To Get Id / Contractor?

[shutiao06 0]

Hi,

Have selected our 5 room premium sometime back in end Nov and currently still waitin anxiously to collect the keys to our new home. however, in the meantime, have been trying to source ard for ID to do up our new place.. cos considerin to start reno after CNY.

however, visited quite a no. of ID and so far, only gotten 3 quotes. find tat they are all out of our budget since ours is a premium flat and we have a very tight budget, so hopin to settle everything within 10-12k. however, after lookin at the quotations, was tinkin perhaps i'm askin for a lot of things to b done which doesnt fit into our budget, so thinkin of mayb at most we can fork out 15k

actually we are only tinkin of doin livin room, kitchen and MBR. livin room mayb tv console, feature wall above tv console, feature wall for bomb shelter, shoe rack. kitchen only cabinet and MBR only wardrobe. is tat a lot to ask for our kinda budget?

now considerin whether we shld get a contractor instead since we have a low budget.. and colleagues feedback tat gettin contractor better cos ID mark up a lot and no point payin them so much since in the end they also subcon out. although i also understand gettin contractor means gota do all the coordination ourselves and reali gota have somethin in mind to get the contractor to do for us.

arrgghh duno how...

[jaCKY777 0]

Hi,

Have selected our 5 room premium sometime back in end Nov and currently still waitin anxiously to collect the keys to our new home. however, in the meantime, have been trying to source ard for ID to do up our new place.. cos considerin to start reno after CNY.

however, visited quite a no. of ID and so far, only gotten 3 quotes. find tat they are all out of our budget since ours is a premium flat and we have a very tight budget, so hopin to settle everything within 10-12k. however, after lookin at the quotations, was tinkin perhaps i'm askin for a lot of things to b done which doesnt fit into our budget, so thinkin of mayb at most we can fork out 15k

actually we are only tinkin of doin livin room, kitchen and MBR. livin room mayb tv console, feature wall above tv console, feature wall for bomb shelter, shoe rack. kitchen only cabinet and MBR only wardrobe. is tat a lot to ask for our kinda budget?

now considerin whether we shld get a contractor instead since we have a low budget.. and colleagues feedback tat gettin contractor better cos ID mark up a lot and no point payin them so much since in the end they also subcon out. although i also understand gettin contractor means gota do all the coordination ourselves and reali gota have somethin in mind to get the contractor to do for us.

arrgghh duno how...

Hey shutiao06,

so how's hunting?

If 2 accomodate yor requirements within e $15k, think shd b quite difficult for both ID or contractor.

It may stil b able to achieve, but gota compromise in materials & workmanship liao.

[h4happy 1]

Reno firm need to pay id salary, I think ard $6k to $7K or maybe more...per month, so they have to mark up the price.

Since got tight budget...I sugggest go for contractor...some contractor do give a nice design layout too.

Hey shutiao06,

so how's hunting?

If 2 accomodate yor requirements within e $15k, think shd b quite difficult for both ID or contractor.

It may stil b able to achieve, but gota compromise in materials & workmanship liao.

[NiVleK 0]

I have quoted for a SIMPLE SIMPLE one at about 17K. Its a ID.

Look for those ID with standard package for 5 room and modify from there, chances are that you can manage to reduce the cost.

Also, look for IDs giving u itemized quotation. Some IDs insist on giving lumpsum quotes which I do not fancy.

[Mrs Yu 0]

I have quoted for a SIMPLE SIMPLE one at about 17K. Its a ID. !!

Look for ID offering standard package for 5 room and modify from there, chances are that you can manage to reduce the cost.

Also, look for IDs giving u itemized quotation. Some IDs insist on giving lumpsum quotes which I do not fancy.

Standard packages are more reasonable but limited choice of materials.

Our ID (Peter Tan from Ideal House - mobile 93216453) gave us itemized quotation and we can choose to add or subtract the items to suit our budget. He is honest with the quote (no hidden costs) and experienced enough to be able to suggest alternatives to help you save cost if you have a tight budget. You may have to compromise on some of the renovation works if you want to keep within your budget. Why not try him?

