8 Tips How To Renovate BTO House

Renovating your BTO house implies time, effort, disponibility and a budget. It’s a pretty difficult process and can affect your bank balance. Many start the renovation process without realizing what they are getting into or realize late in the process only when things start to go downhill. Not thinking things thru might mean last moment compromises that you’ll regret in the wrong run or materials and products that are not what you expect because they seemed different and you didn’t have the time to make a proper research.

We are coming to your help with tricks and tips how to renovate your BTO house so you’ll optimize the whole process and get the most out of your renovation.

1. Dreams
Everybody wishes to obtain the best results at the lowest costs, with a minimum effort and with a whole team of professionals and with no headaches. Well that’s going to be somewhere close to impossible and you have to understand that from the beginning. Whatever your project implies make realistic time-frames and establish realistic targets about what you wish to obtain. Dreaming of the beautiful house might imply unrealizable things when consulting your budget.

2. Budget
It might be best to start with the budget and that will limit your possibilities from the start. Limits are good because they help you make a more realistic evaluation of the situation. You’re trying to plan a budget and at first sight it may seem extremely simple and then it gets complicated and then you simply don’t want to think about it anymore. What are the basics for your budget?

Knowing the price ranges
Having an idea about the price ranges will bring you with your feet on the ground. A little guide for renovation costs in Singapore, so you know what to expect.

· New flooring
Material only prices range from $ 4-6/sqf for concrete screed to $7.50-10/sqf and the hardwood is usually the most expensive with prices ranging between $11 and $26/sqt. You will also be paying labour and installation costs.

· New wall finishes
Material only range from approximate $25/sqf for faux brick walls to $15/sqt for mosaic or subway tiles. The material you choose and design make the price range a lot wider.

· Kitchen carpentry
Will make you spend around $1800 for top-hung cabinets and the same amount for counters. This price is based on a 3m-long counter and the price can warry a lot depending on materials and design. You should also consider that the price doesn’t include countertops.

· Countertops
Material only can go from $80-100/sqt for stainless steel, $80- 270/sqt run for engineered quarts, $80-600ft/sqt for stone or $55-150ft/sqf for solid surfaces. You need to consider extra costs for installation, profile design and details. When considering your budget always be prepared to go over with up to 20%. Most renovations tend to go over budget and that should be your buffer zone. Some companies that offer renovation packages it’s worth to take a glance at them.

3. Make a plan!
· Step 1: look for ideas
Once you planned your finances try to decide on a design theme, try to gather as much material as possible on whatever you like. Develop an idea-board with what you’d like and what budget you consider you should allocate. Do some research about renovation, themes, styles and companies in the field.

· Step 2: Make a shortlist of interior designers.
You should check out their portfolio and make an idea about costs, read customer reviews and narrow the selection.

· Step 3: Meet at least with 3 interior designers and decide which one is best for your needs.
Steps 2 and 3 apply for any contractors.

· Step 4: Begin renovation
Let’s us begin the renovation!!

4. Take electrical sockets seriously
Before putting everything in place seriously think about furniture position and make sure you have enough electrical sockets and that they are in the right positions. It’s easier to make this modification now than when everything is in place and you can’t watch TV because the socket is on the other wall.

5. Forget wallpapers
Tropical climate and wallpapers are a no no. They will curls and discolour and replacing them will be no fun especially if the model you have chosen is no longer produced. You’ll get yourself in the position where you have to choose between all new wallpaper or mismatches wallpapers.

6. Don’t choose according to trends
The majority of products have certain styles according to trends vintage is one way this year, maybe next year vintage will be slightly different. Choose what you like and what will make a house feel like home. Getting colored ceilings or garish colors might be a trend when you’re renovating but might be out of style before your first home party. Choose whatever you love regardless of trends and focuses more on your style.

7. Don’t break the bank on furniture
You might have seen a great chair or a beautiful king size bed in a store but the price almost got a tear out of you. Try going for custom furniture. Having a design you love, especially from high-end furniture designers could break the bank but custom furniture with the design you love could be even half the price. Shops usually tend to give you the best price only for sets so a custom product might just be the solution, especially for individual products.

8. Think twice about the carpet
Carpets were a real thing when people didn’t want to sit on the soil. They remained a thing because they retain warmth. You are living in a BTO HOUSE IN SINGAPORE no soil underneath your feet and tropical climate. Do you really need to retain warmth in your house? Carpets are usually magnets for expensive price tags. They also tend to accumulate dust and need a certain level of maintenance that will cost you both time and money. So save the money you might have spent on a carpet and better invest it in something else you need.

Or just save the money for the carpet and put it away for that moment when you might feel that renovation is stressing you out and go treat yourself to some relaxation time. Renovating can push your buttons and a little time off from time to time won’t hurt. We sincerely hope that our guide will help you save some money and get the best results so you won’t associate renovating with a horror movie.