Homeowners Talk Reno Ep 3

We sat down with one of our homeowners and asked him to share about his reno journey.

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Project Overview

• 5 room tengah BTO

• Japandi x Wabi Sabi theme

• Mid-tier designer chosen (vs budget-friendly & boutique tier)

• $56k cost excluding furnishing

Q: How did you select your ID from the start?

A: I reached out to Deconstruct to ask for ID recommendations and was given 3 IDs. I reached out to all 3 and Wei Han was the most proactive one, messaging and even calling me. So I chose him. 

Q: After you selected your ID, was the process of starting your reno smooth?

A: Yes it was very very smooth, because my ID was super responsive. There were times my wife texted in the group chat late at night, even at 11pm or 12am, he would still reply to us immediately. That’s the kind of value-add and service he gave us.

Q: It’s common for homeowners to change their minds or have new ideas during the design process. Did that happen to you?

A: Yes. We had new ideas almost every other week and kept our ID updated. He was very flexible and accommodating. He would also amend and send us the new renderings based on the changes. I also appreciated that he gave us his honest opinions and wasn’t just a yes man. 

Q: How was the workmanship?

A: The workmanship of our carpentry was one of the best things about our reno. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories from friends but we didn’t have any of that. Even after moving in for 2 months, we still can’t find anything major. The one small thing we found (a loose screw) was also rectified by my ID very quickly.

Q: How much was your total reno cost?

A: It was about $56k. We had quite extensive carpentry and would rather pay a bit more for better quality. The rest of the furnishing was about $15k.

Q: Any advice for other homeowners?

A: Make sure you and your ID have chemistry, and that they are willing to listen to what you want rather than forcing their ideas onto you. Don’t be too fixated on cost as well. Going with the cheapest quote may leave you disappointed, while on the other hand, going for the most expensive quote may not necessarily mean the best quality. Do more research on the ID’s company before you speak to the IDs. Don’t get too many quotes as decision fatigue may inadvertently lead you to choose the wrong one.

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