Builder Vs Architect

[turnerdhr 0]

In our own experience, using builders with in-house designers couldn't give us the house we want.

We had lived in a corner 3 sty terrace before our present place and we wasted a lot of time and $$$ re-doing things because builder didn't understand the details we were looking for (wooden louver screens, skylights, water feature in courtyard etc). i guess can't blame the builders and blame myself for my inexperience that time, because i didn't know that time that their in house designer was not up to standard. Basically, the finish product did not look at all like my pictures i sent to them!

Going directly to builders seemed cheaper at first, but in reality it wasn't because the quoted price included only very standard cheap "branded" toilets, tiles, standard small aluminium windows.

Our wish list was for nice BIG sliding glass panels, nice BIG tiles (designer look) for living and rooms, oak wood floors on 2nd storey and mezzanine loft, nice landscaping, modern italian look kitchen and wardrobes.

Basically like those SC Global high-end developments for our interiors, and Sentosa looking houses for our exterior style. We even managed to put in elevator included in our budget (japanese made, very important must be from japan).

We finally decided on chen+choi because their design and build quote to us was a lot cheaper compare to the high-end architect firms we spoke to and similarly to some builders prices.

I guess because they are professionally trained and that makes the huge difference for the end product to look like those magazine style houses which we dream to have. I hope this helps!

[NED 0]

Dear Metal Tab , iamken, and others,

Was reading about your house build in 2011 (ken) and 2015 (Metal).

I was wondering if you could share which builder you used please?

Tried sending PM to you both, but message says you cannot receive any new messages.

Can post here please?

Many thanks !

Ned

Edited December 28, 2015 by NED

[mrsyuki 0]

In our own experience, using builders with in-house designers couldn't give us the house we want.

We had lived in a corner 3 sty terrace before our present place and we wasted a lot of time and $$$ re-doing things because builder didn't understand the details we were looking for (wooden louver screens, skylights, water feature in courtyard etc). i guess can't blame the builders and blame myself for my inexperience that time, because i didn't know that time that their in house designer was not up to standard. Basically, the finish product did not look at all like my pictures i sent to them!

Going directly to builders seemed cheaper at first, but in reality it wasn't because the quoted price included only very standard cheap "branded" toilets, tiles, standard small aluminium windows.

Our wish list was for nice BIG sliding glass panels, nice BIG tiles (designer look) for living and rooms, oak wood floors on 2nd storey and mezzanine loft, nice landscaping, modern italian look kitchen and wardrobes.

Basically like those SC Global high-end developments for our interiors, and Sentosa looking houses for our exterior style. We even managed to put in elevator included in our budget (japanese made, very important must be from japan).

We finally decided on chen+choi because their design and build quote to us was a lot cheaper compare to the high-end architect firms we spoke to and similarly to some builders prices.

I guess because they are professionally trained and that makes the huge difference for the end product to look like those magazine style houses which we dream to have. I hope this helps!

Dear turnerdhr

We have also decided to choose chen and choi as our designer/builder for our corner semi-d in the east. We are very happy with their attitude and service. What a nice environment they work in. So inspiring.

They told us it will take about 8 months for our reconstruction as long as i am not the fickle type! Not sure how long or what is the size of your build. For me personally, i want to go up to at least 5500sf or more. Hope the setback doesnt affect my dream plans!

We have sent them all our images and ideas and are anxious but also very excited for our journey to begin.

Can you please PM me your email as i have some questions for you. Will you be using any imported kitchen systems? What is your choice of kitchen appliances? A large Kitchen is very important to me : - )

Many thx!

[yarwood 0]

On 12/9/2015 at 3:56 PM, turnerdhr said:

In our own experience, using builders with in-house designers couldn't give us the house we want.

