Difference Between An Id And A Contractor ?

[Zio 1]

Hi all,

kinda wonder whats the difference between an ID and a contractor.

I know its makes a difference but wad are the difference ?

Issit Contractor will do up (DIY) for example a wardrobe, cabinet bla bla bla....whereas ID is to see your house and recommend what you need and draw up designs for you to choose, if you want eg.. a customize wardrobe, cabinet, etc, they can only recommend u to this and that shop but they won't DIY it.

But contractor can also do what an ID do, isn't it ? plus they can do up something...

[red_bull79 0]

Hi all,

kinda wonder whats the difference between an ID and a contractor.

I know its makes a difference but wad are the difference ?

Issit Contractor will do up (DIY) for example a wardrobe, cabinet bla bla bla....whereas ID is to see your house and recommend what you need and draw up designs for you to choose, if you want eg.. a customize wardrobe, cabinet, etc, they can only recommend u to this and that shop but they won't DIY it.

But contractor can also do what an ID do, isn't it ? plus they can do up something...

nowadays no way to tell designer & contractor. both can draw and do & both price really close

[ninku10 0]

If you are referring to the worksmanship between the two, there is really no differences. At the end of the day, ID still hire contractor to do the carpentry, tiling etc for them. A contractor also does the same things. I feel that all the so called ID shops i had been through are not really design based. They just mainly copy and paste from a template or from previous projects. I went to a few ID shops before and most of their own projects are more or less similar.

But if you really engaged a design base ID, that is another story. The one i engaged only design for their customers. They don't really carry out the construction work. What you are paying is for their design. The design fees can range from 2-5k. These are the real interior designers. They intergrate space planning and furniture selection(very important) into the design work.

If you are comparing the pricing between the two, then there is a huge difference. The quote i got from the contractor is about 4-5k cheaper than the so-called ID. But here is the catch, you need to supply a design/drawing to the contractor. They can do very basic drawing though. Even with the design you give them (with dimensions) the end product might not be 100% of what you see on the 2-D drawing because he might not understand the design in full details (since he is not the one who draws it).

Most ID will include labour cost for haulage which can cost up to 1k or more, but the few contractors i went to don't charge you for haulage. With that, you already save 1k.

One suggestion i can give you from my own experience is to have the best of both world. I engage a contractor to do the non-design based work like tiling work, painting, hacking of wall, etc. Then i engage a designer to come up with a design and he help me to liase with his own contractors to execute the carpentry work.

All of these are from my own personal experience though. Hope you have a smooth renovation.

[lawry 3]

I second ninku10's suggestion.

Get a separate professional ID and a reasonably priced contractor with good workmanship.

The professional ID will decide for you the theme, color scheme, layout and space planning, followed by flooring type/color, wall/wallpaper color, curtains. lighting, window types, panes, toilet basins with matching taps. Carpentry design with matching furnishing like your sofa, throw cushions, even paintings and flowers.

This being a strictly professional designer proposal, things might not come cheap as well.

They might suggest some items which look nice and fitting to your selected theme, but it's expensive.

So you have to decide how much do you really want spend on this renovation before you approach them*.

*them refers to

- Contractors

- Contractors who call themselves IDs

- Professional IDs who does design & coordination

- Professional IDs who does design only

[bluesky76 0]

If you are referring to the worksmanship between the two, there is really no differences. At the end of the day, ID still hire contractor to do the carpentry, tiling etc for them. A contractor also does the same things. I feel that all the so called ID shops i had been through are not really design based. They just mainly copy and paste from a template or from previous projects. I went to a few ID shops before and most of their own projects are more or less similar.

But if you really engaged a design base ID, that is another story. The one i engaged only design for their customers. They don't really carry out the construction work. What you are paying is for their design. The design fees can range from 2-5k. These are the real interior designers. They intergrate space planning and furniture selection(very important) into the design work.

If you are comparing the pricing between the two, then there is a huge difference. The quote i got from the contractor is about 4-5k cheaper than the so-called ID. But here is the catch, you need to supply a design/drawing to the contractor. They can do very basic drawing though. Even with the design you give them (with dimensions) the end product might not be 100% of what you see on the 2-D drawing because he might not understand the design in full details (since he is not the one who draws it).

