SquareRooms Issue 181 Mid-Year 2020

8 ideal homes Track record The first step to seeking the right contractor for you is to do your due diligence as a consumer. Having a look through a contractor’s portfolio is only scratching the surface; so speak to previous clients, read verified online reviews, and interview potential contractors when needed before officially hiring one. Remember, a good builder both has impressive public relations skills and the willingness to get his hands dirty. Essentials CRAFTING THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS STARTS WITH GETTING THE NECESSARY RENOVATION KNOW-HOW DOWN PAT Find the right renovation contractor 1 LET’S TALK DOLLARS Three tips to building a realistic home renovation budget Math matters Use this fool-proof “magic” formula: quantity x price. The more there is of something, the more expensive it’s going to be. Resale houses also cost almost twice as much to renovate compared to new homes. Side to side Dive into market comparisons to ensure that you are allocating enough funds for high-quality materials and authentic services. In fact, you could compare prices using open- market reference rates at the official Building and Construction Authority website (bca.gov.sg) . Second Opinions When unsure, seek other expert insights. You could also check out Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (rics.org ) to learn about the best and most updated building practices, legal standards, and renovation prices around the world. P R O T I P : “Watch out for suspiciously cheap renovation services because they often end up compromising quality and effort.” Jake Yeoh, ZLC director Now that you’ve decided to refurbish your home, it’s time to look for these important factors in a contractor before hiring one Solid background When choosing your contractor, you will want to pick someone who has a wealth of experience in the industry. New players may know all about the latest technologies in the market but will struggle to spot common mistakes when working on your home. Those who have decades-worth of renovation mastery usually charge more for their services. Still, it’s better to engage a seasoned contractor because they make a worthy investment in the long run. Technical knowledge One of the most important values of a trusted contractor lies in the details. Don’t just ask for general information; come prepared with honest and hard questions to find out how far the contractor’s expertise goes. Most contractors should have in-house technical capabilities – such as carpentry, wet work tiling, and painting – because they add priceless quality to the overall renovation process. IMAGE COURTESY OF ZLC IMAGE COURTESY OF ZLC