Any Interior Design Firms to recommend?

[RocketBunny]

Hi guys, was reading through this thread and realised that no one mentioned the ID/contractors that I have shortlisted.. anyone heard of
1. Des & Co
2. MJS interior
3. Areana Creation ?

All never hear before

 

[luv_boa]

I have the exact same problems with both of you too. Defects picked up by me, and I suspect my ID didn't do any site visit inspection too. The industry is damn cow boy. Personally Im not going to let my ID off so easily. I hired those professional inspection firm to inspect the renovation and they picked up some stuff that a layman consumer like me wouldn't know is defect. And if I dont hire professional defects inspector to check, I wouldn't even know these things, and if my ID dont tell me all these, I take it as they are mis-selling me, a fraud. Stuff like

- The rubber lining around the window panel having a gap and not end to end
- hollow floor tiles
- kitchen cabinet doors not aligned
- kitchen cabinet drawer not even
- kitchen cabinet soft close doesn't close fully
- The Blum drawer system bar installed inverted
- Oven installed slanted
- Oven switch causes power trip
- Wall plastering badly done
- Painting job missed out some places
- Shower screen handle bar installed slanted
- toilet floor tiles uneven
- not to mention the project is severely delayed
- and quite a bit of poor workmanship here and there

These are just some things. We are all working people, if they are professionals, I really cannot understand how these kind of things can happen.

Can pm your ID so I can siam? Thanks!

 

[digiET]

I have the exact same problems with both of you too. Defects picked up by me, and I suspect my ID didn't do any site visit inspection too. The industry is damn cow boy. Personally Im not going to let my ID off so easily. I hired those professional inspection firm to inspect the renovation and they picked up some stuff that a layman consumer like me wouldn't know is defect. And if I dont hire professional defects inspector to check, I wouldn't even know these things, and if my ID dont tell me all these, I take it as they are mis-selling me, a fraud. Stuff like

- The rubber lining around the window panel having a gap and not end to end
- hollow floor tiles
- kitchen cabinet doors not aligned
- kitchen cabinet drawer not even
- kitchen cabinet soft close doesn't close fully
- The Blum drawer system bar installed inverted
- Oven installed slanted
- Oven switch causes power trip
- Wall plastering badly done
- Painting job missed out some places
- Shower screen handle bar installed slanted
- toilet floor tiles uneven
- not to mention the project is severely delayed
- and quite a bit of poor workmanship here and there

These are just some things. We are all working people, if they are professionals, I really cannot understand how these kind of things can happen.

Can pm me both the ID firm and the inspector firm & name? Thanks!

 

[yellowlion]

Yes. I tried getting quotation from Des & Co. Slow replies + MIA

Yes they are quite slow, took 2-3 days to edit a quote. Price quite rigid too

 

[antisun]

Anyone have ID to share that only do design?

I put forward myself, doing interior design for more than 20 years. 10 years on residential, 9 years for commercial. Came out of retirement 4 years ago.

 

[antisun]

I chance upon this forum because I was looking for a new apartment to buy, while exploring this forum I found this to be closes to my passion, interior design.

I have been doing both residential and commercial for more than 20 years and what I found problems in most residential projects are this:

1) Clients/Owners are torn between choosing an ID vs Contractor, why? One of the biggest reasons is cost. At the same time, by choosing a premium service (ID) doesn’t equal to less headache. They then have to sieved out the good and the average.
2) Design/Creativity is another issue. Most of the design here are generic, (aka copy and paste). The better designers will morph into something that clients like. Those top tier design will draw inspirations from clients needs, couple with functionality. However, that takes time and patience which now a day many clients lack, which I can understand.
3) Expectation, this happens when communications are not clear or transparent during the selection period which results in disappointment and dissatisfaction during delivery. To lower this risk, client/owners need to know and understand the basic mechanism how the industry work, especially for residential. Sometime clients/owner will be taken in by those snake oil salesmen pretending to be a Designer. An industry sad story because of supply and demand.
4) My own conclusion is local qualified interior designers are not getting those recognition they deserved. A lot of those reputation are tarnish by salesman disguise as “interior designers” hence putting a bad name on this industry.