We had lived in a corner 3 sty terrace before our present place and we wasted a lot of time and $$$ re-doing things because builder didn't understand the details we were looking for (wooden louver screens, skylights, water feature in courtyard etc). i guess can't blame the builders and blame myself for my inexperience that time, because i didn't know that time that their in house designer was not up to standard. Basically, the finish product did not look at all like my pictures i sent to them!

Going directly to builders seemed cheaper at first, but in reality it wasn't because the quoted price included only very standard cheap "branded" toilets, tiles, standard small aluminium windows.

Our wish list was for nice BIG sliding glass panels, nice BIG tiles (designer look) for living and rooms, oak wood floors on 2nd storey and mezzanine loft, nice landscaping, modern italian look kitchen and wardrobes.

Basically like those SC Global high-end developments for our interiors, and Sentosa looking houses for our exterior style. We even managed to put in elevator included in our budget (japanese made, very important must be from japan).

We finally decided on chen+choi because their design and build quote to us was a lot cheaper compare to the high-end architect firms we spoke to and similarly to some builders prices.

I guess because they are professionally trained and that makes the huge difference for the end product to look like those magazine style houses which we dream to have. I hope this helps!

Which type of sliding panels did you choose? wonder if it's the same as us!   

[Clem999 1]

On 21 July 2015 at 10:38 PM, MetalTab said:

In the midst of re-con of a 2400 land inter

2-sty to 3-sty+roof terrace

from 2700sf to 4900sf

started Dec14 and TOP inspection next month.

Very happy with builder who has his own stable of workers - mix of PRC supervisors and Indian/Bangladeshi workers.

Builder organises them into 4 teams and each specialises in different stages of the building process - initial removal of walls, digging of RC trench; team 2 for the laying of the cement structures, footings and steel structures, team 3 for the brickwork, plastering, glasswork and tiling, team 4 for the painting, general cleaning.

He works with others for air-con, electricity and plumbing.

must say that these 8 months have been anxious period for my wife and I since this is the first time we are undertaking such a massive project.

But the builder has been a god-sent. Truly.

Not money-face

Not Mr VO (many I hear in the industry will come in cheap for quote and VO us to death...)

Not Mr Lazy

Not sub-standard

He is very responsible - they have been on schedule, in fact ahead of schedule by 3 months.

He does not take short cuts - I witnessed him instructing his workers to hack up some cement flooring that I thought was fine. I asked him why, and he said that he wasn't satisfied that the old flooring was good enough standard. OK, the cynics will say that he wayang... but that's hacking up 2 rooms of such old flooring after what seems like all cement work has been completed. And that took another 1week to re-do.

We went to the site almost everyday... and each time, there were about 8pax of workers around. They seemed to know their jobs, and were a happy bunch.

The carpenter I employed remarked that the kungfu of the workers were very good (my eyes can't really tell, but he told me that the quality of finishing shows their pride in their work).

Oh, my wife can be fickle ... changed the paint colour for different parts of the house like 2x and each time, the builder said "mei wen ti" (no problem). We felt bad, but he said that he wanted us to be happy as this is a big investment to us.

And he is quite fierce to his workers; was told by the supervisor that he can scold them until cry... I suppose it's good that they fear him...

Can't believe this right? Well, if you told me this, i wouldn't either... as in truth, this is my second builder... the first run off after I paid close to a CAT A COE of deposit... and set us back by a good half a year. So I suppose things even out in the end.

Guess, the industry is dipping with fewer projects, and choosing the right builder is most important.

Hope most of you will get the same type as this second builder.

About a month+ to go... and what a journey it has been.

Albest to all under-going and about to undergo their re-build, re-con, A+A.

Hi, Gotten a quote for A&A 2k sqft terrace for over 900k ( exclude carpentry, air-con..), seem too expensive. Appreciate you could PM me your contact as well as cost of recon.

greatly appreciated

 

Thanks,

[turnerdhr 0]

On 1/7/2016 at 1:21 PM, mrsyuki said:

Dear turnerdhr

We have also decided to choose chen and choi as our designer/builder for our corner semi-d in the east. We are very happy with their attitude and service. What a nice environment they work in. So inspiring.

