Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Common Questions for beginners... here's help!
It has been a long time since I last posted an entry here.
With the preparations of the wedding and the moving in and all, we have finally settled down. More or less. heh heh...
The past few months we have been lurking around Renotalk and and found some queries that people, who just got their keys to their new home, are always asking.
Things like what I must look out for when getting a quote? What must I request for when getting my quotations? How many must I get before I sign on the dotted line.... etc etc.
If you have been following my blog, there are some guide lines that I posted in the Strategies series of articles which you can easily access on the menu bar on the right. The following article complements the Strategies series of articles.
Here, I have compiled the above queries into a simple to follow beginner's draft here. I hope it is helpful to you.
Well, to come to the stage to ask for quotations, I would ASSUME that you have sat down with your spouse and discussed about the features and fixtures that you want to have in your home. So these are the things you would want to note when approaching your contractor/ID.
There are some things you need to inform the contractor/ID when you are first requesting for your quotation.
1a)Things like changing to stainless steel (S/S) piping or copper piping for your water, you must state. Cos the costing for them is different.
1b)For things like brands of tiles, laminates, dun tell the contractor yet during the quotation. You will restrict your choices if you do. Instead, get them to quote you the psf unit pricing they are willing to go for your reno works.
1c) Sizes of fridge and washer base is better to tell them, but it is not necessary at the initial stage. This will only give them excuses to increase the cost of the floor works when they are doing the quotation. Give them the dimensions only after you have confirm the contract with them.
1d)Get them to quote you for both overlaying and replacing of the toilet tiles. Some will charge extra for removing the existing tiles. So be sure to ask them for the breakdown.
If you intend to do an overlay, do take note, in the event you want to remove/replace the overlay, the cost of hacking will be more. I dunno how they justify this, but they always say, removing of overlay tiles cost more cos need to remove two layer of tiles and cement.
In a nut shell, for the initial quotation portion, discuss FEATURES that you want. Things like:
- Floor tiles (homo, ceramic, laminates...etc) Skirting included?
- Cabinets for the various rooms, from wardrobes in the bed room to cupboards in the kitchens
- Additional works like window grills, painting...etc
- for things like laminates, paints and solid tops, ask them for their range of products on offer
- for things like tiles, ask them for the range of tiles they are willing to bear. As in, how much psf is the tiles you are allowed to choose from.
- Costing for electrical works, extra lighting points, shifting of points... etc and other things related to electrical works, tell them to at least give you a cost break down for the different things. This is especially important if you intend to put downlights and a false ceiling in your home.
During the quotation phase, just discuss the main things you want the contractor to do in your home. No need to go into specifics yet.
Once you confirm the contractor you want to engage, then you go into details like measurements, dimensions, brands you prefer...etc etc.
- then you got to do additional homework like finding out the cost of tile by going to the supplier on your own
- Getting the different laminates to test
- getting the different solid surfaces to test
2) As for the materials, always ask for the range they offer.
Then ask if you get your own preferred brand, will there be additional costs? If so, how much?
If the cost of the brand you prefer is the same as the one they offer, will they still take it for you?
ALWAYS get a quotation to do up the WHOLE house.
Take for example, you are intending to only do your master room and the kitchen... remember to get a quotation to include the other bedrooms, the living room and the feature wall for both the TV console and the storeroom.
Make sure these items are itemized. As in a separate pricing for each item. At least for each room!
This is because there is a certain price range for every type of house. I guess the contractors have a certain quota to meet as well, so they always use a price guide for the home type to do their quotation.
I have been to many contractors to know that they will quote you about the same amount even when you are doing lesser things in the home.
Itemizing the works in the quotation will also allow you to remove the un-necessary items which you do not need. So if you ask for more during your quotation, when you cut the items out, you know that you are not paying exorbitant pricing when doing the exact thing you want.
Once you get the quotation, break down all the pricing to the unit cost.
For floor, it is per-square-foot (psf).
For carpentry, it is per-foot-run (pfr)
If it is kitchen cabinets, you must clarify if the price quoted to you in based on just the bottom cabinets, top cabinets or both. This is one thing many will overlook.
For water piping, ensure that there is no limit to the length run in the home. Some contractors will quote you a very cheap price, then end up telling you, you can only run a certain length of water pipe in the home. If you want, you need to top up the difference, and this could work out to be really costly.
Next, if you dun mind, post your quotation in the forum for all to see and comment. You will be surprise the cost savings you will get when you get inputs from other home owners who had done their renovations.
After all the comparisons, then comes the payment mode. Ensure that you always get the upper hand.
What I did was to break down the payment into 5 phases.
