Contractors & Quotation Comparision

I have gone through three interior design events held at Expo since 2010 and normally their sales consultants who entertained me was young and not able to answer many of the questions i have and needs to refer to their seniors who gave me less confidence and worse still, they will ask me to put a down payment of $1000 to plan and design the layout. While they did mention that the money can be refunded but again, the fine prints from ID companies are always "grey".

Instead of relying on events, I moved on to Renotalk Forum which was comprehensive in their review of different ID firms who helped them make their home look comfortable to stay and pleasing to others who visited their home while some gave really nasty reviews and horrendous experience which gave me a chance to "blacklist" some of the ID firms out there. Dropped some PM to the fellow forumers and base on what i need, a high $40k is quoted with 3D design layout which they always mention is "free" but its not since nothing is free in this world.

I moved on to getting referral from friends who have completed their home projects and also friends who have connections with contractors since i already have my a design in mind and thanks to my cousin who have helped me alot in space planning and knowing the fact that she is damn busy with work! HAHA. At the end of the day, 2 contractors came with quotes of $30-$37k range (exclude electrical, curtains and lights).

Doing some final adjustment on what i really need vs what i want and see if the budget of renovation can be at a flat $30k, keeping my fingers cross and in the mean time, I am looking at built in items and required appliances which needs to be bought first for installation together with the renovation.

A list of what i think is necessary to purchased first since works are going to start in Nov-Dec 2011:
1) Hob + Hood
2) Built in Oven/Microwave
3) Washing Machine/Dryer
4) Fridge
5) Kitchen Cabinet Drawer (Ikea)
6) Sink + Basin Mixer
7) Television Wall mounted
8) Ceiling Fans
9) Aircon system
10) Down lights/Cove Lights
11) Baroquet Chandelier

A list of what i can buy when all renovation is done:
1) Sofa
2) Coffee Table
3) Dining Table
4) Bar Stools
5) Shoe Cabinet (might be a built in full height)
6) Queen Size mattress (w or w/o bed frame depends..)
7) Dressing Table
8) Study Table
9) Carpet
10) iRobot
11) Kitchen Appliances

All these items are just within my preferences and anything else can always be optional to many as a want and not a need, in fact we seem to have bust our budget alittle but its all worth for your first cosy home!

Posted in: Appliances,Renovation