What You Need To Know Before You Start Renovation

[richmich40 0]

Hi Zhiz, appreciate if u can pm me ur ID contact too. Thanks!

[figarro 0]

4. Cost of clearing of debris and haulage

**** As per conversation with HDB council, the standard cost for clearing of debris and haulage is always at the cost of $215 inclusive of GST. Do not be surprised when contractor quote you more than $500 and do not get convinced by them when they told you the reason why it is so expensive. Some contractor will tends to tell you that they have rented a lorry to collect debris, this is not true. The lorry is provided by HDB who will do the clearing up. The contractor only needs to pay them $215 and everything will be done properly. Reason: HDB pay outsiders to do the clearing and this is liaise with the contractor and the HDB third party, when only a single receipt will be given. Best is to check with your HDB branch office.

HDB only collect debris fees on behalf of the town council cost won't be more than $250. you can get the print out copy by HDB from your contractor .

The haulage and buying of sand from the appointed contractor ( you can find their contact pasted at the lift lobby for new flats )should be paid by the contractor or the ID firm engaged .

Some contractor or so call " ID " firm will say the haulage fees is home owner should pay ( bout $ 800 or more )Don get CON . All these should be quote inside the contract under the tiling works .

Resale flats Town concil don't charge haulage fees as there is no more haulage contractor appointed by HDB station there .

Contractors will tends to quote more in their hauluge fees, pls take note.

How about resale EC (not privatized yet / below 10-year old), any idea how much does it cost to clear the debris?

Or, where can I find this info?

MISTAKE: Not giving yourself enough time to spot mistakes at the end of renos.

Your ID will typically take you around the house once at the end of the reno to spot mistakes, rectify them, and once that is done, seek full payment. One walk around the house is insufficient for mistakes to be spotted. I would suggest you spend a few days walking through, with as many people as possible, because you may miss something. Even better if you can actually live in the house for a bit because mistakes become a lot more obvious when they inconvenience you (like a door that doesn't close properly, a leaking sink etc).

Write the problems down on paper and give them to your ID. Make sure they're accountable.

Make sure you withhold your final payment till you're 100% satisfied. Because if you pay in full, and there are problems, your ID will have less incentive to fix them for you quickly. Even if he wants to fix them for you, and is not out to cheat you, he will 100% allocate his resources to clients who haven't paid up in full yet, so you become last priority. With outstanding payment, he will want to fix them ASAP so that he can close the project and move on.

How much payment should we withhold at the end of the reno work? 5%? 10%?

How long can we withhold? Is 2 weeks reasonable? Is this period called warranty period?

[izzat 1]

Great info shared.. After i had finally done up my home, i now found this forum. I found out that this is pretty helpful.

But then, looking at the price range of my ID who charged me was exactly the same price as the above. And now i feel at ease as i am not cheated by my her. And im glad i got her as my id. She is competent and reliable. Despite her busy schedule too, she is responsive and her workmanship is still great and i dont deny that.

But anyway, family and me were blessed to have found an id like her. No scary ids who ran away with $$ or, did a half way job and flee.. Or forcing u to open up your wallet to pay etc... Just that, we felt grateful. Cheers to her

[daxiong88 0]

Dear zhiz,

Could you share the name of your ID? Searching for a good and reliable ID now. Do you have the name of the staff whom oversees all your reno work? Thanks

Renovation tips

1.Charge for each additional electrical power point

*** Take note each additional electrical power point in the market nowadays is between $60-$70. Pls be ensure 2 way switch installation only costs $40 for lighting and pls ensure that the contractor has indicated everything clearly.

*** Take note also each installation of new lighting point is between $30-$40, some contractor may quoted more than $50 per point. Also pls do not ask the contractor to disconnect the power point when it has been done, as this also incurred costs and losses.


2. Cost of aircon wiring, re-wiring

*** The cost of aircon wiring and rewiring is always inclusive together with the air con equipment depends on the model you buy. For instance, a standard LG model costs around $1600 with installation. Pls do not be happy with the free gift the contractor provided together with the air con as the free gift is also one of the hidden costs in it. Nothing is free, pls bear in mind.

3. Quotation at time of signing does not included detailed specs of all materials used eg. acceptable price range for floor tiles given budget

**** You must always ask your contractor to state everything as clear as possible. The dimension as well as the type of floor tiles given. This is important.

4. Cost of clearing of debris and haulage

**** As per conversation with HDB council, the standard cost for clearing of debris and haulage is always at the cost of $215 inclusive of GST. Do not be surprised when contractor quote you more than $500 and do not get convinced by them when they told you the reason why it is so expensive. Some contractor will tends to tell you that they have rented a lorry to collect debris, this is not true. The lorry is provided by HDB who will do the clearing up. The contractor only needs to pay them $215 and everything will be done properly. Reason: HDB pay outsiders to do the clearing and this is liaise with the contractor and the HDB third party, when only a single receipt will be given. Best is to check with your HDB branch office.