1) 20% upon delivery of materials
2) 30% upon finishing of floor works
3) 20% upon finishing of carpentry, electrical works...etc
4) 20% upon handover
5) last 10% if there is no problems after we move in. As in all the apparent defects are completely rectified.
Remember, as long as the money is in your pocket, you have the last say. Once you finished the payment before the works are done, you have no say in how the work is going to turn out.
With the preparations of the wedding and the moving in and all, we have finally settled down. More or less. heh heh...
The past few months we have been lurking around Renotalk and and found some queries that people, who just got their keys to their new home, are always asking.
Things like what I must look out for when getting a quote? What must I request for when getting my quotations? How many must I get before I sign on the dotted line.... etc etc.
If you have been following my blog, there are some guide lines that I posted in the Strategies series of articles which you can easily access on the menu bar on the right. The following article complements the Strategies series of articles.
Here, I have compiled the above queries into a simple to follow beginner's draft here. I hope it is helpful to you.
Well, to come to the stage to ask for quotations, I would ASSUME that you have sat down with your spouse and discussed about the features and fixtures that you want to have in your home. So these are the things you would want to note when approaching your contractor/ID.
There are some things you need to inform the contractor/ID when you are first requesting for your quotation.
1a)Things like changing to stainless steel (S/S) piping or copper piping for your water, you must state. Cos the costing for them is different.
1b)For things like brands of tiles, laminates, dun tell the contractor yet during the quotation. You will restrict your choices if you do. Instead, get them to quote you the psf unit pricing they are willing to go for your reno works.
1c) Sizes of fridge and washer base is better to tell them, but it is not necessary at the initial stage. This will only give them excuses to increase the cost of the floor works when they are doing the quotation. Give them the dimensions only after you have confirm the contract with them.
1d)Get them to quote you for both overlaying and replacing of the toilet tiles. Some will charge extra for removing the existing tiles. So be sure to ask them for the breakdown.
If you intend to do an overlay, do take note, in the event you want to remove/replace the overlay, the cost of hacking will be more. I dunno how they justify this, but they always say, removing of overlay tiles cost more cos need to remove two layer of tiles and cement.
In a nut shell, for the initial quotation portion, discuss FEATURES that you want. Things like:
- Floor tiles (homo, ceramic, laminates...etc) Skirting included?
- Cabinets for the various rooms, from wardrobes in the bed room to cupboards in the kitchens
- Additional works like window grills, painting...etc
- for things like laminates, paints and solid tops, ask them for their range of products on offer
- for things like tiles, ask them for the range of tiles they are willing to bear. As in, how much psf is the tiles you are allowed to choose from.
- Costing for electrical works, extra lighting points, shifting of points... etc and other things related to electrical works, tell them to at least give you a cost break down for the different things. This is especially important if you intend to put downlights and a false ceiling in your home.
During the quotation phase, just discuss the main things you want the contractor to do in your home. No need to go into specifics yet.
Once you confirm the contractor you want to engage, then you go into details like measurements, dimensions, brands you prefer...etc etc.
- then you got to do additional homework like finding out the cost of tile by going to the supplier on your own
- Getting the different laminates to test
- getting the different solid surfaces to test
2) As for the materials, always ask for the range they offer.
Then ask if you get your own preferred brand, will there be additional costs? If so, how much?
If the cost of the brand you prefer is the same as the one they offer, will they still take it for you?
ALWAYS get a quotation to do up the WHOLE house.
Take for example, you are intending to only do your master room and the kitchen... remember to get a quotation to include the other bedrooms, the living room and the feature wall for both the TV console and the storeroom.
Make sure these items are itemized. As in a separate pricing for each item. At least for each room!
This is because there is a certain price range for every type of house. I guess the contractors have a certain quota to meet as well, so they always use a price guide for the home type to do their quotation.
I have been to many contractors to know that they will quote you about the same amount even when you are doing lesser things in the home.
Itemizing the works in the quotation will also allow you to remove the un-necessary items which you do not need. So if you ask for more during your quotation, when you cut the items out, you know that you are not paying exorbitant pricing when doing the exact thing you want.
Once you get the quotation, break down all the pricing to the unit cost.
For floor, it is per-square-foot (psf).
For carpentry, it is per-foot-run (pfr)
If it is kitchen cabinets, you must clarify if the price quoted to you in based on just the bottom cabinets, top cabinets or both. This is one thing many will overlook.
For water piping, ensure that there is no limit to the length run in the home. Some contractors will quote you a very cheap price, then end up telling you, you can only run a certain length of water pipe in the home. If you want, you need to top up the difference, and this could work out to be really costly.
