ABBA Deal
Singapore - Interior Decor
Singapore - Interior Decor
ID Design Company
http://juzinterior.com/
ID or contractor?
Pros of ID:
- Space planning, new property defects checks, ergonomic and design expertise, shopping advice.
- Provides full 3D rendering of your project. Pictures speak a thousand words and helps you bring imagination to reality. Further more Juz Interior is going into full 3D walk through of your place in the near future.
- Provides On-Site project management as well as liability for services rendered for a coverage often a year. (In Juz Interior's case, two years)
Pros of ID:
- Space planning, new property defects checks, ergonomic and design expertise, shopping advice.
- Provides full 3D rendering of your project. Pictures speak a thousand words and helps you bring imagination to reality. Further more Juz Interior is going into full 3D walk through of your place in the near future.
- Provides On-Site project management as well as liability for services rendered for a coverage often a year. (In Juz Interior's case, two years)
Cons of ID:
- Comes at a premium 10-30% more expensive than contractors (but this may not always be so and premiums may vary)
Taking the ID Route?
The Selection of an ID company takes a lot of work and hours spending time searching through the countless ones out there. Further more it requires either parties to invest time and relaying ideas to see which company/ID is able to best match/meet your needs, as well as within your price point.
Having been through a total of 8 different quotations (Image Creative Design, Jaden Enterprise, Carpenters, I-Designers, 3D Innovatons, A1, Add Space, and more), Juz Interiors in our books, came up on tops.
By way of pricing they were competitive and comparing the workmanship against other ID bids and Contractors, theirs were superior. Hinges were good, door of sturdy make, the finishing was there. (In fact, price point wise they were matching some direct contractor quotes).
Juz Interior offers up to 24months warranty on their projects.ABBATip when selecting an ID or a Contractor
- Workmanship is key. Make sure you see their sites in progress or handed over for yourself! Words are free, check the workman ship for yourself!
- The person you'll be working with. The ID/Contractor whom you are working with needs to be responsible, active and preferably be able to advise appropriately what you really need versus a want.
ID assigned: Ian (5years experience as of 2016)
Assigned ID - Ian
Ian's a meticulous individual, aiding clients in shopping details, without putting too much pressure for/or against a purchase. He does go the extra mile in helping the client purchase the appropriate pieces to achieve their vision as well as take into account all detailing that have been discussed prior, which makes each meeting effectively communicated, and forward moving.
Further more, he takes no hesitation in spending the time to run through, explain and break down any part of the quotation to explain exactly what is being done, with regular updates on completed works to keep all parties informed.
Ian is also very accommodating to meeting times as well as location and relatively responsive with whats-app messages and phone calls when you've got queries.
Trustworthy, and a man of his words, not only does he help in problem solving design and home issues, but takes it upon himself to do small jobs (drilling simple racks, painting), passing on the savings to the clients. Where he cannot achieve to help save, he will then inform clients of the need for external hire to do the necessary jobs.
Though like any other major home design/building process, there have been miscommunications and minor cock-ups, but Ian will take ownership of it and work towards a positive outcome. Ultimately the home that you desire or as close to would be achieved. Problem solving and coming to the desired outcome are is ground working philosophies.
By way of pricing they were competitive and comparing the workmanship against other ID bids and Contractors, theirs were superior. Hinges were good, door of sturdy make, the finishing was there. (In fact, price point wise they were matching some direct contractor quotes).
Juz Interior offers up to 24months warranty on their projects.ABBATip when selecting an ID or a Contractor
- Workmanship is key. Make sure you see their sites in progress or handed over for yourself! Words are free, check the workman ship for yourself!
- The person you'll be working with. The ID/Contractor whom you are working with needs to be responsible, active and preferably be able to advise appropriately what you really need versus a want.
- A trade off between several factors. Balance of Price Point Versus workmanship and person you'll be working with.
ID assigned: Ian (5years experience as of 2016)
Assigned ID - Ian
Ian's a meticulous individual, aiding clients in shopping details, without putting too much pressure for/or against a purchase. He does go the extra mile in helping the client purchase the appropriate pieces to achieve their vision as well as take into account all detailing that have been discussed prior, which makes each meeting effectively communicated, and forward moving.
Further more, he takes no hesitation in spending the time to run through, explain and break down any part of the quotation to explain exactly what is being done, with regular updates on completed works to keep all parties informed.
