TLDR: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN INTERIOR DESIGNER, DO NOT HIRE JASON LIN OF BSQUARED DESIGN HOUSE, UNLESS YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE WHAT TRUE ANXIETY FEELS LIKE.
Hi all, I am writing a review of my terrible experience with Jason Lin, of the ID firm Bsquared Design House. He is a disgrace to the profession and has made our renovation process a nightmare. I hope to warn anyone from engaging his services.
Our dissatisfaction with Jason can be summed up into 2 broad reasons – 1) lack of accountability and professionalism, and 2) shoddy workmanship.
1. Lack of accountability and professionalism
a) Ghosted us multiple times
Jason has ghosted us at least 4 times throughout the process, for days at a go. Despite having 3 numbers to reach him at, Jason would ignore our Whatsapp messages (not even read) and our calls. He would usually get back to us a few days later. Some of the excuses he used on us:
Left his phone(s) at his friend’s place;
Left his phone(s) in a Grab;
Reached home late and phone(s) batt died; and
Had his phones impounded by the police (for reasons we shall not disclose here).
His lack of response to our requests for updates are anxiety-inducing. At one point, we were worried that he would run off with our deposit, despite having done just a fraction of the work. No homeowner should have to experience this. Currently, he has not responded to us for a week even though we still have rectification works outstanding.
b) Missing completion deadlines
Original completion – June 2020
We engaged Jason in Oct 2019, with the expected completion timeline to be around June 2020 as we were waiting for HIP works in Q1/2 2020. Hence, it was agreed that all wet works and carpentry fabrication could start immediately so the basic make-good works would be done before HIP started, then the carpentry installation immediately after HIP. By the time Q1 came and went, only hacking was done. Then COVID hit and all works were stopped.
No updates after Circuit Breaker
By the end of circuit breaker (Q3 2020), we had found alternative accoms, so we were not chase him on our reno works. We reminded him of our project in Q4 2020 as we had a clear timeline on HIP by then as well, but nothing was done despite multiple chasers. Even after HIP started, Jason did not confirm details on the carpentry, electrical works etc. This was also when the ghosting started.
After he ghosted us, we attempted to terminate our contract with him in Feb 2021, but he promised that he will refund us the amount that we paid (>1 years ago) for undone works, and only collect payment when carpentry is installed, so we gave in. BIG MISTAKE as leopards do not change their spots. He eventually refunded us, but his professionalism and work quality continued to be lacking.
April 2021 – June 2021
When we spoke in Feb 2021, Jason told us that our place would be done up by mid-April. Mid-April came, and the house was nowhere near a liveable state. We told him to buck up as we were targeting to move in mid-May. However, there continued to be delays in electrical and carpentry works on his end, which meant the completion deadline was delayed again. We finally moved in in mid-June 2021 (2 months delay) after hiring our own electrician to rectify the works.
c) Late for appointments
Jason and his subcons/workers would also constantly turn up late for appointments or miss it completely. On one memorable occasion we waited almost 5 hours for him and his carpentry workers/electrician to arrive at the apartment to rectify some works. His forever excuse was that it was raining and that there were site delays, but the fact was that he committed to a timing yet completely disregarded it. He also lacked basic courtesy to inform us of any delays ahead of the agreed time.
To be fair, his workers (who wears another company - BlackMRKT - tees) are very hardworking.
Moral of the story: timelines and punctuality mean nothing to this man. His overall lack of professionalism is stunning.
2. Shoddy workmanship
Jason probably messed up at least 50% of the works. Carpentry, painting, and electricals all had to be redone at least once.
a) Carpentry
We reconfirmed the carpentry measurements at least on 4 occasions, but somehow the measurements for our cabinets and kitchen island etc were still wrong in the end. Some of the final products were different from the final carpentry drawings.
We also had to repurchase our wardrobe inserts, condiments rack etc last minute even though we asked him if these would fit before purchase and gave Jason the measurements last year. Our washing machine cabinet doors could not be installed because of wrong measurements as well. The recess we designed for the fridge was also too shallow.
b) Electrical Works
Despite multiple messages to reconfirm the electrical points (we provided a drawing after receiving none from him), he ignored our requests, leading to:
wrong number of power points
poor wiring, Wrong placement of power points
no allowance provided for fibre termination point
In one hilarious instance, instead of a power point, he installed a heater switch (?????). His electrician also did not turn up to rectify these issues despite assurances from him, and we engaged another electrician after waiting for over a month.
c) Painting
Initial painting works were abysmal – the paint would bleed, holes and bumps on surfaces, forgot to apply sealer, applied the wrong sealer despite us instructing specifically which sealer to use, etc. In total, we had to repaint 3 times and the works are still not really satisfactory. Jason used Matex paint for the walls instead of Vinilex as quoted; only found out as we were down at the site – he probably tried to smoke us. In the end, we decided to stick wallpaper on the walls to improve the look.
Final Thoughts
Jason’s Modus Operandi is that he will promise to do this, fix that for you tomorrow/next week, but he will conveniently forget or find some other excuse the next week. This was how the works got perennially delayed. Also, even when we asked whether he was sure certain things could be done, he would reply yes confidently, but weeks or months later would tell us that the works were impossible after his workers were unable to carry out the works.
Jason’s abysmal performance and conduct is in stark contrast to some of the vendors we had engaged independently, who were true professionals (e.g. wallpaper, window, laundry rack, replacement electrician, curtains). If you have engaged him, please hold more than 5% of the contract amount for final payment as he will simply
Moving forward, we lodged a report with CASE, but CASE unfortunately can only set up negotiations and mediation with the vendor. We’ll be looking at other avenues to get compensation.
