#1: Constructing a Landed | Building Your Home Up and Digging Down | SFSG S2 E1

Jake – 1
00:00:00,100 –> 00:00:01,023
– In the costing for the QP portion.

Jake – 2
00:00:01,023 –> 00:00:04,610
Yeah, so-

Melvin Lim – 3
00:00:04,610 –> 00:00:06,247
– Sorry, go ahead (speaks
foreign language),

Melvin Lim – 4
00:00:07,178 –> 00:00:08,011
it’s okay, yeah.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 5
00:00:08,011 –> 00:00:10,203
– Okay, I also forgot.
– Haha, sorry.

Jake – 6
00:00:11,230 –> 00:00:12,437
– Let me think.

7
00:00:12,437 –> 00:00:15,020
(upbeat music)

Melvin Lim – 8
00:00:21,450 –> 00:00:25,100
– Right, so we are back with
our “Sofa so Good” season two,

Melvin Lim – 9
00:00:25,100 –> 00:00:28,140
and we’re right here in year 2021,

Melvin Lim – 10
00:00:28,140 –> 00:00:30,750
and I think if you have watched
our “Sofa so Good” season,

Melvin Lim – 11
00:00:30,750 –> 00:00:32,720
you might have seen Jake before.

Melvin Lim – 12
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So welcome Jack again to our PLB studio.

Jake – 13
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– Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Melvin Lim – 14
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– Right, and that time,
we were doing the episode

Melvin Lim – 15
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talking about some of the
roles of chartered surveying

Melvin Lim – 16
00:00:43,680 –> 00:00:46,830
in Singapore, plus some of
the things we look out for

Melvin Lim – 17
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when renovating your place
and things like that.

Melvin Lim – 18
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More on interior.

Melvin Lim – 19
00:00:51,160 –> 00:00:53,460
And this time around,
previously we were doing

Melvin Lim – 20
00:00:53,460 –> 00:00:54,587
during the circuit breaker season,

Melvin Lim – 21
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and there was over Zoom,
so this time around,

Melvin Lim – 22
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I’m very glad that you
have spend your time here

Melvin Lim – 23
00:00:59,680 –> 00:01:01,Jake 110
to travel to our office.

Jake – 24
00:01:01,110 –> 00:01:02,690
– Yeah, my pleasure, my pleasure.

Melvin Lim – 25
00:01:02,690 –> 00:01:04,800
– How’s things after the
circuit breaker and everything?

Jake – 26
00:01:04,800 –> 00:01:08,750
– I think, after the whole CB
period, things are picking up.

Jake – 27
00:01:08,750 –> 00:01:12,090
In fact, now is very, very intense.

Jake – 28
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Before coming, it was just
back to back meetings,

Jake – 29
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like yourself.

Jake – 30
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So it’s good.

Jake – 31
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It’s a happy problem.

Jake – 32
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But now, it’s really to
prioritize and make sure

Jake – 33
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the assurance and the timeline we need,

Jake – 34
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we can handover on time.

Jake – 35
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Yeah, things are positive.

Jake – 36
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I think that’s a good thing.

Melvin Lim – 37
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– Yeah, I’ve heard that
after the circuit breaker

Melvin Lim – 38
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in June 2020, the renovation
industry is like exploding.

Jake – 39
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– Yes, yes.

Melvin Lim – 40
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– And is it because Singaporeans now,

Melvin Lim – 41
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during that last period,
I mean before now,

Melvin Lim – 42
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people can travel to
cruise, but that time,

Melvin Lim – 43
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there’s no way to go.

Melvin Lim – 44
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So, towards the end of the year,

Melvin Lim – 45
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everybody’s thinking about
renovating their home,

Melvin Lim – 46
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improving their lifestyle.

Melvin Lim – 47
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Is that true?

Jake – 48
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– I think that contributes
quite a fair bit.

Jake – 49
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The whole work from home notion,

Jake – 50
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I think kicks in very strongly.

Jake – 51
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So there were some smaller
projects to do mini conversions,

Jake – 52
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home improvements, study room conversion.

Jake – 53
00:02:04,830 –> 00:02:08,970
Then and also, because of
the whole pent up frustration

Jake – 54
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that, “Wah, I cannot do
reno, cost is building high.”

Jake – 55
00:02:11,810 –> 00:02:14,390
So I think when the
time when it’s release,

Jake – 56
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Wah, they take it at a whole
scale and do it big scale.

Jake – 57
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So in fact, after the period,
the amount of inquiries,

Jake – 58
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genuine inquiries that come in

Jake – 59
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and the scale of the
project, just exponential.

Jake – 60
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Very scary.

Melvin Lim – 61
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– So demand came from owners
living in their existing home,

Melvin Lim – 62
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doing minor upgrades plus new homeowners

Melvin Lim – 63
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and especially when we’ve
seen like so much activities

Melvin Lim – 64
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and demand in the property market,

Melvin Lim – 65
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so a lot of transactions are happening.

Melvin Lim – 66
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So, I think it’s very
good for your business.

Melvin Lim – 67
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Now and today, we don’t
wanna talk about renovation.

Melvin Lim – 68
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Today, we wanna talk about
a very hot topic right now.

Melvin Lim – 69
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Because over the past year,

Melvin Lim – 70
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especially in the third
and fourth quarter,

Melvin Lim – 71
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all the way up to now, first quarter,

Melvin Lim – 72
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we have seen so much
demand for landed homes,

Melvin Lim – 73
00:03:01,160 –> 00:03:04,640
and we have a lot of sellers and buyers

Melvin Lim – 74
00:03:04,640 –> 00:03:06,050
in the landed market.

Melvin Lim – 75
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And Jake has always been a
very strong partner with us

Melvin Lim – 76
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because he’s, not only one of the very few

Melvin Lim – 77
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chartered surveyors in Singapore,

Melvin Lim – 78
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he also has a lot of strong partners

Melvin Lim – 79
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in the landed the property market.

Melvin Lim – 80
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Whether it comes to
renovating landed homes,

Melvin Lim – 81
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doing A&A or rebuilding,
they have helped our clients

Melvin Lim – 82
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to a very great extent.

Melvin Lim – 83
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So, we want to tap on his brain today

Melvin Lim – 84
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to understand the process of
rebuilding a landed property.

Melvin Lim – 85
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So today, the entire 30 to
45 minutes is talking about

Melvin Lim – 86
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what is gonna to happen the moment,

Melvin Lim – 87
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if you intend to rebuild a home.

Melvin Lim – 88
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Let’s say for example,
you spot a landed home

Melvin Lim – 89
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in the resale market,
a old landed property.

Melvin Lim – 90
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It can be a single story,
one and a half or two story,

Melvin Lim – 91
00:03:51,420 –> 00:03:52,980
and you wanna tear down rebuild.

Melvin Lim – 92
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What’s gonna be the whole
process from start to finish.

Melvin Lim – 93
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So, we’re gonna tap on
Jake’s brain on that.

Jake – 94
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– Thank you, thank you.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 95
00:03:58,978 –> 00:04:00,050
More than happy to share.
– Okay.

Jake – 96
00:04:00,050 –> 00:04:01,830
– So yeah, I think first and foremost,

Jake – 97
00:04:01,830 –> 00:04:06,820
there is no one definite path,
because no unit is the same.

Jake – 98
00:04:06,820 –> 00:04:09,260
Whether is it single,
double story, terrace

Jake – 99
00:04:09,260 –> 00:04:10,680
and so and so forth.

Jake – 100
00:04:10,680 –> 00:04:13,400
But I think by and large, the
first step that you should do

Jake – 101
00:04:13,400 –> 00:04:16,795
is have a as-built drawing.

Jake – 102
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Yeah, so which means, the
as-built drawing definition,

Jake – 103
00:04:19,220 –> 00:04:21,460
it’s the one that is directly purchased

Jake – 104
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from authority from BCA.

Jake – 105
00:04:24,230 –> 00:04:27,110
So there were many, many
example scenarios that

Jake – 106
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somebody passed me the plan,

Jake – 107
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I found this in the deep corner,

Jake – 108
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it’s high hidden under
my seller’s cabinet.

Jake – 109
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So, and many sellers or
even buyers will say that

Jake – 110
00:04:39,071 –> 00:04:41,570
they are assured of authentic floor plan.

Jake – 111
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So that’s when the challenge is because

Jake – 112
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without a current and as-built drawing,

Jake – 113
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that means the real authentic one,

Jake – 114
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there were very limited ways
on how you can ascertain

Jake – 115
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how much you can go.

Jake – 116
00:04:53,870 –> 00:04:54,887
So unless the context here is that

Jake – 117
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I want to tear down and rebuild.

Jake – 118
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But if the context here is that,

Jake – 119
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“Hey, I want to be very sure that,

Jake – 120
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whatever I’m looking at
now is the baseline.”

Jake – 121
00:05:03,340 –> 00:05:06,280
Then with today’s compliant requirement,

Jake – 122
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because all these years,
the compliance changes

Jake – 123
00:05:08,580 –> 00:05:10,780
from plot ratio, from my
building envelope control,

Jake – 124
00:05:10,780 –> 00:05:13,024
my setback, my sewer,
and so on and so forth.

Jake – 125
00:05:13,024 –> 00:05:13,857
There’s so many things.

Jake – 126
00:05:13,857 –> 00:05:15,620
So the first thing is to get a proper

Jake – 127
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as-built drawing through the seller,

Jake – 128
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or maybe through the agents help,

Jake – 129
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authorize them and
purchase the floor plan.

Jake – 130
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That’s the first, first, first step.

Jake – 131
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Yeah.

Jake – 132
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After you had the floor plan,

Jake – 133
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at least you’re assured
that what you see on ground

Jake – 134
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and what you see on paper,
usually there will be difference

Jake – 135
00:05:32,860 –> 00:05:36,890
because landed property is a
very scarce item in Singapore.

Jake – 136
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So most land owners will try
to maximize what they have.

Jake – 137
00:05:40,660 –> 00:05:43,290
So, when you see the floor plan,

Jake – 138
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when you have the as-built,

Jake – 139
00:05:44,730 –> 00:05:48,090
the next person you
should speak to is the QP.

Jake – 140
00:05:48,090 –> 00:05:51,030
In our terminology, QP, it’s the…

Jake – 141
00:05:51,030 –> 00:05:52,760
either the two parties that’s regarded as

Jake – 142
00:05:52,760 –> 00:05:57,260
the architect or the engineer.

Jake – 143
00:05:57,260 –> 00:05:58,500
So these are the two folks.

Jake – 144
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There’s also the reason
why our parents are

Jake – 145
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always asked us to study
hard, to become an architect

Jake – 146
00:06:02,690 –> 00:06:06,230
or engineer, because in the
build industry under Singapore,

Jake – 147
00:06:06,230 –> 00:06:09,320
the only two parties they
will recognize under the law

Jake – 148
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is either engineer or a architect.

Jake – 149
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And of course they must
be properly certified

Jake – 150
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under the PE Board under
the Board of Architects.

Jake – 151
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So the architects, you
typically they will then

Jake – 152
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evaluate the floor plan based on today’s

Jake – 153
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prevailing rules and they super impose,

Jake – 154
00:06:24,060 –> 00:06:24,893
then you can have advice,

Jake – 155
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“Hey Jake, Melvin, this
is a plot of land.”

Jake – 156
00:06:27,417 –> 00:06:28,847
“What is your end objective?”

Jake – 157
00:06:28,847 –> 00:06:30,577
“Do you wanna maximize the room?”

Jake – 158
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“You wanna introduce a lift?”

Jake – 159
00:06:31,857 –> 00:06:33,457
“You wanna be universal design friendly.”

Jake – 160
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“You want to have a ramp?”

Jake – 161
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“You want to have swimming pool?”

Jake – 162
00:06:35,940 –> 00:06:37,410
And all your parameters.

Jake – 163
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So then, they will fit all this in.

Jake – 164
00:06:40,580 –> 00:06:43,400
So, what the market is
doing there now is that

Jake – 165
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there are some black sheep out there.

Jake – 166
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They just take the floor plan
and based on what they think

Jake – 167
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they know, they super impose.

Jake – 168
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That’s when the challenge is because

Jake – 169
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there may be some
overarching requirements.

Jake – 170
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For example, there could be
sight flight path control.

Jake – 171
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There could be some sewer protection line.

Jake – 172
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Examples like that, that you
cannot do what you want to.

Jake – 173
00:07:03,290 –> 00:07:05,660
So I think the best approach is that,

Jake – 174
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have a very clear, original,
authentic floor plan,

Jake – 175
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speak to a QP, authorized QP.

Jake – 176
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Be very clear your requirements are,

Jake – 177
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then have the QP on board.

Jake – 178
00:07:18,290 –> 00:07:20,030
There’s always this saying around that,

Jake – 179
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if you pay peanut, you get monkeys.

Jake – 180
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So I think it’s more true
for the world of renovation,

Jake – 181
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construction and the world
of architects and engineers.

Jake – 182
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So because these folks are
professionals, to get their cert,

Jake – 183
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they need minimum 10 years
in the market, in the trade.

Jake – 184
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So you’ve got to fairly
commensurate them, pay them.

Jake – 185
00:07:39,340 –> 00:07:42,230
Then they will work
into your requirements,

Jake – 186
00:07:42,230 –> 00:07:44,210
develop a base plan.

Jake – 187
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Then with the base plan,
then it’s appropriate

Jake – 188
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for the builder to come
in to do the costing.

Jake – 189
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So the interesting thing is that,

Jake – 190
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it’s like almost like a
multi-pronged approach.

Jake – 191
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Architect will be very good
in compliance, setback,

Jake – 192
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plot ratio, building envelope control.

Jake – 193
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Engineer will be very, very
good in building the structure,

Jake – 194
00:08:02,950 –> 00:08:06,020
safety, the loading, the
rebars, and so forth.

Jake – 195
00:08:06,020 –> 00:08:08,880
Then the builder will
base on these two inputs

Jake – 196
00:08:08,880 –> 00:08:10,950
to come up with a cost.

Jake – 197
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So you realize that all
three parties play a role.

Jake – 198
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And more often than not, end
users or buyers usually say,

Jake – 199
00:08:18,177 –> 00:08:19,970
“Actually, I only have this budget.”

Jake – 200
00:08:19,970 –> 00:08:22,181
And you’ll speak to interior designer

Jake – 201
00:08:22,181 –> 00:08:24,380
and you expect interior
designer to design things.

Jake – 202
00:08:24,380 –> 00:08:26,070
So, it might be a bit wrong.

Jake – 203
00:08:26,070 –> 00:08:31,070
So the first approach should
be really speak to a architect,

Jake – 204
00:08:31,170 –> 00:08:33,180
speak to a building surveyor to see if

Jake – 205
00:08:33,180 –> 00:08:36,120
there’s any inherent
issues, purchase the plan,

Jake – 206
00:08:36,120 –> 00:08:38,130
then start developing it.

Jake – 207
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So that is what you have
on your hands already.

Jake – 208
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The next thing is that assuming
all these stars are aligned.

Jake – 209
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You have your floor plan ready.

Jake – 210
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Your builder is on board.

Jake – 211
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Your architect is on board.

Jake – 212
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Then next stage is to be prepared,

Jake – 213
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things don’t happen overnight.

Jake – 214
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Meaning, authorities like the URA, BCA,

Jake – 215
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they are our regulatory body.

Jake – 216
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So need you to ensure
that compliance is met.

Jake – 217
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Safety, setback, your nuisance,

Jake – 218
00:09:04,000 –> 00:09:05,370
and so and so forth.

Jake – 219
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So be expecting the submission,
usually is in the range

Jake – 220
00:09:10,050 –> 00:09:11,600
from three to six months.

Jake – 221
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But if you’re talking
really a A&A approach,

Jake – 222
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I think three months-ish should be fair.