Therefore, I have decided to put in a little effort of my contribution to this industry by giving people real solution with their interior design need absolutely free, yes free. Because its free, there are certain conditions:

1) I will only consult those with major renovation, example revamping the whole house whether is it HDB, Condo, Landed. This type of project will involve many mechanisms which most owners do not have the knowledge or the time to deal with it.
2) Each design brief session will not take more than 1.5 hrs.
3) I will only take in 1 or 2 people a month that requires this free service subject to my time.
4) I will only do space planning & designs (no artist impression), interviewing of your pre-selector contractor and giving them construction solutions.
5) 2D drawings of proposal can be given so you could show when choosing your contractors. The reason why I don’t want to recommend contractors is conflict of interest and of course will invite unnecessary comments for those who are skeptical of my intention.

I came out of retirement years ago as I need to find something to do beside golfing and travelling. Now that travelling is limited, I was telling myself why not help those people which I can contribute with my knowledge.

I can't upload any images yet, so you could email me for more information. sorogsoro@gmail.com

 

[Burncalorieswithgwen]

Hi all, my flat is currently under renovation, and this week is the hacking phrase. My ID informed us that while doing hacking, some of our tiles popped up and additional cost will be incurred for doing the cement screed and tiles replacement. Is this very common?

 

[weathersohot]

Hi all, my flat is currently under renovation, and this week is the hacking phrase. My ID informed us that while doing hacking, some of our tiles popped up and additional cost will be incurred for doing the cement screed and tiles replacement. Is this very common?

I don’t think it’s common, but my ID did warn me before

 

[KnobKnob]

Hi all, my flat is currently under renovation, and this week is the hacking phrase. My ID informed us that while doing hacking, some of our tiles popped up and additional cost will be incurred for doing the cement screed and tiles replacement. Is this very common?

how old is your unit

Sent from Samsung SM-G975F using GAGT

 

[inoutshakeitallabout]

Hi all, my flat is currently under renovation, and this week is the hacking phrase. My ID informed us that while doing hacking, some of our tiles popped up and additional cost will be incurred for doing the cement screed and tiles replacement. Is this very common?

Not sure if it’s common but not unheard of. Older units tend to be more susceptible to this. My 29 yo resale kena and had to add on another 8k for hacking and cement screed.

If you are using vinyl, I strongly recommend self leveling the area. Otherwise you can feel the unevenness when you step

 

[stam]

I put forward myself, doing interior design for more than 20 years. 10 years on residential, 9 years for commercial. Came out of retirement 4 years ago.

PM sent!

 

[antisun]

I chance upon this forum because I was looking for a new apartment to buy, while exploring this forum I found this to be closes to my passion, interior design.

I have been doing both residential and commercial for more than 20 years and what I found problems in most residential projects are this:

1) Clients/Owners are torn between choosing an ID vs Contractor, why? One of the biggest reasons is cost. At the same time, by choosing a premium service (ID) doesn’t equal to less headache. They then have to sieved out the good and the average.
2) Design/Creativity is another issue. Most of the design here are generic, (aka copy and paste). The better designers will morph into something that clients like. Those top tier design will draw inspirations from clients needs, couple with functionality. However, that takes time and patience which now a day many clients lack, which I can understand.
3) Expectation, this happens when communications are not clear or transparent during the selection period which results in disappointment and dissatisfaction during delivery. To lower this risk, client/owners need to know and understand the basic mechanism how the industry work, especially for residential. Sometime clients/owner will be taken in by those snake oil salesmen pretending to be a Designer. An industry sad story because of supply and demand.
4) My own conclusion is local qualified interior designers are not getting those recognition they deserved. A lot of those reputation are tarnish by salesman disguise as “interior designers” hence putting a bad name on this industry.

Therefore, I have decided to put in a little effort of my contribution to this industry by giving people real solution with their interior design need absolutely free, yes free. Because its free, there are certain conditions:

1) I will only consult those with major renovation, example revamping the whole house whether is it HDB, Condo, Landed. This type of project will involve many mechanisms which most owners do not have the knowledge or the time to deal with it.
2) Each design brief session will not take more than 1.5 hrs.
3) I will only take in 1 or 2 people a month that requires this free service subject to my time.
4) I will only do space planning & designs (no artist impression), interviewing of your pre-selector contractor and giving them construction solutions.
5) 2D drawings of proposal can be given so you could show when choosing your contractors. The reason why I don’t want to recommend contractors is conflict of interest and of course will invite unnecessary comments for those who are skeptical of my intention.

I came out of retirement years ago as I need to find something to do beside golfing and travelling. Now that travelling is limited, I was telling myself why not help those people which I can contribute with my knowledge.