Next, if you dun mind, post your quotation in the forum for all to see and comment. You will be surprise the cost savings you will get when you get inputs from other home owners who had done their renovations.
After all the comparisons, then comes the payment mode. Ensure that you always get the upper hand.
What I did was to break down the payment into 5 phases.
1) 20% upon delivery of materials
2) 30% upon finishing of floor works
3) 20% upon finishing of carpentry, electrical works...etc
4) 20% upon handover
5) last 10% if there is no problems after we move in. As in all the apparent defects are completely rectified.
Remember, as long as the money is in your pocket, you have the last say. Once you finished the payment before the works are done, you have no say in how the work is going to turn out.
# posted by GnM @ 6:50 PM 
Comments:
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Hi GnM,
Thanks for your post. It's help me a lot.
May I know who is your ID & how is their workman ship? could you give me their contact.
I also need to look for ID/contractor. This is my first time. So a bit worried.
Thanks in advance.
fiona mg(fionamg@gmail.com)
Thanks for your post. It's help me a lot.
May I know who is your ID & how is their workman ship? could you give me their contact.
I also need to look for ID/contractor. This is my first time. So a bit worried.
Thanks in advance.
fiona mg(fionamg@gmail.com)
# posted by 
: July 28, 2007 6:55 PM
: July 28, 2007 6:55 PM
Hi, thanks for these interesting tips!
Just curious ... is it good to tell them about our budget e.g 15k-20k budget, together with the list of items that we want to have?
Just curious ... is it good to tell them about our budget e.g 15k-20k budget, together with the list of items that we want to have?
# posted by : August 02, 2007 12:27 AM
: August 02, 2007 12:27 AM
Hmm... actually dun tell them your exact budget. You just inform them that you want to see their quotation first.
What we did was to inform them that we will take a loan and see what they have to offer. Then when we get the quote, we work their figures to suit our budget.
If you tell them the budget before hand, there is a good chance they will drop your project before they even do a quotation. That was a mistake we made initially, and we received a few half-hearted quotation. It was a total waste of our time.
What we did was to inform them that we will take a loan and see what they have to offer. Then when we get the quote, we work their figures to suit our budget.
If you tell them the budget before hand, there is a good chance they will drop your project before they even do a quotation. That was a mistake we made initially, and we received a few half-hearted quotation. It was a total waste of our time.
Hi,thanks for all the tips, especially the checking of defects. We used dat to check our new flat. =)
Can I ask, most ID ask to pay 10% upon confirmation. But at wat stage is dat, is it upon getting the finalised quote or 3D drawing?
Can I ask, most ID ask to pay 10% upon confirmation. But at wat stage is dat, is it upon getting the finalised quote or 3D drawing?
Hi Juliana,
Usually the first payment, 10% in this case, is paid when you are sure you want to engage this contractor for your home. It really depends on you when this payment is to be made.
Some are happy with the past projects done by the company and satisfied with the initial quotes they give and will engage them just like that.
Some will go into details with the quotations before they commit to engage the contractor to reno their home.
For me and my wife, we worked the quotation into details to suit our budget, we even went to the extend of asking for a sample drawing of what he has in mind for our home before we paid the first payment to engage the contractor that did our home.
Once the first payment is paid, then the rest of the drawings and material selection will commence.
All the best in your search Juliana.
Usually the first payment, 10% in this case, is paid when you are sure you want to engage this contractor for your home. It really depends on you when this payment is to be made.
Some are happy with the past projects done by the company and satisfied with the initial quotes they give and will engage them just like that.
Some will go into details with the quotations before they commit to engage the contractor to reno their home.
For me and my wife, we worked the quotation into details to suit our budget, we even went to the extend of asking for a sample drawing of what he has in mind for our home before we paid the first payment to engage the contractor that did our home.
Once the first payment is paid, then the rest of the drawings and material selection will commence.
All the best in your search Juliana.
Thanks Juliana,
Keep the queries coming and I will be happy to consolidate and write more and update the site.
Do come back from time to time. I will update the site as and when I can with regards to reno info. ;)
Keep the queries coming and I will be happy to consolidate and write more and update the site.
Do come back from time to time. I will update the site as and when I can with regards to reno info. ;)
Hi GnM!
Cud u pls mail me ur quotation so I can make a list of things to do. We are thinking of overlaying toilet tiles like u..are u happy with that decision?
U can mail me at L.anon@ rediffmail.com
U've done a great job for novice home owners..a great guide blog.
Rgds,
Lakmy
Cud u pls mail me ur quotation so I can make a list of things to do. We are thinking of overlaying toilet tiles like u..are u happy with that decision?
