If you’re getting the keys to your new home soon, you’re most likely at that stage where you’re just about to embark on your home renovation. But if you’re completely new to all this and wondering where to start, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you along.
Before engaging a reliable home mover from TheLorry, follow these steps for a successful home renovation in Singapore:
STEP #1: DECIDE ON YOUR BUDGET
When it comes to budgeting your home renovation, the number one advice is to be realistic. Depending on the size of your home, what type of works you’re intending to do and the materials used, renovation costs can vary by quite a bit.
A typical 4-room BTO renovation that includes major renovation works for instance, can cost anywhere from $35,000. Major renovation works are things like carpentry e.g. kitchen cabinets or built-in wardrobe, flooring and tiling works and painting.
Take note that if you’re overhauling your resale flat, costs are usually higher since they are a lot of hacking involved.
Whether you’re taking up a renovation loan or using your savings, make sure it’s an amount that you’re comfortable with. And as you plan for your renovation, aim to use a lower amount than your original budget so as to create a buffer for unexpected costs.
STEP #2: GET INSPIRATION
Once you’ve settled on a figure you can part with, here’s where the fun begins. Bring out your Pinterest boards and start pinning looks and styles you like. Besides Pinterest, Singapore-based Renonation is another great resource for inspiration.
The site features a wealth of renovation tips and interior design inspiration on their blog, so you can be sure to find something that will suit your fancy.
If you love the minimalist Japanese style that’s trending now for instance, take a leaf out of their article here.
At first, you’ll probably be overwhelmed by the inspiration you can find and you’ll want to pin everything you see. But here’s a tip: don’t.
You’ll only be more confused. Settle on a particular theme you like as soon as possible, whether it’s the clean aesthetics of the Scandinavian look or the grunginess of the industrial style and then do a focus and more purposeful research.
STEP #3: SOURCE FOR YOUR IDs
Armed with your interior design mood boards, it’s time to look for a reliable interior designer to help you realise your dream home. But with the colossal amount of interior design firms in Singapore, where do you even start?
Renonation offers a comprehensive directory listing of interior design firms on their website. You can navigate through their user-friendly platform to shortlist a few IDs that resonate with your style.
A screenshot of Renonation’s ID directory.
If that is still too much work for you, you can always fill up a form on their website, listing your preferred design style and budget.
The folks at Renonation will then link you up with IDs that will suit what you want and need.
Once you’ve shortlisted a few IDs, make sure they have a good repute by reading online reviews. Then email them requesting for quotations. And if they got back to you with a quotation that is around your budget, set up appointments to meet up with them in person to see if they can work well with you.
It is important that you and your designer can communicate well together to prevent miscommunication and unhappiness down the road.
The process can take a while, but it’s important to find a reliable interior designer that also takes into account your lifestyle needs and wants when it comes to designing your home.
With the increasing amount of renovation scams happening in Singapore, bear in mind these tips to safeguard your interests when sourcing for your ID.
Another tip: Look out for Meet The Designers events organised by Renonation from time to time, where they gather a few interior design firms in a single day in one space so you can consult a few IDs at one go.
This means you don’t have to make multiple appointments with different IDs over several weekends, saving you time and effort!
STEP #4: THE “WAITING PERIOD”
When you’ve chosen your ID and he or she has done up a final 3D rendering of your home with the ideas that you want, you will most likely be asked to pay a deposit of approximately 25% of your renovation costs.
When you’ve collected the keys to your new home, renovation should begin. At this stage, any changes should be communicated to your ID immediately, so as to avoid unnecessary costs down the road.
A typical renovation can take up anywhere from one to three months. Make sure to request for a timeline from your ID to avoid undue delays.
It is important to get updates from your ID regularly during this time and to visit the work site occasionally to keep abreast of your renovation progress.
Inform your ID at once if you are unhappy with anything. Depending on what your terms of contract with your ID is, costs of changes may be added into your overall renovation expenses.
STEP #5: SHOPPING FOR APPLIANCES AND FURNITURE
While your renovation is underway, start sourcing for home appliances, particularly built-in ones like your oven, hob, hood, blinds and fan that your ID will need to know the exact design and size specifications for so that they will be able to fit them into the rest of your design.
Your ID will most likely let you know which appliances you’re supposed to get first and he will probably recommend you brands he has worked with.
But while you can take his advice, don’t follow blindly, do your own research because only you know best which brands will work for your needs and lifestyle.
Make sure the appliances you purchase can be delivered within your renovation period so your ID can help ensure that the installation is done right.
If you have the time, you can also do your furniture shopping. A few ID firms, besides coordinating your renovation, also do home styling, so you may want to rope them in when you’re shopping for furniture so that they can best find the pieces that will fit in with the rest of your theme.
STEP #6: THE HANDOVER
This is the most exciting stage. Your renovation work is done and you can finally see the reality of your dream home. But just before you sign off, make sure your ID does a thorough inspection of your home with you.
Check to see if he or she has done everything stipulated in your contract. And re-negotiate if you spotted any shoddy work.
STEP #7: CLEANING UP
Before you move in, do a thorough cleaning of your home as a renovation can incur a lot of dust, stains and debris.
You can do so by either engaging a professional or doing it yourself. If you doing the former, ensure that the cleaning services company has a good track record. Another tip: make sure the company you’re hiring specialises in post-renovation cleaning.
STEP #8: MOVING IN
Congratulations, you’re now ready to move into your new home! Engage a reliable moving company like TheLorry who offers on-demand booking for your home moving needs.
All you have to do is book a mover from their website or via their app and you’ll instantly be connected to a driver.
The great thing is that their services are very transparent (pay more for extra services like packing) so you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for at the end.
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