[h4happy 1]

My neighbours got this experience with one id.

Sign with them.

One week later, call to cancel one item (ard $1,400), id called back, told her can refund only $400.

So, before sign on the spot...do check with your id whether if want to cancel certain items, is it possible or not.

Standard packages are more reasonable but limited choice of materials.

Our ID (Peter Tan from Ideal House - mobile 93216453) gave us itemized quotation and we can choose to add or subtract the items to suit our budget. He is honest with the quote (no hidden costs) and experienced enough to be able to suggest alternatives to help you save cost if you have a tight budget. You may have to compromise on some of the renovation works if you want to keep within your budget. Why not try him?

[Mrs Yu 0]

My neighbours got this experience with one id.

Sign with them.

One week later, call to cancel one item (ard $1,400), id called back, told her can refund only $400.

So, before sign on the spot...do check with your id whether if want to cancel certain items, is it possible or not.

Don't know about your neighbour's situation with that ID

We have made a number of enquiries with several IDs before deciding on our choice of ID. Most quotes provided were lump sum and vaguely with itemized.

One of our friends chose an ID from a renowned superbrand firm and end up paying more for her reno. Because the quote was vaguely itemized, she was unable to verify the actual refund due.

We chose Peter because he was honest with his quote and itemizes every item in detail. We did not face any issue on short refund when we decided to cancel some of the items along the way because each items were clearly stated.

So it is good to choose an ID with such honesty and clarity. Of course, you have to give reasonable cancellation notice and before the materials are ordered and committed. Otherwise they will be doing a "loss" job as it is hard to find someone else to take over the material ordered.

[h4happy 1]

Hi Mrs YU

You house renovate $97k??

That's alot of money.

What did you do?

HAPPY

Don't know about your neighbour's situation with that ID

We have made a number of enquiries with several IDs before deciding on our choice of ID. Most quotes provided were lump sum and vaguely with itemized.

One of our friends chose an ID from a renowned superbrand firm and end up paying more for her reno. Because the quote was vaguely itemized, she was unable to verify the actual refund due.

We chose Peter because he was honest with his quote and itemizes every item in detail. We did not face any issue on short refund when we decided to cancel some of the items along the way because each items were clearly stated.

So it is good to choose an ID with such honesty and clarity. Of course, you have to give reasonable cancellation notice and before the materials are ordered and committed. Otherwise they will be doing a "loss" job as it is hard to find someone else to take over the material ordered.

[Mrs Yu 0]

Hi Mrs YU

You house renovate $97k??

That's alot of money.

What did you do?

HAPPY

Ours is a 20 year old multi-generation flat and very run down. The previous owner had kitchen cabinets with built-in concrete structure and wooden doors.

The cost included quite extensive hacking of walls and built-in carpentry work and cabinets using quality wood. We also bought over the access balcony from HDB so the front door had to be reconstructed.

We wanted a dream home and specially designed rooms for our comfort but totally unhappy with the original design. We changed the entire internal structure to suit our own needs. Changed all the internal wiring and pipes with the best materials. Replaced almost all our flooring.

It was not easy for our ID to accommodate us because we changed our minds many times about the interior design and room structure and asked for redraft new floor plans and drawings. Our ID was very patient to accommodate us and very flexible in redrafting our work schedule with each change. Every item on our quote were clearly accounted for so we know the actual cost of every addition and subtraction so we are very clear on the cost element.

Our ID did a great job and it was worth every cent. We are very happy with the results as the project was well-supervised and completed on time with no major issues.

Interior changes:

Original - 3 bedrooms, one studio with kitchenette, kitchen, living room and dining room

Current - 4 bedrooms (3 with attached bathrooms), 1 audio-visual room cum library, kitchen, living room, dining room. work area, service area with bathroom access, balcony area and walkway. Our flat still look very spacious.

