Importance of Renovation Plan

This aptly sums up the importance of having a Renovation Plan. I have written this post on why it is very important to the home owners. :)

For those who are unfamilar on the stages of renovation, here is a writeup of the 5 stages of renovation and what you should do and watch out for in each stage.

Remember...

Have a great weekend! :)

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Supervising Renovation Works

Supervising Renovation Works

I mentioned a couple of times about keeping a close tab on your renovation works. You are responsible for the renovation work in your flat. As such you are to ensure that the work carried out by your registered renovation contractor is according to HDB's requirements.

Here is a good write up on how you can supervise the renovation works.

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FAQ: What are the Renovation Works that are allowed in (Bomb) Shelters?

What are the Renovation Works that are allowed in (Bomb)Shelters?

This is a frequently asked question and I thought that it would be good to share this info with the home owners who are renovating their place. :)

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Overseeing and Managing your Interior Designer/Contractor

You have finally signed along the dotted line and award your $xxxk worth of renovation contract to the Interior Designer or Contractor...aka the Chosen One.

Next, you entrust the Chosen One with the keys to your new home...So now.... what is next?

Should you deem your work complete, sit back and relax?

Do you wait for the Chosen One to magically turn your empty shell into your dream home?

The answer is a resounding NO!

You should never be passive and wait for disaster to happen! You need to oversee and manage the Chosen One, just like a supervisor overseeing a new employee on the job. You have to:

1. MONITOR and MONITOR every step of the renovation.

Okay, so what do you exactly look out for?

• Walk the site daily, if possible. Why?
By keeping tabs of the site closely, you are able to spot mistakes and rectify them early. Even though the Chosen One is supposed to be doing this, by having an additional set of eyes on the site ensures that nothing has been overlooked.

• Check everything - make sure it is to specifications. Why?
This is to make sure that the Chosen One has not accidently or deliberately "cut corners". Remember to keep a copy of the contract and the specifications which you have discussed with the Chosen One prior the contract signing. Keep checking and cross reference to your contract!

• Communicate as much as you'd like. Ask questions! Why?
You are definitely not an expert in renovation so do ask questions! There may be good reasons why something is slightly off the specifications and it may be in your best interest.

2. Maintain a good amicable long term working relationship.

Errh, you might wonder what?? why?! Aren't they paid for the job to do everything that you have discussed? They should be your slaves right?!

First of all, the Chosen One and his or her workers ARE HUMANS too. They have good and bad days like you do, and sure, things might get a bit heated if you do not see eye to eye but remember, it is still to your best interest to maintain an amicable working relationship because:

• They are the ones doing the job, NOT you. So do be kind and resonable. Why?
By showing some consideration (like offering drinks, snacks etc), their moral might get a boost and will probably be more dedicated in carrying out their duties and be more open to listening to what you have to say. I am sure you have heard horror stories of unauthorised works (stuffing rubbish behind walls, pouring cement into toilet bowls etc) and you don't want that to happen right? Get their names and contacts becoz...

• You probably will need their assistance again in near future. Why?
3 or 5 years down the road you need some minor touch ups (like repainting of old walls or repairing a chipped worn cupboard) and its usually the best to look for the same bunch of people who did your renovation. It's also cheaper to directly approach them instead of through a company.

Nonetheless, keep in mind that there is no perfect renovation. But if you monitor and communicate regularly, whilst maintaining a good relationship, your renovation should end well. :)

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Renovation Handover Tips

Most people will be very thrilled and look forward to the day the Contractor or the Interior Designer handovers the keys to their home, which signifies the end of the renovation process.

However, it is important to keep the following things in mind before the handover is complete.

Check and Review

1. Check that the Contractor or Interior Designer has completed all the defects and works stipulated in the contract.
2. Review the workmanship delivered. If the Contractor or Interior Designer has not done a satisfactory work, consider either withholding last 10% of the payment until they have rectified the works, or negotiate for a wavier of the last 5-10% of the final payment.
3. Ensure that the entire place has been properly cleaned and vacated. Usually, Contractor or Interior Designer will chemical wash the entire place prior handover.
4. Make sure that you have changed the keys and the lock which was previously used by the Contractor or Interior Designer.

Touch ups and Future works

1. Do ask the Contractor or Interior Designer for at least a can of leftover paint so that you or your hired contractor can perform touch-ups in future. If no leftover paint is available, do take down the brand and color code of the paint.
2. Do ask for the names and contacts of the individual carpentry/electrical sub-contractors so that you can contact them directly if you need to do similar carpentry/electrical works in future.
3. Do keep a constant look out for any defects which were not discovered prior the handover. Remember that you are entitled for free rectification works as long as your warranty is still in force.

Hope you find this list helpful.

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Home Renovation Checklist

 

Home Renovation Checklist

Before you begin your home renovation, it's important to do some pre-renovation groundwork (i.e. 1st Stage of Renovation - Initiate  ) and plan  (i.e. 2nd Stage of Renovation - Plan ) ahead. However once you have started, there are many important things that you should take note of when you are managing the renovation.

Hence, here is a simple checklist and tips to get you started. I will update and add on to this checklist whenever the need arises, so do remember to bookmark this post! :)

1) Existing Defects

   (For HDB home owners) Have the HDB Technical Officers to rectified the list of defects prior the start of renovation? 

2) Research

Have you talked to your friends, neighbors etc about their home renovation experience?    Have you dispelled the popular renovation myths?    Have you found answers to the common renovation questions?    Have you found out the 7 common renovation mistakes and how to avoid them?    Have you found out the renovation guidelines for HDB / DBSS or private residential properties?

Have you sourced for renovation design ideas in magazines, catalogs, or open houses?

Have you checked with banks on the renovation loan prerequisites, conditions and prevailing interest rates? 3) Renovation Budget    Have you decided on the renovation budget?    Have you decided on the type of mortgage loan? 4) Renovation Scope

Have you decided on the future inhabitants of your renovated home (i.e. any pets, grandparents etc)?    Have you talked to the future inhabitants on their needs and requirements?    Have you considered and determined on the type of lifestyle that you are leading?    Have you scoped out the extent of the renovation? 5) Contractor or Interior Designers selection    Have you interviewed and shortlisted the list of contractors or interior designers? 6) Renovation Package selection    Have you scrutinized the renovation quotes carefully for any hidden costs?    Have you decided on a renovation package?    Have you ensured that all verbal clarifications and additional requirements (if any) have been written down  before you sign the contract? 7) Renovation Plan    Have you drafted the renovation plan?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer agreed upon the renovation duration and the worked out the contingency actions to take when there are delays?    Have you gathered the detailed scope of the renovation?    Have you estimated all the costs involved, the budget to be set aside and contingency actions to take when there are cost overruns?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer agreed upon the acceptable quality of renovation and how these standards are going to be determined?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer discussed on the risks that will impact the renovation  project and how to handle these risks by developing the contingency plans?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer agreed on how communication is to be done and the frequency of communication? 8) Review and Monitor    Have you constantly monitor and review the renovation works to ensure that things are going according to the plan?    Have you constantly ensure that the renovation is still on time? 9) Handover / Post Renovation Review    Have you ensured that all obligations and works are delivered by the contractor or interior designer as stipulated in the contract?    Have you done a post renovation walk-through, especially on the quality of the renovation prior the handover and final payment?    Have you checked that the contractor or the interior designer has properly cleaned up and evacuated the place after the handover?    Have you changed the lock to your property after the handover? Hope you have found the checklist useful and do share this post to people who might need it too! :)

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5 stages of Renovation

The 5 stages of Renovation

The concept of 5 renovation stages was introduced in my previous post. So what are they? Before you start your renovation project, you need to understand that there are 5 stages involved any Renovation project.

  

1)      Initiate

This is the very first stage in any renovation project. So, what does this stage actually entail?

In order to start the project, you need to identify all the future inhabitants of your renovated home and the scope of the renovation work. These people could be your spouse, your parents, parents-in-law, children and even your pet! However, you might wonder why is this important? This is because by identifying your loved-ones, their requirements and concerns can be taken into consideration while you are doing up your place. This ensures that the needs of all parties are taken care of and you do not run into those dreaded conflicts after the renovation works are complete.  

As for scope of work, you have to decide on the extent of renovation you require for your new place. As an example, you have to decide whether if you are looking at a major over-haul or only minor reworks if you are renovating a resale flat.

After the future inhabitants are identified and the extent of renovation is decided, you can proceed with the next renovation stage – which is planning for your renovation project.

2) Plan

The importance of renovation plan was covered in my previous post. In fact this is where the renovation plan is being formulated. So, what are the areas that need to be included inside the renovation plan?

The key areas which you need to cover are briefly summarized as follows:

• Scope - how to gather the requirements and the detailed scope for the renovation;

• Time - how to develop the renovation schedule and contingency actions to take when there are delays;

• Cost - how to estimate the costs involved, the budget to be set aside and contingency actions to take when there are cost overruns;

• Quality - the acceptable quality of renovation and how these standards are determined;

• Risk - whether there are any risks that will impact the renovation  project and how to handle these risks by developing the contingency plans;

• Procurement - how to source, select and engage the people for the renovation and;

• Communication - how communication is done and the frequency of communication with the people you have engaged.

3) Executing

This is the most exciting stage of the renovation process. During this process, the renovation plan which you have painstakingly developed is put into action. You get to talk and discuss with your loved ones to find out their requirements, sit down and define the actual extent of your renovation. With this information, you can estimate the cost involved and also budget the actual amount you need for the renovation. You get to interview and then decide on the Contractor or ID who will work on your renovation project and so on.

4) Review and Monitor

After your renovation plan is set in motion, you need constantly monitor and review your renovation works to ensure that things are going according to your plan. If there are any deviations, such as any delays in renovation works or cost over runs, you can execute the contingency plans which you have developed in your renovation plan. 

5) Closing

This is the final stage in the renovation project. During this stage, you appraise the works completed and ensure that your renovation contractor or ID has met your requirements and completed the entire work of scope laid out in the contract. When the work was verified to be complete and final payment made, the renovation contractor or ID hands over the place and the renovation project is complete.

I will cover each of the renovation stages in more detail in my subsequent posts. :)

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