KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Hi,
Any recommendation for Interior designer who is experienced in landed properties? Would also need contact for builder/ contractor.

erm, I dun have personal experience, but you can PM me for this contact. recommended by a friend. heard that his design is good.

Hi Sheryl,

Thought of sharing some experience we had.

We did an A&A work 2 years back. In our case, we didn't get a interior designer. Reason being that prior to that we had gotten a designer to do up our old place (condo) and we only stayed there for 8 years. When we moved, we cannot bring along anything as it's all build in. With that experience, we were very clear that we want to minimise build in stuff but we rather buy things off the rack. The other key reason is also that we know exactly what we want and of course we have a budget to work on.

We spoke to several contractors and the charges really varies widely. It can swing by $100K. In the end, we settled for someone who has done several works in our area. To keep within our budget, we also used a professional engineer that doubles up as a architect. This saving of $20k allows us to do other works.

My contractor is fine. He is the type who is rather reliable and reasonable. But working with him, we need to come up with most of the ideas which fortunately everything turn out as we wanted. But just felt given his experience, he could have been more creative or offer us more ideas. Though we do have some "regrets" like things we should have done at that point too. I personally believe that no one is perfect and this applies to our contractor as well.

My impression of contractors in general is that before they get your business, everything works but after they start to work on the place, they will deviate, have dispute, etc... Eg in our old place, I recall that it reach a point whereby we get to pay lesser because of some issues with the renovation. My sil also encountered the same with her contractor.

Hi

I am thinking of partial renovating my flat (in particular, repaint the whole house & a makeover for my daughter's room). I am thinking of getting a one-stop designer to take care while my hubby feels we should be getting ala-carte coz cheaper. This is the 2nd time we renovating (1st time is when we 1st moved in 10yrs ago).. So we would like to seek advise on this. And also, do you have any reliable contractors to recommend? Thanks all

Is the reno going to be major? or something simple?

If it is simple, I think you can do it yourself, I guess.

I did have a very good contractor when I first shifted in 10 years ago. Unfortunately, these days he is a bit more "atas". He is now a "designer". More expensive too ......

Gecko

It can be cheaper ala-carte when you go direct to source/supplier.

Like paint job for whole house can be 800 for whole house as
compared to 1k and above with the designer. Choice of paint
will also be factored in for eventual cost.

Laminates are also cheaper from source. A friend did her 3-bedrooms
for like 1.7k thereabouts instead of 1.9k at the designers..

Guess the cost will also depend on the quality, the brand and whether
your selections are the latest IN ones or not.

Lightings can also be cheaper from Balestier sources as compared to
the ones offered by the designers too.

I opt for reliable contractor! really can save a lot of stress...but if u r just renovating few things, then ala carte may be a better choice.

if u want, PM me for my contractor...

just painting one room ? DIY lah ! and do it with the kids are the best

unless you want built-in wardrobe, else go to those Ikea or HDB-shop furniture shops (better value)

for electrical, you better get a qualified contractor to do it. since it is ad hoc, some visible trunking should be acceptable, and get it done before the painting

For painting for me I will probably get the painter in. I think most of the paint companies have those kind of service.

As for remake of kids room, I will probably DIY...and get furniture instead. There are lots of wall stickers available now a days to give the kids room a unique look.

mintcc wrote:For painting for me I will probably get the painter in. I think most of the paint companies have those kind of service.

where got free one ?