Help: Do I Need An Interior Designer Or A Contractor

[timpani_tracy 0]

i want to remodel my master bathroom. this forum looks like a great place to start, i hope i can get some advice on what i should be looking for. i want the whole bathroom done, including a new bath, shower, tiling. i know it is probably considered a very small job but i do have a budget of about 8-10K (it is a very small bathroom). i have a specific look in mind and really want someone to execute and supervise the whole thing. so i need an interior designer, right? however, i'm not sure how to find one who will take this job, from looking at this forum, and from looking at some of the designer web sites, it seems they are more interested in doing whole houses at a time. also, i specifically want marble tiling (White) and a jetted bath (its a whole spa thing). i already tried to walk in to one of those designer offieces at IMM but they tried to palm off the same package they had advertised on their posters on me (homogenous tiles, basin etc). i don't know how i can agree to sign a package when i can't see the tile samples first - do all tile choices cost the same? i assumed it would be because they only had a specific range of tiles to choose from. i asked for marble samples but they didn't have any and werent interesed in following up on that. i dont remember the name of the firm, but i think what i want isn't very difficult. i just need some advice on where to start.

i would appreciate any recommendations you might have for me. should i be looking at a contractor instead? if so, does anyone have any recommendations?

tia

[yokine9a 1]

Go for contractor. Must IDs are interested in taking up whole house reno if their biz is good, if their biz is no good, then maybe they will consider your project. Well, if their biz is no good, would you dare to give them your project?

Since you already have specific idea what you want to do, just tell the contractor what you want and get him to do the work.

Contractors have no standard package to offer, they simply do what you want to do for the house.

Not all tiles cost the same. Better looking/quality higher price. Europe made ones and China made ones cost different too. You only have a specific range of tiles to choose from cos the ID had already projected what the cost was like, how much he could earn from you etc. What if you choose a $20 tile and your ID expects you to pick a $3 tile?

If you need recommendation, I can introduce Ho Bee to you. They did my house reno. The boss, Patrick is very nice to work with. His tiler is an experienced worker. Call his office @ 67885841 and look for his wife, Mrs Quek. She will arrange for site visit and whatsoever.

[yoongf 11]

Post yr toilet floorplan here.. post your preferred tiles / design here..

Let ppl critique.. brainstorm..

I believe.. 70% is really in the design, and 30% in the implementation, to get the perfect bathroom.

Is it a HDB flat? Not too sure whether those jetted bnth / spa thing can fit into standard HDB toilet.

[timpani_tracy 0]

Post yr toilet floorplan here.. post your preferred tiles / design here..

Let ppl critique.. brainstorm..

I believe.. 70% is really in the design, and 30% in the implementation, to get the perfect bathroom.

Is it a HDB flat? Not too sure whether those jetted bnth / spa thing can fit into standard HDB toilet.

thanks for the replies sofar. its a condo, the bathroom is v.small , basically a rectangle. reason why i think i need a designer is because i have a look and feel in mind and some general material preference, but no clue how to put it together. if i'm not wrong, a contractor's job is not to help you choose materials, or go shopping with you, or show you samples, etc. ? i'm OK wtih stuff like looking for the tiles and sink and whatever myself though, but because I have limited design understanding, I want a professional's opinion. Also, someone like a professional would know more of what's out there and give me a better understanding of what my options are.

OK so my limited ideas are: I want an all-white marble bathroom. I don't want square anything (square sink, square tub) and don't want raised sink. I want the option to be able to put an LCD TV in. Want standard glass shower door and rainforest shower with some of the fancy options. Standard vanit with a bit of storage. Tub doesn't really have to be jetted but I want to know what the options are. I also want to consider a free-standing tub if I can afford it. Don't really care what the toilet bowl looks like. Dimmer for lights. I would like some decorating options too (e.g. someone to "dress" the bathroom).

As I write this stuff out, I'm sure a contractor can do this for me, but the other concerns are that I have to be communicate in English as my Hokkien is not good, but I will have some real stupid questions like can i change the position of shower vs toilet, etc. I'd rather not subject a contractor to my stupid questions because my impression is contractors just do and expect you to know what you want right off the bat.

ANy suggestions? Sorry for the stupid ramblings.

[Phantom 1]

As I write this stuff out, I'm sure a contractor can do this for me, but the other concerns are that I have to be communicate in English as my Hokkien is not good, but I will have some real stupid questions like can i change the position of shower vs toilet, etc. I'd rather not subject a contractor to my stupid questions because my impression is contractors just do and expect you to know what you want right off the bat.

ANy suggestions? Sorry for the stupid ramblings.

lol. What gave you the impression that contractors don't speak English?

Don't worry. Most contractors are able to converse in English or Hokkien, you could always size up the communication between yourself and the contractor before you engage him/her.