Jake – 223
00:09:18,140 –> 00:09:20,210
Once the submission is done.

Jake – 224
00:09:20,210 –> 00:09:23,260
The other thing that you
should take note is that,

Jake – 225
00:09:23,260 –> 00:09:28,260
there is this SafeWork measure
now, that COVID impact.

Jake – 226
00:09:28,340 –> 00:09:32,390
So URA, BCA especially is
super, super strict now,

Jake – 227
00:09:32,390 –> 00:09:35,780
that we have to ensure that
you’re safe measure distance,

Jake – 228
00:09:35,780 –> 00:09:39,230
the SafeWork measure distance,
you declare your manpower

Jake – 229
00:09:39,230 –> 00:09:41,360
and you basically have a
very good record on all this.

Jake – 230
00:09:41,360 –> 00:09:44,640
So all this compliance
actually eat up a bit of time.

Jake – 231
00:09:44,640 –> 00:09:49,640
And also the COVID response
plan requires you that,

Jake – 232
00:09:50,080 –> 00:09:53,050
typically for landed, folks,
builders, contractors,

Jake – 233
00:09:53,050 –> 00:09:57,790
like to work seven days
a week, to rush the job.

Jake – 234
00:09:57,790 –> 00:10:02,060
But because of COVID
response let’s just say,

Jake – 235
00:10:02,060 –> 00:10:07,060
by law, every week , you’re
mandated to rest one day.

Jake – 236
00:10:07,817 –> 00:10:09,255
And it’s stipulated.

Jake – 237
00:10:09,255 –> 00:10:14,140
Yeah, so when it comes to
putting all your resources,

Jake – 238
00:10:14,140 –> 00:10:17,510
obviously if things are truncated
you can’t go as efficient.

Jake – 239
00:10:17,510 –> 00:10:18,343
Yeah.

Melvin Lim – 240
00:10:18,343 –> 00:10:19,860
– So, so, Jake.

Melvin Lim – 241
00:10:19,860 –> 00:10:20,833
Before we move on.

Melvin Lim – 242
00:10:21,870 –> 00:10:24,653
Regarding the rebuild process.

Melvin Lim – 243
00:10:25,670 –> 00:10:29,480
Let’s come back to maybe the phase that

Melvin Lim – 244
00:10:29,480 –> 00:10:33,420
usually a buyer, before they
even put down the check.

Melvin Lim – 245
00:10:33,420 –> 00:10:35,283
A practical approach on the ground.

Melvin Lim – 246
00:10:36,870 –> 00:10:38,920
So I get what you mean when you say that,

Melvin Lim – 247
00:10:39,930 –> 00:10:42,930
getting the very correct BCA plans

Melvin Lim – 248
00:10:42,930 –> 00:10:45,873
and then aligning your
team, architects, QP,

Melvin Lim – 249
00:10:49,680 –> 00:10:51,840
the builders and all that.

Melvin Lim – 250
00:10:51,840 –> 00:10:54,950
Okay so, on a practical level,
let’s say for example…

Melvin Lim – 251
00:10:54,950 –> 00:10:58,240
Because when, especially
when market is very hot,

Melvin Lim – 252
00:10:58,240 –> 00:11:00,810
Sometimes buyers, they
want to take advantage

Melvin Lim – 253
00:11:00,810 –> 00:11:01,643
of the opportunity.

Melvin Lim – 254
00:11:01,643 –> 00:11:06,643
They don’t want to do over kind of extent

Melvin Lim – 255
00:11:06,930 –> 00:11:09,040
in getting too many experts down

Melvin Lim – 256
00:11:09,040 –> 00:11:11,070
because they are afraid that by the time

 

Melvin Lim – 257
00:11:11,070 –> 00:11:13,020
they make arrangement for a soil testing,

Melvin Lim – 258
00:11:13,020 –> 00:11:14,470
they make arrangement for

Melvin Lim – 259
00:11:15,380 –> 00:11:17,003
a chartered surveyor like yourself,

Melvin Lim – 260
00:11:17,003 –> 00:11:18,490
they make arrangement for
the architect to come down,

Melvin Lim – 261
00:11:18,490 –> 00:11:19,470
the property is sold already.

Jake – 262
00:11:19,470 –> 00:11:20,303
– Yep, yep.

Melvin Lim – 263
00:11:20,303 –> 00:11:23,000
– And, what will be a very practical

Melvin Lim – 264
00:11:23,000 –> 00:11:26,630
amount of due diligence check that

Melvin Lim – 265
00:11:26,630 –> 00:11:28,940
a buyer on the ground
should do to ensure that

Melvin Lim – 266
00:11:28,940 –> 00:11:30,670
there are no horror stories after that?

Melvin Lim – 267
00:11:30,670 –> 00:11:33,610
Because I have one client
that shared me before,

Melvin Lim – 268
00:11:33,610 –> 00:11:37,950
one of his friend, after
buying the lender property

Melvin Lim – 269
00:11:37,950 –> 00:11:39,880
for the purpose of doing a rebuild,

Melvin Lim – 270
00:11:39,880 –> 00:11:41,880
and the friend thought
that actually a extension

Melvin Lim – 271
00:11:41,880 –> 00:11:43,660
on the front part could be done.

Melvin Lim – 272
00:11:43,660 –> 00:11:46,780
But later on, after buying,
exercising the option,

Melvin Lim – 273
00:11:46,780 –> 00:11:48,450
taking the keys, then
his architect and builder

Melvin Lim – 274
00:11:48,450 –> 00:11:51,857
tell him that, “Hey, below
your house is a sewer line.”

Melvin Lim – 275
00:11:51,857 –> 00:11:53,640
“And you cannot actually extend outwards.”

Melvin Lim – 276
00:11:53,640 –> 00:11:54,950
And that was a horror story because

Melvin Lim – 277
00:11:54,950 –> 00:11:57,220
it affects the amount of
buildup that he can go.

Melvin Lim – 278
00:11:57,220 –> 00:11:59,477
So when my client told
me that, it was like,

Melvin Lim – 279
00:11:59,477 –> 00:12:00,310
“Wow, okay.”

Melvin Lim – 280
00:12:00,310 –> 00:12:02,580
So there are a lot of things
that a buyer on the ground

Melvin Lim – 281
00:12:02,580 –> 00:12:03,413
needs to think of.

Melvin Lim – 282
00:12:03,413 –> 00:12:06,910
So in your opinion, what
will be the recommendation?

Jake – 283
00:12:06,910 –> 00:12:07,820
– Right, right.

Jake – 284
00:12:07,820 –> 00:12:12,010
So given this time and day,
moreso when the landed property

Jake – 285
00:12:12,010 –> 00:12:15,540
is scarce still, and is
in fact getting very,

Jake – 286
00:12:15,540 –> 00:12:16,870
more and more valuable.

Jake – 287
00:12:16,870 –> 00:12:20,960
So I personally felt that
for all landed properties,

Jake – 288
00:12:20,960 –> 00:12:25,680
do invest in a session with a
chartered building surveyor.

Jake – 289
00:12:25,680 –> 00:12:29,150
Not really blowing my horns
on this, but a case where,

Jake – 290
00:12:29,150 –> 00:12:32,430
because all the hard earned
money on a real estate

Jake – 291
00:12:32,430 –> 00:12:35,070
that is going to appreciate
even more over time,

Jake – 292
00:12:35,070 –> 00:12:37,350
it is good to have a building surveyor

Jake – 293
00:12:37,350 –> 00:12:40,674
to come in to do the first
round visual inspection before-

Melvin Lim – 294
00:12:40,674 –> 00:12:41,507
– Visual, okay.

Melvin Lim – 295
00:12:41,507 –> 00:12:42,340
A walkthrough.

Jake – 296
00:12:42,340 –> 00:12:46,653
– Yes, before all the all the
fancies, machines all come in.

Jake – 297
00:12:47,740 –> 00:12:50,740
Because the very fact that
the building surveyor is,

Jake – 298
00:12:50,740 –> 00:12:53,920
is being accredited, is being chartered,

Jake – 299
00:12:53,920 –> 00:12:57,211
is a case where he needs
to basically walkthrough

Jake – 300
00:12:57,211 –> 00:12:58,890
the whole renovation process

Jake – 301
00:12:58,890 –> 00:13:01,020
from flat ground to a build-out.

Jake – 302
00:13:01,020 –> 00:13:04,520
So, and there must be a
very thorough understanding

Jake – 303
00:13:04,520 –> 00:13:08,060
of the life cycle process of
materials, of degeneration,

Jake – 304
00:13:08,060 –> 00:13:09,620
deterioration of product.

Jake – 305
00:13:09,620 –> 00:13:12,970
So, if there is a chance
for a building surveyor

Jake – 306
00:13:12,970 –> 00:13:15,743
to come in, to walk
through, we always joke that

Jake – 307
00:13:15,743 –> 00:13:20,070
there’s a bit of a
infrared option down there,

Jake – 308
00:13:20,070 –> 00:13:22,340
function down there,
where you can possibly see

Jake – 309
00:13:22,340 –> 00:13:26,100
certain things that folks missed out.

Jake – 310
00:13:26,100 –> 00:13:26,933
And this-

Melvin Lim – 311
00:13:26,933 –> 00:13:29,120
– Things that are not
obvious to our naked eye.

Jake – 312
00:13:29,120 –> 00:13:30,078
– Yes, yes.

Jake – 313
00:13:30,078 –> 00:13:34,050
And things they will be
particularly sensitive for builders

Jake – 314
00:13:34,050 –> 00:13:35,880
and for chartered surveyors, best is that

Jake – 315
00:13:35,880 –> 00:13:37,394
both of them are combined them.

Melvin Lim – 316
00:13:37,394 –> 00:13:39,010
– What are some of the
things that you have…

Melvin Lim – 317
00:13:39,010 –> 00:13:41,830
or interesting, or horror things
that you have seen before?

Jake – 318
00:13:41,830 –> 00:13:44,397
– Right, I think a lot of
folks will be thinking,

Jake – 319
00:13:44,397 –> 00:13:48,577
“Wah, if I have very nice
marble, it will be fantastic.”

Jake – 320
00:13:48,577 –> 00:13:52,710
“I will have a very nice
natural stone quartz.”

Jake – 321
00:13:52,710 –> 00:13:56,180
Marble and the lights,
they are always good.

Jake – 322
00:13:56,180 –> 00:13:59,950
But sometimes if we’re very careful on

Jake – 323
00:13:59,950 –> 00:14:03,090
how we look at things, marble is good.

Jake – 324
00:14:03,090 –> 00:14:07,856
But stained marble cannot
restore to its original look.

Jake – 325
00:14:07,856 –> 00:14:09,060
So, that is always the challenge.

Jake – 326
00:14:09,060 –> 00:14:12,090
Folks will be saying, “I like this marble

Jake – 327
00:14:12,090 –> 00:14:13,430
and there are some stains down there,

Jake – 328
00:14:13,430 –> 00:14:16,640
I’m pretty sure that over
time this will be solved.”

Jake – 329
00:14:16,640 –> 00:14:19,290
But the problem is that when
marbles are being stained

Jake – 330
00:14:19,290 –> 00:14:21,480
in a very stubborn manner or poor manner,

Jake – 331
00:14:21,480 –> 00:14:23,970
the stains are literally
stuck within the stones.

Jake – 332
00:14:23,970 –> 00:14:25,463
And we can’t have that.

Melvin Lim – 333
00:14:26,690 –> 00:14:30,310
– How about if the the buyer is already

Melvin Lim – 334
00:14:30,310 –> 00:14:31,857
having that set mindset that,

Melvin Lim – 335
00:14:31,857 –> 00:14:33,280
“Definitely, I wanna tear it down.”

Jake – 336
00:14:33,280 –> 00:14:34,610
– Okay, okay.

Jake – 337
00:14:34,610 –> 00:14:38,460
So this is a again another
one of our encounters

Jake – 338
00:14:38,460 –> 00:14:42,660
with a client, same thing, fantastic.

Jake – 339
00:14:42,660 –> 00:14:46,480
Got an eye from, advice from
a lot of folks in the market.

Jake – 340
00:14:46,480 –> 00:14:48,587
“This is a fantastic land.”

Jake – 341
00:14:48,587 –> 00:14:51,210
“Corner terrace, we wanted to do…”

Jake – 342
00:14:51,210 –> 00:14:53,130
In fact, this is not a
corner, it’s a semi-d.

Jake – 343
00:14:53,130 –> 00:14:56,030
Beautiful area by the site,

Jake – 344
00:14:56,030 –> 00:14:59,120
intending to extend and do up a

Jake – 345
00:14:59,120 –> 00:15:01,390
rear and side extension for the building,

Jake – 346
00:15:01,390 –> 00:15:03,030
increase the GFA.

Jake – 347
00:15:03,030 –> 00:15:07,010
And beautiful and near
there, there is actually

Jake – 348
00:15:07,010 –> 00:15:08,680
what we call natural vegetation,

Jake – 349
00:15:08,680 –> 00:15:10,437
there’s slight hill and all
those, but we just think,

Jake – 350
00:15:10,437 –> 00:15:15,100
“Wah, this can be beautified
as a landscape set up.”

Jake – 351
00:15:15,100 –> 00:15:16,950
We were not involved
in the case in day one,

Jake – 352
00:15:16,950 –> 00:15:19,663
but subsequently when
the land was purchased,

Jake – 353
00:15:21,210 –> 00:15:24,340
a good portion behind was
set as the sewer protection,

Jake – 354
00:15:24,340 –> 00:15:26,560
the PUB sewer line protection.

Jake – 355
00:15:26,560 –> 00:15:29,310
So the plan was that, PUB
has a certain setback,

Jake – 356
00:15:29,310 –> 00:15:31,810
that this is gonna be the future area

Jake – 357
00:15:31,810 –> 00:15:35,463
to support the enlarged
rain water channel.

Jake – 358
00:15:36,440 –> 00:15:40,333
Yeah, so technically, like
very similar to yours.

Jake – 359
00:15:41,230 –> 00:15:42,970
You can’t, they can’t even do that.

Jake – 360
00:15:42,970 –> 00:15:44,870
And it became the resulting effect is that

Jake – 361
00:15:44,870 –> 00:15:47,000
the land prop, is a big piece of land,

Jake – 362
00:15:47,000 –> 00:15:50,250
but the building envelope
become very slim and sexy.

Jake – 363
00:15:50,250 –> 00:15:51,830
So it doesn’t, it doesn’t proportionally-

Melvin Lim – 364
00:15:51,830 –> 00:15:52,840
– It’s a very narrow house.

Jake – 365
00:15:52,840 –> 00:15:54,450
– Very narrow house, yeah.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 366
00:15:54,450 –> 00:15:56,220
– It doesn’t make sense
– Exactly.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 367
00:15:56,220 –> 00:15:57,610
– to rebuild.
– Exactly, exactly.

Jake – 368
00:15:57,610 –> 00:15:59,690
So I think the key is that,

Jake – 369
00:15:59,690 –> 00:16:03,400
okay firstly, on visual, what
are the potential effects

Jake – 370
00:16:03,400 –> 00:16:06,020
on to making something good and livable.

Jake – 371
00:16:06,020 –> 00:16:08,210
And the then, the next
thing is the architect’s

Jake – 372
00:16:08,210 –> 00:16:09,980
involvement on a very high level.

Jake – 373
00:16:09,980 –> 00:16:13,470
So avoid the cookie cutter approach where,

Jake – 374
00:16:13,470 –> 00:16:16,250
you have a nice footprint,
you just think that

Jake – 375
00:16:16,250 –> 00:16:17,310
this thing can work.

Jake – 376
00:16:17,310 –> 00:16:18,380
It doesn’t work that way.

Jake – 377
00:16:18,380 –> 00:16:21,760
So I really wanna caution and just advise

Jake – 378
00:16:21,760 –> 00:16:24,150
to think about it, have
a building surveyor

Jake – 379
00:16:24,150 –> 00:16:25,880
as well as a architect.