HDB only collect debris fees on behalf of the town council cost won't be more than $250. you can get the print out copy by HDB from your contractor .
The haulage and buying of sand from the appointed contractor ( you can find their contact pasted at the lift lobby for new flats )should be paid by the contractor or the ID firm engaged .
Some contractor or so call " ID " firm will say the haulage fees is home owner should pay ( bout $ 800 or more )Don get CON . All these should be quote inside the contract under the tiling works .
Resale flats Town concil don't charge haulage fees as there is no more haulage contractor appointed by HDB station there .

Contractors will tends to quote more in their hauluge fees, pls take note.

5. Renovation permit costs

*** Renovation permit costs is always provided free when the contractor apply to HDB. There is no costs at all. You may check with HDB itself. Last time HDB used to charge around $200 for permit fees but not now. Policy has changed.

6. Cost of chemical wash

*** Pls take note chemical wash also can be called acid wash is between the cost of $95-$150. This done once or twice depends between contractor and owner. This only done after painting and flooring has completed and before the completion of kitchen cabinet.

7. Remember to check all water holes for any cement or sand. Some contractors may just throw the cement onto the pipe, which in the long run will cause leakage.

8. Cost of gas piping.

The contractor will liaise with City gas contractor for work to be done and this only incurred the cost of $70 per trip. As for the connection of gas piping to the cooker hood will be done separately on another day. The billing of gas piping will be send to your house by the PUB people and not the contractor .

9. Cost of painting.

The cost of painting is between $1100 - $1500. It normally consists of 5 colors Nippon or equivalent. Colours can be selected and adjustable.

10. Installation of bathroom accessories & electrical point.

*** This can be negotiable. You can discuss with the contractor to install these items FOC at your house. When the contractors said they will bring you to the shop to buy bathroom items, do not agree and follow them. This is another way of hidden costs appearing, as contractors may earn commission from there. Take note. The same goes with the lighting points and bulb. However if price difference is not much, its really more convenient to let the ID settle all the delivery plus installation. That’s what I did. You may buy direct and get your contractor to install also can.

For bathroom accessories and lighting, you may go to Jalan Besar or Geylang area to get it. Balestier can be considered but not all. Some places in Balestier tends to quote higher. I personally bought from lightings.com.sg.

11. When hacking walls, make sure contractors include touching up with tiles i.e. on the area that is being left exposed by the wall that is being hacked off.... otherwise some will charge u separately for those tiles.

12. Low price for kitchen cabinets can mean no frills like stainless steel dish racks etc. So you've to ask them to give you EVERY detail.

13. If you are installing ceiling fan, contractor will charge you around $25- $35 but can be negotiated.

14. If you are installing instant heater, contractor will charge you around $60 each. But can be negotiated.

15. Cabinet is treated wood or not.

16. Tell your ID you are getting your own switches and door knobs/lever handles, minus off the cost of those from the quote. If not, they must let you choose, they don't suka suka install some cheap ugly ones for you. For switches, you can buy nice clipsal ones at wholesale prices at Choo Chiang (Veerasamy Road). For me, as I did complete rewiring, the nice switches were given to me foc.

17. Open concept walk in wardrobe, this can be a nightmare for maintenance. I didn't do this, but some of my friends did, it was right outside their toilet, moisture attack, dust attack. I had my close door walk in wardrobe outside my toilet also. Some of my things turn mouldy. One tub of hungry hippo once a week is not economical.

18. If on budget, dont really need kitchen sliding door actually. I cooked often, i didnt have any kitchen sliding door. My living room is not affect at all

19. Above all, its important to select a reliable ID/contractor that has proven track record based on recommendation. That’s what I did when I visited my friend’s newly renovated home and she shared with me her pleasant reno experience. So I went for the same ID and my renovation was a breeze as ID was very responsive and check on site very often, sometimes mms pictures for us to see as updates as well. Avoid those popular ones on the forum as they often get overloaded with work and quality becomes poor. There are also horrible experiences of cheap contractor going mia with money as well. Its impt to be cost conscious but at least get a ID or contractor with HDB license. I did shop around and met many ID and after a while I realize that the pricing is roughly the same.
I also avoid those at expo as they tend to be inexperience and after all I do not want to be paying for their rental at expo exhibition ☺

sharing by another forum member




Just to share my complete house pic and reno process
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v473/zhiz22/Reno/

[gchua 1]

Hi Zhiz,

Can you please provide me with your ID contact details?

I need to reno my new flat next year.

Many thanks.

[newlife 1]

My ID is charging me haulage services for clearing the debris from project sites @ $250 and also to supply sand to be used for the floor and wall primary base screed @ $400. I am sure if this is in line with what you have mention about in your first posting "Cost of clearing of debris and haulage"?

[Salsationlover 1]

Dear Zhi 

Read your forum and its very interesting as im a first time buyer. Wonder if i could get ur id contact. Much appreciated with thanks