Don't blame yourself too much. After reviewing the item price, I think you are paying current market prices. There won't be perfect renovations.

Customized TV feature wall of RM 5000 is considered as cheap if you are using plywood laminate.

Same practices also. I had one renovation and this round is 2nd sites. Two different contractors but the same style. My current ones have been hacking the concrete several rounds because the plumber placed the concealed pipes wrongly. He constantly blame the drawings. All these contractors build based on their experiences and senses. They don't look at the drawings until the owners spot the mistakes.

For these charges, this ID company marked up 10%. It is usual because she has to design the location of the switches, power points. As an end users, we may not come out final design/location. But, there are industry practices e.g. the switches are located 1m above the ground, the power should be 500mm above or 300mm above, and etc. The designer has to have knowledge to prepare the drawing for the electricians to work. Supervise them to work. For my case, the 20A point I am paying RM 331.20 (i.e. RM 288 +15% contractor mark-up) , 13A points I am paying RM 126.50 (RM110 + 15% contractor mark-up). For my case, it was a contractual price I signed with the main con back in Aug 2020!

Overall, I think you are paying the current market price for engaging an ID company or main con. So, don't be over upset. Just enjoy once your renovation is over. My two cents.

800mm + too-, some of the parts, e.g. the ball bearing drawer slides, are standard size. Even disk washers that some people put below the kitchen counter are designed around this size.

Opp, I might have misunderstand your statement. I am too used to the idea of 800mm.

No, for that area, my current apartment is the same like the drawing i.e. 22" / 560mm.

The drawing is 27 11/16" + 22" + 32 3/16" and mine is 30" (760mm) + 22" (560mm) + 33 7/8" (860mm actually 60 is for platform, the cabinet is 800mm tall only).

Previously, when I had that design, it was due to the height of the sliding door separate my kitchen from dining and living room. I think they will try to match the height of the door enter your kitchen and the cabinet.

820mm - I think that is too high even if you are using those pull down shelves.

You should ask her to fix it or you go to consumer tribunal to complain

https://www.kpdnhep.gov.my/en/consumerism/c...-procedure.html

Normally, the wire should be in the UPVC Conduit pipe and concealed in the wall. If I were you, I would ask what is his definition of "minimal"?

My cases are worse than yours.

RC slabs and beams casted and then found problems. Need to hack and repair the structures. Then, sewage pipes positioned wrongly - not only once but multiple times.

Roof requirements told. But, when the subcon came, not the design I specified.

So, I have to create a whatsapp group to include my wife. Just in case my phone is not working, I have a backup to show him that I specified my requirements.

Of course, he blamed I frequently change the design.

This post has been edited by ongss: Jan 9 2022, 10:59 PM

Ya, newer condo are using concrete or precast concrete slab. It is difficult to drill concrete.

Currently I am staying in a condo. When I installed my TV rack several years back, the technician complained that he had to consume one drill head for each hole he drilled.

Cables are different from those wires used in the extension cords and they are durables.

My old condo was built by Sunrise. I don't know what drill bits the installer used. But, seriously, I saw it by myself how often the installer changed.

But, honestly, for some Ikea hanging storage, I drilled the holes by myself. Even those I bought most expensive ones from Ace Hardware - they also cannot last. I don't even dream to use those China product from Mr DIY.

This post has been edited by ongss: Jan 12 2022, 07:50 PM

Yes, I agree. I further add one more point : if the company is one-man show, ignore the quote even it sounds logical or cheaper.

I have been vomitting blood with my existing contractors -

(a) Main con did not state the skimming in the main contract. Now, before painting, want to charge me RM5 psf - even the market rate is 1.20 - 1.80. I have to get in a third party to tell him off that I am taking back the painting work.
(b) Electrical subcontractor appointed by main con further subcontract to Myanmar workers that could not converse in Bahasa. Worse, when I ask for quotation, the price was premium because I requested for fully concealed. Now, they the conduits in the RC slabs for lights but missed out network and power sockets. Then, they simply lay on the concrete floor and expect the 2" cement rendering is the layer that conceal the conduits. But, I have timber flooring and the nails will penetrate 30mm into the floor and will hit the conduits. The timber installers and my brother who has more than 20 years of experiences in construction of factory advised to hack grooves. Yet, this electrical subcontractor dared to criticise experienced contractors are from North Korea and never see his solutions.

I think local renovation industry needs a revolution platform like Grab. Transform the industry and kick out all those black sheeps.