Jake – 380
00:16:25,880 –> 00:16:27,360
Best is that these folks are-

Melvin Lim/Jake – 381
00:16:27,360 –> 00:16:28,430
– Come together.
– Come together.

Melvin Lim – 382
00:16:28,430 –> 00:16:29,263
– Do a walkthrough?

Jake – 383
00:16:29,263 –> 00:16:30,096
– Exactly.

Melvin Lim – 384
00:16:30,096 –> 00:16:31,670
– Give a certain level assurance.

Jake – 385
00:16:31,670 –> 00:16:32,503
– Yes.

Jake – 386
00:16:32,503 –> 00:16:33,336
– And then before you put down the cheque.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 387
00:16:33,336 –> 00:16:34,910
– Yes.
– Okay, great.

Melvin Lim – 388
00:16:34,910 –> 00:16:36,758
Let’s move on to after
you put on the check.

389
00:16:36,758 –> 00:16:37,591
(Jake chuckles)

Melvin Lim – 390
00:16:37,591 –> 00:16:38,424
Okay, so after you put down the check.

Melvin Lim – 391
00:16:38,424 –> 00:16:40,060
You exercise the option.

Melvin Lim – 392
00:16:40,060 –> 00:16:42,490
You get the keys after competition.

Melvin Lim – 393
00:16:42,490 –> 00:16:46,510
Usually, the planning
phase, the sit down phase

Melvin Lim – 394
00:16:46,510 –> 00:16:49,193
with the architect, with the builder,

Melvin Lim – 395
00:16:50,450 –> 00:16:51,760
who manages the project?

Jake – 396
00:16:51,760 –> 00:16:52,650
– Right.

Jake – 397
00:16:52,650 –> 00:16:55,153
So depending on the setup,

Jake – 398
00:16:56,080 –> 00:16:58,847
there will be some folks
will be saying that,

Jake – 399
00:16:58,847 –> 00:17:02,350
“I will independently
appoint my archi, my QPs.”

Jake – 400
00:17:02,350 –> 00:17:05,730
Then the QPs will hold a beauty
contest through a tender.

Jake – 401
00:17:05,730 –> 00:17:07,330
Interested parties come and bid.

Jake – 402
00:17:08,700 –> 00:17:10,477
In that manner, folks will be thinking,

Jake – 403
00:17:10,477 –> 00:17:12,757
“Well, I’m assured of the cheapest price.”

Jake – 404
00:17:12,757 –> 00:17:17,340
“And my QPs, my quantity
surveyors, my engineers,

Jake – 405
00:17:17,340 –> 00:17:20,230
my architects will supervise
the main contractor.”

Jake – 406
00:17:20,230 –> 00:17:22,760
So there’s one path, the beauty contest.

Jake – 407
00:17:22,760 –> 00:17:24,930
The other path is what we
call the design and build.

Jake – 408
00:17:24,930 –> 00:17:27,710
So client will meet with one team.

Jake – 409
00:17:27,710 –> 00:17:31,670
And this team basically
discuss the building portion,

Jake – 410
00:17:31,670 –> 00:17:35,670
the development portion, as
well as the submission portion.

Jake – 411
00:17:35,670 –> 00:17:38,370
So, we noticed that the trend nowadays,

Jake – 412
00:17:38,370 –> 00:17:40,510
the design build is getting
more and more upscale,

Jake – 413
00:17:40,510 –> 00:17:43,800
more and more receptive because, I think,

Jake – 414
00:17:43,800 –> 00:17:46,530
homeowners and buyers,
they’re also realize that

Jake – 415
00:17:46,530 –> 00:17:48,010
time is of the essence.

Jake – 416
00:17:48,010 –> 00:17:49,360
They really don’t have a lot of time

Jake – 417
00:17:49,360 –> 00:17:52,420
to conduct three interviews, spend time.

Jake – 418
00:17:52,420 –> 00:17:54,820
So obviously the first
method will assure you

Jake – 419
00:17:54,820 –> 00:17:57,390
of maybe a better competitive price,

Jake – 420
00:17:57,390 –> 00:17:59,530
but it will definitely take
longer because you need to take

Jake – 421
00:17:59,530 –> 00:18:01,900
four quotes, three quotes for evaluation.

Jake – 422
00:18:01,900 –> 00:18:06,270
Yeah, so again, I think
the process here is that

Jake – 423
00:18:06,270 –> 00:18:09,060
definitely a qualified
person, the architect

Jake – 424
00:18:09,060 –> 00:18:12,560
is on board with you and best,

Jake – 425
00:18:12,560 –> 00:18:15,240
the person fronting interfacing

Jake – 426
00:18:15,240 –> 00:18:18,100
with the client is a builder himself.

Jake – 427
00:18:18,100 –> 00:18:18,933
That’s the best.

Jake – 428
00:18:18,933 –> 00:18:21,340
Of course we are asking
a lot in this situation.

Jake – 429
00:18:21,340 –> 00:18:24,010
Because the builder,
as I explained earlier,

Jake – 430
00:18:24,010 –> 00:18:26,613
the builder has a sensitivity of pricing.

Jake – 431
00:18:27,670 –> 00:18:31,870
Architects are aesthetics engines.

Jake – 432
00:18:31,870 –> 00:18:34,710
So they would, tend not
things to be functional,

Jake – 433
00:18:34,710 –> 00:18:37,140
form a function, they
always wanna fulfill that.

Jake – 434
00:18:37,140 –> 00:18:38,660
Engineers had to feel the safety.

Jake – 435
00:18:38,660 –> 00:18:40,600
So safety wise, you cannot compromise.

Jake – 436
00:18:40,600 –> 00:18:42,910
So but, if you want to fulfill something

Jake – 437
00:18:42,910 –> 00:18:45,860
that is very strong,
something that’s functional,

Jake – 438
00:18:45,860 –> 00:18:48,730
something that is even
prettier, like a showroom.

Jake – 439
00:18:48,730 –> 00:18:50,220
So you, if you check all the lists,

Jake – 440
00:18:50,220 –> 00:18:52,493
sometimes the cost can go over scale.

Jake – 441
00:18:53,780 –> 00:18:57,170
So the best way is that,
in terms of buildability.

Jake – 442
00:18:57,170 –> 00:19:01,340
the builder come in to
understand what you want,

Jake – 443
00:19:01,340 –> 00:19:05,940
normalize it, understand it,
disseminate to the architects,

Jake – 444
00:19:05,940 –> 00:19:10,000
to the engineers, then
they streamline a product

Jake – 445
00:19:10,000 –> 00:19:12,330
that can fulfill all the checklist,

Jake – 446
00:19:12,330 –> 00:19:14,960
yet at a slightly affordable price.

Melvin Lim – 447
00:19:14,960 –> 00:19:17,380
– So, what you’re saying is,

Melvin Lim – 448
00:19:17,380 –> 00:19:19,170
is this the design and build process?

Jake – 449
00:19:19,170 –> 00:19:20,003
– Yes, it is.

Melvin Lim – 450
00:19:20,003 –> 00:19:21,430
– And the design and build process,

Melvin Lim – 451
00:19:21,430 –> 00:19:23,748
the main person that
is in charge of project

Melvin Lim – 452
00:19:23,748 –> 00:19:24,581
would be the builder.

Jake – 453
00:19:24,581 –> 00:19:25,414
– Yes.

Melvin lim – 454
00:19:25,414 –> 00:19:27,490
– And the builder works with the architect,

Melvin Lim – 455
00:19:27,490 –> 00:19:28,830
disseminate the information.

Jake – 456
00:19:28,830 –> 00:19:29,663
– That’s right.

Melvin lim – 457
00:19:29,663 –> 00:19:30,660
– So the builder is the main person

Melvin lim – 458
00:19:30,660 –> 00:19:33,120
that you as the owner talks to.

Jake – 459
00:19:33,120 –> 00:19:33,953
– Correct.

Melvin lim/Jake – 460
00:19:33,953 –> 00:19:35,033
– I see.
– Correct.

Melvin lim – 461
00:19:35,033 –> 00:19:36,560
– And you felt that in
today’s day and age,

Melvin lim – 462
00:19:36,560 –> 00:19:41,450
this is the most cost efficient
and project efficient.

Jake – 463
00:19:41,450 –> 00:19:42,640
– Totally, totally.

Jake – 464
00:19:42,640 –> 00:19:45,760
Because folks, buyers are getting

Jake – 465
00:19:45,760 –> 00:19:47,160
more and more sophisticated.

Jake – 466
00:19:48,430 –> 00:19:50,150
When you’re talking about
pricing, one google,

Jake – 467
00:19:50,150 –> 00:19:52,100
you can have all the pricing out.

Jake – 468
00:19:52,100 –> 00:19:55,580
So sometimes, it’s not
just on price per se.

Jake – 469
00:19:55,580 –> 00:19:58,690
It’s on the integration with
the subsequent requirement,

Jake – 470
00:19:58,690 –> 00:20:01,320
the safety, the compliance,
and the buildability.

Jake – 471
00:20:01,320 –> 00:20:03,680
So, more and more, I
think the builder role

Jake – 472
00:20:03,680 –> 00:20:06,890
is taking in precedence, is
getting more and more important.

Jake – 473
00:20:06,890 –> 00:20:08,330
And interestingly, we get a feedback

Jake – 474
00:20:08,330 –> 00:20:11,120
from our architect
counterparts, our partners.

Jake – 475
00:20:11,120 –> 00:20:13,720
Their preference is for the builders

Jake – 476
00:20:13,720 –> 00:20:15,910
to interface more and
more with the clients.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 477
00:20:15,910 –> 00:20:16,743
– Mmm.
– Yeah!

Jake – 478
00:20:16,743 –> 00:20:19,440
Because I think the
common question is that

Jake – 479
00:20:19,440 –> 00:20:22,010
if I design this way,
what is the cost impact?

Jake – 480
00:20:22,010 –> 00:20:25,127
And then the information has
to flow back to the builder,

Jake – 481
00:20:25,127 –> 00:20:27,730
“Hey builder, if I change
this, how much does it cost?”

Jake – 482
00:20:27,730 –> 00:20:30,770
So, more and more, I think
builders are coming up

Jake – 483
00:20:30,770 –> 00:20:32,727
to be the lead for the job-

Melvin Lim/Jake – 484
00:20:32,727 –> 00:20:34,210
– The project manager
– Correct.

Jake – 485
00:20:34,210 –> 00:20:35,043
The lead for the job.

Jake – 486
00:20:35,043 –> 00:20:36,930
And I think that’s a definitely
a more efficient manner.

Melvin Lim – 487
00:20:36,930 –> 00:20:40,090
– And this process, the
first process after,

Melvin Lim – 488
00:20:40,090 –> 00:20:42,260
let’s say, I get the keys.

Melvin Lim – 489
00:20:42,260 –> 00:20:44,600
Usually the planning phase,
for example, if let’s say,

Melvin Lim – 490
00:20:44,600 –> 00:20:48,750
I’m the buyer, now I own the
old land, I wanna rebuild,

Melvin Lim – 491
00:20:48,750 –> 00:20:51,030
and I’m a decisive person, for example.

Melvin Lim – 492
00:20:51,030 –> 00:20:53,630
How long typically would
that take, that phase?

Jake – 493
00:20:53,630 –> 00:20:54,900
– I think you need to factor

Jake – 494
00:20:54,900 –> 00:20:57,090
about six to eight weeks for that.

Jake – 495
00:20:57,090 –> 00:20:59,150
Yeah, just for the dinging dong dong.

Jake – 496
00:20:59,150 –> 00:21:01,110
Yeah, because I think, firstly,

Jake – 497
00:21:01,110 –> 00:21:02,450
I think the first couple of weeks

Jake – 498
00:21:02,450 –> 00:21:05,220
is really to understand
the baseline requirements.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 499
00:21:05,220 –> 00:21:06,680
– How many bedrooms.
– Exactly.

Jake – 500
00:21:06,680 –> 00:21:08,960
And also all the
stakeholder’s involvement.

Jake – 501
00:21:08,960 –> 00:21:11,800
So from the child, the
parents, to the grandparents,

Jake – 502
00:21:11,800 –> 00:21:12,997
for even the dog, something the dog-

Melvin Lim/Jake – 503
00:21:12,997 –> 00:21:14,740
– The lifestyle.
– The lifestyle.

Jake – 504
00:21:14,740 –> 00:21:16,390
So this takes a lot of refinement.

Jake – 505
00:21:16,390 –> 00:21:19,290
So usually at that stage,
something of this thing

Jake – 506
00:21:19,290 –> 00:21:21,430
will be a mood board that comes in.

Jake – 507
00:21:21,430 –> 00:21:24,753
A design brief will come in
and that’s when the builder

Jake – 508
00:21:24,753 –> 00:21:27,360
they will have to check
in all these things,

Jake

– 509
00:21:27,360 –> 00:21:29,220
together with that, we develop something

Jake – 510
00:21:29,220 –> 00:21:30,710
off your mood board.

Jake – 511
00:21:30,710 –> 00:21:33,160
That means basically a 10, 15 slide.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 512
00:21:33,160 –> 00:21:34,480
– The 3D.
– Yeah, the 3D,

Jake – 513
00:21:34,480 –> 00:21:36,506
the visual expression of
(speaks foreign language).

Jake – 514
00:21:36,506 –> 00:21:38,410
Is this is what you want, then we move on.

Melvin Lim – 515
00:21:38,410 –> 00:21:39,243
– Okay.

Melvin Lim – 516
00:21:39,243 –> 00:21:40,380
– That’s about two months.
– Correct.

Melvin Lim – 517
00:21:40,380 –> 00:21:45,231
And after, for example, let’s
say if I decide to confirm it,

Melvin Lim – 518
00:21:45,231 –> 00:21:46,480
and then I say, “Okay, let’s go ahead”,

Melvin Lim – 519
00:21:46,480 –> 00:21:48,833
put a deposit down and everything is done.

Melvin Lim – 520
00:21:48,833 –> 00:21:49,790
What is the next phase?

Melvin Lim – 521
00:21:49,790 –> 00:21:50,840
Would that be submission and all that?

Jake – 522
00:21:50,840 –> 00:21:54,630
– Yes, there will be then the
architects playground already.

Jake – 523
00:21:54,630 –> 00:21:59,230
Then they will, based on the
brief, confirm the designs,

Jake – 524
00:21:59,230 –> 00:22:01,950
confirm the submissions, how much area,

Jake – 525
00:22:01,950 –> 00:22:05,400
and they will basically do the
submission drawings to URA.

Jake – 526
00:22:05,400 –> 00:22:07,720
So the minute they submit
a URA they will be,

Jake – 527
00:22:07,720 –> 00:22:10,610
for simplicity, they will
have a account number

Jake – 528
00:22:10,610 –> 00:22:12,200
or a project number.

Jake – 529
00:22:12,200 –> 00:22:14,356
So when this project
number is being created.

Melvin Lim – 530
00:22:14,356 –> 00:22:16,740
– That’s the number that
every time we drive past prop,

Melvin Lim/Jake – 531
00:22:16,740 –> 00:22:18,290
– You will see.
– landed, that’s being built,

Melvin Lim – 532
00:22:18,290 –> 00:22:19,123
there’s a board there.

Jake – 533
00:22:19,123 –> 00:22:19,981
– Yes, yes.

Jake – 534
00:22:19,981 –> 00:22:22,120
That is a very key number because

Jake – 535
00:22:22,120 –> 00:22:24,300
any good things that happen
is tagged to this number.

Jake – 536
00:22:24,300 –> 00:22:26,160
Any non-compliance is also
tagged to that number.

Jake – 537
00:22:26,160 –> 00:22:27,820
So that number is very critical.

