The Minton: Ideas and Renovation – 6 – Decisions

Posted on    by

After just over 4 months of searching and discussions, we finally decided on an Interior Designer and committed (i.e. signed off) on the project last evening. It was a bit of a relief to finally be able to make this big decision, for better or for worse!

Numbers-wise, we received quotations from thirteen Interior Designer companies, had back-and-forths with several, and by early December, had decided that we would be going with either of two shortlisted designers. Both designers were invited to our apartment over the last fortnight to take measurements, do visual checks on our requirements, and work towards a final quotation.

It was an extremely tough decision to make, as Ling and I each wanted to go with the other designer – with Ling’s preference eventually prevailing. My preferred designer had been supremely meticulous, conscientiously read through all the rules of what was allowed in the residents’ handbook, very good on communications, and patient in revising quotations over the months. I would had been very confident that our project would be in safe hands had we gone in that direction, and the project would have sprung no surprises since all the homework had been painstakingly done in the project preparation. The quotations and its revisions provided were also consistently the most detailed and complete of all thirteen I poured through over the months, and very competitive.

Ling favored the other shortlisted designer, who was also very experienced but somewhat less accessible on my preferred mode of communication (i.e. email) which meant I had to adapt. And perhaps because he hadn’t been as quick to volunteer little details (e.g. the unit’s several built-in network ports) which were pointed out by the other designer, I’m just a little worried that there are things we’re missing out that will only get surfaced along the way. Still, Ling was very confident about this designer’s skill and she was convicted that he understood her desired Scandinavian concept for our home, and he did strike both of us as someone who knew what he was doing. Moreover, he was the co-owner of his own company, which made quotation revisions easy since he was, well, the decision-maker in the company. And in the couple of days just before we decided, he showed us rendered 3D concepts that he’d prepared – a very pleasant surprise since most designers seem unwilling to work on 3D visualizations until the project is signed-on.

Since both designers had their strengths, what it ultimately came down to in the last 2 days was, of all things, price – and the difference wasn’t huge but not trivial either. Most homeowners will caution that it’s practically impossible to do a pound for pound equal comparison between designer proposals (e.g. material selections can greatly affect prices, as with also the actual designed items). And with that in mind, the price difference was ballpark around 10% lower for the designer we went with on an item basis, though still bearing in mind that I’m not absolutely certain we will get surprised along the way going with this package.

Alright; Ling will add too that the chosen designer had an unfair advantage; he’d done up those visuals too, which Ling was very happy with. After we got back home in the early evening, I spent a good amount of time writing an email to the designer I’d been hoping to go with, informing of our decision. It was a hard email to write, as I felt pretty bad – especially considering all the hardwork on that end that had gone in the previous months.

For those of us who’re looking for IDs, I think both designers are well worth consideration, and who you’ll want to go with will depend on what you’re looking for, what’s important to you as a client and homeowner. Do email me if you’d like their contacts and referrals.

 

33 thoughts on “The Minton: Ideas and Renovation – 6 – Decisions”

  1. Hi,

    May I know which are the 2 IDs you shortlisted and which is the one you are using? Can I also join your Facebook? I am from blk 6.

  2. Hey there. Thanks for the visitation to our blog. I’ll email you in a minute – thanks!

  3. Hi, I would also like to know the two id as well as the curtain maker that commutes to Singapore daily. Thanks! I stay at Blk 12.

  4. Hi hi I’m living at blk 12a. Wonder if I can have the contact for the curtain maker n the 2ID you have shortlised ?

    Thanks n happy lunar new year

  6. Hihi! Im getting my hdb keys this mar! Hope u can share ur 2 ids details with me too! Hope to hear from u soon! Happy CNY!

  10. Hi

    Appreciate if you could share with me some of the following please:

    1) Your ID and cost of renovation + carpentry;
    2) Where did you purchase your ceiling fans;
    3) How much was the cost of your workroom chairs;
    4) Recommendation of your curtains/blinds maker

    Many thanks in advance, hope you are enjoying your new nest :)

  12. Hi,

    May I know which are the 2 IDs you shortlisted and which is the one you are using?

    Thanks

  14. can you email me your 2 ids? i am also interested in the concept to change the yard toilet to a washer Was it difficult to get the approval and was there additional cost involved?

  16. Thanks Did you have to write to Minton developer as well whether you could change the yard toilet to washer? Also are you able to give me the warehouse where you bought your led downlights The 3 in 1 looks good (did not know just a thing existed)

  18. Hi CY,

    Could you share the contact number to the defect management team and any advice on ways to speed up the defect rectification work? Thanks.

  20. Hi I am from Blk 2, will like to have my TV console and partition done. Please share with me your ID contact. I would preferred the one which respond to email and fast communication.

    Thanks

  22. Hi, really like the designs your ID has done. Can you email me the 2 IDs you considered? Thanks

  24. hi,

    Appreciate if you can share with me the contacts of your 2 shortlisted IDs. Sorry to take up your time. Many thanks!

  28. Hi could I have the contact of the two ID that u shortlisted ? And also on the amount quoted to you for your house? Thanks!

  29. Can I have the name and contact of the 2 shortlisted designer? I am going to renovate my condo soon and your reno looks good.

  32. Hello! I happened to chance upon your blog and I’ve spent the last 1 hour reading your informative renovation posts! Would greatly appreciate it if you could share the ID and curtain contacts and costs. Thank you in advance.

Comments are closed.