“We Had to Manage Our Own Reno”: A Hard Lesson in Picking the Right ID

“It felt like we were doing everyone’s jobs, without the pay.”

Renovations involve a great deal of research and planning – something that first-time homeowners Ahmad and Sarah knew from family and friends. And they definitely followed through, talking to five different interior designers, comparing quotes, and finally going with one recommended by a family member. So how wrong could it go?

Quite a bit, as it turned out – because what was supposed to be a simple $40,000 renovation for their 3-room resale flat ended up being a crash course in what not to expect from an ID.

From lack of site management to communication breakdowns, here’s what happened and what other homeowners can learn from their experience:

The homeowners’ background

Their home:

• Property type: 3-room resale flat
• Budget: Around $50,000
• Challenge: First-time homeowners, limited design knowledge and experience with renovations
• Interior designer: Recommended by their family

Being in their mid-20s with modest salaries, they naturally wanted to keep their renovation low-key – nothing flashy or indulgent, just a simple makeover to create a cosy, functional home.

The main issues during their renovation

1. Lack of site management and sloppy workmanship

One of the biggest issues during the couple’s renovation was the complete lack of site supervision – something that Sarah emphasises was the most triggering factor.

Some examples include: coordinating fixture shopping and deliveries themselves, a lack of site visits from their designer, and a similar lack of updates, to the point where they found themselves needing to visit the site very frequently (more than their ID!) to check on progress.

“As we’re both busy with personal and work things, we thought that an interior designer would take charge and allow us to be more hands-off,” Sarah shares. “But there were almost zero project management efforts from our ID – in fact, it felt like we were managing the renovation more.”

And, because their designer was rarely on-site, there was no one to keep tabs on the contractors or spot mistakes early on. Small issues were only noticed when the couple came by to check things themselves – adding unnecessary stress and delay to the process.

2. Communication breakdown

Between their interior designer, suppliers, and subcontractors, messages kept getting lost in translation. What should have been simple coordination handled by their ID instead turned into a communication breakdown that the couple found themselves in the middle of.

Sarah shares an example. “We went down to buy our toilet fittings ourselves because our ID couldn’t make it,” she says. “When the items were delivered, no one from the ID’s side bothered to check. And if there was a problem, they’d just push the blame around instead of taking responsibility.”

Other examples include:

• No clear timeline breakdown, which led to their appliances arriving before the painting was done.
• A shower fitting that came damaged – and since no one from the ID’s team was there to witness the arrival, both the ID and supplier refused to take responsibility.

By that point, the homeowners realised that good communication isn’t just about frequent updates — it’s about having someone who actually takes ownership. Without that, even small hiccups can turn into one long, exhausting blame game.

3. Lack of holistic design planning

While they were aware that not all interior designers (including their chosen one) could source furniture for them, they still expected a little guidance in terms of creative direction. However, there didn’t get much help on that front, either.

“We had to shop for all our own fittings, like lighting and bathroom stuff,” Sarah shares. “Our ID never went down with us, and they never provided any suggestions for examples that matched the theme we were going for.”

As they opted to minimise built-ins to reduce costs, they still expected the designer to give some advice on lighting and overall design planning, but that never came. As a result, the rooms ended up feeling visually disconnected.

What they wished they had done beforehand, and lessons learnt

Looking back, Sarah and Ahmad admit that there were things they could have done differently. Like most first-time homeowners, they went into the renovation assuming that certain things – like regular updates – were a given, but they eventually learnt a few painful lessons in the process:

1. Knowing the interior designer’s job scope

“We thought it was common sense for our ID to visit the work site regularly and give us updates,” Sarah says. “But I guess this is something you can’t really assume – you really have to make your expectations clear from the start.”

The couple also learnt the value of speaking up when something feels off. “We should’ve been firmer about what we wanted,” she adds. “If something doesn’t look right, say it early.”

2. Vet your options more thoroughly

While Sarah and Ahmad did reach out to five different firms, they chose their designer based on a family recommendation – which initially gave them a sense of assurance. But looking back, the couple admits that this shouldn’t have been the deciding factor, and that they should have explored their working styles and chemistry more thoroughly.

“As first-time homeowners, we didn’t really know what to expect, so this recommendation was like a stamp of approval,” Sarah says. “But we’ve learnt that even then, you still find out more about them. Just because this designer worked well with someone you know doesn’t mean they’ll work well with you.”

3. Price shouldn’t be the main deciding factor

As they were on a tight budget, the couple admits that they were drawn to firms who provided lower quotes. But they’ve since realised that finding a designer who communicates well and can work flexibly within your budget (without trying their luck to stretch it) matters more.

For prospective homeowners, they also suggest setting aside a small 5-10% buffer for your renovation budget (but don’t share that with your ID). “If anything unexpected comes up along the way, you’ll thank yourself for it,” Sarah says.

Final thoughts

It’s been over a year since their renovation ended, and the challenging nature of the process left the couple more cautious (and a lot wiser).

“We wished we found someone we could trust and vibe with,” Sarah says. “I think that should matter more than anything else.”

It’s a reminder that a smooth renovation isn’t just about the visual end result, but the process as well – from your chemistry with your interior designer, their working styles, and how they can support you and your needs.

Got a story of your own? Let us know in the comments below 👇 Or, if you’re about to start on your own renovation journey, Qanvast can help you connect with trusted and reliable interior designers who fit your budget and style, so you can focus on building your dream home without the headaches.

Simply fill in the form below and we’ll find you 3-5 interior designers that have been vetted thoroughly. And it’s all free of charge!