Jake – 538
00:22:27,820 –> 00:22:30,690
And more critically is
because this number sets

Jake – 539
00:22:30,690 –> 00:22:32,540
like the project number reference

Jake – 540
00:22:32,540 –> 00:22:34,930
for subsequent QP application.

Jake – 541
00:22:34,930 –> 00:22:36,310
So the first thing that comes on board

Jake – 542
00:22:36,310 –> 00:22:38,120
is always the archi first.

Jake – 543
00:22:38,120 –> 00:22:40,170
They settle all this,
they do all the thing.

Jake – 544
00:22:40,170 –> 00:22:42,330
So once the thing is,
I will say, good form,

Jake – 545
00:22:42,330 –> 00:22:44,230
maybe 60-80% is done.

Jake – 546
00:22:44,230 –> 00:22:46,550
That’s when your engineers
will come on board.

Jake – 547
00:22:46,550 –> 00:22:47,670
So I…

Jake – 548
00:22:47,670 –> 00:22:49,200
Things can run concurrently.

Jake – 549
00:22:49,200 –> 00:22:51,470
So long the project case is created,

Jake – 550
00:22:51,470 –> 00:22:53,060
things can run on concurrently.

Jake – 551
00:22:53,060 –> 00:22:56,490
And the whole submission
for this ding dong

Jake – 552
00:22:56,490 –> 00:22:58,360
is about three months,
three and a half months,

Jake – 553
00:22:58,360 –> 00:22:59,950
for the full team to get the whole-

Melvin Lim – 554
00:22:59,950 –> 00:23:02,720
– So, discussion phase
about two to three months,

Melvin Lim – 555
00:23:02,720 –> 00:23:05,190
submission phase three
months, and let’s say,

Melvin Lim – 556
00:23:05,190 –> 00:23:07,580
the approval is given for
the project to go ahead.

Melvin Lim – 557
00:23:07,580 –> 00:23:08,413
What…

Melvin Lim – 558
00:23:08,413 –> 00:23:10,050
And during this submission,

Melvin Lim – 559
00:23:10,050 –> 00:23:13,280
what are the authorities
involved BCA, URA?

Jake – 560
00:23:13,280 –> 00:23:15,380
– The more critical ones is URA, BCA.

Jake – 561
00:23:15,380 –> 00:23:18,127
The biggest one to take care of is BCA.

Jake – 562
00:23:19,290 –> 00:23:20,850
The next one to take care is POB.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 563
00:23:20,850 –> 00:23:22,160
– Okay.
– Yeah.

Jake – 564
00:23:22,160 –> 00:23:24,203
With these two more or less settled,

Jake – 565
00:23:25,060 –> 00:23:28,390
I think a lot of other things are simpler.

Jake – 566
00:23:28,390 –> 00:23:29,223
Simpler.

Jake – 567
00:23:29,223 –> 00:23:31,460
These two are always the tricky part

Jake – 568
00:23:31,460 –> 00:23:34,560
because BCA concerns the safety portion,

Jake – 569
00:23:34,560 –> 00:23:36,060
whether the loading works,

Jake – 570
00:23:36,060 –> 00:23:37,978
whether your trench is safe enough,

Jake – 571
00:23:37,978 –> 00:23:39,330
and all those stuff.

Jake – 572
00:23:39,330 –> 00:23:42,410
The other thing that
is why POB is concerned

Jake – 573
00:23:42,410 –> 00:23:45,680
because your effluent
water, what you passes out,

Jake – 574
00:23:45,680 –> 00:23:47,350
what the water you drink.

Jake – 575
00:23:47,350 –> 00:23:51,110
And immediately these services will affect

Jake – 576
00:23:51,110 –> 00:23:52,420
your left and right neighbor.

Jake – 577
00:23:52,420 –> 00:23:54,400
And sometimes even your
back and front neighbor.

Jake – 578
00:23:54,400 –> 00:23:57,560
So POB is also very,
very strict to protect

Jake – 579
00:23:57,560 –> 00:24:00,500
the integrity of the power in and outs.

Jake – 580
00:24:00,500 –> 00:24:04,940
So this is the one, usually
there will be surprises.

Melvin Lim – 581
00:24:04,940 –> 00:24:07,960
– Okay, and usually that,
there will be delays

Melvin Lim – 582
00:24:07,960 –> 00:24:10,017
if that happens by one
month or two months.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 583
00:24:10,017 –> 00:24:11,510
– Yes, yes.
– Okay.

Melvin Lim – 584
00:24:11,510 –> 00:24:14,150
For example, let’s say
if everything is smooth,

Melvin Lim – 585
00:24:14,150 –> 00:24:16,620
three months, you got it, what’s next?

Jake – 586
00:24:16,620 –> 00:24:17,670
– After three months, we got it?

Jake – 587
00:24:17,670 –> 00:24:19,110
Then it’s back to the builders now.

Jake – 588
00:24:19,110 –> 00:24:21,940
So when this issuance of set to proceed.

Jake – 589
00:24:21,940 –> 00:24:25,420
So for simplicity, we just
say PTW, permit to work.

Jake – 590
00:24:25,420 –> 00:24:27,687
So BCA will issue a notice to say,

Jake – 591
00:24:27,687 –> 00:24:30,200
“Well builders, you can work now.”

Jake – 592
00:24:30,200 –> 00:24:32,390
Then the builders will then comply.

Jake – 593
00:24:32,390 –> 00:24:35,680
The next step is on all
your necessary protection.

Jake – 594
00:24:35,680 –> 00:24:37,330
Your holdings must be up.

Jake – 595
00:24:37,330 –> 00:24:38,720
Your poster must be out.

Jake – 596
00:24:38,720 –> 00:24:40,553
Your monitoring device must be out.

Jake – 597
00:24:41,470 –> 00:24:42,303
Your (speaks foreign language)

Jake – 598
00:24:42,303 –> 00:24:43,730
or COVID exercise has to be out.

Jake – 599
00:24:43,730 –> 00:24:45,910
So the mobilization for
this is about two weeks,

Jake – 600
00:24:45,910 –> 00:24:47,000
two to three weeks.

Jake – 601
00:24:47,000 –> 00:24:49,600
So the minute the mobilization is done,

Jake – 602
00:24:49,600 –> 00:24:52,270
the next step is actual start of work.

Jake – 603
00:24:52,270 –> 00:24:54,380
That’s, so all in all, if you plus this

Jake – 604
00:24:54,380 –> 00:24:56,930
is two and a half months, maybe
plus another three months.

Jake – 605
00:24:56,930 –> 00:25:00,830
So I think conservatively
and fairly reasonably,

Jake – 606
00:25:00,830 –> 00:25:03,870
should set aside about a five
month, five and a half months.

Melvin Lim – 607
00:25:03,870 –> 00:25:06,110
– Five to six months for,
before you start work.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 608
00:25:06,110 –> 00:25:06,943
– Exactly.
– Okay.

Melvin Lim – 609
00:25:06,943 –> 00:25:09,930
And then the moment you
start work, usually,

Melvin Lim – 610
00:25:09,930 –> 00:25:13,890
let’s take, for example, a semi-d.

Melvin Lim – 611
00:25:13,890 –> 00:25:16,830
semi-d, let’s say the land is 3,500,

Melvin Lim – 612
00:25:16,830 –> 00:25:21,320
going to do a buildup close
to about 6,500 close to 7,000.

Melvin Lim – 613
00:25:21,320 –> 00:25:23,790
And of course now, the very popular,

Melvin Lim – 614
00:25:23,790 –> 00:25:28,280
is there’s the envelope,
the new envelope thing that

Melvin Lim – 615
00:25:28,280 –> 00:25:29,977
a lot of builders can take advantage of,

Melvin Lim – 616
00:25:29,977 –> 00:25:31,577
for the high ceiling and things.

Melvin Lim – 617
00:25:32,480 –> 00:25:35,290
What will be the timeframe then?

Melvin Lim – 618
00:25:35,290 –> 00:25:37,860
From the time, from
after these six months?

Jake – 619
00:25:37,860 –> 00:25:39,160
– So after these six months,

Jake – 620
00:25:39,160 –> 00:25:42,290
then work has to be done
progressively and safely.

Jake – 621
00:25:42,290 –> 00:25:45,260
So, all this progression
of work scheduling,

Jake – 622
00:25:45,260 –> 00:25:47,140
our work has to be done in tandem

Jake – 623
00:25:47,140 –> 00:25:49,590
to what the engineers specify.

Jake – 624
00:25:49,590 –> 00:25:53,520
So literally you cannot, as
a builder or as an owner,

Jake – 625
00:25:53,520 –> 00:25:55,447
decide say, “I like to
take my porch first.”

Jake – 626
00:25:55,447 –> 00:25:57,051
“I like to take my ceiling first.”

Jake – 627
00:25:57,051 –> 00:25:58,240
“I like to take my roof first.”

Jake – 628
00:25:58,240 –> 00:25:59,620
It doesn’t go that way.

Jake – 629
00:25:59,620 –> 00:26:00,960
In fact, the engineers will stipulate,

Jake – 630
00:26:00,960 –> 00:26:02,450
based on the method statement,

Jake – 631
00:26:02,450 –> 00:26:03,760
what are the things you need to do.

Jake – 632
00:26:03,760 –> 00:26:06,660
In fact, how high your protection,
you’re holding has to be?

Jake – 633
00:26:06,660 –> 00:26:07,960
What kind of monitoring device?

Jake – 634
00:26:07,960 –> 00:26:09,670
Is it in the front porch, rear yard?

Jake – 635
00:26:09,670 –> 00:26:11,060
They will specify.

Jake – 636
00:26:11,060 –> 00:26:15,220
So these are, not in a
way, the hidden cost.

Jake – 637
00:26:15,220 –> 00:26:17,770
Because how much, how high to be,

Jake – 638
00:26:17,770 –> 00:26:20,340
these are the things
that they will specify.

Jake – 639
00:26:20,340 –> 00:26:24,100
To the context about land
3,500 build out about 7,000,

Jake – 640
00:26:24,100 –> 00:26:28,400
be expecting the time period
from 10 months to a year.

Jake – 641
00:26:28,400 –> 00:26:31,570
Again, we also need to be fair on deciding

Jake – 642
00:26:31,570 –> 00:26:33,980
whether is there a pool, is there a lift,

Jake – 643
00:26:33,980 –> 00:26:34,813
and things like that.

Jake – 644
00:26:34,813 –> 00:26:37,420
But averagely, it’s a project that will be

Jake – 645
00:26:37,420 –> 00:26:38,660
approximately a year.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 646
00:26:38,660 –> 00:26:40,023
– A year?
– Mm, yes.

Melvin Lim – 647
00:26:40,023 –> 00:26:43,553
How about, if I wanna add on a basement.

Melvin Lim – 648
00:26:44,440 –> 00:26:45,840
How would that affect the timeline?

Melvin Lim – 649
00:26:45,840 –> 00:26:47,110
How much more time is needed?

Jake – 650
00:26:47,110 –> 00:26:47,943
– Right.

Jake – 651
00:26:47,943 –> 00:26:51,950
So basement is something that
is a very interesting thing.

Jake – 652
00:26:51,950 –> 00:26:53,670
Because basement, according to

Jake – 653
00:26:53,670 –> 00:26:55,400
the building envelope control…

Jake – 654
00:26:55,400 –> 00:26:57,180
Okay, so building envelope
control is something

Jake – 655
00:26:57,180 –> 00:26:58,800
that you are stipulated to say that,

Jake – 656
00:26:58,800 –> 00:27:02,040
you can develop your unit, your landed,

Jake – 657
00:27:02,040 –> 00:27:05,700
but the overall new
building height has to be

Jake – 658
00:27:05,700 –> 00:27:07,490
within the height control.

Jake – 659
00:27:07,490 –> 00:27:11,640
So you can have a one-story,
12-meter building,

Jake – 660
00:27:11,640 –> 00:27:13,800
or you can have three 4-meter story,

Jake – 661
00:27:13,800 –> 00:27:14,790
to be limited under the 12.

Jake – 662
00:27:14,790 –> 00:27:17,080
So it really depends how
the architect and a user

Jake – 663
00:27:17,080 –> 00:27:21,940
and the builders, as well
as the user owner thinking.

Jake – 664
00:27:21,940 –> 00:27:26,050
So this is complying to
your building envelope

Jake – 665
00:27:26,050 –> 00:27:27,250
as well as per ratio.

Jake – 666
00:27:27,250 –> 00:27:29,950
So the thing about basement
is that, this is exempted.

Jake – 667
00:27:30,790 –> 00:27:32,170
So this area is exempted.

Melvin lim – 668
00:27:32,170 –> 00:27:34,340
– So from ground to
below, it’s not counted

Melvin Lim – 669
00:27:34,340 –> 00:27:35,173
into that 12 meters.

Jake – 670
00:27:35,173 –> 00:27:36,100
– It’s not counted.

Jake – 671
00:27:36,100 –> 00:27:39,707
So in a way, a very smart
and very quick because,

Jake – 672
00:27:39,707 –> 00:27:42,680
“Hey, I can maximize while I go below.”

Jake – 673
00:27:42,680 –> 00:27:45,810
But so on paper, it makes total sense.

Jake – 674
00:27:45,810 –> 00:27:46,643
But if you-

Melvin Lim – 675
00:27:46,643 –> 00:27:47,476
– Budget.

Jake – 676
00:27:47,476 –> 00:27:49,470
– Budget wise, you wear the builder wise,

Jake – 677
00:27:49,470 –> 00:27:52,650
you wear the civil engineer
hat, it’s a big challenge,

Jake – 678
00:27:52,650 –> 00:27:56,060
because the rule of norm.

Jake – 679
00:27:56,060 –> 00:27:59,990
Anything that goes substructure,
that means go below.

Jake – 680
00:27:59,990 –> 00:28:04,630
Every floor you go, it is two
times the cost you go on top.

Jake – 681
00:28:04,630 –> 00:28:06,940
Yes, so example, if I go to build

Jake – 682
00:28:06,940 –> 00:28:09,700
one more mezzanine, it
is $200,000 example.

Jake – 683
00:28:09,700 –> 00:28:12,311
So if you wanna go one
floor below, it’s double.

Melvin Lim – 684
00:28:12,311 –> 00:28:13,220
– $400,000 to $500,000.

Jake – 685
00:28:13,220 –> 00:28:14,687
– Yes, yes, that is-

Melvin Lim – 686
00:28:14,687 –> 00:28:15,990
– And the time is…

Jake – 687
00:28:16,910 –> 00:28:19,593
– The time is also equally 1.5 times more.

Jake – 688
00:28:20,750 –> 00:28:22,990
And the other thing that is surprise

Jake – 689
00:28:22,990 –> 00:28:25,990
is the part on earth protection.

Jake – 690
00:28:25,990 –> 00:28:28,340
Because obviously you wanna
go lower, and in Singapore,

Jake – 691
00:28:28,340 –> 00:28:30,200
because of land scarce, all our services,

Jake – 692
00:28:30,200 –> 00:28:34,190
our power, our electricity,
our fluid water,

Jake – 693
00:28:34,190 –> 00:28:37,060
effluent water, all goes underneath.

Jake – 694
00:28:37,060 –> 00:28:39,870
So you have to assure,
not just to the engineer,

Jake – 695
00:28:39,870 –> 00:28:42,500
but you have to assure to
POB and other authorities,

Jake – 696
00:28:42,500 –> 00:28:44,720
there while we are doing your basement,

Jake – 697
00:28:44,720 –> 00:28:47,250
you will not interrupt with the services.

Jake – 698
00:28:47,250 –> 00:28:51,680
And all this compliance
costs are really a surprise.

Melvin Lim – 699
00:28:51,680 –> 00:28:55,420
– Because, for example
if, while your building

Melvin Lim – 700
00:28:55,420 –> 00:28:58,830
and their team are
digging, and if it affects

Melvin Lim – 701
00:28:58,830 –> 00:29:01,870
some of the things that
affects the neighbors,

Melvin Lim – 702
00:29:01,870 –> 00:29:03,400
how are the costs being calculated?

