Christina's pricing - as compared to the other 2 shortlisted ones where I've posted up their layouts in my previous post - is much lower. Of course we understand this point that - Interior Designers mark up their prices and spread over the items in the quotation. It is really a big range and we need to compare apple to apple to see which quotation gives the best value.
Let's say for a very simple example, to build a washing machine base with cement - Ms I quoted $100, Ms D quoted $90 while Christina quoted $60~.
Other than pricing comparison, Christina is very much familiar with the area and the handling of submissions. *similar to what Johnny mentioned* She would spend 20 minutes explaining to us the whole process of plumbing - the digging and layout of the main underground pipes and the common mistakes other contractors do.
She said the front patio and backyard tiling would not need to be waterproofed but Ms I quoted that all outdoor areas need to be waterproofed. About who is right, I'm not very sure but I would trust Christina more as she has done up a lot of units in the area. Being a resident here herself, it gives her the extra advantage.
The downside is, we're not very ID-savvy people - we're afraid the design of the house might turn out wrong! But I think it should be alright, just have to equip ourselves with more ID knowledge and fit those requirements into our own lifestyles. *keeping fingers cross*
Since we've already decided to go with Christina, we shall be starting the renovations soon. However I foresee that the house won't be completed in time for our ROM (Christina claims that she could but I would feel safer if there's a buffer time for the completion date). Hence this is the reason for changing the venue of ROM from the new house to ROM ROM. There might be changes to doing it in a hotel - let's see.
