Resale Hdb (3A) Needs Reno Help For Contractors/quotations

[userfriendly 0]

I got a resale flat in Tampines. To my dismay, it's a pre-fab unit which I will have to bear with since I made the mistake of digging floorplan off the internet! So pls dont follow what I did! Anyway Im excited to renovate but my issue is the budget. 20K-25K and looking to do major overhaul, esp kitchen, toilets. can someone tell me your experience with any of some of the reno contractors? Getting keys mid-Feb 2012 so need to really search for a good contractor who doesn't overcharge.

1) Designscale 1:3

2) Unimax

3) SkyCreation

4) HiYang Interior reno

5) Impress21

As you can tell, Im getting quotes from alot of contractors. Based on my requirements, the cheapest is around 29K+, most costly $40k.

Also am wondering how big is a 10-feet kitchen?

I would appreciate any kind of reno advice anyone can dish out. including where to get cheapest/good lightings, kitchen appliances, basins, toilet bowls, shower head, heater, washing machine, fridge etc.etc.

Thanks.

***end***

[bepgof 20]

I got a resale flat in Tampines. To my dismay, it's a pre-fab unit which I will have to bear with since I made the mistake of digging floorplan off the internet! So pls dont follow what I did! Anyway Im excited to renovate but my issue is the budget. 20K-25K and looking to do major overhaul, esp kitchen, toilets. can someone tell me your experience with any of some of the reno contractors? Getting keys mid-Feb 2012 so need to really search for a good contractor who doesn't overcharge.

1) Designscale 1:3

2) Unimax

3) SkyCreation

4) HiYang Interior reno

5) Impress21

As you can tell, Im getting quotes from alot of contractors. Based on my requirements, the cheapest is around 29K+, most costly $40k.

Also am wondering how big is a 10-feet kitchen?

I would appreciate any kind of reno advice anyone can dish out. including where to get cheapest/good lightings, kitchen appliances, basins, toilet bowls, shower head, heater, washing machine, fridge etc.etc.

Thanks.

***end***

1st sentence: No gains without pains.

2nd sentence: Once pained, comes experience.

3rd sentence: Experience impossible to pass down by words.

3 quotes more than enough, use your "instints"-give your order to the one you feel "most comfortable". Build trust and relationship, you may need him next round. Same item of different "materials", price varies - how to tell you here?

[userfriendly 0]

Thanks Bepgof.

Does anyone else have more constructive advice to offer?

[travelpac 0]

Thanks Bepgof.

Does anyone else have more constructive advice to offer?

I bought lights and furniture from China. Shipped it here and its still cheaper than Singapore prices.

Check out online prices. Its a risk you take but if its a good gamble, you save money.

[NeoBY 1]

Hi Travelpac, where you get your pcs from? Any website link?

[travelpac 0]

Hi Travelpac, where you get your pcs from? Any website link?

I got my stuff through taobao. Its a Chinese ebay like website. If you want replicas of designer chairs, they do sell it real cheap there.

[NeoBY 1]

I have been checking taobao out for lights. Not sure for furniture cos these are quite big pieces.

[sophi4 0]

Must be careful of the cheapest quote, might have some hidden cost that keeps adding on.

[tlh4 0]

Thanks Bepgof.

Does anyone else have more constructive advice to offer?

I'm currently renovating my 5-Rm HDB flat as well. Hacking & overhaul of kitchen & 2 toilets. Everything is going very smoothly (much more smoothly than I expected based on past experience with shoddy contractors). I'm using a renovation contractor Mr Chong of Chng Poh Guan Renovation (not ID company) as I already had in mind what I wanted to do. Mr Chong is an old-school type contractor with many years of experience (small indistinct shop in Yishun Central). His quote was almost 10K cheaper than other contractors for the same list of items, and abt 25K less than a few IDs' quotes. Went ahead to engage him based on gut feel and kept my fingers crossed. Very pleased with his service so far. He started work 2 days earlier, remembers all my requests and is punctual for appointments. If you have a design in mind, give him clear detailed instructions and he will execute exactly what you require.

