The Renovation Story: When "The Designer" and "The Engineer" Met D'Esprit

Starring: "The Designer" and "The Engineer"

Contractor 02 mentioned in previous chapter is actually D'Esprit here.

The preliminary renovation quotation given was approx $40K and excluded the cost of the following:

• cost of sanitary fitting selection
• cost of electrical and light fitting and installation cost.
• plastering the ceiling/wall*
• cost of furniture selection

* Our existing surface of the wall and ceiling are texturized. Plastering, which is costly, is required to smoothen the surfaces.

The quotation is substantially higher than the budget allocated by the couple.
Both "The Designer" and The Engineer" want to keep the total budget within $40K (i.e. inclusive of the cost of the hidden items).

By 'shaping up the budget', the couple is prepared to remove some items from their renovation wish list but they also did not want to let off the contractor so easily and therefore, have to bargain with him and put their charm into use.

The couple worked with Mr Hill, project consultant for D'Esprit. He kindly spent the whole afternoon to adjust the quotation. Some of the key highlights included:

• With Mr Hill's advice, the "The Designer" decided that the existing sliding window, although does not tie in with his design intent, can actually be retained. (Savings of $3000)
• The extensive ceiling design will require substantiate number of costly downlight fittings and cost false ceiling board, "The Designer" was therefore, compiled to keep the ceiling design 'lean' (ie to compromise on the design intent and to allow budget make the decision = Savings of $3500)
• "The Engineer" wanted to have an extensive make-over for the toilets but upon hearing the cost breakdown, she decided to omit the option of hacking the toilet floor & wall tiles & the long bath in the master bedroom toilet. However she was still insistent in replacing the existing WC, wash-basin, to install a cheap cheap shower screen and bi-fold door. (Savings of $1000)
• "The Designer" and "The Engineer" also decided to keep the kitchen reno work lean by having a shorter kitchen cabinet. (Savings of $1000)

Plus some bargain here and there (reduced price of toilet door from $220 to $188, total cost savings of $96) with Mr Hill, the couple reduced the renovation cost to $27,000. This provided some allowance for miscellaneous and hidden costs such as cooker hob, lighting, electrical works, WC, kitchen sink & tap, which kept the overall budget in check.

Author's Note: Advice those looking for renovation contractor: Remember to clarify with the contractor on the various hidden items and their respective cost prior to awarding the contract. These miscellaneous & hidden costs could add up to $6,000. 

Pleased with the quotation and their "bargaining power", the couple signed the renovation contract that same day (i.e. 21 May, aka 6 days after Mr Hill's site visit at Woodlands Ring Road). Payment due upon contract signing was 10%, but the couple did not bring their cheque book and was lazy to walk to the nearest ATM (a block away). Mr Hill agreed to delay the payment till their next appointment, which was set a week later, on 29 May.