Melvin Lim – 703
00:29:03,400 –> 00:29:04,450
I mean, like…

Jake – 704
00:29:04,450 –> 00:29:06,430
– This is a very scary scenario.

Melvin Lim – 705
00:29:06,430 –> 00:29:07,664
– Because you can be sued and…

Jake – 706
00:29:07,664 –> 00:29:08,497
– Exactly.

Jake – 707
00:29:08,497 –> 00:29:11,270
So for a architect and a build…

Jake – 708
00:29:11,270 –> 00:29:13,960
and a civil engineer, what
they are supposed to do is

Jake – 709
00:29:13,960 –> 00:29:15,370
that they are supposed to retrieve

Jake – 710
00:29:15,370 –> 00:29:18,010
all the as-built drawings,
including the sewer lines,

Jake – 711
00:29:18,010 –> 00:29:19,780
how they run and basically
have a cross section

Jake – 712
00:29:19,780 –> 00:29:20,910
of how they’re doing that.

Jake – 713
00:29:20,910 –> 00:29:23,000
There’s also the reason why
there must be a lot of tests.

Jake – 714
00:29:23,000 –> 00:29:26,050
You’re pegging, you’re
surveying, your topo survey.

Jake – 715
00:29:26,050 –> 00:29:28,040
And, so (speaking foreign
language) services come in.

Jake – 716
00:29:28,040 –> 00:29:30,550
So the idea is that, as much as possible,

Jake – 717
00:29:30,550 –> 00:29:34,500
identify the services keepers below that.

Jake – 718
00:29:34,500 –> 00:29:38,330
And if we hit a jackpot,
to say that we identified

Jake – 719
00:29:38,330 –> 00:29:41,020
before we start work, is
the role of the builder,

Jake – 720
00:29:41,020 –> 00:29:42,770
and of course the whole project team,

Jake – 721
00:29:42,770 –> 00:29:46,440
to then manage to divert
them before you start.

Melvin Lim – 722
00:29:46,440 –> 00:29:49,650
– Okay, so this is a
very interesting topic.

Melvin Lim – 723
00:29:49,650 –> 00:29:52,340
Let’s say, for example, one day,

Melvin Lim – 724
00:29:52,340 –> 00:29:54,347
your builder calls you and say,

Melvin Lim – 725
00:29:54,347 –> 00:29:55,707
“There’s an issue.”

Melvin Lim – 726
00:29:55,707 –> 00:29:59,670
“Because while digging,
while building that basement,

Melvin Lim – 727
00:29:59,670 –> 00:30:03,300
the sewage for the
entire road is affected.”

Melvin Lim – 728
00:30:03,300 –> 00:30:05,820
And whose responsibility is it?

Melvin Lim – 729
00:30:05,820 –> 00:30:07,610
Let’s say some of the
neighbors decide to sue.

Melvin Lim – 730
00:30:07,610 –> 00:30:11,110
Will they sue the new owner
or they sue the builder,

Melvin Lim – 731
00:30:11,110 –> 00:30:13,507
or is there any insurance
for the owner to buy?

Jake – 732
00:30:13,507 –> 00:30:14,540
– Yes, yes, yes.

Jake – 733
00:30:14,540 –> 00:30:17,880
So for all projects, there’s a insurance,

Jake – 734
00:30:17,880 –> 00:30:19,470
necessarily insurance coverage.

Jake – 735
00:30:19,470 –> 00:30:22,733
So generally in that kind
of context, when there are,

Jake – 736
00:30:22,733 –> 00:30:26,543
I think after effects, when
you’re doing certain scope,

Jake – 737
00:30:27,510 –> 00:30:28,800
the project will be sued.

Jake – 738
00:30:28,800 –> 00:30:32,170
Meaning basically, it is under
the main core responsibility,

Jake – 739
00:30:32,170 –> 00:30:33,003
you will be sued.

Jake – 740
00:30:33,003 –> 00:30:35,200
Then if things get a bit more complicated,

Jake – 741
00:30:35,200 –> 00:30:37,090
then the lawyers have to then determine

Jake – 742
00:30:37,090 –> 00:30:38,210
the percentage of fault,

Jake – 743
00:30:38,210 –> 00:30:41,360
whether is it A fault, B
fault, C fault or D fault.

Jake – 744
00:30:41,360 –> 00:30:44,800
That is also the reason why,
when it comes to substructure

Jake – 745
00:30:44,800 –> 00:30:48,870
basement construction,
the preliminary works,

Jake – 746
00:30:48,870 –> 00:30:50,753
the fact finding, the ground work-

Melvin Lim/Jake – 747
00:30:50,753 –> 00:30:52,800
– It’s very intense.
– Very intense.

Jake – 748
00:30:52,800 –> 00:30:54,980
There cannot be a case where
“I think, you think”, no.

Jake – 749
00:30:54,980 –> 00:30:56,810
It is a case with certainty.

Jake – 750
00:30:56,810 –> 00:30:57,643
If you’re not even sure,

Jake – 751
00:30:57,643 –> 00:30:59,470
you have to commission another test.

Jake – 752
00:30:59,470 –> 00:31:00,760
Not even sure, (speaks
foreign language) test.

Jake – 753
00:31:00,760 –> 00:31:02,530
Not even sure, trial tests.

Jake – 754
00:31:02,530 –> 00:31:07,530
So where possible, we will
usually do a very good advice

Jake – 755
00:31:09,470 –> 00:31:11,910
to propose alternate solutions

Jake – 756
00:31:11,910 –> 00:31:14,063
before going in the basement approach.

Melvin Lim – 757
00:31:15,560 –> 00:31:16,550
– Okay.

Melvin Lim – 758
00:31:16,550 –> 00:31:20,250
So I think appointing a
very experienced builder

Melvin Lim – 759
00:31:20,250 –> 00:31:23,150
and architect is also very important.

Melvin Lim – 760
00:31:23,150 –> 00:31:26,990
And coming back to the part
that you were talking about,

Melvin Lim – 761
00:31:26,990 –> 00:31:28,250
the envelope thing, okay.

Melvin Lim – 762
00:31:28,250 –> 00:31:31,210
When did this new
envelope approach starts?

Melvin Lim – 763
00:31:31,210 –> 00:31:32,870
Because for example, nowadays,

Melvin Lim – 764
00:31:32,870 –> 00:31:35,760
if you look at the URA master plan.

Melvin Lim – 765
00:31:35,760 –> 00:31:37,900
I mean, we were always able to see

Melvin Lim – 766
00:31:37,900 –> 00:31:42,663
based on the housing segregation,
this housing enclave,

Melvin Lim – 767
00:31:43,910 –> 00:31:45,060
sometimes they market it as

Melvin Lim – 768
00:31:45,060 –> 00:31:47,480
a two and a half story, mixed landed.

Melvin Lim – 769
00:31:47,480 –> 00:31:51,420
This is a two and a half
story semi-d kind of enclave.

Melvin Lim – 770
00:31:51,420 –> 00:31:53,020
But sometimes as you drive past

Melvin Lim – 771
00:31:53,020 –> 00:31:54,390
a two and a half story landed,

Melvin Lim – 772
00:31:54,390 –> 00:31:56,680
now looks like three and a half story.

Melvin Lim – 773
00:31:56,680 –> 00:32:00,230
So when did this new envelope height,

Melvin Lim – 774
00:32:00,230 –> 00:32:03,330
kind of thinking came to play?

Melvin Lim – 775
00:32:03,330 –> 00:32:04,210
Which year was that?

Jake

– 776
00:32:04,210 –> 00:32:08,350
– So off of a hand, I can’t
recall exactly which year,

Jake – 777
00:32:08,350 –> 00:32:10,700
but it’s fairly recent,
a couple of years back.

Jake – 778
00:32:10,700 –> 00:32:11,700
It’s very recent.

Jake – 779
00:32:11,700 –> 00:32:16,520
But the whole idea of this
building envelope control,

Jake – 780
00:32:16,520 –> 00:32:18,247
it’s a form of a give and take by URA.

Jake – 781
00:32:18,247 –> 00:32:19,920
The approach is like this.

Jake – 782
00:32:19,920 –> 00:32:24,300
Because they wanted to
control the overall vicinity

Jake – 783
00:32:24,300 –> 00:32:27,080
with a specific height, so
that you don’t have outliers.

Jake – 784
00:32:27,080 –> 00:32:28,100
Suddenly, you have this building becomes

Jake – 785
00:32:28,100 –> 00:32:29,360
super high or super low.

Jake – 786
00:32:29,360 –> 00:32:32,520
So they want to ensure the
overall look is maintained,

Jake – 787
00:32:32,520 –> 00:32:35,360
but they also want to
give some flexibility

Jake – 788
00:32:35,360 –> 00:32:36,480
to the homeowners.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 789
00:32:36,480 –> 00:32:38,110
– For design.
– Exactly.

Jake – 790
00:32:38,110 –> 00:32:40,070
So, in way I think, it’s what they call

Jake – 791
00:32:40,070 –> 00:32:41,540
progressive nation.

Jake – 792
00:32:41,540 –> 00:32:43,147
They give a bit, but they
hold back a bit that,

Jake – 793
00:32:43,147 –> 00:32:45,610
“Okay, I give you this
height control, 15 meters.”

Jake – 794
00:32:45,610 –> 00:32:48,250
You can then decide if you want to have a,

Jake – 795
00:32:48,250 –> 00:32:51,087
almost like a western style,
very high pitched roof.

Jake – 796
00:32:51,087 –> 00:32:51,920
It’s one single story.

Jake – 797
00:32:51,920 –> 00:32:53,760
You can do that, almost like a casa style.

Melvin Lim – 798
00:32:53,760 –> 00:32:54,897
– Or if it’s a two and a half story,

Melvin Lim – 799
00:32:54,897 –> 00:32:57,090
you can make it look
like three and a half.

Jake – 800
00:32:57,090 –> 00:32:58,128
– Exactly, exactly.

Melvin Lim – 801
00:32:58,128 –> 00:32:59,568
– ‘Cause you can have mezzanine level.

Jake – 802
00:32:59,568 –> 00:33:00,990
– Exactly, exactly.

Jake – 803
00:33:00,990 –> 00:33:04,010
So a lot of these things
are now a bit more…

Jake – 804
00:33:04,010 –> 00:33:05,523
The approach is more flexible.

Jake – 805
00:33:06,500 –> 00:33:08,750
Overarching thing is that, number one,

Jake – 806
00:33:08,750 –> 00:33:11,110
you’ve fulfilled to the
building envelope control.

Jake – 807
00:33:11,110 –> 00:33:13,220
And then of course the
engineers will come in,

Jake – 808
00:33:13,220 –> 00:33:16,090
whether the loading is sufficient,

Jake – 809
00:33:16,090 –> 00:33:19,220
the footing is sufficient for
your extra things like that.

Jake – 810
00:33:19,220 –> 00:33:21,770
But the building envelope is really

Jake – 811
00:33:21,770 –> 00:33:25,010
to promote the two case,
flexibility as well as

Jake – 812
00:33:25,010 –> 00:33:28,063
to still control
overarching on the visual.

Melvin Lim – 813
00:33:29,630 –> 00:33:32,610
– And that’s…

Melvin Lim – 814
00:33:32,610 –> 00:33:34,210
I think that’s great, especially

Melvin Lim – 815
00:33:34,210 –> 00:33:37,170
if you’re planning to
rebuild, because last time,

Melvin Lim – 816
00:33:37,170 –> 00:33:38,790
you really had to stick to like,

Melvin Lim – 817
00:33:38,790 –> 00:33:40,580
you want a two and a half and all that.

Melvin Lim – 818
00:33:40,580 –> 00:33:42,570
So now there’s a lot more flexibility,

Melvin Lim – 819
00:33:42,570 –> 00:33:45,560
perhaps doing the mezzanine,
you can build a family area

Melvin Lim – 820
00:33:45,560 –> 00:33:48,740
or maybe without the mezzanine,
you can make your level one

Melvin Lim – 821
00:33:48,740 –> 00:33:50,920
really have that loft kind of effect.

Jake – 822
00:33:50,920 –> 00:33:51,987
– Exactly.

Melvin Lim – 823
00:33:51,987 –> 00:33:56,750
– So coming back to that
part about commencing work,

Melvin Lim – 824
00:33:56,750 –> 00:33:58,033
and then you were mentioning that usually

Melvin Lim – 825
00:33:58,033 –> 00:33:59,243
it’s about a year.

Melvin Lim – 826
00:34:00,320 –> 00:34:04,723
So far since the June
circuit breaker release,

Melvin Lim – 827
00:34:05,910 –> 00:34:09,750
has there been like a delay
in the rebuilding process?

Melvin Lim – 828
00:34:09,750 –> 00:34:10,583
Like, what do you think?

Melvin Lim – 829
00:34:10,583 –> 00:34:12,660
Or everything has been
like back to normal?

Jake – 830
00:34:12,660 –> 00:34:15,550
– Okay, I think the word
to describe this is that

Jake – 831
00:34:15,550 –> 00:34:18,353
there is quite distinctly delay.

Jake – 832
00:34:19,280 –> 00:34:21,750
The whole supply chain is effected.

Jake – 833
00:34:21,750 –> 00:34:24,200
So right from the dorm concept,

Jake – 834
00:34:24,200 –> 00:34:29,070
our workers are being
contained in a very strict

Jake – 835
00:34:29,070 –> 00:34:31,000
controlled transport manner.

Jake – 836
00:34:31,000 –> 00:34:32,720
So it’s just a very simple example.

Jake – 837
00:34:32,720 –> 00:34:35,300
Last time, the workers are able to commute

Jake – 838
00:34:35,300 –> 00:34:36,800
point A to point B themselves.

Jake – 839
00:34:38,476 –> 00:34:40,750
And the specific vehicles
or small vans, lorries,

Jake – 840
00:34:40,750 –> 00:34:43,150
anyone can pick them point A to point B.

Jake – 841
00:34:43,150 –> 00:34:45,870
And the number of hours,
your working hours

Jake – 842
00:34:45,870 –> 00:34:49,260
are basically as long as
your project determines.

Jake – 843
00:34:49,260 –> 00:34:52,950
But because of all this
SafeWork measures and all those,

Jake – 844
00:34:52,950 –> 00:34:55,200
your transport to the
dorms are controlled.

Jake – 845
00:34:55,200 –> 00:34:58,173
So only AB person, declared
vehicles can come in.

Jake – 846
00:34:59,250 –> 00:35:03,480
And also, you can’t even
go and buy your own food.

Jake – 847
00:35:03,480 –> 00:35:04,500
Yeah, to that extent.

Jake – 848
00:35:04,500 –> 00:35:06,260
So a lot of things are being restricted,

Jake – 849
00:35:06,260 –> 00:35:08,490
which also means that the
flexibility, your working hours,

Jake – 850
00:35:08,490 –> 00:35:10,380
you can’t stretch that extra bit.

Jake – 851
00:35:10,380 –> 00:35:12,750
So that’s the first, your direct workers,

Jake – 852
00:35:12,750 –> 00:35:15,222
from the dorms are affected.

Jake – 853
00:35:15,222 –> 00:35:18,720
And two, is your material, your talents.

Jake – 854
00:35:18,720 –> 00:35:21,250
Materials and talents,
they are type hand-in-hand.

Jake – 855
00:35:21,250 –> 00:35:24,863
So for example, the
experts to do form work.

Jake – 856
00:35:24,863 –> 00:35:25,730
That means when you’re doing substructure,

Jake – 857
00:35:25,730 –> 00:35:28,020
you’re doing your footing,
you have the piece of wood

Jake – 858
00:35:28,020 –> 00:35:30,040
to form like a little Lego,
you can pour your concrete.

