dismantle / install 01 no basin cum tap fittings - $100 C. PAINTING WORKS Supply material & labour to paint whole house interior wall & ceiling with Nippon / ICI Emulsion paint (6 wall colors +1 ceiling white color)(Premier) - $1,450 Option A - (ICI Wall Paint types to be select : Dulux All, Dulux Wash & Wear, Dulux Light & Space, Dulux Pentalie) Option B- (Nippon Wall Paint types to be select : Nippon Odourless, Easy Wash, 3 in 1 Medifresh, Vinilex 5000) painting of sewage pipe and metal door frame with gloss paint C. CEILING WORK (include air con U-box) 1. Supply & construct L-box cum cove light holder include false ceiling at living room/foyer and dining area - $2,000 2. Supply & construct L-box cum cove light holder include false ceiling at master bedroom - $750 D. GLASS WORK (standard shower screen 1800mm ht) 1. Supply & install 10mm tempered glass shower screen at master toilet (fix panel cum swing door only)(include stainless steel chrome handler) -$650 2. Supply & install 6mm tempered glass backing c/w nippon/ICI color spray between top and bottom kitchen cabinet (16ft L, 2ft Ht) - $950 E. PD DOOR 1. Supply material & labour to install aluminium Pd door at kitchen entrance (acrylic / glass series) -$850 F. CUSTOM-MADE FURNITURE ( External: Selected Laminate with Internal : Carcass in White PVC Finish ) HIGH GRADE LAMINATE TO BE SELECT : EDL & JENNINGS (up to 380 types of laminate design to select)(laminate price up to $55) Cabinet doors & drawers in ABS trimming finishing To supply Labour, Tools And Materials To Install : LIVING AREA 1. Design & fabricate full ht TV feature wall with laminate design (6 ft L, 8.5 ft Ht) - $1,320 a. Selected Laminate finish 2. Design & fabricate suspended TV console (6ft L) - $660 a. Selected Laminate finish b. internal carcass in white pvc finish 3. Design & fabricate full ht shoe rack cum partial display compartment (4ft L, 8,5ft H) - $1,040 a. Selected Laminate finish b.internal carcass in white pvc finish c. reinforce wood backing with mirror design KITCHEN AREA 4. Design & fabricate top kitchen cabinet c/w : (19ft L) - $2,090 a. doors in seleted laminate finish and ABS trimmings b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c .01 nos of stainless steel dish rack ($100) d. 01 nos of aluminium frame sandblasted glass ($100) e. supply labour to install kitchen hood & hod (item supply by owner) 5. Design & fabricate bottom kitchen cabinet c/w : (16ft L) - $1,760 a. doors in seleted laminate finish and ABS trimmings b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c. Full set drawer with BLUM silvergrey tandembox (S1 - $150, S2 - $180 - S3 - $220) - optional items d. S1 silvergrey blum drawers x 1, S2 silvergrey blum drawers x 1, S3 silver grey blum drawers x 2 ($770) -optional times 6. Full ht kitchen cabinet (2ft L) - $700 MASTER BEDROOM 7. Design & fabricate full ht casement door wardrobe Selected Laminate finish (7ft L, 8.5ft H) - $1,610 a. internal carcass in white pvc finish b. standard plywood drawer units c. standard shelves d. standard clothes hanging rod BEDROOM 2 and 3 - optional items 8. Design & fabricate full ht casement door wardrobe ($1380) a. Selected Laminate finish b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c. standard drawer units d. standard shelves e. standard clothes hanging rod Additional design 1 : wooden sliding door wardrobe ($130) Additional design 2 : aluminium frame sliding door with glass/laminate/mirror design ($420) MASTER BATHROOM 9. Design & fabricate suspended vanity cabinet (full set) (3ft L, 8.5ft H) - $990 a. Selected Laminate finish b. internal carcass in white pvc finish c. cresto solid surface table top d. clear mirror with cove light holder (fittings excluded) H. KITCHEN TABLE TOP (16ft L) 1. Supply material & labour to install cresto solid surface table top at bottom kitchen cabinet ($1200) - optional items 2. Supply material & labour to install imported INDIA granite table top at bottom kitchen cabinet ($2080) - optional items 3. Supply material & labour to install quartz table top at bottom kitchen cabinet - $2,240 Selection : Igalaxy, Icrystal, Icream, Imansory, Iearth, Izen, Iruby,Isapphire I. CLEANING WORK 1.Clearing of debris & haulage, supply & upload sand (by HDB Haulage contractor) - $350 2. Supply & lay corrugated paper for whole house flooring (by HDB Haulage contractor) - $200 3. Provide general cleaning for whole house (include chemical wash for bathrooms and kitchen) - $180 4. Provide final cleaning ($150) - FOC J. COMPLIMENTARY ITEMS ANTI SLAM HINGES / STOPPER FOR ALL CASEMENT DOOR CABINET PAINT FINISHING FOR ALL CARPENTRY EXTERNAL EDGE MISC ITEMS Remarks: No GST charges Above quotation not included Electrical work & Air con work 5 years warranty on workmanship & defects Total quotation (excluding optional items): $20,838