Id Selection Guidance

[enrisa 0]

Hi

I hope you all will be able to help me as we just completed our first appointment and we're getting our keys soon for our flat. We're very new to all this and there seem to be a lot of info to digest so i hope i have the following right:

1) Selection of ID - We met up with 3 ID companies last weekend at Expo. One of them turned us off immediately as he wanted us to pay deposit as we were given the "coming-back-tomorrow-means-the-price-will-go-up" treatment. I decided not to waste my time with this design company. The other 2 which we saw was - and FUSE. I've scoured through renotalk and realised there hasn't been very good feedback on -. As for FUSE, I've been seeing some good comments. Now my question is this:

- HDB seem to have 'approved' listing of contractors. And FUSE is on the list but has a Suspension and demerit points. Should I be concerned? See link: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/bn25/isos118p.nsf/e3...c8?OpenDocument - the suspension doesn't seem severe but i guess these things need to be taken into account? The last thing I need is to have HDB officers knocking on my door or running foul of their guidelines.

- I'm looking for minimalist design to my flat so if anyone has any good experience with IDs in this area, please let me know. I've also read about Earnest Interiors - any good feedback on them?

2) I want to look for really funky items like tables, chairs, lamps without busting my budget. where do you look for these in Singapore? (if this doesn't give away anything, I'm not Singaporean/local).

3) During our talks with the ID, we mentioned that we'll be getting our keys on the 6th Nov and they seemed perplexed that we're only looking for an ID so late. I don't intend to tear the entire place down/apart as the last owner has done significant renovation. My main area would be the living and kitchen which would require a bit of work. I'm still hoping that I'll get to move in before the year end.

Any tips would be most grateful!!

Edited October 27, 2009 by enrisa

[zhiz 4]

Hi

I hope you all will be able to help me as we just completed our first appointment and we're getting our keys on the 6th Nov for our resale flat in Redhill. We're very new to all this and there seem to be a lot of info to digest so i hope i have the following right:

1) Selection of ID - We met up with 3 ID companies last weekend at Expo. One of them turned us off immediately as he wanted us to pay deposit as we were given the "coming-back-tomorrow-means-the-price-will-go-up" treatment. I decided not to waste my time with this design company. The other 2 which we saw was - and FUSE. I've scoured through renotalk and realised there hasn't been very good feedback on -. As for FUSE, I've been seeing some good comments. Now my question is this:

- HDB seem to have 'approved' listing of contractors. And FUSE is on the list but has a Suspension and demerit points. Should I be concerned? See link: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/bn25/isos118p.nsf/e3...c8?OpenDocument - the suspension doesn't seem severe but i guess these things need to be taken into account? The last thing I need is to have HDB officers knocking on my door or running foul of their guidelines.

- I'm looking for minimalist design to my flat so if anyone has any good experience with IDs in this area, please let me know. I've also read about Earnest Interiors - any good feedback on them?

2) I want to look for really funky items like tables, chairs, lamps without busting my budget. where do you look for these in Singapore? (if this doesn't give away anything, I'm not Singaporean/local).

3) During our talks with the ID, we mentioned that we'll be getting our keys on the 6th Nov and they seemed perplexed that we're only looking for an ID so late. I don't intend to tear the entire place down/apart as the last owner has done significant renovation. My main area would be the living and kitchen which would require a bit of work. I'm still hoping that I'll get to move in before the year end.

Any tips would be most grateful!!

Its a little hard to recommend anyone to you as everyone will recommend their own favourite ID/contractor. What works for them may not work for you as well.

From experience, I might want to avoid going to expo as the ID may be less established and need to go to expo to get more leads.

I start looking for ID a few months before reno till i give up cos too tiring.

my final decision was swift and quick after seeing how satisfied my fren was. its no longer about quotes but more of how comfortable you are with the ID and her/his works with other customer. Most impt is reliability which you can only know if someone you know personally has experienced it. Some forum recommendation also cannot be trusted as they could be own ppl or just fake nicks trying to get business. You can also look thru the t-blog and see the quality of the work done through the pics posted.

But frankly you have very little time for a LOT of decisions to be made before hacking begins.

http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=24480

[zhiz 4]

Hi enrisa,

zhiz is rite, one man's flesh is another man's poison.

Also beware of imposters in here.

I'm also sourcing for my reno.

I guess I'm slightly luckier as time is on my side.

So let's share info with one and other.

You can check with any friends of your who have recently renovate their lovenests.

Get comments from them about their ID/contractors.

It is also a great deal of the "chemistry" between yourself and your ID/contractors.

I personally felt we as owner ourselves have to spend a bit more time to do our homework, sourcing and research.

Below are The ID I shortlisted.

Hope that this list is helpful to you.

ID Emboss

Cj Ambience

Chew Interior

Yonder

Darwin

Use this list only as reference.

Go ahead check them out and ask for quotations and do comparisons and seek advise from people you know who had their home done recently.

Do like me know if you come across any good ones too!

Cheers!

Eric

The ID firms are a guideline. Most imptly is the ID that you talk to.

[enrisa 0]

Hi, thanks for the tips.

Last Question - where do you guys buy all your electrical appliances - e.g. fridges, TV, ovens etc? i reckon its better to buy from 1 shop to bargain for discount instead of spreading it all over? I should also avoid places like Harvey Norman and Courts as they would be more expensive? How abut audio house? Any tips would be useful

[negarawan 0]

ID...looks under the ID selection process in this forum. I dun mind pay a good ID, but it is nightmare paying a bad one for service.

Well for electrical applicances, if you are paying cash. You can get some discounts...as net and visa has service charges to company.

Edited October 27, 2009 by negarawan

[zhiz 4]

Hi, thanks for the tips.

Last Question - where do you guys buy all your electrical appliances - e.g. fridges, TV, ovens etc? i reckon its better to buy from 1 shop to bargain for discount instead of spreading it all over? I should also avoid places like Harvey Norman and Courts as they would be more expensive? How abut audio house? Any tips would be useful

i like harvey norman prices. can go lower than what other smaller shops during warehouse and expo sales. also can buy extended warranty.