Jake – 859
00:35:30,040 –> 00:35:31,300
This is form work.

Jake – 860
00:35:31,300 –> 00:35:34,000
The talent for form works
are severely lacking.

Jake – 861
00:35:34,000 –> 00:35:35,000
Why?

Jake – 862
00:35:35,000 –> 00:35:38,830
The best form work carpenters
are from China, example.

Jake – 863
00:35:38,830 –> 00:35:41,310
So because of all the COVID restrictions,

Jake – 864
00:35:41,310 –> 00:35:44,440
the travel restrictions,
this is a very big thing.

Jake – 865
00:35:44,440 –> 00:35:47,630
Then slowly, there is
this thing called the,

Jake – 866
00:35:47,630 –> 00:35:50,450
not so nice word, the
cannibalization comes in.

Jake – 867
00:35:50,450 –> 00:35:52,920
So which means that, I
know you have one talent.

Jake – 868
00:35:52,920 –> 00:35:55,720
If your daily salary is $200,

Jake – 869
00:35:55,720 –> 00:35:58,470
a competing firm, because to avoid your LD

Jake – 870
00:35:58,470 –> 00:36:00,890
and all your subsequent
things, you are then…

Jake – 871
00:36:00,890 –> 00:36:02,720
I’m willing to pay double the price,

Jake – 872
00:36:02,720 –> 00:36:04,090
just to you to come back.

Jake – 873
00:36:04,090 –> 00:36:07,450
So a trend is coming by now that,

Jake – 874
00:36:07,450 –> 00:36:11,100
in all of the complete jobs
on time, limited resources,

Jake – 875
00:36:11,100 –> 00:36:13,280
I’m willing to pay double, pay triple,

Jake – 876
00:36:13,280 –> 00:36:14,920
just to get the talent back.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 877
00:36:14,920 –> 00:36:16,126
– Wow.
– Yes.

Jake – 878
00:36:16,126 –> 00:36:17,025
Is that scary?

Jake – 879
00:36:17,025 –> 00:36:17,858
It’s that scary.

Jake – 880
00:36:17,858 –> 00:36:22,110
And this cost goes to the
most pertinent people.

Jake – 881
00:36:22,110 –> 00:36:24,340
So example, the first
scope that can happen

Jake – 882
00:36:24,340 –> 00:36:25,570
is the hacking people.

Jake – 883
00:36:25,570 –> 00:36:28,442
The general demolition
people, the hacking team.

Jake – 884
00:36:28,442 –> 00:36:32,603
There were trends, ever
since sometime in August.

Jake – 885
00:36:33,650 –> 00:36:35,820
The price increased 40%.

Melvin Lim – 886
00:36:35,820 –> 00:36:37,830
– So the builders and all that,

Melvin Lim – 887
00:36:37,830 –> 00:36:39,760
they’re paying top dollars for…

Jake – 888
00:36:39,760 –> 00:36:40,593
– For talent.

Melvin Lim – 889
00:36:40,593 –> 00:36:41,560
– For priority.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 890
00:36:41,560 –> 00:36:42,720
– Yes.
– Wow.

Jake – 891
00:36:42,720 –> 00:36:47,660
And also, truth be told,
sometimes it’s not about

Jake – 892
00:36:47,660 –> 00:36:50,840
who has the best credit
rating, who pays well.

Jake – 893
00:36:50,840 –> 00:36:53,500
Now is who paid the first.

Jake – 894
00:36:53,500 –> 00:36:54,550
Yeah, so…

Melvin Lim – 895
00:36:54,550 –> 00:36:56,130
– And of course, this additional costs

Melvin Lim – 896
00:36:56,130 –> 00:36:59,060
are being passed on to…

Melvin Lim – 897
00:36:59,060 –> 00:37:00,487
Whether it is passed on or
not, I think the builders

Melvin Lim – 898
00:37:00,487 –> 00:37:03,630
also want to be able to
deliver their job fast.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 899
00:37:03,630 –> 00:37:04,740
– Exactly.
– Right.

Melvin Lim – 900
00:37:04,740 –> 00:37:06,150
So they are hunting for…

Melvin Lim/Jake – 901
00:37:06,150 –> 00:37:06,983
– Yep.
– Wow.

Jake – 902
00:37:06,983 –> 00:37:09,980
So this is a very
interesting period where,

Jake – 903
00:37:09,980 –> 00:37:13,610
the question is well asked
is that, who bears the cost?

Jake – 904
00:37:13,610 –> 00:37:14,680
Yeah, who bears the cost?

Jake – 905
00:37:14,680 –> 00:37:17,310
So it’s a very tricky
thing because overall,

Jake – 906
00:37:17,310 –> 00:37:19,660
as part of contract or what?

Jake – 907
00:37:19,660 –> 00:37:23,280
If the sum was contract,
that before COVID, well…

Melvin Lim – 908
00:37:23,280 –> 00:37:24,113
– It’s agreed.

Jake – 909
00:37:24,113 –> 00:37:24,980
– Yeah, it’s agreed.

Jake – 910
00:37:24,980 –> 00:37:27,060
So in some way, you have to bear.

Jake – 911
00:37:27,060 –> 00:37:28,840
Again, most clients and homeowners

Jake – 912
00:37:28,840 –> 00:37:31,180
are understanding now because
of the whole global thing.

Jake – 913
00:37:31,180 –> 00:37:34,350
So I would say that they are
helped to defray the cost.

Jake – 914
00:37:34,350 –> 00:37:35,310
Yeah, to it.

Jake – 915
00:37:35,310 –> 00:37:38,060
But I think the bulk of
it, the main contractor

Jake – 916
00:37:38,060 –> 00:37:39,750
has to bear somehow.

Jake – 917
00:37:39,750 –> 00:37:42,180
So I think this is the situation.

Jake – 918
00:37:42,180 –> 00:37:44,053
It’s cannibalization.

Jake – 919
00:37:45,350 –> 00:37:49,370
The materials are also
not as prompt and fast

Jake – 920
00:37:49,370 –> 00:37:52,640
from even for all logistic
ports, not as fast.

Jake – 921
00:37:52,640 –> 00:37:56,560
And I think because of the pent up,

Jake – 922
00:37:56,560 –> 00:37:59,250
a lot of demand is coming in.

Jake – 923
00:37:59,250 –> 00:38:01,820
So obviously when demand is high

Jake – 924
00:38:01,820 –> 00:38:05,200
and your talent pool is low,

Jake – 925
00:38:05,200 –> 00:38:07,127
then there is this trend
that I pay you more,

Jake – 926
00:38:07,127 –> 00:38:09,130
you come over to my site.

Jake – 927
00:38:09,130 –> 00:38:11,950
So really the overall climate
now it’s, I would say,

Jake – 928
00:38:11,950 –> 00:38:14,453
is more on the tense up portion.

Jake – 929
00:38:15,590 –> 00:38:17,620
Jobs are a lot.

Jake – 930
00:38:17,620 –> 00:38:20,950
I think it’s because of
a pent up frustration

Jake – 931
00:38:20,950 –> 00:38:23,790
and pricing is driving up.

Jake – 932
00:38:23,790 –> 00:38:26,610
So this is the overall
scene we are seeing now.

Melvin Lim – 933
00:38:26,610 –> 00:38:28,030
– Recently I’ve been seeing a lot of

Melvin Lim – 934
00:38:28,030 –> 00:38:30,023
interesting design in the market.

Melvin Lim – 935
00:38:31,150 –> 00:38:35,120
Even with plots like, perhaps
just 3,000 plus square feet.

Melvin Lim – 936
00:38:35,120 –> 00:38:36,743
A semi-d.

Melvin Lim – 937
00:38:36,743 –> 00:38:38,630
With very interesting design, you can even

Melvin Lim – 938
00:38:38,630 –> 00:38:41,170
park up to like four cars and…

Melvin Lim – 939
00:38:42,630 –> 00:38:44,600
My own checklist is that, right now,

Melvin Lim – 940
00:38:44,600 –> 00:38:47,660
if someone is planning to
rebuild, the lift is a must.

Melvin Lim – 941
00:38:47,660 –> 00:38:51,140
Yeah, because that is the trend
of future proofing the home.

Melvin Lim – 942
00:38:51,140 –> 00:38:52,650
Minimum, I think that it has to be

Melvin Lim – 943
00:38:52,650 –> 00:38:55,080
five bedrooms in total, at least.

Melvin Lim – 944
00:38:55,080 –> 00:38:58,010
A pool is a little bit of plus and minus

Melvin Lim – 945
00:38:58,010 –> 00:38:59,790
because some buyers on the ground,

Melvin Lim – 946
00:38:59,790 –> 00:39:01,600
when they come to view a
property with a pool, they say,

Melvin Lim – 947
00:39:01,600 –> 00:39:03,891
they ask us, “How much does
it take to cover it up?”

948
00:39:03,891 –> 00:39:04,724
(Jack laughing)

Melvin Lim – 949
00:39:04,724 –> 00:39:05,787
Then some people come, they ask us,

Melvin Lim – 950
00:39:05,787 –> 00:39:08,240
“How much is it to build a pool?”

Melvin Lim – 951
00:39:08,240 –> 00:39:12,330
And, but I think, the core is
that, at least a five bedroom,

Melvin Lim – 952
00:39:12,330 –> 00:39:16,900
at least a lift plus, if
the more cars you can park,

Melvin Lim – 953
00:39:16,900 –> 00:39:18,530
the better it is.

Melvin Lim – 954
00:39:18,530 –> 00:39:21,823
So coming to building like this new build.

Melvin Lim – 955
00:39:23,790 –> 00:39:26,790
What are some of the core reasons

Melvin Lim – 956
00:39:26,790 –> 00:39:30,120
after that 12 months, after my submission

Melvin Lim – 957
00:39:30,120 –> 00:39:31,900
and my planning phase of six months,

Melvin Lim – 958
00:39:31,900 –> 00:39:34,950
and then 12 months that
my building architect

Melvin Lim – 959
00:39:34,950 –> 00:39:38,390
has estimated for me, what
are some of the core reasons

Melvin Lim – 960
00:39:38,390 –> 00:39:41,400
that my property cannot reach its TOP?

Jake – 961
00:39:41,400 –> 00:39:42,531
– Ahh.

962
00:39:42,531 –> 00:39:44,010
(both chuckling)

Melvin Lim – 963
00:39:44,010 –> 00:39:45,603
So this is a part back to
the some horror stories.

Jake – 964
00:39:45,603 –> 00:39:46,470
– Yeah okay.

Jake – 965
00:39:46,470 –> 00:39:51,470
So, this will relate back to
the engineers and architects.

Jake – 966
00:39:53,760 –> 00:39:55,723
I would say involvement and expertise.

Jake – 967
00:39:57,285 –> 00:40:01,350
For a very thorough and
full compliant project,

Jake – 968
00:40:01,350 –> 00:40:04,590
there are a lot of very key attributes.

Jake – 969
00:40:04,590 –> 00:40:09,590
So just a couple of examples
that, lightning protection.

Jake – 970
00:40:09,702 –> 00:40:14,200
So, this has been a recent
3-5 years, a very big topic

Jake – 971
00:40:14,200 –> 00:40:17,310
because lightning is
something we can’t see.

Jake – 972
00:40:17,310 –> 00:40:19,587
And lightning protection has,
when it has to be done well,

Jake – 973
00:40:19,587 –> 00:40:21,080
it has to be done day one.

Jake – 974
00:40:21,080 –> 00:40:22,470
So meaning, when you cast the concrete,

Jake – 975
00:40:22,470 –> 00:40:25,786
when you embed it within the
cement, and so on and so forth,

Jake – 976
00:40:25,786 –> 00:40:27,480
there are a lot of compliance inside.

Jake – 977
00:40:27,480 –> 00:40:31,300
So one, I would don’t say popular,

Jake – 978
00:40:31,300 –> 00:40:34,640
but one observation is that,
why you can’t get your TOP,

Jake – 979
00:40:34,640 –> 00:40:35,900
is that you don’t comply

Jake – 980
00:40:35,900 –> 00:40:38,590
to your specific lightning protection.

Jake – 981
00:40:38,590 –> 00:40:40,340
So lightening protection
will go all the way

Jake – 982
00:40:40,340 –> 00:40:42,120
to the highest point of your building.

Jake – 983
00:40:42,120 –> 00:40:44,530
And this lightning tip or
the conductor you call it,

Jake – 984
00:40:44,530 –> 00:40:49,070
has to then be isolated
throughout the unit.

Jake – 985
00:40:49,070 –> 00:40:50,727
And how can you do it?

Jake – 986
00:40:50,727 –> 00:40:52,690
And because day one, we have to

Jake – 987
00:40:52,690 –> 00:40:54,410
lay some sort of lightening tape,

Jake – 988
00:40:54,410 –> 00:40:57,120
and they’re only testing
at the end of the day.

Jake – 989
00:40:57,120 –> 00:40:58,640
So during the whole review process,

Jake – 990
00:40:58,640 –> 00:41:02,350
there could be mishandling,
there could be someone

Jake – 991
00:41:02,350 –> 00:41:03,540
not doing their job well.

Jake – 992
00:41:03,540 –> 00:41:05,800
It could be just a lousy day that

Jake – 993
00:41:05,800 –> 00:41:07,990
they can’t just get their readings.

Jake – 994
00:41:07,990 –> 00:41:11,100
So one very common situation
is the lightening protection.

Jake – 995
00:41:11,100 –> 00:41:12,720
You’re not able to get it.

Jake – 996
00:41:12,720 –> 00:41:17,020
The other thing is also
interesting is on the power.

Jake – 997
00:41:17,020 –> 00:41:18,200
Power provision.

Jake – 998
00:41:18,200 –> 00:41:22,620
So this is when this term come
in, licensed electric worker,

Jake – 999
00:41:22,620 –> 00:41:23,710
LEW comes in.

Jake – 1000
00:41:23,710 –> 00:41:28,690
So basically for any
new build, rebuild, A&A,

Jake – 1001
00:41:28,690 –> 00:41:31,019
when it comes to having a new meter board,

Jake – 1002
00:41:31,019 –> 00:41:34,610
a LEW has to come in to
basically every single point,

Jake – 1003
00:41:34,610 –> 00:41:35,802
you have a (speaks foreign language),

Jake – 1004
00:41:35,802 –> 00:41:36,750
you have a stamp, you have a sign-off

Jake – 1005
00:41:36,750 –> 00:41:38,440
to make sure it’s safe.

Jake – 1006
00:41:38,440 –> 00:41:41,700
Yeah, and as part of upgraded
living, enhanced living,

Jake – 1007
00:41:41,700 –> 00:41:45,160
people want to have a certain
power points in certain area.

Jake – 1008
00:41:45,160 –> 00:41:47,680
For example, in my powder
room, in my toilets,

Jake – 1009
00:41:47,680 –> 00:41:48,820
I want to have my hairdryer.

Jake – 1010
00:41:48,820 –> 00:41:49,850
I want a specific thing.

Jake

– 1011
00:41:49,850 –> 00:41:52,290
I want to buy certain items from Amazon

Jake – 1012
00:41:52,290 –> 00:41:53,770
and things like that.

Jake – 1013
00:41:53,770 –> 00:41:56,190
So it’s a very common
situation again that,

Jake – 1014
00:41:56,190 –> 00:41:58,587
while we are doing all our
standard electrical works,

Jake – 1015
00:41:58,587 –> 00:42:01,110
“Hey, we forget the compliance.”

Jake – 1016
00:42:01,110 –> 00:42:03,950
Then maybe, so-and-so owner decide

Jake – 1017
00:42:03,950 –> 00:42:06,100
to have a power point in a toilet.

Jake – 1018
00:42:06,100 –> 00:42:07,100
Ah hah.

Jake – 1019
00:42:07,100 –> 00:42:09,650
So though we think that is,
“well, no big deal right?”

