Planning
Renovation planning is the most important process for your renovation. It not only marks the beginning of the project, it also determines the success or failure. This process requires joint effort from both owners and interior designers/contractors.
Themes and requirements
Owners should decide on a general themes (e.g. modern contemporary, retro etc) as a start. List down your requirements, identify the main purposes of each bedroom (study, guestroom,
master bedroom, entertainment etc). Do some researches on existing projects on web / magazines for references, will be good if you can show your interior designer as a rough guide on how your unit will look like.
If you are going to engage a fengshui master to determine your house layout and design, start early. Let him/her starts the ball rolling by advising you on all the necessary items. You will need to convey the advices to your designer/contractor to build a common understanding right from the start.
When meeting up with the designers/contractors, let them suggest to you on their designs, gather their feedbacks on your requirements and the feasibilities of your design ideas.
Consolidate their ideas and advices and finalize your designs.
Budget
Be realistic & practical. Work within your budget. Find alternatives for certain renovation works (e.g. get off-the-shelf bedframe instead of customed-make ones) to control your budget. If possible, DIY (do it yourself) some work.
Quotation
Research on shortlisted companies, view their websites or visit forums for customers' feedbacks and reviews. Make sure they are
licensed contractors. Shortlist 3-5 potential contractors for comparisons.
You must compare apple to apple, provide consistent requirements to all of your shortlisted contractors/ID firms. Compare item by item, measurement by measurement, quotations must indicate clearly the dimensions and prices.
Choosing Contractor
There are a few factors to consider when choosing your ideal contractor. Price, Workmanship and Reliability. Do not be tempted by low prices, there might be hidden costs. Go through the quotation carefully and compare apple by apple. Get the contractors to show you their existing ongoing projects, observe their workmanships. Research on the contractors reputations and reviews. Make sure you are comfortable with the contractor as you will need to work closely with him/her throughout the renovation.
Confirm contractor
Make sure your confirmed contractor work out a schedule and update you with the time frame for your renovation. Set a start date, a plan of actions to be taken, project schedules and a target completion date.
When signing the contract, check for details, hidden costs, liabilities and set a reasonable time frame to achieve completion.
NEVER pay full upfront. Check with your contractor whether to pay in stages for each completed phase. Check and request for a
warranty period and pay full upon satisfactory completion of the renovation.
Design
Other than comparing prices from contractors, you can also consider whether contractors can offer free consultation with space layouts, free perspective drawings and 3D drawings for your house upon signing up.
It will be a plus point if contractors themselves can also draw 3D drawings and perspective drawings. Usually, most ID firms have in-house 3D designers, however, they are not the ones to liaise with you and may not be able to design what you really want. You should also request your contractor to show you the internal structures for your carpentry works to avoid any discrepancies.
Also some contractors/IDs will promise you that they will provide FREE 3D drawings, you need to confirm with them whether are they providing changable drawings or simply some drawings whereby customers are not able to make ammendments from the designs. They should be providing drawings which reflects at least the designs and laminates selections which you are going to have physically for your home.
Project Management
If you are going to renovate a HDB unit, it is advisable to visit HDB website to read through the renovation guidelines. Owners are responsible for the renovation works carried out in the unit. When there is a need to request for a permit, you should verify with your contractor for the permit. Make sure your contractor is following strictly with the guidelines.
Make the effort to drop by your house to check the progress. A responsible contractor will update you the progress automatically.
If you are too busy with work or other commitments, call up your contractor for updates, make sure that your contractor knows the progress for the renovation. Sound out to your contractor immediately whenever you discover any defects, it will be easier to rectify the problems.
There is NO cost incurred for HDB renovation permit. Do be careful when your contractor charge you for renovation permit application. Only HDB licensed contractors can apply for renovation permits. Check the permit before you start the renovation. Make sure the permit which your contractor applied for is valid and the dates of work carried out are correct.
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