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Thanks for your quote. You can always go to HDB website to check if they are licenced. Don't ever depend on "they say so" which they might be using others licence and when things happen, they will tell you "you should know"; there you will be caught

I fully agree with whoyouare. Afterall, whether contractor or the firm needs to make some profit just like you and me working to make a leaving. Certainly, it is individual character to work things out. Many times it is the chemistry between the owner and the contractor to make things happen. I believe given the chance, every contractor would like to give their best so that you can praise their service and recommend more clients to them. Whereas, the owner, would like to have cheap price, good stuff, best service, etc. But as a human, putting ourselves in their shoe, they are also human. Is it possible? Every thing come with a price. If we had squeeze their profit till impossible, how to give good stuff, good service. Besides, it is sometime also dependent on timing. At a certain period, the best contractor, when cling too many deals, how do we expect them to split themselve and concentrate on so many things. Turn around if you meet a downtime contractor, you will always find him very positive (everything ok). Be a smart owner, other than price which should be reasonable (if too low usually means something wrong), I won't go for famous, highly recommended ID or contractor as they cannot concentrate on my project. We should always strike a balance in between (zhong yong zhi tao)

R u sure you can get $1,350 to paint up an EM with ICI or Nippon paint? Let us to some home work. You need at least 3 White emulsion for ceiling and wall undercoat-$120, 2 can of paint to each room say vinyl sinlk - $50 X 2 can X 3 room, 3 can for hall and living - $150,, 1 can for passage and other area $50, and 2 can of sealer $80, 1 can of weather shield for balcony - $60 Total paint material only (not inclusive of roller paint, brush, protection, masking tap, plastering material etc) $760.00 excluding GST. Which is to say max they only cost $590.00 for labour without profit. Last that I understand, you need 2 man to paint a EM for abt 8 days esp typical work at staircase which has 16ft tall wall and where they can't place the ladder there. By calcution, $590/8days/2man, which is to say their labour can accept $36,85 per day. Wow real cheap labour and the company is good that they don't make profit from painting... unbelieveable. Bear in mind that even they use Bangladeshi general worker, their levy is $16.00 per day then I think maybe possible. Else, There must be some area which they "save" up for their profit....like mixing cheap paint lor

ya real huge which I call it a field liao. Isn't this ground floor EM resembles the terrace houses with big garden, parking in front?

There is nothing such as proper. "Licence" you mention is know as "CEHA" which only require for trading of HDB flat only. Those who does rental and trading of private property do not require CEHA to do such as all paper work and conveying process will be done by Lawyer. Whereas, for HDB transaction, the licence agent will have to do the co-ordination work.

Not surprising. Bishan/sin ming area already marketing above $680k liao. A move-in "terrace" like ground floor EM designer house can cost $750K in this area and of all you know its still a hot grap. But consider the location and a designer house in move-in condition, than spending more than $50K for renovation, I think its worth the demand. Any one interested anot, I can recommend but goto pay some referal la....hehehe

Never hear before. Are they HDB licence contractor? Care to share your quote?

I think there are many foumer here giving excellent points that you may take their advise...hooray! Well done guys. For your info, and to safe guard yourself, other than going to case to report which you have a very strong case and might be able to retrieve your 1K, you may also wish to report to HDB. Just tell them the case and at least put it on record with HDB. Tell them that this contractor did propose to you using other's licence to submit. HDB normally will take note of that and might even take action against the contractor who submit on their behalf. Lodge police report if this contractor turn fierce to you.

Usually, Agent will pay some referral fee to you between 300 to 500. Reading your case, it seems that your oversea friend can only buy private property. For private property, agent usually don't collect commission from buyer. They'll only be paid 0.5% from seller's agent if they co-broke. Which is to say, they got only around $2500 for every $500k sales. Out of the $2,500 they earn, they will have to pay part of the money to company they belong to, travelling expenses, their phone bill, their hours spend to work on the purchase, and your referal fee. I hope you can have a better picture of what is going on, when you are paid $300 to $500 for just a phone call away as compare to the earning the agent with so much hidden expenses

Expert siah.......Truly aluminium die cast is better as Halogen emit alot of heat. Chrome die cast is usually made of cheap iron but chrome to give the product a shiny metalic look. When expose to heat, the chrome will either peel off or tanished with black spot surfacing.....very ugly

Never heard before. Just a reminder to check if they are HDB licence contractor..... else another sad storey liao....

Yes, but usually install round the perimeter. False ceiling serve the same function to but spread throughout the ceiling area

I think you ID con you to that. All tiles price at SBH is fixed whether selling to walk-in customer or ID. In fact ID should have some rebate which they are supporting them for long term. To me, I won't care if there is any rebate to my contractor as I believe this is what they should deserve as long as I get what I want. Even if I buy direct from SBH, I might not enjoy any rebate or discount, so might as well let my contractor earn some petrol money

I did approached them some times ago. Given up with them due to slow response and didn't get to meet up with their ID. Though claim they charge consultancy and other pay direct to sub contractor and suppliers, but when you sum up everything, don't think its cheap. But what really wary me is who is responsible for applying work permit for my work as the agreement would probably sign with them but contractually, they are not binded as they claim only for consultancy only. Its not fair contract. At the end I found and confirm with my cheap good and prompt contractor.

