Reno IDs/Contractors That I Avoid

I have read many horror stories from the internet about irresponsible home renovators that offer bad services, make a mess out of homeowners' home and creating havoc in their lives.

I also came to learn that unfortunately, many true but negative reviews in reno forums were taken down because the renovation firms or contractors in question complained. Some genuine homeowners who complained about their ID were even banned from the forum. So, new homeowners like me will never get to know which IDs to avoid.

Also, there is this threat that homeowners who write negatively and post photos to show defects or bad workmanship produced by their ID can be sued for defamation. This is so unfair! Bad contractors and renovation company continue to prosper while their customers suffer in silence.

I was fortunate to learn about a private Facebook group which was created to allow homeowners to discuss and share freely about their experiences in home renovation. I learned and benefited a lot from it: which IDs to avoid, what to look out for in a renovation contract, what precautions to take as the renovation progresses, etc. There are even discussions on which brands for air-con are recommended, which shops to go to for cheap toilet accessories, etc.

Based on what I have read in the internet, below is a list of home renovators that I would not approach for my own home renovation (in alphabetical order):

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Edited on 28 August 2012

< List of Reno IDs/Contractors removed >

Although the intention of sharing my list was nothing malicious, I decided to remove it avoid future allegation of defamation. If you are a genuine homeowners who is concerned about your choice of renovation ID and contractors, you are free to contact me via the contact page.

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Disclaimer

To cover my backside, I must declare that I do not have any experience with any of above-mentioned. I have no evidence to prove that they are good or bad.

The listed IDs and renovation contractors are those that I personally would not approach for my home renovation and I have my own reasons for doing so but this does not mean YOU should avoid them like I do. In fact, some of these firms are well-established and popular in the industry, and they have good and responsible designers / consultants who are highly recommended. You should do a background check on the contractor/ID company you intend to engage and find out more about the person who is going to run the show for your home renovation.

Bye Bye, Benzdesign Studio!

This is not a negative review of Benzdesign Studio. Just sharing our experience with the company and why we dropped them from our shortlist of IDs.

BenzDesign Studio is the very first interior design firm we approached when we decided to start planning for our new home. We were not experienced in any way, we went to them simply because their shop is right at our doorstep.

Our first meeting went well. Johnson, the design consultant, told us he would email us a quotation about a week later. After the meeting, we went home to do research and checked out the company. We were delighted to read many extremely positive reviews from Renotalk Forum.

We waited patiently for Johnson to get back to us. In the meantime, we also shopped around and asked for quotation via Renotalk Forum. Time passed, we were contacted by various ID firms and have even gotten quotations from several of them, except BenzDesign.

Since forummers sang praises fervently of Benson Lo, the owner of BenzDesign Studio. We decided to contact the "Legendary Benson" himself. When I called his handphone, it was picked up by a lady who informed us that Benson was with a customer and she would get him to return my call. So, we waited.

Whenever we walked pass the shop, we would take a curious peep. According to my father-in-law, their business is pretty good. He sees them work until very late every night. They must be very busy. After waiting in vain for the return call from Benson, we sent Johnson a reminder email. The young chap replied promptly, explaining that he had been tied up with several project lately and would get back to us with the renovation quotation.

Another 2 weeks passed, we still hear no news from Johnson. I think it's time to give up on them. Frankly, my husband and I were quite ready to sign with BenzDesign because they were highly raved. Their location is also a very attractive factor. Just imagine, if we were to need rectification for anything during the renovation process, we could just go downstair and pop into their shop anytime. So convenient.

However, our very brief experience with them suggests otherwise. I suppose we can pop into their shop again and demand a quotation but what is the point? If they cannot even deliver a quotation within a reasonable period of time, what can I expect if we were to work together on our home renovation?

Ironically, it seemed that we are more desperate about giving them business than they are to get our business. True but no more. We prefer IDs who value professionalism by delivering what they promised and show sincerity in taking care of their clients.

Bye bye, BenzDesign Studio!

Meeting Sean from Connectix Interior Design

We went back to Connectix for our quotation on a rainy day. The meeting was a pleasant one. The interior designer who served us, Sean, is a pleasant guy. He had his partner, Johan, with him on that day.

Personally, I was impressed by some small details that caught my attention. 

• They did two drawings (instead of one): one for the carpentry works and the other for the lighting.
• They allowed us to bring the drawings back.
• Both drawings as well as the quotation were printed on the company's letterhead.
• The quotation was printed on slightly thicker paper (120gsm, I think).
• They offer two 3D designs for free, even before confirmation.

Although such minor stuff are of no importance or relevance to home renovation, I think they convey a message that the company value its clients.

The total quotation comes up to almost $29k. More than that from Beaux Monde but that was because Sean and Johan proposed the hacking of wall to accommodate our wardrobe and more kitchen cabinets. We expressed that this amount is beyond our budget and Sean offered to re-do the quotation. 

Compared to our first meeting, we have better idea of what we want now. So, we were able to tell him what to change. Sean got back to us very quickly through email on the next day. The revised quotation is now $22,500, more in line with our budget.

Nevertheless, our concern is that Connectix is not a registered HDB renovation contractor. Frankly, I am still not very sure how relevant HDB registration of interior designers is to home owners. Think I will need to check it out soon.

Glass Dining Table Shattered Mysteriously

A friend posted this on his Facebook status:

"came back home to find the entire glass dining table shattered #areacleaning grrr"

Then someone directed him to this video:

Glass Tables Can Shatter Without Warning

There's a pattern of problems with glass patio tables because many are made with recycled tempered glass, 

meaning even the slightest nick can cause them to shatter.

I like glass top dining tables but after learning this. I am having second thoughts. I think I will go for wooden dining table or those with granite top, just to be safe.