Most ID will include labour cost for haulage which can cost up to 1k or more, but the few contractors i went to don't charge you for haulage. With that, you already save 1k.

One suggestion i can give you from my own experience is to have the best of both world. I engage a contractor to do the non-design based work like tiling work, painting, hacking of wall, etc. Then i engage a designer to come up with a design and he help me to liase with his own contractors to execute the carpentry work.

All of these are from my own personal experience though. Hope you have a smooth renovation.

Ninku10, where did you get your ID from ? Can let me know the contacts...wanted to find a ID that does purely design work as i already had a contractor.

[Zio 1]

Thanks all

I will try on this method, give me comments if it works

ok first hand, let me explain my current situation ya.

This 4 Room A HDB is ard 20+ years already, and obviously we are staying in it. (whether or not we can find a temp place to move out, not sure)

My parents have got a certain budget to meet.

I find out that doing the Whole House, which include misc things like a TV console, mounted wardrobe, bla bla bla cost roughly ard 30K for a 4 Room ? (pls correct me if I am wrong).

Therefore I wld suggest that I ask my ID to design the whole hse and calculate see how much in total. Then we meet up again to see how we can exclude the not so neccessary stuffs to bring the final quote to be within my budget.

It is ok ?

[yokine9a 1]

This method is

Tell your ID to design the whole house & give you a detailed break-down quotation on each piece of work... then you remove those not so necessary stuff one by one during subsequent discussions to meet your budget.

[Zio 1]

This method is

Tell your ID to design the whole house & give you a detailed break-down quotation on each piece of work... then you remove those not so necessary stuff one by one during subsequent discussions to meet your budget.

Yup thats what I intend to do

[ylann 0]

Thanks all

I will try on this method, give me comments if it works

ok first hand, let me explain my current situation ya.

This 4 Room A HDB is ard 20+ years already, and obviously we are staying in it. (whether or not we can find a temp place to move out, not sure)

My parents have got a certain budget to meet.

I find out that doing the Whole House, which include misc things like a TV console, mounted wardrobe, bla bla bla cost roughly ard 30K for a 4 Room ? (pls correct me if I am wrong).

Therefore I wld suggest that I ask my ID to design the whole hse and calculate see how much in total. Then we meet up again to see how we can exclude the not so neccessary stuffs to bring the final quote to be within my budget.

It is ok ?

I don't think to 'exclude the not so neccessary stuff to bring the final quote' work. Eventually, you have to fork out money to get the thing back. You should give your budget to the designer and ask them to design the space base on your requirement.

Example are tv console can cost from 100+ to 150+ per foot run base on the design and materials.

Therefore i think you should max. the use of budget you have.

[thisoldman 0]

Hi hi... i seldom post coz not really have access to internet very often. however, i woudl like to recommend my ID as i find that he deserve to be recommended.

here is my story.

I just completed my reno. my ID is very very responsible. i have very very tight budget and wanted to 'maximise' and do as much as possible within my budget as mine was a 26 years old flat.

was indeed very surprised at this ID. He is unlike other ID which i met who will try cut your items to be done and do less things or rather coax you to choose the cheaper material and end up dun care if overall it makes your house look cheapo... he is very patient and willing to tell you the way to cut cost yet do not compromise with the overall feel and design of the house.

this is my 2nd home already and i can tell the huge difference as i have been to most reno firms in singapore. p/s: i will go all out to cut cost so i researched almost 6mth before i engage any contractor.

in the long and short. i am very happy and satisfied with the service which my ID provided. if you are interested in his contact, pls PM me.

i have moved in for 2months already. even when my lightbulb blow, my ID send a electrician to look at it very promptly. and he told me he warrant his services for 2 years for every home he is in charge of. basically i am very impress with this young man's committement and attitude throughout my house reno and after service.

just a brief list of items i have done.

1) tailor made and design grille for windows and main door.

2) hack entire floor and pipes and bathrooms and kitchen. overhaul of the entire house.

3) plaster all walls

4) i paint the walls and ceiling myself.

5) false ceiling whole house.

pls PM me for his contact. will be very glad to share his contacts with all of you who needs a reliable and patient ID.

[limyysg 0]

Hi,

Could you kindly give me the contact of your ID. My email: limyysg@yahoo.com.sg. Thank you & have a good day.

Cheers

YY

Hi hi... i seldom post coz not really have access to internet very often. however, i woudl like to recommend my ID as i find that he deserve to be recommended.

here is my story.

I just completed my reno. my ID is very very responsible. i have very very tight budget and wanted to 'maximise' and do as much as possible within my budget as mine was a 26 years old flat.

was indeed very surprised at this ID. He is unlike other ID which i met who will try cut your items to be done and do less things or rather coax you to choose the cheaper material and end up dun care if overall it makes your house look cheapo... he is very patient and willing to tell you the way to cut cost yet do not compromise with the overall feel and design of the house.

this is my 2nd home already and i can tell the huge difference as i have been to most reno firms in singapore. p/s: i will go all out to cut cost so i researched almost 6mth before i engage any contractor.

in the long and short. i am very happy and satisfied with the service which my ID provided. if you are interested in his contact, pls PM me.

i have moved in for 2months already. even when my lightbulb blow, my ID send a electrician to look at it very promptly. and he told me he warrant his services for 2 years for every home he is in charge of. basically i am very impress with this young man's committement and attitude throughout my house reno and after service.

just a brief list of items i have done.

1) tailor made and design grille for windows and main door.

2) hack entire floor and pipes and bathrooms and kitchen. overhaul of the entire house.

3) plaster all walls

4) i paint the walls and ceiling myself.

5) false ceiling whole house.

pls PM me for his contact. will be very glad to share his contacts with all of you who needs a reliable and patient ID.

[Cloyn 0]

Hi hi... i seldom post coz not really have access to internet very often. however, i woudl like to recommend my ID as i find that he deserve to be recommended.

here is my story.

I just completed my reno. my ID is very very responsible. i have very very tight budget and wanted to 'maximise' and do as much as possible within my budget as mine was a 26 years old flat.

was indeed very surprised at this ID. He is unlike other ID which i met who will try cut your items to be done and do less things or rather coax you to choose the cheaper material and end up dun care if overall it makes your house look cheapo... he is very patient and willing to tell you the way to cut cost yet do not compromise with the overall feel and design of the house.

this is my 2nd home already and i can tell the huge difference as i have been to most reno firms in singapore. p/s: i will go all out to cut cost so i researched almost 6mth before i engage any contractor.

in the long and short. i am very happy and satisfied with the service which my ID provided. if you are interested in his contact, pls PM me.

i have moved in for 2months already. even when my lightbulb blow, my ID send a electrician to look at it very promptly. and he told me he warrant his services for 2 years for every home he is in charge of. basically i am very impress with this young man's committement and attitude throughout my house reno and after service.

just a brief list of items i have done.

1) tailor made and design grille for windows and main door.

2) hack entire floor and pipes and bathrooms and kitchen. overhaul of the entire house.

3) plaster all walls

4) i paint the walls and ceiling myself.

5) false ceiling whole house.

pls PM me for his contact. will be very glad to share his contacts with all of you who needs a reliable and patient ID.

Any photos or details?

[soduku 0]

Any photos or details?

Yup..photo?

[Pinklady 0]

yes, i find that contractor and ID got differences.

Contractor, you tell him to do this this this, he will just follow accordingly. But you can save costs on that.

ID, will give out colour co-ordinations, space planning, furniture matching, tiles etc etc. but slightly more ex.

My ID is quite an easy going guy, quite a lot of stuff he throw in FOC for me, close 1 eye and then open 1 eye. Most IDs just wana chop carrot head rite? but my one, will not.

[sohck 0]

I think the gap between IDs and contractors have narrowed over the years. Perhaps it is due to customers asking, contractors these days are also taking on interior design jobs / or giving advice on interior design - so much so they could call and marketing themselves as IDs. However, many of these IDs still have the mentality of contractors - they pretty much do as they were told [by the customers] and only participate in few, selected designs, mostly at the request of the customers. Or worst still, the guy you deal with is not a designer, and he will only engaged the inhouse designer when requested to do so.

In my opinion, these IDs have the best value for money. Because their mindset is still very contractor, often they can match the price of contractors'. But like dealing with a contractor, you have to pretty much do most of the designs yourself. The good thing is that should you need advice on designs, you can "activate" the inhouse designers to give you advice / suggestions. To me, that's best of both world!