Sara T
Google
(Photos attached from the day we were supposed to move in)
Project Management Concerns and Transparency
• Several agreed-upon milestones, including the move-in date and fabrication of items, were not met. This resulted in an extension of our rental tenure. For example, the handover date was moved and subsequently removed from our shared calendar without prior notice. We identified this change upon reviewing the calendar and inquired about the reason.
• Certain items were deployed in a manner inconsistent with the provided technical drawings or without prior approval. We had to identify these discrepancies and proactively brought them to the company's attention for them to attempt rectifications. Instances included electrical power points in incorrect locations, variations in door frame heights, discrepancies in toilet door specifications, and deviations in the construction of the kitchen island.
Communication and Material Selection Issues
• After selecting laminates within the budget and timeline, we were informed a week before carpentry commencement that:
o The laminates would not be available on time.
o They were unsuitable for certain carpentry requirements, such as molding into curves for the kitchen island base.
o The cost would increase by SGD$8,000.
• The 3D renders provided did not accurately reflect the original briefs and alignments. The final renders differed significantly from the completed work.
Execution and Workmanship Observations
• On the scheduled day for moving bulky items, the house was unprepared. Debris was present throughout, most cabinets lacked doors, and there were inconsistencies in door designs. We were not informed of these conditions beforehand.
• Decorative elements, such as metal strips on the wall feature, were poorly applied and exhibited warping. One strip has since detached.
• Electrical points in low-contact areas have become loose and detached from the wall.
• Sealing and paintwork exhibited inconsistencies.
Many of these workmanship issues were identified by us and subsequently addressed by the company. Despite multiple rectification attempts, some issues persisted, leading us to engage an independent contractor for further corrections.
Acknowledgment
• We acknowledge the efforts of one of the co-founders who intervened following our escalations. However, we believe sharing our experience may assist others in making informed decisions when selecting an interior design firm.