Ian is also very accommodating to meeting times as well as location and relatively responsive with whats-app messages and phone calls when you've got queries.
Trustworthy, and a man of his words, not only does he help in problem solving design and home issues, but takes it upon himself to do small jobs (drilling simple racks, painting), passing on the savings to the clients. Where he cannot achieve to help save, he will then inform clients of the need for external hire to do the necessary jobs.
Though like any other major home design/building process, there have been miscommunications and minor cock-ups, but Ian will take ownership of it and work towards a positive outcome. Ultimately the home that you desire or as close to would be achieved. Problem solving and coming to the desired outcome are is ground working philosophies.
Juz Interiors
Variation Order: Additional Costs that you may need to budget for after getting first quotation.
Each company would have a break down of charges, but more or less the charges are
With all things, the initial quotation covers the bare bone basics of carpentry, so whilst considering your budgeting, add about 15%+- more to the initial quote. That would often include additional changes not previously covered like, installation charges of fans, additional hacking, change of ideas, add-ons, and the major bulk of it going to electrical works (Pulling of wires, adding new electrical points, installation of each of the lights and many more). Purchase of lights are at your own costs and on top of that, installation is another charge. These additions or even subtractions can vary as you progress through your renovation ideas and process and realize where needs to pull back a bit more or add. Remember the variation order may not always be an addition.
Electrical works includes installation of lights/pulling of or creating new electrical points/Local Area Network Points and many more. All these multiple lights and install do add up little by little to a rather large sum. In my case surmounting to about $3000.
With all things, the initial quotation covers the bare bone basics of carpentry, so whilst considering your budgeting, add about 15%+- more to the initial quote. That would often include additional changes not previously covered like, installation charges of fans, additional hacking, change of ideas, add-ons, and the major bulk of it going to electrical works (Pulling of wires, adding new electrical points, installation of each of the lights and many more). Purchase of lights are at your own costs and on top of that, installation is another charge. These additions or even subtractions can vary as you progress through your renovation ideas and process and realize where needs to pull back a bit more or add. Remember the variation order may not always be an addition.
Electrical works includes installation of lights/pulling of or creating new electrical points/Local Area Network Points and many more. All these multiple lights and install do add up little by little to a rather large sum. In my case surmounting to about $3000.
Items At your own cost$
regardless of ID or contractor options.
regardless of ID or contractor options.
- Lighting both Normal lighting and ambient lighting purposes)
- Furniture and white goods (Fridges, washing machine, hobs etc)
Some standard places to try from Johor Bahru which can save you about 50-60%
E-Mart (Lighting and fans options. They have home ware products as well)
Yes-Electrical (Primarily for Fans but they do carry LED strips which I got mine from)
Tanpoi Lighting Center (Lighting)
Over at Tanpoi, there are also curtain blind services around the block which do service Singapore clients. You can take a look to compare for options and pricing, but I personally ended up going with Alto Fabric Pte Ltd, located in Singapore.
- Curtains
Alto Curtains (Click here for Full write up and ABBA Deal)
- Furniture
(Bedding went with Nature's Rest Click here for Full write up)
- White Goods (Fridge,TV,Washing Machines,Etc)
White good purchasing from personal experience. There are tons of expo fares from the major companies like courts, gain city, and various electronic fairs available throughout the year but as to what they offer at that point of time I do not have a side by side comparison of who offers a better deal by way of freebies on newer stock.
Price Comparisons made were within a 3week time span on most of the short listed products
All companies provide free delivery with minimum purchase or with no minimum requirement.The three places which I made visits and price call comparisons.
Google to check their numbers if they are still accurate.
- Court Megamall (Tampinese)
- Unilite, Uncle David Jalan Kayu 6481 8780
- Kong Tai Electrical 65658924
In my case, I ended up purchasing all of my products from Gain City's mega outlet mall at Sungei Kadut and came to a realization that pretty much all prices can be price compared and even bargained down to match or even lower prices of its competitors. In fact, with Gain City's gift vouchers (NTUC/Coldstorage/Giant cash vouchers) and reward points system of 1% rebate it all adds up to additional savings for yourself.
This is by no ways a guaranteed by way the cheapest means of purchase but an account of personal shopping experience and alternative shopping shopping avenues outside stock clearance sales. From the experience, it was a fair amount saved with Gain City.
ABBATip:
Do ground work on the model that you want from various sources and you have 'ammo' to price match or do better at your choice of shopping location.
