Applying for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat and finally getting the keys to your first home can be a little daunting and yet very exciting at the same time.
We share with you the renovation journey people usually go through from getting your keys to the completion of your home to help you get a better idea of what you need to do and what to take note of.
#1. Requirements & Needs
Assuming that any liaising with the interior design firm happens only after getting your keys, the interior designer will usually sit down with you for a quick consultation to find out more on the needs you have – number of people moving in (are there any old folks, children or pets), your lifestyle, how much storage you need, what do you need each room for?
This will help the designer to plan and propose a design that best suits you, your lifestyle and your needs.
Before you get to this stage, it’s best for you to have a few design inspirations in mind, including some of the details you wish to include in each part of your home, or certain considerations you have, e.g. I want lots of wardrobe space within my master bedroom, but still have space to place a kind sized bed.
#2. Proposal
After the consultation, the designers will head back to do space planning.
This is when they do up a floorplan to give you a rough idea of what they will be doing to the space to suit your needs (e.g. extension of bathroom walls, hacking of walls, adding of feature walls, furniture placement).
You don’t have to worry about much at this stage unless you’d like to make any changes to the layout they proposed, such as not hacking a certain wall, or placing a certain furniture in a different spot.
#3. 3D Drawing and video walk-through
For better visualization of how your new house will turn out, the designers will do up a 3D drawing to show you exactly how each corner of your new house will look like.
At this stage, you are able to give comments to change anything you don’t like about the design. From there, the 3D design will be able to help you understand what the designers are quoting you for. You will be given an exact and detailed quotation based on the things that will be done to your house. No hidden costs!
If you have any changes or comments about the design, it is best to voice them out now to ensure you get exactly what you want. Designs, colours, basically everything can be changed now, but not when the work is done.
We are also one of the few interior design firms that offer a 360-degree video walkthrough of the designs. This will allow you to get an even clearer idea of how your new place will look like, schedule a quick consultation with us and we will help you to achieve your dream home!
#4. Material Selection
After signing the contract, the designers will recommend the materials that best suits you and your lifestyle based on your needs and budget.
You can either go with what your designer suggested, or select something else you fancy, a variety of materials will be shown to you, so get ready to take pictures and notes to bring home to consider.
A little tip: get your designer to bring you to the supplier’s factory or store to look at the larger piece of material. Your kitchen countertop is going to be 10 times bigger than the sample piece you’re looking at, the actual block of material will be much accurate than a tiny sample piece.
#5. Renovation work commences
At this stage, any tiling, wiring, hacking, fabrication works and all renovation work will take place. You can choose to head down to the site to check on the work done occasionally, but at Design Story, we provide a hassle-free service by regularly updating you with photos of the work progress, so that you can sit back and relax at home with no worries.
All carpentry work is also done in-house, this will allow us to ensure that all raw materials are of high quality and work is done properly before installation.
#6. Inspection
You’ll be asked to head down to inspect your new house when all renovation work has been concluded. This is when you can do a thorough check to ensure that there are no defects before the house is handed over to you.
#7. Handover
Your new home is done! Now you can start getting your furniture delivered, by then, you should have already gotten most of your household items purchased and your things packed and ready for you to move!
Worried about all the things you need to take note of and not sure if you have the time to oversee everything? Schedule a quick consultation with our professional designers and we’ll help you handle most of the work throughout the journey to getting your dream home!
Check out our home tour video below: