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Hi Reno talkers! I've been lurking around the forums for a while. I'm getting ready to buy my first property and I need your help to get a better understanding of the correct process in Singapore, for the renovation i have in mind. I'm planning to buy an old 1100sqf top floor walkup apartment in Katong. It's located on the 4th floor , theres a fake ceiling and quite a large attic space spanning the whole apartment. I want to partially remove the fake ceiling (over the living room), reinforce the rest of the beams and add a proper staircase. I'm hoping to gain extra 40 meters of floor space. I also want to change the layout of the apartment, tear down artificial walls, redo marble flooring with wood and add skylight. I'm a designer, i know exactly what look I want to achieve, I'm also a pro in visualisations and renderings, however zero experience in "proper" architectural mechanical drawings and plans. My partner is also an event manager, skilled in managing construction crews (of a different kind of course). I'm hoping to skip an architect and work directly with PE and builders/contractors. Please tell me if the following game plan makes any sense to you ans if I'm missing some crucial step or planning steps backward or am just delusional 1. Previsualisations and Design. 2. because of increased proposed GFA need to check plot ratio of the building. Where can i check this? With MCST? With URA? Does this cost 1500$ For getting plans out or is this a new floorplan processing fee? 3. 90% of MCST approval. Can this be a problem? Would the neighbors be jelous or rather treat my loft as added value and pottential for their own properties upgrade? 4. PE endorsement and submission to URA because of increased GFA then to BCA for approval of structural additions and loads. 5. get a renovation contractor or general builder. Can they take care of previous point and get PE and BCA approvals themselves? In Singapore, What's the difference between a contractor and builder? The last step I want to split in 2 parts A. Demolition, constructing new partition walls, enforcing ceiling beams, plumbing, electrical. B. Carpentry, flooring, plaster work, tiles, cabines, appliances and cosmetic work. For this I'm planning to fly in my relative to help me out, or subcontract individual specialists. For the floors for example I'm considering diy job using oak palletes. Do you think this could be done with a 150k budget? Would be great if some of you knowledgeble folks can shine some light on this. Thanks in advance!