- Defects after completion of works cannot be done in an instant as more often than not, a lot of small works/usage of space changes with gradual usage of the place. It is best to collate all defects so when electrician/plumber/carpenter comes, as many 'defects' can be cleared up on each visit by the respective team involved.
- Although its mostly a hands off approach, some management of your projects is required in order to expedite or avoid delays with third party organizations. In my case both Le Gate and Alto Fabrics had delays in material shipments.
Though its not 100% with some small allocation of margin for error which are fairly acceptable, the rest are done to specifications, with some alterations due to structural constraints. The major works are of no problems and are in fact very satisfactory. However, the last stretch to completion which involves things like like fan relocation, light additions, painting, glass alignments is lacking in promptness are being drawn out become a source of minor irritants. This on my part could be managed from the learning points. Collate all defects and clear in a single seating.
All in all, I would work with Juz Interior again and Ian for future projects but with slight variations from the learning points of the ID process. It can't be completely hands off, but with some management it can be smoother.
- Furniture and white goods (Fridges, washing machine, hobs etc)
Some standard places to try from Johor Bahru which can save you about 50-60%
E-Mart (Lighting and fans options. They have home ware products as well)
Yes-Electrical (Primarily for Fans but they do carry LED strips which I got mine from)
Tanpoi Lighting Center (Lighting)
Over at Tanpoi, there are also curtain blind services around the block which do service Singapore clients. You can take a look to compare for options and pricing, but I personally ended up going with Alto Fabric Pte Ltd, located in Singapore.
- Curtains
Alto Curtains (Click here for Full write up and ABBA Deal)
- Furniture
(Bedding went with Nature's Rest Click here for Full write up)
- White Goods (Fridge,TV,Washing Machines,Etc)
White good purchasing from personal experience. There are tons of expo fares from the major companies like courts, gain city, and various electronic fairs available throughout the year but as to what they offer at that point of time I do not have a side by side comparison of who offers a better deal by way of freebies on newer stock.
Price Comparisons made were within a 3week time span on most of the short listed products
All companies provide free delivery with minimum purchase or with no minimum requirement.The three places which I made visits and price call comparisons.
Google to check their numbers if they are still accurate.
- Court Megamall (Tampinese)
- Unilite, Uncle David Jalan Kayu 6481 8780
- Kong Tai Electrical 65658924
In my case, I ended up purchasing all of my products from Gain City's mega outlet mall at Sungei Kadut and came to a realization that pretty much all prices can be price compared and even bargained down to match or even lower prices of its competitors. In fact, with Gain City's gift vouchers (NTUC/Coldstorage/Giant cash vouchers) and reward points system of 1% rebate it all adds up to additional savings for yourself.
This is by no ways a guaranteed by way the cheapest means of purchase but an account of personal shopping experience and alternative shopping shopping avenues outside stock clearance sales. From the experience, it was a fair amount saved with Gain City.
ABBATip:
Do ground work on the model that you want from various sources and you have 'ammo' to price match or do better at your choice of shopping location.
Learning Points through the ID Journey
- The definition of hand over is the completion of works along with basic cleaning (No heavy chemical clean. Just a tidy up). Third party/ management delays are not part of the promise delivery of 4-6weeks form Juz Interior. (Third party maybe Curtains, cushions, decking, false wall etc.)- Defects after completion of works cannot be done in an instant as more often than not, a lot of small works/usage of space changes with gradual usage of the place. It is best to collate all defects so when electrician/plumber/carpenter comes, as many 'defects' can be cleared up on each visit by the respective team involved.
- Although its mostly a hands off approach, some management of your projects is required in order to expedite or avoid delays with third party organizations. In my case both Le Gate and Alto Fabrics had delays in material shipments.
Conclusion with Juz Interior
I can't speak for Juz Interior's masonry work as not much of it had been done for our project. However for the large bulk of the built-ins carpentry, they are top notch. Good quality finish and a sturdy build. Though its not 100% with some small allocation of margin for error which are fairly acceptable, the rest are done to specifications, with some alterations due to structural constraints. The major works are of no problems and are in fact very satisfactory. However, the last stretch to completion which involves things like like fan relocation, light additions, painting, glass alignments is lacking in promptness are being drawn out become a source of minor irritants. This on my part could be managed from the learning points. Collate all defects and clear in a single seating.