His team of Malaysian workers are also very experienced and meticulous. Today, after laying the toilet flooring, his worker commented that a few tiles from the same batch did not appear similar in tone and proceeded to remove and replace those tiles on his own without my asking. Tiling should complete in 1 to 2 days. Extremely pleased with the workmanship. I have taken some photos and can share if anyone wants.

Plumber, electrician & painter moving in next week. Works started on 1-Feb and scheduled to end on 19-Feb, so that's 3 weeks for kitchen & 2 toilets.

My sis-in-law did her private house recently and had a nasty experience with a very popular award-winning ID company (with an impressive website & portfolio I must say). The project coordinator was not at all helpful and it seems like they have mistakenly cemented her aircon drainage pipe which she is now trying to locate.

For my split unit aircon, I've separately gotten an aircon company (Raymond of AirCon Specialist Pte Ltd) for the works (recommended by a friend who has been using them for years). His isn't the cheapest quote but in the middle range. Would rather pay a bit more for a trustworthy company. Very good workmanship as well (just our luck). Works completed today. Haven't paid a cent. Called Raymond but he hasn't responded. Must be too busy. Funny that customer is chasing to make payment. It is usually the other way around. Well trust has to work both ways I guess.

[userfriendly 0]

I'm currently renovating my 5-Rm HDB flat as well. Hacking & overhaul of kitchen & 2 toilets. Everything is going very smoothly (much more smoothly than I expected based on past experience with shoddy contractors). I'm using a renovation contractor Mr Chong of Chng Poh Guan Renovation (not ID company) as I already had in mind what I wanted to do. Mr Chong is an old-school type contractor with many years of experience (small indistinct shop in Yishun Central). His quote was almost 10K cheaper than other contractors for the same list of items, and abt 25K less than a few IDs' quotes. Went ahead to engage him based on gut feel and kept my fingers crossed. Very pleased with his service so far. He started work 2 days earlier, remembers all my requests and is punctual for appointments. If you have a design in mind, give him clear detailed instructions and he will execute exactly what you require.

His team of Malaysian workers are also very experienced and meticulous. Today, after laying the toilet flooring, his worker commented that a few tiles from the same batch did not appear similar in tone and proceeded to remove and replace those tiles on his own without my asking. Tiling should complete in 1 to 2 days. Extremely pleased with the workmanship. I have taken some photos and can share if anyone wants.

Plumber, electrician & painter moving in next week. Works started on 1-Feb and scheduled to end on 19-Feb, so that's 3 weeks for kitchen & 2 toilets.

My sis-in-law did her private house recently and had a nasty experience with a very popular award-winning ID company (with an impressive website & portfolio I must say). The project coordinator was not at all helpful and it seems like they have mistakenly cemented her aircon drainage pipe which she is now trying to locate.

For my split unit aircon, I've separately gotten an aircon company (Raymond of AirCon Specialist Pte Ltd) for the works (recommended by a friend who has been using them for years). His isn't the cheapest quote but in the middle range. Would rather pay a bit more for a trustworthy company. Very good workmanship as well (just our luck). Works completed today. Haven't paid a cent. Called Raymond but he hasn't responded. Must be too busy. Funny that customer is chasing to make payment. It is usually the other way around. Well trust has to work both ways I guess.

THANKS TLH4. I finally chose Impress21 because other IDs were either too ex or too bochap. My total cost around $30K - not including sanitary wares and kitchen accessories or any furniture yet! Pay until hands soft. Btw, is Baron a reliable toilet bowl or should I spend on other brands which are possibly cheaper and good. I went to Universal Union and was quoted $250 for Baron t/bowl + basin (not branded). They are friendly face to face but their post-sales over the telephone kinda poor. Any opinions?

[tlh4 0]

Sorry but I'm also clueless about toilet bowls. My current flat (just sold off) is using HDB-provided bowls, so no experience in sourcing for bowls. For my resale flat's reno, I bought Otto Mercury for $400 each (not exactly cheap but I was going more for its aesthetics).

