I bought an old semi-D and want to do a renovation. More or less same scopes like your case, i.e. extensions for both front and back, redesign the room layout. and etc.

I understood DBKL approval is required once there is a change of external. To obtain DBKL approval, you can hire (1) an architect (2) a draughtsman.

I designed my own layout and have asked a few contractors to quote the prices. I thought I could save some money by hiring a contractor who could also offer the services of a draughtsman to draw the plan and submit to DBKL. However, the magnitude of the differences for the prices quoted by the contractors were quite big. The highest was 4 times of the lowest. One of the contractors (who is a forum member) here advised me to engage an architect. Draw up the technical drawing so that I could get apple-to-apple comparison.

So, I engaged an architect who is also a forum member here. He is helping me with the design and structure engineering with a bit of ID. I have viewed his design and like the ideas proposed. Once he completes his final design, I will invite the contractors to quote again.

Therefore, if you are going to spend a few hundred K for your renovation (in view of your scope), I think it is better to find a talented architect who could offer you more than technical drawing, DBKL approval and the final CCC. The investment of his/her services would help to add values to your house.

This post has been edited by ongss: May 31 2020, 07:43 PM

Depends on your budget. I have checked with a few forum members here. Internal changes do not need DBKL approval. If your design is simple, you can buy standard plan. Or, you can get draughtman to do so. Some contractors can help to get the draughtman's sevice for you. For my case, the same sketch led to two extreme quotations. Some contractors also pointed out my own layout design is not efficient. So, I engaged an architect. There are a few architects in this forum that you can consult.

PM you his ID and also asked him to read the thread.

Hi, I have sent a PM to you.

Hi all, I have sent your his contact.

My renovation was stuck for a while due to the MCO. Nevertheless, I got a few benefit from the architect drawings, e.g.

Set up the unit prices for each type of works. It would be easier to do apple to apple comparison when selecting contractors as well as pricing for variation order. I got the unit prices for

- Demolition cost per sqft. The price covers hacking and removal of the debris.
- RC slab per sqft for 6" thickness. The price include both 16mm steel bars, cements, etc.
- Unit price RC column for 3.6m heights per engineer drawing.
- Unit price RC 600mm or 450mm beam/ground beam.
- Waterproofing per sqft.
- Manholes per unit.
- Labour cost for the tiling (based on the size of the tile and by Sqft)
- Per sqft for metal roof.

For plumber/sewage/bath-room, most of the contractor quoted by rooms.

The architect drawings can help you to prepare your own Bill-of-materials, it can also help to gather the requirements e.g. door schedules and door frames.

Another lession I learn: negotitate the fees as well as the fees for resubmissions. I have two resubmission.

Lastly, if you are renovating very old semi d or corner house, I personally think it is best to knock down completely and rebuild. I made one mistake by expanding. Later on, part by part, I totally demolish the whole house. That cost me about extra 10 - 20% in total cost. It also drag longer.

Not really, for the jalan I do my renovation, there are 5 on-going renovations. DBKL visited frequently. One of my neighbours did not apply the approval and his renovation was stopped and sealed by DBKL twice. Frequently, because of this neighbour's problem, DBKL officers took the "convenenience" to visit my site too.

So, for any renovation involving external renovation, best to apply for DBKL approval. Furthermore, if you don't get the approval, you can't quote the new areas in the SPA. For example, if the old build-up is 2000 sqft and the new area is 2800 sqft, any future SPA can only quote 2000 sqft if there is no approval from the local council.

This post has been edited by ongss: Jan 7 2022, 12:26 PM

Mine is more expensive as submission is only small portion of the work. You can check the thread and probably can find a draughtman to help you?

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4538282
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3490827/+600

I will PM you his contact and website.

But, actually, if everything is internal, I don't think you need MBPJ approval. Usually, it is the contractor's Roll-On Roll-Off bin that causes the problem. Your contractor places the bin outside your boundary?

Probably your wall is the issue. Actually, if your house is located at KL, DBKL will seal the site immediately if you don't have permit.

So, if I were you, I move the roro bin into the boundary. Somneone might have complained. Normally, town council folks don't round housing areas unless someone lodges a complaint.