The amazing race

Its really tough to decide upon the 2 shortlisted IDs we have now. Both has their expertise and competitive pricing and the quote difference is only about $380+ now. The amazing race has just begun...

Let's not put names here, so we call it ID 1 (a small ID firm) and ID 2 (an established big firm). We have seen both IDs twice so far but got the 1st quote only from ID 2 just last nite and its matching to the 2nd quote (revised) given to us by ID 1. ID 1's sales person was quite knowledgeable as he has been an onsite engineer b4 and now doing some sales and design. He's quite ah beng but very straighforward and frank. Some of the stuff he quoted was really quite reasonable priced. As for ID 2, she's someone who prefers us to save here and there (told us can buy, buy from outside - cheaper) and quite a motherly figure. However, she can be quite disorganised and forgetful. Her prices are also quite competitive where some items may be cheaper, some more ex than ID 1. Both have rooms for negotiation and this will come in when we decide who to engage.

Now waiting for the revised quotes from both IDs b4 we make a decision by this weekend, and need to make decisions on the details (design, tiles, layout etc) by 3rd week of May and to start work once ok. Heard that permit might take up to a week plus so we hope for the best coz so many people are renovating their houses now.

Due to general fengshui and feasilibity concerns, our floor plans have changed quite alot throughout this period. The overall design was also minimised to save on splurging. There are still stuffs which are quite must-do kind like the kitchen cabinets and built-in wardrobe for the master bedroom. As we wanted to make the living room space bigger, we also planned to hack away the study area and balcony (which I was against but bo bian) and tried not to put too much false ceiling for the existance of an altar table (which will tar the ceiling very easily). Although the cost of reno has gone from an initial quote of 28k-32k (with alot of design stuff the IDs proposed) until about less than 23k now, we anticipated more spending on the furnitures and electrical parts. Overall, its a big hole in our pocket!!

Web was quite stressed over the reno thing coz he wanted to beat the 7th lunar month which I think there is still time. Such things also cun be rushed coz we are really abit slow in getting an ID so I am taking it easy. He kept stressing me over the dates to start, which may not be under our control, and when it should finish so we have ample time to bring all the furnitures etc in b4 the lunar 7th month. We also need to order all the furnitures and electrical stuff by end of June, to beat the GST hike, which I think should be ok too. Guys and gals really stress over different things...