[jaCKY777 0]

Interior changes:

Original - 3 bedrooms, one studio with kitchenette, kitchen, living room and dining room

Current - 4 bedrooms (3 with attached bathrooms), 1 audio-visual room cum library, kitchen, living room, dining room. work area, service area with bathroom access, balcony area and walkway. Our flat still look very spacious.

Hey Mrs Yu,

do u mind post up

1) e original floor plan layout b4 reno

2) reconfigured layout plan after reno

i kinda eager 2 find out

[vicenzo70 0]

Hi Mrs YU

You house renovate $97k??

That's alot of money.

What did you do?

HAPPY

Wow! To pay $97K reno, its a wonder if an ID or for this matter any ID would be impatient!! No sarcasm intended but the way all this hulla bellowing on Peter is way too much of an advertising.

Vince

[Phantom 1]

Forums are about sharing experience and information.

Its important that we all maintain civility and practice forum etiquette when engaging in discussions.

Let's try not to engage in unnecessary suspicions of each other. There are proper channels in which to report actions/activities to the moderators/ admin via the report button beneath every post.

Cheers!

Edited January 26, 2008 by Phantom

[Mrs Yu 0]

Wow! To pay $97K reno, its a wonder if an ID or for this matter any ID would be impatient!! No sarcasm intended but the way all this hulla bellowing on Peter is way too much of an advertising.

Vince

I know that it is every ID's dream to secure such a job but it is really about the quality and personalized service here rather than the cost. You can pay a lot for a reno but yet not get your two cents worth and experience much pain.

Would you not want to tell other home owners about your great reno experience? I am actually overwhelmed with his meticulous service.

My friend paid her ID about $70K to do her reno ( No major hacking done, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes not included). Much smaller flat than ours. Supposed to be an ID from a renowned branded firm but she seldom saw him at the work site and the ID not very committed nor patient with her after securing the job. he just left the job to his sub-contractors. Outdated work schedule, no constant update on progress, several jobs were incorrectly done, and the project did not even complete on time. In all, she paid as much us did but more for the Branding and got much less work done for her money's worth and having to bear much pain as well. Imagine having such an bad experience!

In our case, we were careful to choose the right ID for the job. It is not about the cost because we are able to clearly justify the cost for every detailed work items done to ensure that we were not over-cost. Our work requirements were not the normal average type that most ID handles. The extensiveness of work justified the cost. We needed a very experienced ID who can handle large and semi large dwellings to be able to appreciate our unique requirements

We visited several IDs with our specification but not happy with their approach. Most quotes were rather vaguely itemized as well. When we met Peter, he carefully explain to us on what can be done, what cannot, explain why and gave us several design alternatives to meet our requirements. Each time our family met him to discuss about the reno, he would come up with fresh ideas to enhance the design. This is what makes him different from the rest of the IDs and we knew that he knows his stuff and experienced enough in handling our case effectively.

Most IDs would just secure the job first and talk later( like our friend's) but Peter cared enough to provide us with the best information even before we committed. No regrets to have chosen him as our ID as he lead our reno project efficiently and even help pro-actively iron out the difficult hurdles that we faced along the way. His is a personalized service with a difference.

[lifestyle 0]

Hi Mrs Yu,

I'm sure you are very happy with your ID results. When recomending how good the ID as you mention i'm sure many forumer here and future new ones would like to see some your ID work. Can you post some for us to see (if you don't mind)? *** Added: seen your other thread regarding seeing your pics at your ID. Thanks anyway, but will skip it as no time or excuse to visit your ID and don't want to kepo ... ***

Btw, my reno does not cost more than yours and we renovate and use best materials & workmanship on every corner of our old house (>23yrs) and we are very satisfied and i'm sure most will also. My ID also very responsible and constantly updates us on regular meetings and on site as well. We also has many request and design changes along the way.

As for your statement "Most IDs would just secure the job first and talk later" is a bit bias imo. We went to several IDs (big & small company) and they would talk to us (incl the one we finally choose) for several months without even secure our job yet.