I can't upload any images yet, so you could email me for more information. sorogsoro@gmail.com

Hi all,

It has been overwhelming how many ppl need help in their total revamp renovation process. I am currently handling 3 ppl this month already and also promised another forum reader in revamp condo next month. Thus I can only take in 1 more person in Feb. fyi

For casual renovation problem if not urgent you can post it here so everyone reading can also learn at the same time.

 

[sonrocker]

Hi all

Just wondering if replacing toilet bowl will require hacking of tiles and relaying of new tiles and do new waterproofing? If yes usually how long will it take for 2 toilets in a typical HDB flat? If no, does the new toilet bowl need to be of the same size or bigger?

Thanks!

 

[antisun]

Hi all

Just wondering if replacing toilet bowl will require hacking of tiles and relaying of new tiles and do new waterproofing? If yes usually how long will it take for 2 toilets in a typical HDB flat? If no, does the new toilet bowl need to be of the same size or bigger?

Thanks!

1) No need change floor tiles, therefore no need waterproofing
2) Size no matter so long your toilet can accommodate, take note of the "size" of your P trap or S trap, measuring from the wall to the middle of the trap.

 

[sue86sue]

Hi. Has anyone considered Casa ID? Can anyone check this package and see whether it is reasonable? I'm looking to reno my 5i resale flat that I'm buying
https://casaid.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Resale_Renovation_Package.jpeg

 

[sonrocker]

1) No need change floor tiles, therefore no need waterproofing
2) Size no matter so long your toilet can accommodate, take note of the "size" of your P trap or S trap, measuring from the wall to the middle of the trap.

Got it. Tks for your help!

 

[princewenle]

Bro Antisun

Need some of your sexpert opinion.

I am getting new BTO soon. So i have seen some ID now.
Some of them said dont renovate toilet since its new bto.

What do you think?

Next is kitchen, coutertop and backsplash use quartz.
There are few brands: lian hin, melmer and silestone.
Silestone expensive but i heard the quality is good and got 25 yrs warranty.

 

[antisun]

Bro Antisun

Need some of your sexpert opinion.

I am getting new BTO soon. So i have seen some ID now.
Some of them said dont renovate toilet since its new bto.

What do you think?

Next is kitchen, coutertop and backsplash use quartz.
There are few brands: lian hin, melmer and silestone.
Silestone expensive but i heard the quality is good and got 25 yrs warranty.

Congrates on your new BTO.

When you said renovate your toilet, to what extend? Change floor and wall tiles? Change doors? Change embedded piping?
If you are planning to do that, I would suggest you re surface, that will keep your water proofing warranty from HDB intact, also no risk is damaging the pipes while hacking.
However, doing re surface need someone with an eye for details on many things, eg height of kerb, toilet door may have to resize or change, finishing toward the window & door frame, etc.
Lastly, what the reason you want to renovate the toilet?

Counter top has evolve over the last 20 years from wood laminate, solid surface and now quartz. All these have 1 thing in common, it changes colour over a period of time because they are engineered stones.

Therefore to choose a better quartz, check out their composition, those has more than 90% quartz and 10% polymer resins, should be the minimium standard. The higher the quartz means lesser resins. The highest in market now is 95% quartz.
Forget about the warranty, it just marketing slogan only give consumer a peace of mind and validate how long they intend to stay in market. By then you would have move on in your life journey to the next property.

 

[princewenle]

Congrates on your new BTO.

Thank you.

Toilet part maybe just change basin and toilet bowl. Just want to make it nicer. What do you think? Is it worth it to do it now? Or maybe wait 5-10 yrs later.


Kitchen countertop, i also notice there is 1 more option call kompacplus. Get quartz or kompacplus better?

 

[antisun]

Thank you.

Toilet part maybe just change basin and toilet bowl. Just want to make it nicer. What do you think? Is it worth it to do it now? Or maybe wait 5-10 yrs later.


Kitchen countertop, i also notice there is 1 more option call kompacplus. Get quartz or kompacplus better?

Yes change, why not if you only change basin and wc. Do it now better than later.

Kompacplus is what we called phenolic panel, those you find in toilet cubicles. It's non porous and sturdy. We use a lot of these in commercial design, I like the sleek 6mm thickness and can do chamfered edge in front instead of the standard 40mm down turn.

Downside for me is limited selection of design. So would encourage to use it if you can find something to go with the design flow.