Hi Kochin, good day to you and thanks for starting this thread. It has been informative. Would you mind telling us which contractors you ended up inviting to provide quote etc for your renovation? And have you received their quotes? Based on this forum i.e. threads such as "Good contractor person" and "Need good contractor/designer", I have sort of shortlisted a few

1) Desmond Wong - Unicon Concept
2) Bryan - One HY Project Solutions
3) Vinns Yap - (Plumbing / Toilet / Wet works)
4) Erny and Patric Looi - Unity Kitchen (For Kitchen)
5) Eddy - YTL Glass Hardware (For Glass and Mirrors)

I am targeting to start renovation this month (August). My place is at Tropics @ Tropicana City Mall Petaling Jaya, about 1200 sf loft/duplex.

I have shortlisted several items to do. They include:

1) Hacking and removal of several walls incl. make good and plastering.
2) Tiling works.
3) Bathroom remodeling.
4) Painting.
5) Rewiring and setting up of new switches and powerpoints etc
6) New kitchen.
7) New wardrobes and builtins.
8) Mirror for an entire wall measuring 20ft x 15ft.
9) Glass panel for staircase.
10) Miscellanous items.

I understand renovation can quickly turn into a nightmare, so therefore I am doing what i can to avoid such a thing from happening. If we could exchange information freely between us, i think it would do us well (and also for others following this).

I feel it is important as well for contractors (where applicable) to itemize their quote based on labor and cost of material separation, so we can better understand the price mechanism of the renovation work involved.

I am looking for a reasonable and competitive price, fair and consistent work, and a job done well on time. I know obviously this is what everybody wants, so hopefully it will all work out.

I've so far only gotten one quote for all hacking works, and awaiting quotes from Unity Design for kitchen and builtins and Eddy for my glass needs.

How are you doing on your side?

kochin, I just spent 4 hours measuring every wall (height) and floor (square footage) area. phew. at least now i can get contractors to quote more precisely, and also check measurements easily. will be seeing a couple of contractors over the next two days. shall compile, compare and choose by the end of this week. I'll gladly compare quotes with you if you want.

Adele, I'll try to provide you how much is the average hacking cost once i get my quotations in. Good luck!

wrb7878, i believe so too. thats why i intend to try and narrow down what is it exactly i want, put it into some kind of format, for ease of the contractor quoting as well. then when we meet at site, i will pass to him/her (if i successfully put it into a fairly comprehensible format lah haha). At site, the contractor would also likely be able to advise me more on what can/cannot be done, and what should be the proper/better way. in that sense, its good to keep an open mind. we'll see how it goes. cheers.