Your BTO timeline and checklist.

You have gone through all the stress of choosing your BTO, what type of flat, what location you want, how many rooms, layout, financing and now all you have to do is wait to get your keys right? 

Well not quite. One of the common questions asked by BTO owners is when they should start to engage with potential Interior Designers or Contractors, what are the renovation process and the timeline they need to follow? Fret not, we are here to help. 

As soon as you decide on your BTO. 

Think you don't need to do anything once you have gone through the purchasing process? We would suggest otherwise. Now is the best time for you to start researching, this is one common area where homeowners wish they had spent more time.

Design and Style.

Let’s face it, this is your home, you are investing a large amount of your hard-earned cash into it. You want it to be uniquely yours, work for your family’s needs and also be able to accommodate if your family grows in the future. The options available to you in terms of style and design are seemingly endless. Should you keep that wall or knock it and create an open plan living/ kitchen space? Is your dream to have a walk-in wardrobe but you're not sure if it's practical? 

By this point, you should have your floor plan and dimensions, this is the best time to start researching. Whether you use an online platform like Pinterest to gather together some of your favourite styles or prefer to read magazines and keep pages for inspiration, you should prioritise this time to do your research. Too often, people assume that their interior designer will do all the heavy lifting and present to them a design immediately that works for them. That is rarely the case. 

Start to pull together images of what you like. You can sort these by room such as master bedroom, home office, kitchen, dining space etc. You could also sort these by themes such as Industrial, Scandinavian, Art Deco, Bohemian etc. 

Whilst this process can seem daunting at first, you should start to see patterns emerge by what you are drawn to. You may start and really focus on Scandinavian style but as you research further, you may realise that that style doesn't work for what functionality you want your space to have.

Let’s not forget about your partner in this process, as you go through this process you will realise that there are things that you are simply not on the same page about. You may want a decadent escape from the world master bathroom, whereas your partner prefers a more minimalist approach. 

Budgeting.

So how large should your BTO renovation budget actually be? Well, that depends on how much you have to hand in and what your overall vision is. For new 4-room flats, renovation costs now range from $43,000 - $45,000 as compared to an average price of $42,600 in 2019. Meanwhile, the cost of renovating a new 5-room flat now starts from $45,000. This should give you a guide on where to start. With the effects of the pandemic, renovation costs can continue to rise so now is the right time to ensure that you are saving enough to complete your renovation when the time comes.

Keep in mind that even if you decide to do the minimum before you move into your BTo, you’ll need to install lights, paint the walls, do your flooring, toilets, kitchen and window grilles/blinds/curtains. On top of this, you will need to purchase furniture, appliances and other necessities for your home. Still, sounds like a lot? The silver lining is that for BTO’s, they are cheaper to renovate than resale HDB as there is less hacking. 

Financing.

Most people finance these huge renovation packages with a renovation loan which is sometimes called a reno loan for short. A reno loan is different to a personal loan, the interest rates tend to be somewhat lower. As the name suggests, is a loan facility available solely to refresh your home, be it for new furniture or fixtures, fresh lighting, a major remodelling or perhaps even extensive repairs. All of this costs money – and sometimes, a lot of it! You should note that renovation loads are capped at $30,000, or 6 months of your income (whichever is lower). You can also consider a personal loan to finance your renovation, allowing you to borrow a larger amount. 

Another option is to start saving now. This can reduce the amount of the loan that you need to take out or allow you to do more. 

3-4 months before collecting your keys.

Shortlisting. 

By this stage, if you have been doing your homework, you should have a better idea of what you actually need in your home and what are the additional wants for your home. It's important to distinguish between what is a Need and what is a Want. This will differ for each home. For some, having a large functional kitchen that can accommodate a lot of heavy cooking is a need. It is non-negotiable and necessary. For others having a bathtub in the master bathroom is nice to have, it would be great if it could work within the space and budget, therefore making this a want. 

Now is the time to start to meet with potential Interior Designers, commonly called ID’s or Contractors. There are many differences and pros and cons when deciding between an Interior Designer or a Contractor so do your research carefully.

Meeting potential ID’s or Contractors.

Use this time to meet up with those IDs and/ or Contractors on your shortlist. Have your questions ready, be prepared for these meetings. This will make it far more productive for you. 

1 -2 months before collecting your keys. 
Selecting your ID or Contractor.

You should now be in the position of being able to sign on the dotted line with your ID or Contractor(s). This is now the time to focus on confirming the design details, payment terms and renovation timelines. 

Keys collection day.

The big day is finally here, you can relax, right? Sadly not, this is just another step (albeit a really happy one) on a long journey. 

Check for Defects.

When you go to the site, make sure to bring along the defects list provided by HDB and a lock to secure your home. If you have an ID or a Contractor, it's worth inviting them to come along with you to help you to check everything and also they can take measurements. 

Spend time going through your home and note any defects or issues. Make sure that there are no hollow tiles by tapping on them using a coin. Check that electrical sockets are working properly (you can plug in your phone charger). Use a spirit level to check that all windows and doors are aligned correctly. It's also a great idea to take photographs on your phone to document any issues you may have.