LimeGreen 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2008 Hi all, Anyone here has taken the road less travelled, that is, instead of engaging an ID firm or a main contractor, you become your own ID project manager and engage the various contractors to turn your dream home into reality? If so, can you share your experiences? E.g. what are the essential things to do and what to look out for? Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumobear 0 Report post Posted July 11, 2008 Hi Lime Green, One of the forum member asked me to contribute my share of experience over here... It is an extremely long process to explain everything about my experience in renovation and in fact everyone has different experiences and opinions towards it. Like you say, many people in this forum has posted similar questions and answers of what you want to ask and know. Just read through the posts or blogs. Research needs time. For my case, I am a graphic designer so I have the upper-hand in doing design so I have decided to skip the part of hiring an ID but I am a newbie towards renovation. Just have to learn along the way. The role of an ID is to propose design and coordinate the renovation work for you but actual fact it is the ID's appointed contractor who is doing the real coordination work. I personally feel that even if you are hiring an ID for designing, you will still be involved in the design work because of your own personal aesthetic preference unless you believe your ID's style. Another good thing about an ID is that he can produce some drawings to help you to visualise your home before confirming the renovation. Coordination is basically a timeline produced by the contractor, you just have to follow the timeline and give him the things he needs at that point of time. Timeline is very important in renovation so you have to confirm it with your ID or contractor before work. HDB is very strict with renovation timeline. Maybe you can can let me know which area you wish to find out more and I will try to share with you. Have fun with your new home... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simpleguy80 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2008 Hi Lime Green, One of the forum member asked me to contribute my share of experience over here... It is an extremely long process to explain everything about my experience in renovation and in fact everyone has different experiences and opinions towards it. Like you say, many people in this forum has posted similar questions and answers of what you want to ask and know. Just read through the posts or blogs. Research needs time. For my case, I am a graphic designer so I have the upper-hand in doing design so I have decided to skip the part of hiring an ID but I am a newbie towards renovation. Just have to learn along the way. The role of an ID is to propose design and coordinate the renovation work for you but actual fact it is the ID's appointed contractor who is doing the real coordination work. I personally feel that even if you are hiring an ID for designing, you will still be involved in the design work because of your own personal aesthetic preference unless you believe your ID's style. Another good thing about an ID is that he can produce some drawings to help you to visualise your home before confirming the renovation. Coordination is basically a timeline produced by the contractor, you just have to follow the timeline and give him the things he needs at that point of time. Timeline is very important in renovation so you have to confirm it with your ID or contractor before work. HDB is very strict with renovation timeline. Maybe you can can let me know which area you wish to find out more and I will try to share with you. Have fun with your new home... Basically what are the processes of renovation? Which process should come first or after another process? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LimeGreen 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2008 The role of an ID is to propose design and coordinate the renovation work for you but actual fact it is the ID's appointed contractor who is doing the real coordination work. I personally feel that even if you are hiring an ID for designing, you will still be involved in the design work because of your own personal aesthetic preference unless you believe your ID's style. Another good thing about an ID is that he can produce some drawings to help you to visualise your home before confirming the renovation. Hi sumobear, Thanks for responding. Yes, you 're right. I personally feel that even if we hire an ID for designing, we will still be involved in the design work because of our own personal aesthetic preference. As for ID's style, I found that some ID firms actually used sales designer (no formal design qualification) and they are good duplicators. If you see any design you like in decor books/magazines, show it to them and they can create almost the same look. Creativity is lacking most of the time. Of course there are also exceptions. A friend once told me: "Most, if not all, IDs can come out with great designs if you have a deep pocket. I have yet to come across an ID who can work on a given renovation budget and yet create some unique, nice looking designs with a touch of creativity." Maybe there is some truth in it... Ok not to get sidetrack further, I am okay to do away with IDs producing drawings to help me visualize my home and would want to experiment around, hence I am exploring the possibility of managing the project myself. Thank you for offering to share your experience with us. Maybe you can begin by letting us know what simpleguy80 has asked and we can proceed with the discussions from there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hihihi 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2008 Quite siong task, and needs alot of time. What your fren say is true. Most of the time renovator just do whatever u tell them to do. Coz there's so many pple doing renovation, the easy way out is so tempting. First: - Hacking, if any - Wetworks (i.e Floor: tiles, parquet) Middle: - Electrical works: Light box, extra powerpoint etc (if u wanna do illegal stuff of burying wire under the floor, then it has to do before tiling) Last: - Painting 1st - Carpentry 2nd - Aircon install 3rd - Painting back to touchup (or u install aircon then paint also can) Last Last: - Window grills - Window - Doors: wooden, bifold, shower screens Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumobear 0 Report post Posted July 14, 2008 (edited) Well...someone has answered the part on process. But actually it is not necessary to understand the process in details, just follow through with your contractor. You can always check with your contractor the timeline or ask for a timeline sheet. Unless you want to be the contractor which I do not proposed because of cross-overs of warranties for workmanship and it doesn't save much money with the trouble that you are going through. Most IDs are actually sales designers who are mainly selling "packaged template design" to people. Singapore HDB's interior design has a trend or so called the "follow the crowd kind of formula", like the die-die-must-have TV feature wall and bomb shelter cover. As for theme, the all time favorite will be contemporary, modern and asian (zen). The designers just have work with the formula and deliver the design to you. Then many people will fall into the trap of romancing with the ID's drawing, seeing the beautiful space with nice lightings and furnishing, BUT actual fact is that you only get a empty renovated home at the end. You still have to get your own furniture and decor to beautify the space. You cannot expect the ID to give you the Van Gogh painting showed in the drawing right? Ultimately if you have a better budget, you can always engage a premium ID to have a different design experience. If you enjoy roller-coaster ride, you can be the ID! Have to plan the space and design, plot points for electrical and lighting. The important rule is to work very closely with your contractor and give detailed measurement. For example the dining area, you have to calculate the space for dining table set, the seating area(the space when your chairs are pulled out) and the center point for lighting if you want the lighting above your table. It is fun and tough at the same time but rewarding at the end. I have posted very detailed phases of my renovation in the earlier posts of my blogchat, can read through for reference. Edited July 14, 2008 by sumobear Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmartFool 0 Report post Posted July 14, 2008 if u ask me now, though i have not started on renovations the task of coordinating the various works is a b*&^$. Main task is to find a contractor who is cost-efficient and does not shrink ur budget, meaning he can do the best according to your budget. also dont forget that your contractor may be cheaper in certain aspects but may be more ex in others. this could be due to the outsourcing or if his partners charge more. eg a quote i got last week was more pricey in terms of electrical dont forget since you have not engaged an ID, u will have to do alot of homework in terms of design and furniture hunting dont slack on this since this will be your home in the next few years. my WTB and I looked in most parts of spore (except defu lane) for furniture, kitchen utensil. even when overseas we were looking. even when ur home is completed, u will also look for good deals eg GSS sale alot of fellas looking for household items my friend just recommended me a plumber cos i wanted someone who was experienced in taps, sinks etc. gota see more quotes again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumobear 0 Report post Posted July 14, 2008 I think just do 1 thing at time, step by step. Try to get the design and look for the ideal contractor first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oh oh 0 Report post Posted July 14, 2008 Im a project manager myself doing commercial work. But i still get a "main con" to renovate my house... reason being that I dont have so much CASH to pay my contractors. Renovation loan is pay by the bank to the contractor directly. Therefore, if you dont have so much cash to spare, the next best alternative is to engage a Id or contractor. Since Im in this line, thus the margin my main con got from me is @ 12%. Personally, I think its fair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmartFool 0 Report post Posted July 14, 2008 best is to get a lot of mags alot of the forummers have pasted really nice pics of their place as well can get some ideas from there as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
perpentual 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) Hope I can be of help! I am currently doing my own renovation, with my hubby... we DIY our house... heehee We design our own house and we co-ordinate everything. But, the first part is the hardest... because I am hacking away 1 wall (Between Msterbed rm & Common rm) 1) Use a licensed HDB holder to submit for approval 2) Engaged P.E to endorse the layout on the hacking part I took 1 mth to get the approval, as mine is the new house, we need all endorsements... and my P.E must be at my house with HDB officer on the day of hacking. So during these 'free' time, I did the: windows for my service yard dismantle the parquet flooring anf skirting Run gas pipe Finally, start of renovation... 3) P.E and HDB officer came to my house on the day of hacking works (remember to do protection of your flooring if you have) 4) Electrical works, tiling and base 5) Plumbing works, to run pipe for sink 1st, and install water tank and accessories 6) Air con piping/ trunking for whole house 7) False Ceiling Up to now, only my false ceiling.... they will complete tmr. So after, I work out works schedule: 19 Jul : Painting to Masterbed rm and common rm 22 Jul: Install parquet flooring & skirting (2 days estimate) 26 Jul: Meeting carpenter to finalise my carpentry works (takes 2 - 3 weeks to fabricate my stuffs, cause I choose different types of interior PVC, blum system etc.) 1 Aug: Aircon installation, testing & commissioning Meanwhile, go goodrich/Xessex to choose wallpaper/ find dining table. Bought some lights already, still need to buy a few more, but later, since installation of lights is the last stage. 11 Aug: Send my hoob & stove 11 Aug: Installation of carpentry works (Abt 3 - 4 days) 11 Aug: Maybe ard this timing install wallpaper 20 Aug - 21: Install glass door, mirror works 22 Aug: Holiday 25 Aug: Install lights/ curtains 29 Aug: Cleaning works what else did I left out? Heehee I had bought alot of items, not sure whether they are cheap, but are good lobangs I sourced around one Edited July 17, 2008 by perpentual Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
