Day: February 19, 2024

Hidden truths about renovation packaged deals?

Hidden truths about renovation packaged deals?Hidden truths about renovation packaged deals?

3:01 pm
Blk 433C Bukit Batok West Ave 8

Ever heard of renovation packages starting from $10,888 or whole house 4-room HDB renovation at only $18,888? Are these too good to be true? What are the pitfalls?

If you have received a package deal offer, do look through thoroughly and ask the ID company more questions. What should you take note of?

Not itemized in the package

You do not know what you are actually paying for in packages. Always ask for itemized breakdown charges for each scope of work. Take note of any scope of work not mentioned. Unfortunately you might not be aware of what is missing.

Find out what is included in the package

Compare apple to apple with itemized quotes from other IDs so that you know whether the package includes all that you need. Itemized quotes may seem more expensive but this may not always be the case. We had done a comparison analysis of a packaged deal versus a more transparent itemized quotation. The itemized quotation was found to be cheaper!

Check the dimensions stated

Be careful with package deals as the package might only give you shorter lengths especially for carpentry or counter tops. The top-ups (or correctly termed as Variation Orders) will then be charged at much higher prices.

Words and descriptions

Be careful of the words and descriptions used. Take note of over-promise deals (Anything also can do kind of answers). Always seek clarifications.

Upsell techniques

Packages tend to miss out on certain works for eg kitchen cabinet base and you need to top up at a more expensive rate, higher than market rate. Length of the kitchen cabinet stated in the package is shorter than what you need. Additional top ups are not at package price. The materials included are basic ones only. If you want to change the materials, you have to pay for top ups.

Why should you go for itemized quotation

With point by point breakdown charges, you know how much has been included or removed. Items that you do not need or decide to include will be very clearly shown from the quote so it is TRANSPARENT to you.

Free gifts

Wow!! Free fridge, washer and other electrical appliances if you take up the deal!! Sounds too good to be true?!! Think TWICE.

Rule of thumb

Transparent itemized pricing is the way to go. Consider offers that are too good to be true. You need to be careful of over-promise works that may not sound possible to be carried out.

Itemized Quotation Sample
5 Tips for Space Saving in Singapore

5 Tips for Space Saving in Singapore5 Tips for Space Saving in Singapore

2:56 pm

Due to the increasingly limited space in many HDB flats, Singaporeans struggle to find storage in their homes. Here are 6 ways to maximise your home space while keeping them organised and tidy.

1. Built-in furniture

Opt for built-in shelves, cabinets and wardrobes to better utilise the limited space available for better storage. Built-in seating (Examples: bench, sofa etc) can also be installed. Below features a built-in seating for the owners of this home to put on their shoes while also having some storage for their belongings.

Hence, some built-in furniture can also serve as a storage space. An example would be a platform bed on top of pull out drawers, which can store items you want out of sight. (shown below) Another can be a sofa with storage space below or at the ends, which can be a shelving alternative to store books and toys. These are great alternatives with better practicality, while also saving more space for other furniture.

Blk 130B Toa Payoh Lor 5
Blk 304 Canberra Road

2. Sliding doors

Installing a sliding door for your kitchen, study room or even wardrobes can help save more space in smaller rooms, as compared to a swinging door. As a swinging door opens outwards, it may not be practical in a tighter space. Moreover, when sliding doors are retracted out fully, they help create a broader space between the 2 rooms connected, allowing your home to appear bigger. Example is in the photo below.

Blk 286 Bishan Street 24

3. Pull-out furniture

A great example is a pull-out dining table, which can be paired with portable and stackable chairs. It can be very versatile with its usage and be hidden away when not in use, giving you ample space for your home. This is especially useful for smaller households who rarely use the dining table.

51 Tampines Street 86 @The Tapestry

4. Ceiling Space

Don’t forget that you can also make use of the ceiling space in your homes! A suspended shelf or cabinet adds a unique spin to an interior design as well as allows for more room in the house. Not to mention, you can store or display while making them accessible.

308 Telok Kurau Road @Vibes at East Coast

5. Two-tiered drawers

Are there instances when your drawers are filled up but there is still space due to the depth of the drawers? To maximise the drawer space, you can install a smaller drawer within the outer drawer! These drawers allow you to fill up the extra space left above all of your already stored items.

Kitchen Cabinet Storage Ideas

How to better plan out your space

How to better plan out your spaceHow to better plan out your space

2:43 pm

Space planning includes mapping out the room, knowing the intended purpose and the actual interior design of your rooms. Without effective space planning, your room, and possibly even the whole home can lack a sense of unity, not feeling complete.

Hence, while making your home beautiful is most ideal, the functional design aspect is equally as important for it to be livable.

Things to take note:

When planning your room/ whole house, these are some things to consider to help you plan easier.

  • Take into account how each room is used and who will be using it

In order to best accommodate your needs, take into account how each room will be used. Those needs will eventually affect the layout and design. For example, a bedroom’s intended use as a place of relaxation and comfort; therefore this will impact the placement of your bedroom furniture, the type of lighting as well as what storage requirements are needed

  • Scale your furniture to your space

Consider the size of your room and plan how much furniture to fit into your space. Make sure the room does not get too cluttered

  • Consider focal points

Is there something (e.g a tall window) that can stand out in the room? Working around the focal point of each room can guide your planning better

  • Create zones

Plan out your space into zones of usage. Example: due to space constraints, many homes combine their living and dining into 1 room, so the dining area is in the living room. This is when you can consider where the dining and living areas are in your space and differentiate them within these zones, sometimes with furniture or carpet

  • Natural lighting

How much natural light is entering the room? Is there enough? Where are the areas requiring more lighting? Take these questions into consideration while planning your lights!

The most important tip is to have fun! Planning your space may be difficult at times but it will feel rewarding to design your dream home!