1) What is the scope of work of the interior designers, do they do A to Z (from engaging the contractor to renovate to final furnishing) for you or they just design and present to you the drawings while you have to engage the contractor and procure the furnishing yourself?

2) How much does it cost on average for a 900sqf apartment? (range)

3) Where would you recommend to search for interior designer or who would you recommend?

First question to your question is what is your budget.


Then can go from there.

ID can be full service design and build or design only. Obviously, design and build will have higher project management fees. The designer may or may not also put a markup on the materials or commissions from suppliers or sub contractors, in additional to any P+A. That is usually the case for smaller jobs.

Contractors are up to you. You can appoint your own or ask the designer to appoint one (if design and build). But if things go sour between you and the contractor, the designer won't do shit for you.

Materials you can buy yourself or include in contract.

900sf apartment. The sky's the limit. Most basic Reno is about 40 to 50k nowadays. That's real basic...meaning no major hacking, and leaving most things the way it is.

I've done 1000sf condo for 800k total contract value...includes appliances.

So total costs come with your choice of materials and finishings.

My designer associates do fairly high end jobs, so not sure they are suitable.

I'm not sure what to expect from ID hence I can't really give a budget. RM100k budget I guess if include full furnishing.

I'm not thinking of anything major. No hacking or any changes at all to the floors or walls. Just add plaster ceiling design + kitchen island + kitchen ceiling mounted shelves + Room wardrobe + mount some stuff on the wall to make it look neat??

Then from there I was thinking of procuring the beds, sofa, tv and every other furnishing myself.

Get a few ID and tell them your theme and budget, and don't be shy to reject those that do not suit your need and budget

If you exclude all appliances, loose furniture and lighting. 100k is a good starting point. You will likely not do any tile changes in the bathrooms or leave the floor tiles as is.

Just a very very rough costing, and prices are direct to subcontractors, without any markups

Plaster ceiling - 3 to 4rm per SF. Can be less.
Lighting /electrical points - 150 to 200 per point
Built ins, 200 per foot run. Laminated finish. Excluding surfaces. Likely for the budget you will be looking at quartz tops or solid surface.
Timber wall paneling - about 40 to 50rm per SF
Painting, should be around 10k.


Designer charges anywhere from 300 to 500 per drawing. Or they may charge a lump sum design charge. They may waive it if contract is design and build. There will be a profit+attendance + management fee is about 10% of the total contract value.

Just one advise. Add at least 25% to your initial starting budget. Costs can go up fast as you add bits along the way.

Hope this helps

100k exclude all appliances/furniture and lighting seems awfully expensive mate.

Din't know it cost 1/5th of the property price just to add plaster ceiling design + kitchen island + kitchen ceiling mounted shelves + Room wardrobe (cut away the timber wall paneling and painting don't need that)

park

Well if you could do it for less, all the better. Like I said, I gave rough figure not knowing what types of finishings and requirements are.

Refer to your ID, get a few quotes. Then see where you stand. If can make do with less, all the better...just as long as your expectations are in line to the budget.

Like I said, I do higher end residences...and thus my clientels requirements are higher. Higher fit and finish is more expensive.

Again, I don't know your expectations.

but 900sqf apartment with just plaster ceiling changed and add in a few furniture (island/wardrobe/kitchen ceiling rack) for RM100k seems a bit too much?

Judging from the cost you gave, the plaster ceiling at best cost around RM4k only. Adding an island, wardrobe and kitchen ceiling rack + whatever consulting fee ID is charging = RM96k???

Rule of thumb is 10% of your property price la.

Apartment generally do not require much renovation compared to landed houses, 30-50k budget is good enough already

For a condo, diy isnt too difficult a task. Ask few friends to come over and hear their opinions.

The space for fridge, tv, kitchen cabinet, AC, dinning, sofa, wardrobe, beds, WM are more of less determine by the layout.

One cant have the WM in the balcony but I was wrong as I saw one in a condo!

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Jun 3 2021, 06:35 AM

100k is quality building materials, mostly custom design build in furnishing for most furniture (wardrobe/bed/kitchen cabinet), supervised and designed.

You can get loose furnishing from furniture shops, and employ your own contractor for plaster ceiling, lighting, and to build basic kitchen cabinets within the range of RM30k to 50k, with cheaper but functional materials. It'll be liveable and functional, not magazine worthy "WOW" design but if you shop smart and intelligently you'll have a comfortable home.

TBH, only employ an interior designer if your goal is a specific aesthetically pleasing look (and you don't trust your own design sense), and fully supervised, "hands free" process in employing+supervising contractors and sourcing furnishing. It's equivalent to employing a fashion assistant who will chose your clothing and dress you for looks depending on occasion.

it depends on what kind of interior design you want to do with your unit
usually u need to tell your designer what style you prefer and they will draw it & present to you, if you have photo as reference is even better
if you want to involve in between ID and contractor also can, pretty sure from time to time you will get call or visit to see the progress
here are some list of ID firms you can refer
no harm to inquire quotation first

If you really want to go on budget, go the DIY route. 10k budget also can settle, of course if you don't mind the looks of it la. Also go for ready made stuff instead of customized design

Grille: 2-3k
Lights: 150
Fan: 300
Kitchen cabinet: 200-2k depending on budget
TV bench: 100-200

You have more margin to play with if you buy and source your item yourselves