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These are some commons questions posed by clients. If there are other questions that you would like advice on, please click on the Contact Us page.
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What does the designing process involve? |
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Firstly, we will ask for your floor plan and work out an estimation of costs for the project you wish to undertake. If the estimated cost meets the client’s expectations, then a meeting will follow to work out details of the design. Even if the initial estimated cost is not within the client’s budget, we would advice on how to minimize costs so as to keep everything within a specified budget. Cutting cost means using local and thereby cheaper accessories.
After the initial stage of determining a budget to work with, we would ask the client to furnish us with details on his tastes and preference of style and what he wants to use that specific area for. Only then can we propose a design that meets the needs of the homeowner. We would advice clients to read up on magazines and take note of designs that they like.
Upon confirmation of design, we would request a specified amount of deposit (non-refundable) to start the work. The time involved to deliver a project differs according to the size of the project and can take any time between 2 weeks to 2 months. |
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2. |
How do I plan for my dream kitchen ? |
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Before you call in your builder, it's worth thinking about how you want the kitchen to be used.
The first thing to do is to ask around amongst friends for recommendations of architects, kitchen specialists, interior designers and builders. Also, look in design magazines to find the names of people or companies whose work you admire.
Obtain quotes from at least three builders to compare prices. Beware of the difference in prices! The cheapest quote is not necessarily the one you should choose; ask to see an example of the builder's work, and try to talk to previous clients.
Be specific when you are asking for quotes; put in as many details as possible. For instance, if you want a particular laminate, say so; otherwise the builder will almost certainly price the job on the cheapest available material. Be aware that the following terms all mean the same material : solid hard board, solid particle board, chipboard, miecomine board, melamine board.
The work done by builders, kitchen companies, interior designers and architects vary enormously. Clarify exactly what can be expected of them - will they be supervising the job, for example, or merely drawing up plans. |
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3. |
Why do prices vary? |
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There are roughly 3 price ranges in the market – economical, mid-range and high-end. A kitchen of the same size will be quoted differently depending on :
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a. Material – |
Obviously different materials will cost differently. Even the way the same core material is processed will end up costing differently. For example the common melamine board will be very cheap if laminated with plastic on the sides. To enhance the quality, it is now common to laminate the edge with ABS material which is more lasting but cost more than the first method. To laminate the edges with aluminium will make this a much more expensive option but is the prevailing trend today. |
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b. Design - |
Do not be mislead with advertisements promising cheap prices that goes per square foot. What these companies do are just quoting to you the very basic modular units. These do not include trendy handles nor other accessories that are the focal point in making a kitchen attractive. However this is a good bargain for those on a tight budget and are just looking for a basic kitchen. |
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c. Grade of workers - |
Do not make the mistake of saving money by engaging unskilled foreign workers when there is no warranty on the quality of work delivered. Reputable contractors will not likely quote rock-bottom prices and will provide warranty for work done. |
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d. Accessories and fittings - |
It’s the accessories that makes a kitchen expensive! Imported accessories are of high quality and trendy and all these add up to create an expensive but very stylish kitchen! |
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4. |
How much should I spend on renovation? |
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I f you are thinking of moving within the next few years, don't overspend! A sound investment would be to build a kitchen that costs no more than 10 percent of the current resale value of your house.
Even if you are planning to stay long-term, you should not expect to built anything that lasts for eternity. Remember that over time, wear and tear would cause the house to require regular maintenance. Also because of passing trends, anything that looks trendy and hip now would look obviously outdated in a few years time, and so would require a complete remodeling if you want to keep up with trends. A good tip from us would be to request your designer to propose a classic design that looks modern and yet can withstand the test of time. Try not to sacrifice aesthetics for the sake of ‘wanting something to last forever’. A common example would be to use lots of concrete for the kitchen with the hope that it’ll last forever. That’s a fallacy because with proper usage and care, any kitchen can last. |
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5. |
Your quotation is way above our budget! |
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We cannot over-emphasize the importance that clients participate in the planning and proposal stage by telling us what they actually want and the budget they've allocated for the project. We always believe in providing the best service without charging a fortune! However it is quite impossible to guess your budget and do a proposal based on a guess, even though an educated guess! |
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6. |
We have already engaged a contractor, but we like your design... |
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Normally our designs are free for our confirmed customers. That's part of our free consultation and design service. We do not normally release our designs, being the owner of this intellectual property. However, for a small fee you may purchase the copyright of the design.
In fact, we also undertake designing work from other smaller factories who find it not cost-effective to engage a full-time designer. |
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7. |
We are considering major renovation on our home, knocking down some parts and changing some structures. When do we call for your service? |
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Before your builder starts work, you should have called us to decide what you want for your interiors – locating all your functional points, choosing of themes and concepts and choosing hardware materials than match your overall concept and colour schemes. Only then should your builder start work. This will help to avoid common mistakes like ending up with odd, non-functional spaces, mismatched tiles and colour coordination, insufficient wiring for lighting and electrical appliances.
Always remember that a successful home renovation is dependant on the harmonious look that comprises of a mix of colours , walls, flooring, wood furnishings, furniture, fabric, plants, lightings and sufficient living space.
We can help you coordinate colours, placement of electrical points, space planning and will start our a shopping service to help you purchase fabrics, curtains, art pieces and furniture very soon.
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