How To Stay Within Budget While Renovating A House In Singapore

Renovations on your home in Singapore can cost an arm and a leg; many a times, people exceed the available resources and end-up putting the project on hold or they go beyond their budget and end up in debt.

But this does not have to be the case – you can definitely stay within your budget and revamp or enhance your living space with these six tips.

Let’s dive right into it.

Factors That Influence The Cost Of Home Renovations

Consider the following variables when narrowing down renovation costs.

• The housing project: Is it a resale flat, build to order (BTO) flat or executive condominium
• The amount of required work: The more work you need, the more it will cost
• Style of renovation: The theme and look for the house, whether you want it to be Scandinavian, traditional, contemporary, etc.
• Current condition: Can the prior fixtures be used or will you need to replace some or all of them.
• The type of used materials: Some materials cost more than others; for instance, marble would cost more than vinyl.
• The chosen contractor: prices vary as per reputation and experience.

By having a clear idea about what is required, you can easily create a budget.

1.    Create A Budget And Stick To It

It is essential to set a budget for your renovation and ensure that you stay within it. But realistically speaking, you need to keep a little extra than the predetermined costs so you’re prepared in case of unexpected costs.

The most important part is to identify all the items required for your project like electronics, furnishing, fixtures and fittings, etc. and assign a budget for everything. If your HDB or condominium estate has a Facebook group, join them – these are great places to have an idea about what others are buying and spending on when it comes to renovations – helpful since many of them would have the same floor plan as yours. The participants in these private groups often engage in group buys to bring the prices down.

Do a little bit of research by asking friends and family about what they spent on and how much –  better if they have an apartment size and type that are similar to yours. Get quotations from a few interior design companies based on your requirements in Singapore to compare

2.    Find Out What Needs Urgent Attention

Prioritise what needs urgent attention; a door that doesn’t bolt properly needs to be replaced, but that does not mean you need to install an expensive door. You can possibly manage by just changing the lock or by installing a cheaper option. Which areas need to be renovated that you use everyday, e.g. bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, these should be on the top of the list.

This will help you control your renovation expenses and help you understand what is needed for beautification and what is needed for functionality.

4.    Compare Prices

For your home interior design in Singapore, it is necessary to not jump the gun on the first quotation you receive, rather you need to compare prices from different vendors, check out their residential interior design portfolio, and find out economical deals.

Additionally, you also need to ensure that the lower price does not reflect on the quality – remember, being economical is necessary, but it should not be at the expense of the product’s quality.

5.    Carry Out Simple Tasks Yourself

Pick all the tasks that can be easily done by you and your family, like painting a wall, fixing a cupboard, installing the TV, etc. But do not opt to carry out tasks that require professional expertise such as building a false ceiling, demolishing a wall, etc.

6.    Find An Exceptional Interior Designer

Hire a professional interior designer firm that is also licensed and qualified as a HDB renovation contractor.

This way, you can be sure that your newly renovated space will look good – and you won’t have to run after multiple contractors to get the job done.

The bottom line is that housing in Singapore can be quite expensive – but revamping your living space as per your specifications does not have to be.

With set budget and professional help, you can easily renovate your home in Singapore to give it a fresh and new look that truly reflects your style.