Hi to all sifus here... am getting my new house keys next month... am excited. Maybe sifus here could guide me through. What i mean is mentally issues. Some might get carried away and spent a lot but not wisely and learn the hard way. What to prepare mentally?

1.Set yr priority on which is most important reno to do first to the last
2.Get few quo & budget it but normally overbudget
3.Sit down relax & survey their workmanship b4 confirm their Quo if you have time (Important)
4.Defer any reno that can do later if budget not allowed, normally on external house like car poach tiling/Auto gate(but wiring must do first)


& lastly happy shopping for ideas

This post has been edited by Iceman74: Nov 18 2010, 07:29 PM

I will start doing reno at the same time as you.

After calculating, the budget is just over-budget, more than what you imagine before u buy a house..

but.. i start to think of the colors, then what I want.. usually we want a house that is new.. that would cost at least 40k for all reno + deco + furniture + appliances...

after making all decisions, my mind is now cleared..

I would find one contractor that in charged of all works.. but I need to go IKEA / furniture shops lor.. then ho can go SENQ/appliances shop..

luckily i got the fund to do it.. but the budget is just over what u estimated..

this is my opinion..

below is my question:

1) how long will the reno take usually?
2) do u stay at house telling them I want this and that..?

1) Depends on the renovation..but for me, I won't rush my contractor to complete the renovation in short time..I give him a lot of time and quality come first..
2) I will visit and check for the construction at least 3-4 days a week..

Always place the basic needs and works first place and the rest second according to your budget constraints. If money is an issue, split the renovation works to two stages - assuming second stage does not require too much wet works which would contribute to dust and dirt. Spend wisely on built-ins and settle for modest loose furniture on certain items.

It takes a good project manager/ID/contractor to really consult you on what is missing in your budget. Usually it is due to misinformed information that the innitial costing bursts itself.

[quote=epalbee3,Nov 19 2010, 12:09 AM]
I will start doing reno at the same time as you.

After calculating, the budget is just over-budget, more than what you imagine before u buy a house..

but.. i start to think of the colors, then what I want.. usually we want a house that is new.. that would cost at least 40k for all reno + deco + furniture + appliances...

after making all decisions, my mind is now cleared..

I would find one contractor that in charged of all works.. but I need to go IKEA / furniture shops lor.. then ho can go SENQ/appliances shop..

luckily i got the fund to do it.. but the budget is just over what u estimated..

this is my opinion..




I don't have a lot of budget at the moment... but for now am going to concentrate on bigger job. Planning to do ceiling and kit cab first. And for budget wise i do agree with u.. i'm still calculating until pening already...

Ask your wife/husband control your credit

[quote=mohag,Nov 19 2010, 04:20 PM]
[quote=epalbee3,Nov 19 2010, 12:09 AM]
I will start doing reno at the same time as you.

After calculating, the budget is just over-budget, more than what you imagine before u buy a house..

but.. i start to think of the colors, then what I want.. usually we want a house that is new.. that would cost at least 40k for all reno + deco + furniture + appliances...

after making all decisions, my mind is now cleared..

I would find one contractor that in charged of all works.. but I need to go IKEA / furniture shops lor.. then ho can go SENQ/appliances shop..

luckily i got the fund to do it.. but the budget is just over what u estimated..

this is my opinion..
I don't have a lot of budget at the moment... but for now am going to concentrate on bigger job. Planning to do ceiling and kit cab first. And for budget wise i do agree with u.. i'm still calculating until pening already...

[/quote]

I also pening, but then ho, i give up... just prepare 40k lar.. i believe it will b sort of dream house lar..

the money that should b spent, will be spent.

If no money, admit it and do minimal lar..
dun even think of loan/credit card.. (one of my friend spent 120k loan from friend to renovate, now friend chase him and said within 2 years you must finished pay back, he is not able to repay it anytime soon...)

some people apply slow slow buy, u may try lor.
but I will do everything once. I dun want to worry after I move in..

but hor... renovate is an enjoying thing.. provided that u have enough $$$.

Reno is always expensive & would mostly cleared up ur bank.
The most common word for reno is "Just make it a 1 time go"
"Buy something that's gonna last U long time".

I had the same experince & lucky that I've got advice to get everything down in paper then only starts to get the works going. Cut & make changes accordingly. This way U could still mix & match. If not U'll ending up getting things halfway done & some of the thing won't match.
It's something like getting SET A & SET B.

Wiring is a must for the whole house. I plan my budget for the places that I spend most of my time. As for me it's 3 places. TV area, Masterbed room & my home office. The rest is to make the house looks more fancy. Always remember ur wife's needs as well. Mine wants a huge wardrobe ><"

Just thinking of reno also makes me enjoy... haha.. Loan wise, really scared.. just going to spent what i have in the bank and then eat maggi... haha

yupe.. it is excited.. provided that u have enough $$$..

my suggestion

1) shop for some idea (i.e. online & ikea) - if got more $, hire ID
2) get a few contractors to come in & quote - also ALWAYS hear them out on their opinion, what can do what cannot do - of coz use a lil bit of wisdom coz most of them want you to do more than you really need to.
3) compile quote & finalise design & finalise contractor. impt at tis time to mark out electrical points - at tis jucture u shud hav a rough idea of furniture arrangements.
4) start reno - but ensure constant monitorin & constant communication

followin this, i manage to stick to my reno budget, but bcoz i missed out on certain items on my fixtures & fittings, my furniture budget is way off... hehe


hope this helps!

Hei thanks... did some homework, shop around for quotes.. and now i'm still compiling quotes. Next week will get my keys.

This post has been edited by mohag: Nov 23 2010, 08:58 PM

i think the most important thing is to prioritise, especially when you have limited budget... renovation has no limit, it is just your budget that has limit so think it through and set out what are the things that you want then you can have a better overview... nevertheless, enjoy the process. be prepared to have hick ups along the way...

well I just finish reno of my house with like 6 different contractors. It is the way to go to be cost saving. Get buildingmaterial yourself. As for design wise just go to internet and keep searching. Is better than to hire ID unless you have the budget.