Jake – 1020
00:42:09,650 –> 00:42:12,620
But when it comes to
certifying and all this,

Jake – 1021
00:42:12,620 –> 00:42:14,633
it may warrant a disqualification-

Melvin Lim – 1022
00:42:14,633 –> 00:42:15,809
– A failure TOP.

Jake – 1023
00:42:15,809 –> 00:42:16,642
– Yeah, yeah.

Jake – 1024
00:42:16,642 –> 00:42:18,660
So these are some small little things.

Jake – 1025
00:42:18,660 –> 00:42:23,660
And as small as we think
that is, not so impactful,

Jake – 1026
00:42:24,000 –> 00:42:26,050
but when we talk about
the track and riser,

Jake – 1027
00:42:26,050 –> 00:42:27,830
the staircase when you walk up and down.

Jake – 1028
00:42:27,830 –> 00:42:30,680
So when you wanna rebuild,
they have very strict controls

Jake – 1029
00:42:30,680 –> 00:42:32,570
on how high a stair can be.

Jake – 1030
00:42:32,570 –> 00:42:34,270
How deep the stair can be.

Jake – 1031
00:42:34,270 –> 00:42:36,907
So sometimes we see the
(speaks foreign language).

Jake – 1032
00:42:36,907 –> 00:42:38,660
But, it’s not like that.

Jake – 1033
00:42:38,660 –> 00:42:41,420
So when it comes to TOP checklist,

Jake – 1034
00:42:41,420 –> 00:42:43,210
these are the things that you would check.

Melvin Lim – 1035
00:42:43,210 –> 00:42:47,120
– Okay, how is the TOP
inspection process like?

Melvin Lim – 1036
00:42:47,120 –> 00:42:47,953
Who comes?

Melvin Lim – 1037
00:42:47,953 –> 00:42:49,530
Is it somebody from BCA or?

Jake – 1038
00:42:49,530 –> 00:42:54,530
– Yes, so the statement
will be that BCA will come.

Jake – 1039
00:42:54,767 –> 00:42:56,620
Yeah, that’s the statement, BCA officers,

Jake – 1040
00:42:56,620 –> 00:42:58,410
they will commission a check.

Jake – 1041
00:42:58,410 –> 00:43:02,530
And then, the trend now or
rather the observation now,

Jake – 1042
00:43:02,530 –> 00:43:04,520
there are modified ways of doing it now.

Jake – 1043
00:43:04,520 –> 00:43:05,530
So meaning…

Melvin Lim – 1044
00:43:06,440 –> 00:43:07,580
– Virtual ways?

Jake – 1045
00:43:07,580 –> 00:43:09,410
– The empower way.

Jake – 1046
00:43:09,410 –> 00:43:12,950
So meaning, they are doing
more so like empower way,

Jake – 1047
00:43:12,950 –> 00:43:17,440
to say that their QP, there are QPs.

Jake – 1048
00:43:17,440 –> 00:43:21,154
Please fulfill and check
through all the checklist.

Melvin Lim – 1049
00:43:21,154 –> 00:43:21,987
– Submit a report.

Jake – 1050
00:43:21,987 –> 00:43:22,820
– Yes.

Melvin Lim – 1051
00:43:22,820 –> 00:43:25,120
– And then take photo, visual proofs.

Jake – 1052
00:43:25,120 –> 00:43:29,090
– Yes, so it used to be
at random checks that,

Jake – 1053
00:43:29,090 –> 00:43:32,040
BCA officers, or even simple
ones, they don’t come but,

Jake – 1054
00:43:32,040 –> 00:43:33,707
by and large, the statement would be that

Jake – 1055
00:43:33,707 –> 00:43:35,270
BCA will come and check.

Melvin Lim – 1056
00:43:35,270 –> 00:43:38,090
– So the QPs are appointed by the builder.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1057
00:43:38,090 –> 00:43:39,500
– Correct.
– Okay.

Melvin Lim – 1058
00:43:39,500 –> 00:43:43,030
And the builder is supposed
to manage the QPs as well.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1059
00:43:43,030 –> 00:43:44,340
– Correct?
– Right.

Melvin Lim – 1060
00:43:44,340 –> 00:43:49,030
Okay, what if after all the
submission, let’s say example,

Melvin Lim – 1061
00:43:49,030 –> 00:43:53,060
this empowered way, the
new way, and the TOP fails.

Melvin Lim – 1062
00:43:53,060 –> 00:43:58,060
Every round of rectification,
example, two items fail.

Melvin Lim – 1063
00:43:58,070 –> 00:43:59,390
The staircase is not built to…

Melvin Lim – 1064
00:43:59,390 –> 00:44:00,740
or maybe the elect…

Melvin Lim – 1065
00:44:00,740 –> 00:44:03,230
or maybe the lightening and stuff.

Melvin Lim – 1066
00:44:03,230 –> 00:44:04,680
What is the…

Melvin Lim – 1067
00:44:04,680 –> 00:44:06,340
How long is the delay?

Melvin Lim – 1068
00:44:06,340 –> 00:44:07,620
You know, like…

Jake – 1069
00:44:07,620 –> 00:44:10,310
– Well, BCA put it in very simple way.

Jake – 1070
00:44:10,310 –> 00:44:13,317
So long you comply, you resubmit,

Jake – 1071
00:44:13,317 –> 00:44:15,820
“We will do the due the processing time.”

Jake – 1072
00:44:15,820 –> 00:44:19,120
So I think the time delay is as long as

Jake – 1073
00:44:19,120 –> 00:44:20,630
how long you need to rectify the-

Melvin Lim – 1074
00:44:20,630 –> 00:44:22,670
– Mm, but after you have rectified it,

Melvin Lim – 1075
00:44:22,670 –> 00:44:23,870
usually it’s quite okay.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1076
00:44:23,870 –> 00:44:24,703
– Yes.
– Okay.

Jake – 1077
00:44:24,703 –> 00:44:26,210
– It’s the process of rectification.

Jake – 1078
00:44:26,210 –> 00:44:29,927
So for a staircase to rectify,
it’s literally like redo it.

Jake – 1079
00:44:29,927 –> 00:44:33,270
And so, usually that’s why in the projects

Jake – 1080
00:44:33,270 –> 00:44:35,246
there’s a lot of check and balances.

Jake – 1081
00:44:35,246 –> 00:44:37,410
At stage one, if you do the
third, second floor first,

Jake – 1082
00:44:37,410 –> 00:44:39,570
you settle the second floor,
make sure everything is passed.

Jake – 1083
00:44:39,570 –> 00:44:40,403
Next on, next on, next on.

Jake – 1084
00:44:40,403 –> 00:44:44,460
This is also where the
QP’s team, as well as

Jake – 1085
00:44:44,460 –> 00:44:47,460
the builder’s team for the
supervisor comes in a lot.

Jake – 1086
00:44:47,460 –> 00:44:49,720
Because everybody has a role to play,

Jake – 1087
00:44:49,720 –> 00:44:51,197
to ensure that, “I’m…”

Jake – 1088
00:44:51,197 –> 00:44:52,637
“Make sure that I don’t sabo you.”

Jake – 1089
00:44:52,637 –> 00:44:54,930
“I wanna make sure my
architects and engineers,

Jake – 1090
00:44:54,930 –> 00:44:56,770
whatever they draw, (indistinct) to site

Jake – 1091
00:44:56,770 –> 00:44:58,240
as much as possible.”

Jake – 1092
00:44:58,240 –> 00:45:00,790
And we comply and make sure
that things are actual.

Melvin Lim – 1093
00:45:01,930 –> 00:45:05,370
– So as a consumer in the
market, I mean for example,

Melvin Lim – 1094
00:45:05,370 –> 00:45:08,890
I appointed my builder
who using the design

Melvin Lim – 1095
00:45:08,890 –> 00:45:12,100
and builds kind of method,
for my builder to manage

Melvin Lim – 1096
00:45:12,100 –> 00:45:15,110
the entire project, appoint
the QPs, appoint a architect.

Melvin Lim – 1097
00:45:15,110 –> 00:45:17,030
How do I protect myself as a consumer?

Melvin Lim – 1098
00:45:17,030 –> 00:45:19,750
Of course, we want a very
good working relationship

Melvin Lim – 1099
00:45:19,750 –> 00:45:21,330
with my builder and
architects and all that,

Melvin Lim – 1100
00:45:21,330 –> 00:45:23,650
because they are helping
me to build my home.

Melvin Lim – 1101
00:45:23,650 –> 00:45:27,280
But for example, I have, let’s
say I have paid the deposit,

Melvin Lim – 1102
00:45:27,280 –> 00:45:29,070
I pay progressively.

Melvin Lim – 1103
00:45:29,070 –> 00:45:34,070
And the estimated timeframe,
let’s say as promised,

Melvin Lim – 1104
00:45:35,960 –> 00:45:39,180
is about between maybe 18
to 24 months, fixed sum.

Melvin Lim – 1105
00:45:39,180 –> 00:45:40,950
Usually, builders give a range, right?

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1106
00:45:40,950 –> 00:45:41,930
– Right.
– Okay.

Melvin Lim – 1107
00:45:41,930 –> 00:45:45,460
So what if the delay is
really out of the norm?

Melvin Lim – 1108
00:45:45,460 –> 00:45:49,290
For example, instead of two years,

Melvin Lim – 1109
00:45:49,290 –> 00:45:52,050
it becomes two and a half,
or maybe even stretches

Melvin Lim – 1110
00:45:52,050 –> 00:45:54,360
up to three years because
of a lot of the mistakes

Melvin Lim – 1111
00:45:54,360 –> 00:45:57,221
that were being made and
he can’t achieve his TOP.

Melvin Lim – 1112
00:45:57,221 –> 00:45:58,830
How do I protect myself as a consumer?

Jake – 1113
00:45:58,830 –> 00:46:00,290
– Well, there are…

Jake – 1114
00:46:00,290 –> 00:46:03,880
This is also where the
standard legal template,

Jake – 1115
00:46:03,880 –> 00:46:06,770
as well as the T&C, terms and conditions,

Jake – 1116
00:46:06,770 –> 00:46:10,600
as well as the negotiations coming in.

Jake – 1117
00:46:10,600 –> 00:46:14,620
So by and large, when
you come to a contract,

Jake – 1118
00:46:14,620 –> 00:46:16,090
it could be really a
private prefer treaty.

Jake – 1119
00:46:16,090 –> 00:46:17,237
So you can just say, “Okay, Melvin.”

Jake – 1120
00:46:17,237 –> 00:46:18,520
“I like you, I appointed you directly.”

Jake – 1121
00:46:18,520 –> 00:46:21,640
Or you can always fall back to
the, SIA Board of Architects.

Jake – 1122
00:46:21,640 –> 00:46:24,360
They are prescribed, recommended forms.

Jake – 1123
00:46:24,360 –> 00:46:28,030
They also recommended industry
practice forms to adhere to.

Jake – 1124
00:46:28,030 –> 00:46:30,840
So by and large, if it’s a private treaty,

Jake – 1125
00:46:30,840 –> 00:46:34,270
private agreement, it’s
usually the contract

Jake – 1126
00:46:34,270 –> 00:46:36,750
is signed on the private
terms and conditions

Jake – 1127
00:46:36,750 –> 00:46:39,060
with the builder and the homeowner.

Jake – 1128
00:46:39,060 –> 00:46:40,870
So I think this is also time that

Jake – 1129
00:46:40,870 –> 00:46:43,630
if we’ll be very open and fair…

Jake – 1130
00:46:43,630 –> 00:46:45,290
This is also when, as a
home owner, you should be

Jake – 1131
00:46:45,290 –> 00:46:48,780
very prudent in your
progress payment milestones.

Jake – 1132
00:46:48,780 –> 00:46:51,670
So example, that you are
hit a certain milestone,

Jake – 1133
00:46:51,670 –> 00:46:54,290
I cast the concrete, I
re-rate my second floor.

Jake – 1134
00:46:54,290 –> 00:46:56,590
I do a certain thing, then I have that.

Jake – 1135
00:46:56,590 –> 00:47:01,590
So, and by and large,
nobody will really want to

Jake – 1136
00:47:01,740 –> 00:47:05,400
short change or delay the
project unnecessarily.

Jake – 1137
00:47:05,400 –> 00:47:08,520
So there are a few provisions,
is that the milestone

Jake – 1138
00:47:08,520 –> 00:47:11,100
must be well written, that
you hit a certain milestone,

Jake – 1139
00:47:11,100 –> 00:47:12,271
that’s number one.

Jake – 1140
00:47:12,271 –> 00:47:15,200
The other two, or rather
the other one is this,

Jake – 1141
00:47:15,200 –> 00:47:17,420
what we call the retention sum.

Jake – 1142
00:47:17,420 –> 00:47:20,230
So if you don’t do well,
I hold on to an amount.

Jake – 1143
00:47:20,230 –> 00:47:23,890
But this is very negative nature.

Jake – 1144
00:47:23,890 –> 00:47:24,790
It’s very…

Jake – 1145
00:47:24,790 –> 00:47:27,443
It is sort of like a penalty,
that you don’t do well,

Jake – 1146
00:47:27,443 –> 00:47:28,300
I’ll hold down your money.

Jake – 1147
00:47:28,300 –> 00:47:33,300
So if it’s dealt professionally,
I think it’s okay.

Jake – 1148
00:47:33,760 –> 00:47:36,947
But also, on the other angle is that,

Jake – 1149
00:47:36,947 –> 00:47:40,870
“Oh, you are also finding
chance to hold my money.”

Jake – 1150
00:47:40,870 –> 00:47:43,380
So, it really depends
how the set up to be.

Jake – 1151
00:47:43,380 –> 00:47:45,233
I think the last is the insurance.

Jake – 1152
00:47:46,623 –> 00:47:50,270
There are various type of
insurance to protect a consumer,

Jake – 1153
00:47:50,270 –> 00:47:53,750
a builder, but I think
these are the usual steps.

Melvin Lim – 1154
00:47:53,750 –> 00:47:55,230
– So the insurance will be purchased,

Melvin Lim – 1155
00:47:55,230 –> 00:47:59,350
like to protect in the
event for prolonged delay.

Melvin Lim – 1156
00:47:59,350 –> 00:48:02,510
What about another horror stories?

Melvin Lim – 1157
00:48:02,510 –> 00:48:04,580
What if the builder goes bust?

Jake – 1158
00:48:04,580 –> 00:48:05,720
– Yup, yup.

Jake – 1159
00:48:05,720 –> 00:48:09,490
This is something that we hear
within our industry as well.

Jake – 1160
00:48:09,490 –> 00:48:12,750
So when the builder go bust,
things gets a bit messy.

Jake – 1161
00:48:12,750 –> 00:48:17,407
Because for a project
to go on, it’s not just,

Jake – 1162
00:48:17,407 –> 00:48:18,427
“I finish…”

Jake – 1163
00:48:18,427 –> 00:48:20,397
“I get my permits, I go.”

Jake – 1164
00:48:21,240 –> 00:48:23,650
The check and balance
from the authority’s side

Jake – 1165
00:48:23,650 –> 00:48:27,150
require you to declare
who is your builder.

Jake – 1166
00:48:27,150 –> 00:48:28,520
Within the builder, you have to declare

Jake – 1167
00:48:28,520 –> 00:48:30,830
who is the person, the approved person,

Jake – 1168
00:48:30,830 –> 00:48:32,500
the technical person on involved.

Jake – 1169
00:48:32,500 –> 00:48:34,450
So literally, when a company goes bust,

Jake – 1170
00:48:35,628 –> 00:48:36,890
a new team has to come on board.

