Does anyone have any experience remodeling your apartment? I’m thinking of giving my apartment a makeover–new wooden floor, built-in furniture, new kitchen and bathroom fixtures. I hear the cost varies a great deal depending on whether you hire an interior designer or hire your own workers in different fields (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.) and work on the project piecemeal. About how much money/time should I allocate for such an endeavor? Any input would be appreciated.
It has been twelve years since I have done any remodeling in Taiwan, so my advice could be outdated. Remodeling can be quite expensive. Interior decoraters make the job easier, if you agree with the person, but they tend to be pricy.
If you hire workers directly expect them to ignore your suggestions, they are “professionals” and can do no wrong and know everything. You might have problems getting workers to perform to your likings. I am not anal, it is just that some of the workers think that everything should be “cha bu duo”. They can be sloppy and tend to cut corners more than usual. But if you don’t have the time or the tools to do it yourself, it is probably worth hiring some people, just don’t expect a too perfect of a job.
My brother runs an apartment remodeling and maintenance company in a western country and I have spent many summers helping to run his business and working on various remodeling jobs, so I know what a professional job should look like.
Anyway, I wish you the best.
PS… I know a wonderful plumber, the guy is extremely honest and good at what he does. He is one of those people who will clean up your kitchen and mop the floor clean after he is done with his job. He operates out of Shi-Pai, near Beitou. If you would like his info, PM me.
I decorated an apartment. Well, the wife did. Ran into about $250,000NT, and that is the cheap end of the market for what we did.
We went for workers in each different field.
Flooring. We went for the wood “look”, this was because we are renting and wanted something that we could pull up and take away with us if we move. It looks and feels like wood.
Curtains and blinds. High quality and look great. We even use one huge curtain on tracks to divide our living room from our kids play area.
Furniture. Get as much as you can thrown in for free. These guys will never give you what you want unless it looks like you’ll walk away from the deal. I went away from leather and into material covered sofa’s with a woven wood style body. Bedroom suite. Lighting.
A professional can really help, but they are more useful for ideas. Visit their showrooms and take some notes.
Only thing I regret is NOT doing up the bathroom. I want a spa bath. But then we are only renting.
We went for a very open plan American loft style look. It’s very comfortable and looks spacious. Different from the enclosed stuff you get in Taiwan.
[quote=“Bassman”]
We went for a very open plan American loft style look. It’s very comfortable and looks spacious. Different from the enclosed stuff you get in Taiwan.[/quote]
Did you put in a loft? because that’s precisely what I’m thinking of doing. A loft would add an extra 3-4 pings of storage space in my apartment and give it more character. The height of the ceiling is 3.2 meters, which is just high enough to accommodate a raised platform. The question is, I’ve been told that such construction is illegal and the city government may come and demolish it. 
Are you still doing that? Want a moonlighting job? Quality is what I’m after, so PM me if you’re available.
[quote=“Incubus”][quote=“Bassman”]
We went for a very open plan American loft style look. It’s very comfortable and looks spacious. Different from the enclosed stuff you get in Taiwan.[/quote]
Did you put in a loft? because that’s precisely what I’m thinking of doing. A loft would add an extra 3-4 pings of storage space in my apartment and give it more character. The height of the ceiling is 3.2 meters, which is just high enough to accommodate a raised platform. The question is, I’ve been told that such construction is illegal and the city government may come and demolish it. [/quote]
shoot, did I say loft, I meant studio. Studio look, all open plan.
loft, i’d like one too. sorry about the lower case - typing and eating 
I have a very good mate in Taipei that does awesome interior design stuff. If anyone is keen PM me and I can forward his details.