gcdanilim 0 Report post Posted June 4, 2011 The first impression of a newly built house is usually a positive one. Everything is new and shiny, and looks beautiful. Everyone likes a new house.After living in a new house for a while, the feeling may (usually) change. The master room basin is too small. The car porch is too small. It would have been great to have a maid's room on top of a guest room on the ground floor. Grouses like these are becoming common.Why do they surface after you move in and not before? The reason is largely due the layout being planned by someone who is not going to live in the house. Go to a contractor and he gives you a house within your budget, usually compromised to suit the contractor (and his planner) not you, the house owner.I spent one year and 4 months rebuilding my inter-terrace. It was originally 2-storey with a huge garden and I wanted to extend the 2-stories' built-in and add an attic. My mistake was to engage the contractor first, and his plan for the house using his own people (architects and engineers). They designed an attic which is 1/3 of the size it is today. I sacked the contractor's engineer (after giving him a chance with another engineer's professional opinion that it is possible to build the large attic which is now built). Instead of leaving it to the contractor, I sourced almost everything myself and to date, almost everything is the way I want it to be. The fly in the ointment is the "con" by Hong Soon (Jln Besar) concerning the long crystal mirror (see my other post).Redoing a house is a large project. It is worth the effort to spend time to know what you want, within your budget. You can always easily replace furniture and movables, but it is not so easily to redo the car porch or add another room. You need to find someone who will take the time and effort to cater for your needs and who designs for you with a passion. Such people are not easy to find. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
