As my connection is not that "powerful", I had to find a reno company online. Here to share some of my experience/ journey to this 1000 sqft unit renovation in KL:

At first, I found 3 quotations online for simple reno as below:
1. Wiring -  all 13A powerpoints, light/ ceiling fan installation
2. Kitchen cabinet, and 3 rooms wardrobe
3. 2 toilets cabinet/ shower screens
4. Entrance grill door and backyard windows
5. Touch up painting after the work
6. All windows curtain
7. TV board and TV console at living room

It looks basic things to me so I budgeted around Rm 50k for a small unit.  Ended up all 3 quotations coming back close to RM 80k. So I chose one that just started the business and hope she could do all the best for building her rapport.

That's when "vomit blood" communication starts after you paid your first deposit

So the common "market rules" are like this, if you're not aware of:

a. 40-50 % deposit  (roughly)
b. 20-30 % before start work
c. 15%-25% upon 50-80% completion
d. 5% upon completion
At stage A, you give them the house plan, your idea, they give you a rough quotation, without site measurement, no itemized quotation.
According to them, itemized quotation can only be given after you pay the deposit , and site visit, which is Stage B. - Finalizing the plan & quotation.
After adjusting and tuning the final quotation with "current market price", they give you another itemized quotation to proceed to stage B to start the work.

Guess what, my stage A RM 80k quotation increased close to RM 100k at stage b.

So what had been deviated from my original plan?

1. M&E
Rewiring all light points/ceiling fan points with plaster ceiling , as concealed wiring at ceiling slab is not recommended. I listed down roughly the number for you to judge:
~ 18-20 downlights, 5-6 mounted lights, 7-10 cabinet LED , 1 pendant, 2-3 track lights, 20-25 nos 13A points, relocate DB , relocate switches, & install ceiling fan
2. Carpentry - plywood laminate
~ took out bedrooms wardrobe as cant afford
~Do kitchen cabinet, master bedroom wardrobe, TV wall  & console, toilets cabinet/ under sink cabinet



~ To be continued - Part 2

Pray for decent work when come to actual site job. All the best to me. Hope can share more happiness rather than frustration.