Getting an Interior Designer... or Your Own Contractor

We went to about 4 Renovation Expos in 2011-2012. Met with 5 Interior Designers as well as 3 Renovation Contractors.

We were contemplating of whether we ought to get a contractor or an interior designer firm (ID) to renovate the new place.

Let us share with you our thoughts and wisdom (the lack of it), for the considerations:

1. We have never own a home, never done our own renovation. We don't know the ropes nor the process of going through a renovation work.
2. We need an 'seasoned' professional experience to advise and tell us what are the considerations we need to make in renovation.
3. We have no theme in mind, no clues on what we want...
4. We need a 'person-to-blame' if all goes south!
5. We want to find out what is the market like, what is in, what is not, what is everlasting...

As such, we decided, since we have time, we shall do some window shopping to see what our options are at that point in time.

We eventually narrowed down to 3 reasonable quotes:
a) a contractor whom our friend recommended
b) an ID which we can work with, someone relate-able and not too expensive
c) another ID that is quite new in the market, but more affordable than option B

We decided to go with "B". Simply being relate-able and similar taste and 'design-personality', we thought it will turn out better amongst the options we've got.

Total budget for renovation reached about SGD 31,000 including air-conditioning with Inverter, false-ceiling in every room, a walk-in wardrobe, nice Quartz counter top and all electrical/carpentry work in.

I wouldn't say it's the most affordable, but it's decent quality at a decent price.

Satisfaction of my ID - 7/10
Outcome of Renovation work as compared to plan - 7.5/10
Timeliness - 8.5/10
Follow-up - 8.5/10
Number of mistakes or issues that cropped-up - 5-8 items

Will I engage them again to do my second home... That's a good question, probably not, considering that I have now a better picture of how a renovation process would be like. IF I do have the time, I would try to get my own contractors to do the necessary work and manage the project by myself.