Singapore Expats

Hey Ppl,

We are looking to engage a good interior designer to re-do our place (EA). We have already been to many ID firms & gotten quotes & everything. I've just got a couple of qns which if someone could answer would be super helpful.

1) HDB approved contractor.
Is this a big deal? We are seriously considering appointing 1 ID firm but I've just discovered that he is not HDB approved. He's got a nice showroom set up in Lavender & everything & looks quite professional so is there anything that I should be aware of with regards to the being an HDB approved contractor.

2) We have got a reno budget of around $40k +/- a bit. Is this a reasonable figure for an EA or would we have to revise our budget upwards? Our scope of works include hacking works / re-doing the kitchen, toilets, living & dining. We have been getting quotes ranging from 30k - 50k so we are a bit confused.

3) Finally any good ID firms that some1 can recommend. I've been to renotalk & other forums but the content / recommendations are not clear enough to help us make a decision.

i don't buy into the whole HDB licensed/registered blah... HDB has no real powers over them and the registration is just a formality as far i'm concerned (having experienced lousy godless hdb-registered contractors ruining lots of stuff). others may chime in stating the opposite.

control your money as tightly as possible. please make sure you pay them just enough to get the job started, moving, and completed. many contractors like to get a sum of money and dawdle. some don't even finish the job.

can't help you with budget. my standards/expectations are very low.

Hey Taxico,

Thanks for clearing that up. I actually went to meet an ID during lunch today & I asked him the very same qn & the reply he gave me confused me even more. Its re-assuring to know that not being listed as an approved contractor on the HDB site doesnt equate to dont deal with them.

Payment wise I do plan on being reasonable with the ID guy. I'am aware that there are people around who ask you to pay a huge lumpsum up front & basically let you do the chasing after that so that is somethin I will be following closely.

Any recommendations??
Cheers

1. HDB works have to be carried out by approved contractor. There are lots of regulations from electrical to plumbing and especially the windows. There is not much DIY that can be done also.

2. Budget - not sure. Competitive quotes should help.

3. Ace-Men.com The website is under maintenance at the moment but there is also a showroom. 10 years in the business and run by Kumar. Good service and reliable. Did our EA plus a few friends condos. An extra quote if you still need it. Google 'Ace-Men asiabuilders'

Just to update all:

We have settled on Design4Space Pte Ltd. Edmund is our designer. They are located at Lavender & Ang Mo Kio & have quite a decent set up. We are plannin to start all the works next week & I am currently cautiously optimistic abt this guy. He seems the real deal & has been a professional so far but only time will tell i guess....