Choosing an Interior Designer (ID)

Earlier on in November, 2013, we talk about the tips on finding an ID. Now after many many months of finding and also a bit of procrastination, we are finally have to settle and finalise on one ID who will be helping us in building our home!

We have met with many different ID and each of them leave different impression on us. Some are yes man, they say yes to everything and also our limited budget, but in the end when the quote came out it is a totally different story. SAD! Some pre-judge you based on your budget, if your budget is too low, they are simple not interested. Some are simply brand sake, their prices are 3 to 4 times that of market rate simply because of their branding (not really quality) and the fact that they give "lifetime warranty" which think about it you won't be using either, least not Stanley and I as we do dream of moving into EC or Private condo in the future. Of course this are the one which we strike off, but there are also nice one who we shortlist. And these are the people who have been very honest with us, they understand our budget constraint and work within our means and teaches and help us to achieve the best out of what we can offer and what they are able to do.

As stated earlier in the November post, we have a "control" list of the items we want the ID to quote us for, and this allow us to really compare item to item and price to price, which is good. In the end, we shortlisted 2 ID one from Dezign Culture; Jason (81884595) and another from Dots n Tots; Jeverson. They were both honest and nice and were able to give us good quote within our means and also able to advise us on what we should do and also give good suggestions to make our home more interesting.

In the end after a few more interaction and meetings, we decided to go with Jason (81884595) from Dezign Culture. Simply because he was more contactable; he update us when he is going overseas or overseas just in case we needed to find him, even though we have not sign with him yet, he inform us on sales and also help with my parents quotations and explaining to them what needs to be done for renovating a resale flat and also advise them on some issues. I find him very helpful and also very easy to speak to. So in the end we decided to go ahead with him and end our hunt for our home ID!

Once we confirm the ID, he took about a week to give us a final quotation which we needs to sign. Here, you kind of need to ensure that everything u need is stated inside and things which you are pending is stated in the KIV list with the price written as well so that you know they won't quote you another price after you sign the contract with them. Also when you sign the contract do READ it clearly and yup here is the part where you pay 10% of whatever is quoted.

The payment system are as such;
10% upon confirmation, once this is paid, you will select your tile design and colour and then 3D work begins.
45% before start of work, for the ID to get materials to begin work.
20% before carpentry work.
15% upon completion, but before checking of defects.
Last 10% upon defects fixed if any.

So there we go tie down to our ID and hopefully it is a good investment for our future!