Between soaring reno quotes and endless TikTok inspiration, many homeowners are now mixing and matching their reno sources to maximise savings, like turning to an ID for big-ticket items, sourcing furniture from Taobao, and hunting for deals on Carousell.
When it came to renovating their 5-room BTO, Jelyn and her husband took things one step further by turning to a contractor on Carousell for their bathroom vanity renovation, helping them save $1.3k overall.
P.s. Quote the name “JELYN” for a free tap upgrade when enquiring with them!
@jelynchiaa Replying to @cel ૮꒰˵• ﻌ •˵꒱ა finally sharing more about our outsourced bathroom vanity! saved $xxxx but is it a hit or a miss? comment VANITY for the contractor!! (make sure your dms are open 😚) #homerenovation #vanity #singapore #contractors #bto
Finding a bathroom reno contractor on Carousell
The master bathroom renovation.
Image credit: Jelyn
The couple purchased their 113sqm (1216sqft) BTO in 2020 for approximately $480,000 and collected the keys in May this year. Most of the home’s fixtures and built-ins were fully done by their ID, including their bomb shelter feature wall, lighting, and false ceiling.
The guest bathroom renovation.
For the bathrooms, they received a quote upwards of $3,000 from their ID, excluding sinks and taps, which would bring the total to roughly $4,000.
Like many new homeowners trying to stretch their budget, they considered buying the fixtures from Taobao, but the language barrier and the risk of miscommunication could cause hiccups.
Instead, they took a more cost-savvy approach: outsourcing the entire bathroom vanity build to a contractor they found on Carousell, Home Item Wholesale. Choosing a local contractor meant that they could be on-site during delivery and installation, reducing the chances of damage along the way.
Their $1.7k bathroom renovation
Cost breakdown
Image adapted from: Jelyn
Renovation timeline
From the first inquiry to the deposit payment, the process took about a month. During that time, Jelyn and her husband shared their bathroom design renders and finalised measurements and selections for the sintered stone and all bathroom fittings.
Fabrication took around 5 weeks, while installation wrapped up in just 2 days. By staying involved at every step, the couple kept the process running smoothly and ensured the final result matched their vision.
Managing timeline & handling measurements
Though outsourcing the bathroom vanities helped the couple save a significant amount, it wasn’t without its challenges. They essentially had to take on the ID’s role of managing the renovation timeline and coordinating with external contractors.
As Jelyn explained, “We had to ensure that the sequence of installations coming in was right, such as the toilet flooring being completed before our vanity could come in.”
Image adapted from: @jelynchiaa on TikTok
They also handled the bathroom measurements themselves, since contractors would charge extra for on-site measurements. Naturally, they were nervous about getting everything right, but the contractors reassured them that most homeowners do the same. In the end, they took the risk and trusted the process.
Saving $1.6k on bathroom renovations
For the couple, outsourcing their bathroom vanities through Carousell was more than a one-off experiment. They’ve also tapped external contractors for parts of the carpentry work, and apart from one miss, the rest were hits, helping them save a significant amount compared to going through their ID.
They also noted the realistic trade-offs of outsourcing parts of your home reno: while you can save on costs, much of the behind-the-scenes work normally handled by an ID falls on you, such as researching and comparing vendors and liaising with contractors.
For homeowners considering this route, Jelyn advises: “Make sure there are enough reviews and credibility going into it! Especially with the help of TikTok, you can easily find video reviews out there to give you that extra comfort to move forward. So do your homework and don’t regret it!”
For more ways to save on your home renovation:
- This couple transformed their ugly HDB BTO toilet bowl into an elegant one for under $30
- How to save thousands of dollars on renovation? Tips from actual homeowners & interior designers
- How this couple saved $10k on their reno by buying their sintered stone countertops from Taobao
Cover image adapted from: Jelyn
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