As for your friend who paid her ID about $70K without no major hacking done, nor kitchen cabinets and wardrobes included is very unusual and not common imo. Maybe other items in her reno are extraordinary or expensive .

Anyway, pictures tells a thousand words.

Cheers

I know that it is every ID's dream to secure such a job but it is really about the quality and personalized service here rather than the cost. You can pay a lot for a reno but yet not get your two cents worth and experience much pain.

Would you not want to tell other home owners about your great reno experience? I am actually overwhelmed with his meticulous service.

My friend paid her ID about $70K to do her reno ( No major hacking done, kitchen cabinets and wardrobes not included). Much smaller flat than ours. Supposed to be an ID from a renowned branded firm but she seldom saw him at the work site and the ID not very committed nor patient with her after securing the job. he just left the job to his sub-contractors. Outdated work schedule, no constant update on progress, several jobs were incorrectly done, and the project did not even complete on time. In all, she paid as much us did but more for the Branding and got much less work done for her money's worth and having to bear much pain as well. Imagine having such an bad experience!

In our case, we were careful to choose the right ID for the job. It is not about the cost because we are able to clearly justify the cost for every detailed work items done to ensure that we were not over-cost. Our work requirements were not the normal average type that most ID handles. The extensiveness of work justified the cost. We needed a very experienced ID who can handle large and semi large dwellings to be able to appreciate our unique requirements

We visited several IDs with our specification but not happy with their approach. Most quotes were rather vaguely itemized as well. When we met Peter, he carefully explain to us on what can be done, what cannot, explain why and gave us several design alternatives to meet our requirements. Each time our family met him to discuss about the reno, he would come up with fresh ideas to enhance the design. This is what makes him different from the rest of the IDs and we knew that he knows his stuff and experienced enough in handling our case effectively.

Most IDs would just secure the job first and talk later( like our friend's) but Peter cared enough to provide us with the best information even before we committed. No regrets to have chosen him as our ID as he lead our reno project efficiently and even help pro-actively iron out the difficult hurdles that we faced along the way. His is a personalized service with a difference.

Edited January 26, 2008 by lifestyle

[Mrs Yu 0]

Hi Mrs Yu,

I'm sure you are very happy with your ID results. When recomending how good the ID as you mention i'm sure many forumer here and future new ones would like to see some your ID work. Can you post some for us to see (if you don't mind)?

Btw, my reno does not cost more than yours and we renovate and use best materials & workmanship on every corner of our old house (>23yrs) and we are very satisfied and i'm sure most will also. My ID also very responsible and constantly updates us on regular meetings and on site as well. We also has many request and design changes along the way.

As for your statement "Most IDs would just secure the job first and talk later" is a bit bias imo. We went to several IDs (big & small company) and they would talk to us (incl the one we finally choose) for several months without even secure our job yet.

As for your friend who paid her ID about $70K without no major hacking done, nor kitchen cabinets and wardrobes included is very unusual and not common imo. Maybe other items in her reno are extraordinary or expensive .

Anyway, pictures tells a thousand words.

Cheers

Hi,

Actually I was about to logout when I saw your message.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am happy that you also had a very satisfying reno experience.

I supposed each reno is unique by itself so the cost element is really very subjective and cost may vary with time and requirements.

In our case, besides the wood work for our specially designed library, rooms and kitchen, we also invested on special materials to soundproof the audio-visual room cum library so as not to disturb our immediate neighbours. There were also the reconstruction of several room walls and repositioning bathroom facing.

As for our friend, there were nothing extraordinary about her reno except that she just left it to her ID to decide for her because he is from a renowned branded firm. She is quite brand conscious but regretted not using our ID after her bad experience.

I don't care if people laugh at me for using my real name because I just want to share our very satisfying experience. As for pictures, I am only good at texting but not with the other IT stuff like put in pictures, images and funny faces. That is why I suggest actual viewing or ask my ID.

Anyway, I am leaving this forum soon to get on with life.