They told us it will take about 8 months for our reconstruction as long as i am not the fickle type! Not sure how long or what is the size of your build. For me personally, i want to go up to at least 5500sf or more. Hope the setback doesnt affect my dream plans!

We have sent them all our images and ideas and are anxious but also very excited for our journey to begin.

Can you please PM me your email as i have some questions for you. Will you be using any imported kitchen systems? What is your choice of kitchen appliances? A large Kitchen is very important to me : - )

Many thx!

Hello MrsYuki, have PM you my email.  i wish you well on your current recon build.  oh, btw what's the design of your kitchen?  What type of material did you select for your backsplash?  Did the studio also customize a dining table for you?  The oak dining table they made for us seats up to 10 and is also a very good space for the kid's homework time!  We saw something similar at DREAM but it was a little short and was meant for 8 people max.           

Anyway, our dining area is a well designed large open-planned space with a the kitchen design based on the MANY MANY images of Poliform Kitchens which i sent to them as my open-concept dream kitchen!  I don't foresee doing another major renovation (hubby will faint!) down the road so i made sure my kitchen and dining/living areas were done up well.  The style i highlighted explicitly to them was i want something very modern and very luxurious like in those magazines and i am satisfied!  thank you chen+choi.

I remember when we first had our initial consultation sessions at their studio, i made it clear that our family spends a lot of time around the dining area and kitchen so we wanted something big and well planned for heavy use by the kids and us.  Our kitchen and dining areas are the main focal points of our daily lives now and gets heavy and quite rough usage by the kids but i am happy to say it has worked out very well for us.  Remember to explain your daily lifestyle habits to them and they will do their magic.  PM me some of the pictures as you go along your reno journey!  I also recommend you joining the group buys for high-end furniture/light purchases.  good luck! 

          

 

[MetalTab 3]

On 01/07/2016 at 0:06 AM, Clem999 said:

Hi, Gotten a quote for A&A 2k sqft terrace for over 900k ( exclude carpentry, air-con..), seem too expensive. Appreciate you could PM me your contact as well as cost of recon.

greatly appreciated

 

Thanks,

PMed

[Erickohch 0]

Hi 

help needed ... May I have your super contractors especially from Metal/ Ken and many others ... 

 

Building a new home ... Love to have your help please 

[Cinq 0]

hi

looking to A&A my current 30 years corner terrace, appreciate any good recommendation 

thanks

[lionel81 0]

Can i have the contacts of your builder and architect? thanks and have a nice day.

 

[airman 1]

On ‎18‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 12:46 AM, MetalTab said:

PMed

Hi! MetalTab,

Can PM your contact?

Thanks

Airman

[MetalTab 3]

On 10/19/2017 at 12:46 AM, airman said:

Hi! MetalTab,

Can PM your contact?

Thanks

Airman

PMed

[airman 1]

On ‎25‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 6:27 PM, MetalTab said:

PMed

Thanks!

[Madamkhoo 0]

Recently bought a 2.5 Storey semi-d, land area 3320 sqft, GFA 2735. Planning to do extensions to the back and change the facade for a more contemporary look. Is this considered A&A or reconstruction? Do I need to engage an architect for this?

I am currently scouting for an architect/builder/D&B. Totally new to Reno for landed housing, any help is greatly appreciated.

[snoozee 98]

2 hours ago, Madamkhoo said:

Recently bought a 2.5 Storey semi-d, land area 3320 sqft, GFA 2735. Planning to do extensions to the back and change the facade for a more contemporary look. Is this considered A&A or reconstruction? Do I need to engage an architect for this?

I am currently scouting for an architect/builder/D&B. Totally new to Reno for landed housing, any help is greatly appreciated.

normally if you are not adding more than 50% of GFA, it will be considered as A&A. you will still need a QP (either architect or professional engineer) to do the submission/endorsement.