Hmm.. i remember i am at such a loss when first started out, so i tried to list down some ways to look for & bargain for your renovation package.. just a reference as it is subject to individual preference:-
A) 1st before u start out, u need to think through whether u want to engage an ID or contractor. I list the general differences below:-
Contractor vs Interior Designer
Why choose contractor:-
1) Cheaper cost - Without an ID or a middle person, u can cut down on the middle person fees.
2) U can pick yr own supplier/contractor/brand and type of materials. Without an ID, u can practically decide on the choice of materials/design u wanna have.
3) U are doing only minimum renovation. U will to coordinate the schedule between different contractors, like the tiler, the carpenter etc. That is why i will onie suggest for people who are only doing minimum renovation (such as resale flats or premium flats where the flooring has been done). If not, the coordination can take a lot of your personal time and certain things 1st time owner may not know what to do too.
Why choose Interior Designer :-
1) U dun have time or experience to coordinate the different contractors. Especially when u have a bare unit w/o tiles, piping etc, it is more time saving for u to engage an ID who will do everything for u. Of course, u still need time to check on the work but at least, the stress and time is greatly reduced.
2) U dun have much design ideas. If u dun have a clear idea on what u want to do or what materials are good etc, then i will suggest u dun take contractor as they are not able to design for u. A good ID will be able to do space planning for u which help in making best use of yr space.
3) U have a lot of items to do. It is sometimes better to engage an ID bec' they can help u to absorb the cost due to mistakes in renovation. A small time contractor may not be willing to spend more to correct mistakes he has done; or to change certain things you may decide to do halfway down the renovation process. But an ID who give a lot of jobs to his contractors may be able to assist you if u have changes along the way, esp if the mistakes are committed by himself.
4) Warranty - the market norm is to provide 3-5 years warranty from an ID firm.
B) Decide what items u want to do. How to decide on what items to do depends on the following ways/factors:-
1) Read through several renovation magazines on the rough cost expected for basic renovation. Also look for current design trends. U can also look at the internet, such as forums. A good renovation forum i can recommend is www.renotalk.com.
2) Set a reasonable budget with some allowance after your 'research' in market cost (by looking at magazines)
3) Speak to a few IDs to better understand the difference between different materials, and explore the design and ideas/items u can do for your house. Do note that built in carpentry is good as it maximise the height space, but u may also face a problem of repairing/removing it when it deterioate over time n u need to change it.
3) Join the hbay tours (the shop is just next to OCBC bank at HDB hub). The tours are free and i find them enriching and useful. U get to see different houses done by some IDs, visit tiles factory etc. But dun commit yourself at this juncture as it is always more prudent to see more then decide the best package.
C) After u have decided on the items u want to do, go back to the IDs u have spoke to and get a closer quote. U may have gotten some rough quotes by now, or not. Try to get 3- 5 quotations from different IDs, and get them to quote on the same items. However, u will notice that it is not possible to obtain similar quotations bec' different IDs may have different design ideas, and they may quote different materials too. So try to add in the "missing" items to make them easier to compare. I have done an excel spreadsheet for comparison purpose, u find them useful and easier to compare this way.
Some people recommend to ask those ID to break down individual cost in their packages so that it is easier to remove the items if dun want. But i dun tink tat is necessary as most ID will peg their profit in certain items and thus it is hard to compare like with like. E,g some ID quote cheap for carpentry but ex on tiles, and vice versa. U cannot force ID A to quote the same as ID B, bec ID A profit may be frm carpentry but not on tiles. It is easier to compare on overall package deal.
D) How to decide on the quotations. Think on the following aspects :-
1) Design ideas - is the ID able to understand your needs, your design preference? Is he able to come up with ideas than to wait for u to tell him what to do? Is he perceptive enough to know what u like and dun like? Is he stubborn or willing to accept yr ideas yet able to advise u on the pros and cons?
2) Price - Is his negotiable? Check for possible hidden cost by asking him to quote in items (in other ID quotation but not mentioned in his). Possible hidden cost or extra cost are: electrical points cost per point (most ID will not include electrical cost but u can get him to revert on the cost per electrical point). My fren are being charge extremely high for additional items after she committed on a reno package, and she is forced to change her contractor. Thus ensure tat there is no hidden cost even though the ID may tell u tat there is no hidden cost. Possible hidden cost are :-
3) Able to click with the ID? If ored dislike him at this juncture, it may affect yr renovation progress over the 1-3 mths renovation.
4) Workmanship - ask to visit a few renovated houses done by the contractor/ID. Check on the tiles gap ( is it even and nice), paintwork (got streaks?), skirting ( esp at corner well done?), design and space planning (is it messy or nicely done?). Dun decide on tat ID until u see his workmanship.
E) After u narrow down to a few IDs, u may visit them for a few more times to neg for a better price. Take note tat it is easier to ask for more free items than to neg for a lower price. At most they will onie reduce 10% lesser. Most quotations have buffer so try to neg for free items. I personally tink it is not wise to quote other ID's prices as a way to force tat ID to reduce his price. Cos he may end up unhappy and say "if the other ID so cheap why dun u engage him". It is better to try the direct approach by asking to lower price/give more items foc. Or u can just keep quiet and KIV on his quote to see if he is willing to give u a better deal. Usu if the ID hinted u tat "the price is negotiable" or tat "can better discuss" means got chance.
F) Remember to note down in black and white all your negotiated items. Dun commit if u are unsure. Do a checklist when u finally decide to commit on the quotation so u won't miss out any items.