[qyan09 0]

I got a resale flat in Tampines. To my dismay, it's a pre-fab unit which I will have to bear with since I made the mistake of digging floorplan off the internet! So pls dont follow what I did! Anyway Im excited to renovate but my issue is the budget. 20K-25K and looking to do major overhaul, esp kitchen, toilets. can someone tell me your experience with any of some of the reno contractors? Getting keys mid-Feb 2012 so need to really search for a good contractor who doesn't overcharge.

1) Designscale 1:3

2) Unimax

3) SkyCreation

4) HiYang Interior reno

5) Impress21

As you can tell, Im getting quotes from alot of contractors. Based on my requirements, the cheapest is around 29K+, most costly $40k.

Also am wondering how big is a 10-feet kitchen?

I would appreciate any kind of reno advice anyone can dish out. including where to get cheapest/good lightings, kitchen appliances, basins, toilet bowls, shower head, heater, washing machine, fridge etc.etc.

Thanks.

***end***

Hiya is yr contractor/id good? Can share with me?

Thanks

[kwcjbl 0]

I'm currently renovating my 5-Rm HDB flat as well. Hacking & overhaul of kitchen & 2 toilets. Everything is going very smoothly (much more smoothly than I expected based on past experience with shoddy contractors). I'm using a renovation contractor Mr Chong of Chng Poh Guan Renovation (not ID company) as I already had in mind what I wanted to do. Mr Chong is an old-school type contractor with many years of experience (small indistinct shop in Yishun Central). His quote was almost 10K cheaper than other contractors for the same list of items, and abt 25K less than a few IDs' quotes. Went ahead to engage him based on gut feel and kept my fingers crossed. Very pleased with his service so far. He started work 2 days earlier, remembers all my requests and is punctual for appointments. If you have a design in mind, give him clear detailed instructions and he will execute exactly what you require.

His team of Malaysian workers are also very experienced and meticulous. Today, after laying the toilet flooring, his worker commented that a few tiles from the same batch did not appear similar in tone and proceeded to remove and replace those tiles on his own without my asking. Tiling should complete in 1 to 2 days. Extremely pleased with the workmanship. I have taken some photos and can share if anyone wants.

Plumber, electrician & painter moving in next week. Works started on 1-Feb and scheduled to end on 19-Feb, so that's 3 weeks for kitchen & 2 toilets.

My sis-in-law did her private house recently and had a nasty experience with a very popular award-winning ID company (with an impressive website & portfolio I must say). The project coordinator was not at all helpful and it seems like they have mistakenly cemented her aircon drainage pipe which she is now trying to locate.

For my split unit aircon, I've separately gotten an aircon company (Raymond of AirCon Specialist Pte Ltd) for the works (recommended by a friend who has been using them for years). His isn't the cheapest quote but in the middle range. Would rather pay a bit more for a trustworthy company. Very good workmanship as well (just our luck). Works completed today. Haven't paid a cent. Called Raymond but he hasn't responded. Must be too busy. Funny that customer is chasing to make payment. It is usually the other way around. Well trust has to work both ways I guess.

Dear tlh4, please check your PM, thanks!

Edited August 20, 2012 by kwcjbl

[yhkoh 2]

Dear tlh4, please check your PM, thanks!

Hi, kwcjbl, could PM me the contact? Any thing to beware of if I want to engage him?

[yhkoh 2]

THANKS TLH4. I finally chose Impress21 because other IDs were either too ex or too bochap. My total cost around $30K - not including sanitary wares and kitchen accessories or any furniture yet! Pay until hands soft. Btw, is Baron a reliable toilet bowl or should I spend on other brands which are possibly cheaper and good. I went to Universal Union and was quoted $250 for Baron t/bowl + basin (not branded). They are friendly face to face but their post-sales over the telephone kinda poor. Any opinions?

Hi, userfriendly, how is your experience with Impress21? Is your project managed by Henry? I am considering engaging him. Anything I should be beware of?