Hi,

Wondering if anyone can offer some advice/wisdom. My wife and I are looking to renovate our bare bone/concrete apartment.

Does anyone know the cost of hiring a designer for computer drawings/renderings? I hear they charge per square meter, but what is the range in cost?

If anyone has any experience from the past, I would appreciate some advice.

Thank you,
JC

1000-2000/sm should over most build-outs of an apartment, range is large I realise, but it varies based on how basic or luxurious your place will be. Options ranging from Pergo to real Oak floors, or elaborate drop down ceilings versus basic ones, custom lighting versus basic, and of course bathroom and kitchens can vary greatly too with a wide range of cabinetry and fixtures / appliances available.

Agreed but I would like to narrow that down to RMB1500-2000 per sq meter gross according to my recent experience if that helps. Including all built in cupboards, everything in the kitchen & baths, lighting, but not loose furniture and deco.

I need to to correct "GirlatWork" comment. Contractors fee includes all build-in furniture, doors, suspended ceiling, electrical wiring, plumbing, that is right. Futhermore it includes the workmanship (installation) for tiles and sanitary ware.

It does not however include the sanitary ware. At least it should not in my opinion. Otherwise you will get most likely get mediocre quality products. It also e.g. does not include door handles.

Some contractors might offer you a single price. Even including wall papars and lighting. Stay away from such deals. You will have no real choice of quality or specific designs.
The main purpose of such deals is to show something and to sell you something totally different and you are bound for some headaches.

As for the fee, anything below 1700-1800 has to be carefully considered. It depends also somewhat on your apartment's size.

Whoops, sorry, agree with the above to correct my initial numbers as my numbers did not include the fact that we purchased our own VOC-free paint, imported bathroom fixtures, flooring, brand name AC's, and appliances, etc... negotiating out some of the profit the contractor would have added. Only with that part handled ourselves did it come out less than the 1700 mentioned.

gino wrote:I need to to correct "GirlatWork" comment. Contractors fee includes all build-in furniture, doors, suspended ceiling, electrical wiring, plumbing, that is right. Futhermore it includes the workmanship (installation) for tiles and sanitary ware.

It does not however include the sanitary ware. At least it should not in my opinion. Otherwise you will get most likely get mediocre quality products. It also e.g. does not include door handles.

Some contractors might offer you a single price. Even including wall papars and lighting. Stay away from such deals. You will have no real choice of quality or specific designs.
The main purpose of such deals is to show something and to sell you something totally different and you are bound for some headaches.

As for the fee, anything below 1700-1800 has to be carefully considered. It depends also somewhat on your apartment's size.

My rennovation actually included all that but I purchased EVERY SINGLE THING including handles for the 11 doors, and 97 power / IT points, 120 or so cupboard handles, sanitary ware...because I actually enjoy the shopping even though at times it was absolutely daunting especially the wooden floor tiles and bath/kitch tiles as there are so many choices on Yishan Road! Heated floor is included (Whole European system). Guess I did quite well but it took over 8 months for the shopping as I could only chose one thing over one weekend!

If you don't have the time / interest to chose your own, your contractor will pick 5 choices or so of each item for you to chose from and the quotation will of course include his mark up.

Reading the OP's post again and realised that he was looking for the cost of getting a designer to do the rendering / drawings. My contractor didn't charge anything for the CAD drawings and a few coloured renderings and also the subsequent amended versions after our discussion. Of course if you are getting him to do all that you will probably hire him at the end which I did as he was recommanded by a friend who was happy with his works and after sale services.

My husband and I just bought a second hand apartment in Shanghai and will need to do some remodeling, new floors, revamp kitchen (new appliances), re-do bathrooms and knock down a wall. Can anyone suggest a contractor or at least a place to look for resources. We really have no idea where to find someone who can help us with all of this. Of course we will need someone with some english language skills.
Thanks!

emilylopez: pls check your PM