U can mail me at L.anon@ rediffmail.com
U've done a great job for novice home owners..a great guide blog.
Rgds,
Lakmy
# posted by : September 01, 2007 10:10 PM
: September 01, 2007 10:10 PM
HI GnM.
Great site.
Informative yet in bite sized chunks of layman.
I be getting a new 5rm std flat, and i tink it may be somewhere around ur place, after observing ur neigbourhood pics. :0
Perhaps u can share ur quotation too, as i am analyzing a few quotes to see how detailed it can be, and i believe urs should be rather detailed.
email : nghafiz@gmail.com
Great site.
Informative yet in bite sized chunks of layman.
I be getting a new 5rm std flat, and i tink it may be somewhere around ur place, after observing ur neigbourhood pics. :0
Perhaps u can share ur quotation too, as i am analyzing a few quotes to see how detailed it can be, and i believe urs should be rather detailed.
email : nghafiz@gmail.com
# posted by : September 18, 2007 5:45 AM
: September 18, 2007 5:45 AM
thanks nghafiz for your comment.
Appreciate it!
I am still busy with work of late and have not been able to sit down and think about what else to write.
My quotations are a year old liow. If I am not wrong, the pricing are no longer valid. So, even if I were to send them to you, it would not be much useful.
How is your renovation coming along?
Appreciate it!
I am still busy with work of late and have not been able to sit down and think about what else to write.
My quotations are a year old liow. If I am not wrong, the pricing are no longer valid. So, even if I were to send them to you, it would not be much useful.
How is your renovation coming along?
hi!
thanks for such an informative blog. im a new flat owner an am totally clueless as to how to do up my flat. i recently got a quotation from Strategic Deisgn and Build @ Ubi. It seems the lowest and most attractive price for me thus far. Just want to ask u, if u have heard any negative comments about this firm and dont mind sharing?
thanks so much and sry for the trouble!!
god bless!
thanks for such an informative blog. im a new flat owner an am totally clueless as to how to do up my flat. i recently got a quotation from Strategic Deisgn and Build @ Ubi. It seems the lowest and most attractive price for me thus far. Just want to ask u, if u have heard any negative comments about this firm and dont mind sharing?
thanks so much and sry for the trouble!!
god bless!
# posted by : November 04, 2008 2:15 AM
: November 04, 2008 2:15 AM
Hi alyssa,
I am so sorry to have taken so long to reply.
I have been busy with my other money making blog that I missed this comment!
I have not heard of the company you have mentioned. But I am sure the members of the forum at Renotalk may have. You can post your queries there and see if there are any replies.
Otherwise, try and send me your quotation, and I can review it to see if the pricing has any hidden costing or not.
The other good way to find out if the company is good or not is to view the houses that they have done before. Best if you can catch the owners and ask them about the renovations that is being done by them.
Try visiting the same sites that your contractor or ID from this company has brought you to. Then speak to the people working there. And if you are lucky, you may even meet with the owners and you can get the reviews from them! :)
I am so sorry to have taken so long to reply.
I have been busy with my other money making blog that I missed this comment!
I have not heard of the company you have mentioned. But I am sure the members of the forum at Renotalk may have. You can post your queries there and see if there are any replies.
Otherwise, try and send me your quotation, and I can review it to see if the pricing has any hidden costing or not.
The other good way to find out if the company is good or not is to view the houses that they have done before. Best if you can catch the owners and ask them about the renovations that is being done by them.
Try visiting the same sites that your contractor or ID from this company has brought you to. Then speak to the people working there. And if you are lucky, you may even meet with the owners and you can get the reviews from them! :)
The only problem with doing renovations now is that if in fact only the good or better builders are left they really aren't giving better rates because they are still getting work. We had a builder here last year and a new builder here recently finishing up. The second builder was better, but he was also pricier. As to the point of "everything being on sale" be careful about assuming that that holds true for construction. Again, the bulk of your bill is the labor and that is not going down with the good builders and some materials like housing shingles for siding and roofing and copper are actually increasing in cost. It may be a better time to have a handyman come and do work if you negotiate, but be careful in any case to know your costs up front.
Your post is really a very useful article. Thank you so much for your very informative and interesting article. I hope that you will post more and thank you for sharing.
I'm really impressed with your writing skills
and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify
it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it's rare to see
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My webpage :: Frankie
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and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify
it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it's rare to see
a nice blog like this one these days.
My webpage :: Frankie
# posted by : November 14, 2013 10:24 PM
: November 14, 2013 10:24 PM << Home