I believe marie is surely not a HDB licence contractor. One clue is to find out who is the one who apply the work permit for you and just follow the thread. I usually feel that ID or contractor that swing their sales with 5 years warranty are gimmick. By end of 5 year, the company would not have been around or probably change hand. Even they are around, the usual things they will tell you its due to wear and tear and it will not be warranty. This is really not practical at all. For a sincere and good company, they will always attend to you even after many years, where some even during the warranty peiod will give excuse that it is damage due to poor handling and demand for cost to remedy it. Legally, which I learn from a Qualified Surveyor, he says legally for all interior work, liability period is only six month after handing over. Even when you have to go to court, the Judge will feel that six month is more than enough time to inspect and ensure all installation is fit for use and reasonable frame to monitor consistency to confirm mechnical and electrical function. Whereas, you case, I do not see any fault as your contractor had completed the work and handed over to you. Unless, there is any major defect to work done, you may still have a case, but really require alot of evidence to prove your case; like if you have a proper contract with them, why did you hire a unlicence contractor, etc. Even you can prove all these, the question is if the company had go burst, too bad for you.....no case at all and none can help.

I do agree with summerholiday. Those claim best and got so much work where got time to concentrate on so many. Also agree on the theory that if big company dare to give them project, the standard should not be too far. To me I feel that every must be given a chance. I believe that even some small company can do better job than the bigger one cos they usually are more flexible, they can concentrate on the work as not too much work to do. Mine was done by a low profile company but they have many work with Hong Leong, and big retailers, and some government project. So I am confident and comfortable with that.

About the same. But bear in mind that the carpenter will not charge any different for the edging material as the different is too small. A door is still a door. Different material for edging is probably less than $5 per door. But to owner, you should consider whether it is durable.

I agree with the points that you should not only stick to six. Since you have already got idea in mind, you should compare between ID and contractors as the price might be lower. ID do only design and they sub out the work to sub contractors. Hence, the price are usually higher.

May I know how do you determine expensive when you are not too sure how much debris will there be. There is always a "ruler" to quantify the cost. Firstly, some contractor charge haulage fee while some don't. This is due to the spread out cost for individual contractor's calculation. To other point is clearing debris which most contractor will charge cos there will be cost incurred for dumping at ENV dumping ground and also the rental and transport cost for skip tank. Looking at your description, I presume the Haulage is $600 and $400 goes to clearing debris. $400 for clearing debris is cheap if you are hacking the entire unit for 4 to 5 room when most of contractor will charge around $600.00. But bear in mind that $600 for haulage is on a high side when some contractor don't even charge that at all esp when they are hacking the place. I think your contractor is trying to swing their profit margin to Haulage fee as he think this is a "must do" thing and you will pay for it, while keeping the clearing debris fee lower to be attractive that's all. Hiring another group to do the job may cost more as they come in only to this item. Besides, by doing so, you'll cause unhappyiness between the two contractors when they are blaming each other for the work. I should be in a better picture if I can have a clearer picture of what is quoted to you. PM me if you need some advice.

Veneer is certainly not suitable for kitchen cabinet. There are choice for kitchen cabinet edging like ABS, Stainless Steel, Aluminium profile, or cheapest mean using the laminate but it has sharp edges and chip easily

Your ID is right in the sense that each time you shift higher the suction power drop. The standard installation is between 600 to 660 mm above work top. Try measure it yourself

Approach few ID or contractor for quote and suggestion. They are the best ppl to advise what suit your needs and budget. Foremost meeting these ppl, you most prepare a full list of what you want for every corner of the house irregardless of the budget. Meet the renovator with this list and they will give you a better picture with sample photo or 3D drawing. Thereafter, quote follow and you will then able to cost for your budget. Start deleting least priority items and leave necessity till budget meet. For an area of 138 sq m unit, your budget would probably come up between $25K to $50k dependent on what you want. Is your unit in Tampines? 138 sq m 5 rm flat is very rare in Singapore.

Hi James, suggest its high time for you to source around for ID or contractor now as this will take quite some time to decide. Instead of asking around for pictures, most ID and Contractor are able to provide you with that and you can consult them on your requirement. They'll normally base on your requirement and prepare quote you so that you are prepare for the Reno budget. Just bear in mind that you are not obligated till you are comfortable. I suggest you list out full list of what you want first irregardless of your budget so that they are able to give you a full picture of the real quote. If they blow your budget, start deleting what is least priority. Necessity is priority in most renovation. Some carpentry work can build later when you have the budget but leave provision for the area. Between, a 5 rm flat can cause between a budget of 20K to 50K depending on what you want. Important that your timing for renovation is in red zone (peak period)to most renovator esp this year. Hence, your early sourcing and decision is most helpful. You may expect a up tune of 5 to 10% during the peak period when you fall into the peak period, that's why early booking is important. Another important point is that be firm on your decision as most renovator will charge extra after renovation work start and when you need to alter this and that. You practically can't blame them as extra work and material could have involve once the work started.

I am looking for landed property esp, those single storey very run down units to redevelop to higher end unit. Purpose either for own stay or resale if property continue to bloom. PM me if there is any