Finally, after discussing with the previous contractor, he agreed to take the job, close to my budget. The quotation became cheaper than earlier because I took out some works, not because I ask for a change in material.

What are the things I need to do before confirming? Do I need to make a detail list of the things he agreed to do and ask him to sign, or this is based on trust?

He did give me a quotation, saying doing what, doing what but there are some not listed in it like cementing/plastering the hackings, labour charges for installation of bathroom accesories, moving the ceiling manhole to another location etc. Should I be concern about this?

For the carpentary works, do I need to specify the thickness I wanted for my wardrobe etc? It says melamine in the quotation but not the thickness or the density.

Melamine is standard thickness unless you have special requirement. You need to ask what are included in the carpentry work, like does it include aluminum edge / side. Got Solid top? Opening kitchen sink.

For construction, you need to ask if they use red brick, or cement brick.

For me, the most important is trust, and mode of payment. Mine start bing bing bonk bonk few weeks, than only ask payment. Payment made based to the what status in the simplified quote. e.g.

01) To demolish / hack kitchen wall, front wall, - RM x,xxx.xx
02) To build kitchen slab - RM x,xxxx.xx
...
...

So one job finish, he claim the finished job money.


Oh, if you believe in good date start work, please get a good date.. a key to have smooth renovation for people who believe, else just ignore it.

Thanks for your advice. Mine payment mode is 30% upon confirmation, then 70% progressively.

I did ask about the kitchen in particular but that's verbally only - not include sink and taps, accesories. Just the local solid surface and cabinets but I missed out asking about the sink hole opening charge.

Oh.. the most important part, how much cash I should put aside for ad hocs? Should I target there might be plus of 15% of the quotation price, or more?

I over run my budget by 25%

Actually, you can keep on asking a confirm price when u adding work in to renovation. and let them start work on the new thing only when u say confirm. at lease u can calculate the additional price by yourself. Of coz, in return, try not to delay in confirm those additional work coz that may slow down their work also.

It is quite common to over run from your initial budget. We gets carried away and also there are unforeseen things that pop up along the way...

Always go deep into the details of the work scope eg hacking of wall of 9'x8' is RM250.00. Details should incl whether it incl disposing of the debris, smoothen the column and floor surface incl skimmed coat if needed etc

This only wet work costing.

Not sure what extend is your renovation, if major, you need to include cost like taps, flooring, sink, paint, piping, pump, cabinet, door, lock. electrical.

This post has been edited by weikee: Oct 10 2011, 09:42 PM

Goes deep into detail as to ask for a more detailed quotation? How? To list them into quotation?

They're going to do my kitchen cabinet, wardrobe and bookcase, splashbacks, electrical works. Nothing major... Things are 'to be advised' are the cementing, plastering and labour charges for helping to install bathroom acccesories.


Oh.. one more thing.. I'm still torn between letting my contractor do the kitchen cabinet vs getting the kitchen cabinet from Ikea.

Contractor quote RM11K++ for local solid top, exclude accesories, sink and tap, exclude installation of hobs/hood/oven. One drawers set.

Ikea quote RM 14K++ for Korea solid top, include pull out larder, drawers, wire basket, carousel corner basket, drawers set, installationof hobs, hood, oven, sink and tap.

Both using same material for cabinet doors.

If I use contractor, it's cheaper but need to add on for at least the sink, tap and installation works. And I have to pay cash.

If I use Ikea's, I would be able to use the 36 months interest free installment, so I would have more cash on hand in case of emergency. Cons is, I had to apply for the Ikea credit card and contractor probably won't happy to take the job because a huge chunk of fess is taken out.

What will you choose?

Korean solid top LG or Samsung right? I heard from many is still better to use Local cause is not much difference.

Ikea 14K inclusive of installation? If you have enough cash and with some spare cash go for the contractor option. But if your cash flow are just enough for this entire project than go for Ikea is not a bad option, it give 10 years warranty right?

Just you focus on the list and dont add ON or till you know what the price of such job.
Caustion about those word like "Few hundred / few ,,,", end up you will jump when see the bill. Ask what actual meant "Few Hundred", once you agreed write in the quotation and ask for signature lol...
Also caustion about Free Job...when nothing happen it will be free, if middle and you decide remove it, than Free job will be killing job.
Important: Black and WHite...

* ABove are base on my own bad expirence lol...

According to the Ikea staff it's LG. I was looking for white, and their white happened to be RM220 per foot run while the rest are RM290. What makes me wondering is why the Ikea price tag says 'Acrylic' top instead of using the word 'Solid Top'.
The 14K++ is inclusive installation and delivery with 10 years warranty. I have just enough cash for the entire renovation including 25% over-budget just in case, but then my account balance will be

All in all, Ikea is more expensive on tall cabinet, sink and tap price are higher than buying outside while my contractor's quote is higher at the local solid surface (almost 250 per ft run)


Thanks, I'll take note to focus on the main things first. Hmm.. my contractor does use that word a lot... "few hundred only"...

I tell my contractor, few hundred to me is only 200 or 300. Than he will tell me not that little maybe 500 to 800.

For Ikea cabinet you may have gab cause some area may not be wide / tall enough to cover. For custom made usually it can cover all the extra length.

Thanks for reminding, I totally forgot about the matter. Will need to check with contractor whether the cabinets is all the way up to compare apple to apple.