Couple paid $63k to renovation firm that failed to finish work on their new apartment

A couple who engaged the services of renovation firm Sense Ideas Design recently found themselves on the wrong end of the deal. They were aiming to move into their new three-bedroom apartment in Telok Kurau in March, but their flat was nowhere near ready. Electrical cabling, hacking and the installing of a loft in one room and retractable awnings on the patio were underway, leading the couple to think that the renovation process was going smoothly. However, it turned out that the job was delayed in March, and the renovation company left the place unfinished, surfacing again in May to blame financial problems for the project coming to a halt. 

Unfortunately, the couple had already paid an advance of $63,000 — to cover 90 percent of the total costs — and the firm subsequently became uncontactable when a refund was requested, according to The Straits Times. Carpentry and electrical works were incomplete, and the space was teeming with trash and other equipment. 

It is apparent that Sense Ideas Design is not on the list of accredited firms under the CaseTrust scheme. 

The pair have filed a police report, complained to the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) and even employed debt collectors to retrieve their money — but to no avail. They’ve since gotten another company to finish the job.



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