New Home! At Costa Ris

[ycnpf 0]

Hello World!!

So we embark on a whole new journey of RENOVATION after collection of our keys last Wednesday!!

A home to call our own =), and a simultaneous butt-full of debt.

Ah well, an exciting journey nonetheless. Here are some IDs we encountered:

The authentic IDs who have absolutely stunning designs

(but who also demand more moolah than we could part with)

1. D-Home

2. JQ Ong

3. Metre Cube

And others we met up with:

1. Roman (spam)

Professional guy, met up with him twice to discuss the renovation details. Gives constructive advice, but felt that he had some unconventional ideas although we found them somewhat difficult to visualise. Learnt quite abit during was discussions. Quotation was reasonable (perhaps slightly over out budget then), but I think we side-tracked when our soon-to-be neighbour highly recommended a cheaper ID.

2. JXXXX (SXXX Interior)

A whole bunch of us popped by the shop, led by above-said neighbour. Very attractive pricing in the mid-20K range inclusive of lighting and carpentry work. Quite a few of us signed on, and we paid our first deposit to obtain our 3D pics. And this was when we realised that our ID was somewhat lacking in his artistic flair. And after a few meetups the general feel was that he played more of a salesman/middleman role. Things got far more expensive with further amendents, was seriously overquoted for some carpentry work; Also got sick of empty promised. So we thought we should probably re-consider our options. Back to ID-hunting.

3. Nicholas (Renoguyz)

He was pretty highly recommended on Renotalk: quality-work, reasonable pricing; Some said he was odd. Conversation went from fish to flowers and finally to our reno requirements. Was told of some impracticalities in our previous design, renovation cost more likely to be between 30-40k instead. Hmm, probably can consider.

So now it's still ID-shopping. Wondering if it's worth looking up Mr K (H2O) or Calvin Tan (PoshHome)... Hmm.

[wyx03 12]

Me and my wife shortlisted only 5 IDs recommended by forumers here. Most of them are quite professional, especially a young lady in DnT. She was so patient sharing her ideas with us for more than 4 hours (until 9pm, IIRC). We actually wanted to engage her as our ID, but I guess she was too busy with her on-going projects that she could only start preparing the 3D layout for us about 2 weeks later. So, we eventually signed up with our current ID who has more than 20 yrs experiences as contractor+ID. My home reno will start probably 1~2 weeks from now. Hopefully, no surprises along the way as my reno cost ~65k for a 110sqm 5 rm BTO

Good luck to your "ID-shopping" ......it's a very exhausting process I would say.

[guojiawen 101]

Welcome to RT!

Do share 3D drawings when ready

[DaddyWinter 10]

welcome to RT, share your thoughts on your design & 3D when ready

[ycnpf 0]

A couple more IDs later, i think we may have found the ONE.

Will take the weekend to ponder over our decision, and reveal after we have confirmed with him.

Anyhow, here's the game-plan.

1. Break down wall between kitchen and dining area -- this allows an open-kitchen concept and a larger area for our dining area

2. Overlay the kitchen tiles with the same living area tiles for a seamless feel

3. Do away with the feature wall since we weren't particularly fond of it; Instead we got ourselves a gorgeous birch wood TV console in walnut (yes, even before confirming our reno design)

4. Forget the false ceiling and L boxes. We'll do with pretty hanging and standing lamps. Quite fortunately, the aircon trunking is mostly hidden behind the carpentry works.

5. Scandinavian-retro theme

Edited October 12, 2014 by ycnpf

[ycnpf 0]

And while we are at this, a few more gorgeous designs we chanced upon

Fuse Concepts

Edited October 4, 2014 by ycnpf

[ycnpf 0]

It's been a busy week!

Some progress so far, engaged a very on-the-ball ID =)

- first visit was a site visit, right in our own house!!

- first 2D draft few days after, even before confirmation

- second visit to further discuss our plans

- third visit to the tiles shop

- confirmation of ID

Here's the finalised 2D plan, major works involved are the hacking of the kitchen wall to create an open kitchen + loads of carpentry for our study.

[ycnpf 0]

Received the 3D pics, that are much much much better than the ones from our now-fired previous designer (Good switch!!).

Particularly happy with the study , although may still need some changes to the colour combi.

Probably will opt for a less flamboyant LED/hanging light.

The rest of the design requires more work, will put them up soon!!

Edited October 12, 2014 by ycnpf

[Feliciachua 3]

Nice 3d drawings you have!! =)

[intonewlife 2]

Who did u hire as id?

[IJK 0]

Hi Neighbour! I'm curious which 'on the ball' ID too =D

[shawnwkk 1]

Hello neighbour! looking forward to see your design!

[Renoguyz 1]

On 9/14/2014 at 2:52 PM, ycnpf said:

Nicholas (Renoguyz)

He was pretty highly recommended on Renotalk: quality-work, reasonable pricing; Some said he was odd. Conversation went from fish to flowers and finally to our reno requirements. Was told of some impracticalities in our previous design, renovation cost more likely to be between 30-40k instead. Hmm, probably can consider.

Thank you for your honest review