We sought quotations from not less than 10 IDs / Contractors. Will provide a summary of their quotes and services as follows:
1. Sky Creation Design - Larry Ling
Was one of the first IDs that I approached after I saw their advertisment on Renotalk. Larry came over my place to take measurements and to understand my requirements. Was promised a quotation after 1 day but only gave me the quote after 1 week. Was quoted $14,820 for the overhaul of my kitchen and MBR toilet. Haulage and disposal was $2,350. I requested for a quote of electrical works as I need to install a new 15amp water heater point in my master toilet but he never quote. I tried to follow-up with him subsequently but he doesn't seem to be interested in doing this small job.
2. Ideal Design Studio - Kennth Ng
The 2nd ID that I sourced from Renotalk. Was quoted $12,835 for the works. Appeared to be one of the cheapest but they underquoted on alot of stuffs. They only quoted 13ft for my kitchen cabinet when in fact top and bottom came to about 21ft. They also did not include electrical works. The ID did follow-up but they don't seem to be able to offer the best value for money.
3. Linear Space - Marc Wong
Chanced upon it as it was located quite near the place i stayed. Requested for a quote and was given $18,500 for the works and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the quotation. It was one of the most expensive. As well, he doesn't seem to be interested in servicing small clients like me.
4. Design Profession Pte Ltd - Kelvin Foo (H/P: 96358585)
This ID was recommended by a friend who did his renovation of his MBR and parent's home. Was one of the most sincere and cheaper quotation. The quote was $13,800 and it included all the items that I requested including eletrical. He's also very active in following up till the last minute when I decided to award the job to someone else. I would have selected him if not for Ah Soon who appeared at the last moment.
If you want to look for him, contact his mobile and say that the guy from Toh Yi recommended.
If you want to look for him, contact his mobile and say that the guy from Toh Yi recommended.
Design Profession Pte Ltd
Block 177 Toa Payoh Central
#01-150
Singapore 310177
Tel: 6356 5075
E-mail: kelvin@design-profession.com
5. Baroque D'sign - Andy Yeo
I got this contact from HBay. He's the only 1 of 2 IDs that provided me with a 3D perspective drawing for my kitchen and he did the revision 3 times as my requirements changed after each clarification. He quoted $15,585 for all the works as per my requirements. If he had matched my budget, I would have tempted to award the job to him as he appeared to be very sincere and passionate about his job.
6. Renozone - Glen
I also got this contact from Hbay. After I gave him the floorplan and requirements via e-mail, he came down to my place with a paper quotation. Couldn't remember how much was the quote exactly but it was approx. $17k. More or less there but they are not willing to lower the price further. There was also no further follow-up after I asked him to lower the price. Doesn't seem to be interested in small jobs.
7. Crescendo Interior Lifestyle - Kevin
This was also from HBay. Although the list of requirements was given to him. He didn't include some items and electrical works in the quotation. The quotation was $17,330 and he didn't bother to follow-up or attempt to give me a discount.
8. Chong Meng Uncle
He's an uncle of my insurance agent who recently renovated his new home. Had high hopes for him initially as I assumed that I would be getting contractor pricing for the works. Ended up my hopes were dashed as his quote was not one of the lowest. His quote was $15,100 and it did not include eletrical works.
9. Aasion Design Consultant Pte Ltd - Alvin
He was the 2nd one that gave me 3D perspective drawings - hand drawn. Although he came to view my unit and gave me some pointers. His quotation never came.
10. Ideal Reno & Interior Design - Joven / Ken
My wife was surfing on the net and came across their website, selling a $8080 renovation package for Kitchen and toilet. We thought that it was a good deal and decided to ask them to come down to take a look and give us a quotation. After going through the initial quotation, we realised the online pricing was a scam... as there are alot of hidden costs, eg haulage and removal costs not included, etc. In the end, the first quote came to about $15k. They also never actively follow-up after our first meeting.
11. Ah Soon (Fu Hua Interior Design Contact : +6593861593)
I was surfing Renotalk after being quite demoralised with the expensive quotations received and I chanced upon a thread by PinkPetter. After getting the contact, i called to arrange for him to come down to my unit to view and give me a quotation. He flew my aeroplane on the first appointment as he told me he forgot ! I had to call him a second time the next day and he asked whether he can come down immediately. When he came down, after going through my requirements and taking measurements, he told me that he can meet my budget of $10k !!! We were elated !
Subsequent to this meeting, I had to chase him at least 4-5 times before he dropped the chinese quotation in my letterbox which looked like this ...
I then had to wait for more than 1 week before I got my english quotation, which was incomplete because Uncle forgot to add in installation of water heater, the cabinet for my master toilet, cabinet for kitchen water purifer, rubbish chute and an additional 15amp point for my master toilet. This was already agreed when he was at my place to do the quotation but he forgot all about it.
All in all, the price was fixed at $10,800 !
With this cheap price, there's definitely something to give. Given Uncle's very busy schedule as he has both residential and commerical projects, it is very difficult to reach him and meet up with him. As well, he tends to forget dates and details as he don't take them down. I had to remind him 4 times that my renovation will start on 5th May before he got it right. When Ah Hai got the renovation permit, he also got the dates wrong as it starts on 4th rather than 5th ! Luckily Ah Hai got it extended to 7th after I called him up.