Jake – 1171
00:48:36,890 –> 00:48:40,790
So literally, the person will
come on board has to then

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1172
00:48:40,790 –> 00:48:42,540
– Takeover.
– reset the whole thing,

Jake – 1173
00:48:42,540 –> 00:48:44,330
and try to understand the decision made

Jake – 1174
00:48:44,330 –> 00:48:45,290
and all those things, so…

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1175
00:48:45,290 –> 00:48:46,440
– Study the whole plan.
– Exactly, exactly.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1176
00:48:46,440 –> 00:48:48,330
– What is the progress?
– Exactly.

Jake – 1177
00:48:48,330 –> 00:48:49,740
– And it’s gonna take like…

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1178
00:48:49,740 –> 00:48:51,170
– Another four months.
– months.

Jake – 1179
00:48:51,170 –> 00:48:52,280
– Another four months, five months.

Melvin Lim – 1180
00:48:52,280 –> 00:48:53,830
– Before the new person dare to take over.

Jake – 1181
00:48:53,830 –> 00:48:54,880
– Exactly.

Jake – 1182
00:48:54,880 –> 00:48:57,990
And the assumption is always that,

Jake – 1183
00:48:57,990 –> 00:49:02,990
if my balance contract is
left with, example, $200,000.

Jake – 1184
00:49:03,250 –> 00:49:05,993
A new builder comes in, “I
will pay you only $200,000.”

Melvin Lim – 1185
00:49:05,993 –> 00:49:06,970
– Yes, but no.

Jake – 1186
00:49:06,970 –> 00:49:07,920
– It’s not like.

Melvin Lim – 1187
00:49:07,920 –> 00:49:10,070
– Because the work starts
from scratch, technically.

Jake – 1188
00:49:10,070 –> 00:49:11,800
– Yeah, you reset and learn everything.

Jake – 1189
00:49:11,800 –> 00:49:15,743
So I think the delta, the
premium it’s expected.

Jake – 1190
00:49:16,630 –> 00:49:19,400
Then if, when it comes to
how you can you seek back

Jake – 1191
00:49:19,400 –> 00:49:20,830
the damages or claims.

Jake – 1192
00:49:20,830 –> 00:49:23,050
That’s a different story by
the adjuster and the lawyer,

Jake – 1193
00:49:23,050 –> 00:49:26,250
but be mentally prepared,
the person who comes in,

Jake – 1194
00:49:26,250 –> 00:49:28,353
is not at the price that
you paid the first builder.

Jake – 1195
00:49:28,353 –> 00:49:29,540
It’s a premium.

Jake – 1196
00:49:29,540 –> 00:49:30,653
Usually a much more-

Melvin Lim – 1197
00:49:30,653 –> 00:49:32,439
– Is there insurance to cover that,

Melvin Lim – 1198
00:49:32,439 –> 00:49:33,272
if the builder goes bust?

Jake – 1199
00:49:33,272 –> 00:49:35,210
– There are some provisions,

Jake – 1200
00:49:35,210 –> 00:49:37,820
but we have not explored
those options before.

Jake – 1201
00:49:37,820 –> 00:49:39,977
So there are some provisions like that.

Melvin Lim – 1202
00:49:39,977 –> 00:49:42,430
– Who are the usual insurance
providers do, are you aware?

Jake – 1203
00:49:42,430 –> 00:49:44,880
– Tokio Marine and a
couple of other big firms.

Melvin Lim – 1204
00:49:44,880 –> 00:49:46,260
– Okay, all right.

Melvin Lim – 1205
00:49:46,260 –> 00:49:49,210
And one final question before
we end today’s session.

Melvin Lim – 1206
00:49:49,210 –> 00:49:51,723
It’s been a very fruitful one is that,

Melvin Lim – 1207
00:49:52,640 –> 00:49:53,610
the estimated costing.

Melvin Lim – 1208
00:49:53,610 –> 00:49:54,560
I mean, we talk about it

Melvin Lim – 1209
00:49:54,560 –> 00:49:58,200
in a couple of our episodes on season one.

Melvin Lim – 1210
00:49:58,200 –> 00:50:01,540
I mean, usually we, after working with

Melvin Lim – 1211
00:50:01,540 –> 00:50:02,900
a few builders and all that,

Melvin Lim – 1212
00:50:02,900 –> 00:50:05,520
the rough estimation is, of course,

Melvin Lim – 1213
00:50:05,520 –> 00:50:10,520
for good, normal, solid in
the market comp materials,

Melvin Lim – 1214
00:50:10,840 –> 00:50:12,537
we can give an estimation of about

Melvin Lim – 1215
00:50:12,537 –> 00:50:16,110
$300 per square foot based on the buildup.

Melvin Lim – 1216
00:50:16,110 –> 00:50:18,680
So let’s say you are going for 6,000,

Melvin Lim – 1217
00:50:18,680 –> 00:50:19,810
that’d be about 1.8.

Melvin Lim – 1218
00:50:19,810 –> 00:50:22,920
Does that include all the
submission fees and…

Melvin Lim – 1219
00:50:22,920 –> 00:50:25,660
What are some other
fees that’s out of this

Melvin Lim – 1220
00:50:25,660 –> 00:50:28,780
generic $300 per square foot calculation?

Jake – 1221
00:50:28,780 –> 00:50:31,210
– Right, so the $300 per square feet,

Jake – 1222
00:50:31,210 –> 00:50:32,870
it’s a reasonable…

Jake – 1223
00:50:32,870 –> 00:50:35,840
I would say a reasonable
approach for interior rebuilding

Jake – 1224
00:50:35,840 –> 00:50:37,970
all your structure costs and all those.

Jake – 1225
00:50:37,970 –> 00:50:40,980
But this $300 is best put as

Jake – 1226
00:50:40,980 –> 00:50:43,520
the fitting renovation construction costs.

Jake – 1227
00:50:43,520 –> 00:50:46,420
The QP costs are not bundled together.

Jake – 1228
00:50:46,420 –> 00:50:47,710
They are usually out of it.

Jake – 1229
00:50:47,710 –> 00:50:51,470
So the QP costs will involve,
the qualified person.

Jake – 1230
00:50:51,470 –> 00:50:54,160
Strictly speaking, for any landed project,

Jake – 1231
00:50:54,160 –> 00:50:56,870
the QPS are involved quite extensive.

Jake – 1232
00:50:56,870 –> 00:51:01,290
You have from your architects,
your civil engineer,

Jake – 1233
00:51:01,290 –> 00:51:03,410
your M&E engineer for your lightnings,

Jake – 1234
00:51:03,410 –> 00:51:06,510
you’re licensed electrician,
you’re licensed plumber,

Jake – 1235
00:51:06,510 –> 00:51:08,760
and sometimes even specialist builders,

Jake – 1236
00:51:08,760 –> 00:51:12,150
example, your form work
people, your piling people,

Jake – 1237
00:51:12,150 –> 00:51:14,310
even your air-con people has to come in.

Jake – 1238
00:51:14,310 –> 00:51:16,450
So all these people, when you add them up,

Jake – 1239
00:51:16,450 –> 00:51:18,900
it is pretty significant.

Jake – 1240
00:51:18,900 –> 00:51:20,670
And it’s usually in the range of

Jake – 1241
00:51:20,670 –> 00:51:25,111
anything from $60, $80, $100, $150,000.

Melvin Lim – 1242
00:51:25,111 –> 00:51:28,417
– So at best, set another $200K for…

Jake – 1243
00:51:28,417 –> 00:51:31,320
– $200K for, might be a bit a lot.

Melvin Lim – 1244
00:51:31,320 –> 00:51:32,850
– Right, probably about $150K.

Jake – 1245
00:51:32,850 –> 00:51:34,220
– Yeah, probably about one $150K,

Jake – 1246
00:51:34,220 –> 00:51:35,620
That’s one way on how they can do that.

Jake – 1247
00:51:35,620 –> 00:51:38,979
The other way is percentage
of the contract sum.

Jake – 1248
00:51:38,979 –> 00:51:40,459
They have 1%, 2%, 5%.

Jake – 1249
00:51:40,459 –> 00:51:41,292
There are a lot of-

Melvin Lim – 1250
00:51:41,292 –> 00:51:42,600
– For all the submission and all the…

Jake – 1251
00:51:42,600 –> 00:51:43,800
– Exactly, exactly.

Jake – 1252
00:51:43,800 –> 00:51:48,800
So this is the costing for the QP portion.

Jake – 1253
00:51:49,959 –> 00:51:50,836
So…

Melvin Lim – 1254
00:51:50,836 –> 00:51:52,236
– Sorry, go ahead (speaks
foreign language),

Melvin Lim – 1255
00:51:52,236 –> 00:51:53,069
I got one question.

Melvin Lim – 1256
00:51:53,069 –> 00:51:53,902
It’s okay, yeah.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1257
00:51:53,902 –> 00:51:56,070
– Okay, I also forgot.
– Haha, sorry.

Jake – 1258
00:51:56,070 –> 00:51:58,051
– Okay, let me think.

Jake – 1259
00:51:58,051 –> 00:51:58,890
Then the-

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1260
00:51:58,890 –> 00:52:00,189
– The submission, the QP yeah.
– Oh yeah.

Jake – 1261
00:52:00,189 –> 00:52:03,960
So then, the other things that
will so-called surprise cost,

Jake – 1262
00:52:03,960 –> 00:52:08,960
or not included, are the
costs after we realize…

Jake – 1263
00:52:09,450 –> 00:52:12,407
So on this ground, we realized that,

Jake – 1264
00:52:12,407 –> 00:52:15,320
“Hey, the soil is not good enough.”

Melvin Lim – 1265
00:52:15,320 –> 00:52:16,690
– Ah, this is the question I started from,

Melvin Lim – 1266
00:52:16,690 –> 00:52:18,540
because recently somebody asked.

Melvin Lim – 1267
00:52:18,540 –> 00:52:21,750
Is it necessary to do a soil test

Melvin Lim – 1268
00:52:21,750 –> 00:52:24,310
before putting down the check?

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1269
00:52:24,310 –> 00:52:25,823
– Okay.
– What do you think?

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1270
00:52:25,823 –> 00:52:26,656
– Okay.
– And what’s the purpose

Melvin Lim – 1271
00:52:26,656 –> 00:52:27,489
of a soil test?

Jake – 1272
00:52:27,489 –> 00:52:28,322
– All right, all right.

Jake – 1273
00:52:28,322 –> 00:52:29,920
So we come with the technical first.

Jake – 1274
00:52:29,920 –> 00:52:32,480
The soil test, at the name suggests,

Jake – 1275
00:52:32,480 –> 00:52:34,713
is to test the quality of the soil.

Jake – 1276
00:52:35,597 –> 00:52:36,960
So how you test the quality of a soil?

Jake – 1277
00:52:36,960 –> 00:52:39,320
It’s almost like the way to put it,

Jake – 1278
00:52:39,320 –> 00:52:40,930
it’s like a Christmas tree.

Jake – 1279
00:52:40,930 –> 00:52:42,170
There’s a lumberjack.

Jake – 1280
00:52:42,170 –> 00:52:47,170
You pile the machine within
the soil to a specific depth

Jake – 1281
00:52:47,300 –> 00:52:49,300
to attain the soil samples.

Melvin Lim – 1282
00:52:49,300 –> 00:52:51,490
– Yeah, and that day I was
asking you in the morning

Melvin Lim – 1283
00:52:51,490 –> 00:52:54,240
and then you were driving,
fetching your kids from school.

Melvin Lim – 1284
00:52:54,240 –> 00:52:55,660
Then you sent me that photo.

Melvin Lim – 1285
00:52:55,660 –> 00:52:58,640
Was I asking Jake, how
will a soil test look like,

Melvin Lim – 1286
00:52:58,640 –> 00:53:00,593
because one of the buyers were asking,

Melvin Lim – 1287
00:53:00,593 –> 00:53:03,570
whether our sellers is willing
for them to do a soil test.

Melvin Lim – 1288
00:53:03,570 –> 00:53:05,217
And then, when Jake sent
me the image, I was like,

Melvin Lim – 1289
00:53:05,217 –> 00:53:07,220
“Oh my goodness, that’s a big machine.”

Jake – 1290
00:53:07,220 –> 00:53:08,130
– No way they will allow it.

Melvin Lim – 1291
00:53:08,130 –> 00:53:09,320
– I don’t think my seller will…

Melvin Lim – 1292
00:53:09,320 –> 00:53:11,100
Yeah, because it’s gonna
affect their current,

Melvin Lim – 1293
00:53:11,100 –> 00:53:12,687
their garden and all that.

Melvin Lim – 1294
00:53:12,687 –> 00:53:14,790
And it’s such an extensive thing.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1295
00:53:14,790 –> 00:53:15,623
– Yes.
– Yeah.

Melvin Lim – 1296
00:53:15,623 –> 00:53:17,680
So the soil test, is it to determine

Melvin Lim – 1297
00:53:17,680 –> 00:53:19,480
whether the property is
suitable for rebuild?

Jake – 1298
00:53:19,480 –> 00:53:20,740
– Yes, yes.

Melvin Lim – 1299
00:53:20,740 –> 00:53:23,223
– Okay, so if you don’t do and then,

Melvin Lim – 1300
00:53:24,210 –> 00:53:27,850
let’s say example, you brought
your builder, your architect,

Melvin Lim – 1301
00:53:27,850 –> 00:53:29,034
they walk the ground.

Melvin Lim – 1302
00:53:29,034 –> 00:53:30,967
They say, “Okay, go ahead,
put down the check.”

Melvin Lim – 1303
00:53:31,970 –> 00:53:33,890
What happens if the soil
tests fail and then?

Jake – 1304
00:53:33,890 –> 00:53:35,998
– Okay, so I think there
are a lot of things.

Jake – 1305
00:53:35,998 –> 00:53:38,110
So, the soil test really is

Jake – 1306
00:53:38,110 –> 00:53:40,760
to test the composition of the soil.

Jake – 1307
00:53:40,760 –> 00:53:43,500
Hence, to determine the
strength of the soil.

Jake – 1308
00:53:43,500 –> 00:53:44,750
Hence, then it will affect

Jake – 1309
00:53:44,750 –> 00:53:47,970
the design of your
substructure, your piles.

Jake – 1310
00:53:47,970 –> 00:53:49,947
So, if you are gung-ho as in,

Jake – 1311
00:53:49,947 –> 00:53:52,770
“No, I really don’t
want to do soil tests.”

Jake – 1312
00:53:52,770 –> 00:53:55,160
Then at the point, when
the engineer is designing

Jake – 1313
00:53:55,160 –> 00:53:57,660
your new piles, your new columns,

Jake – 1314
00:53:57,660 –> 00:53:59,840
then you have been in for a big surprise.

Jake – 1315
00:53:59,840 –> 00:54:02,850
And as part of the
civil engineer protocol,

Jake – 1316
00:54:02,850 –> 00:54:04,520
just now we described on the process.

Jake – 1317
00:54:04,520 –> 00:54:06,617
We get the drawings out of the QPs,

Jake – 1318
00:54:06,617 –> 00:54:08,035
architect on board, the civil engineer.

Jake – 1319
00:54:08,035 –> 00:54:09,920
So the civil engineer,
when they are onboard,

Jake – 1320
00:54:09,920 –> 00:54:11,860
they want the soil test.

Jake – 1321
00:54:11,860 –> 00:54:13,220
They definitely want the soil test.

Melvin Lim – 1322
00:54:13,220 –> 00:54:15,330
– But practically, usually,
people only do that

Melvin Lim – 1323
00:54:15,330 –> 00:54:16,250
after they buy, right?

Jake – 1324
00:54:16,250 –> 00:54:17,083
– Correct, correct.

Jake – 1325
00:54:17,083 –> 00:54:18,800
So this is where I came in and said

Jake – 1326
00:54:18,800 –> 00:54:21,140
this will be the surprise cost.

Jake – 1327
00:54:21,140 –> 00:54:23,190
So for example, we prep
that all the structure

Jake – 1328
00:54:23,190 –> 00:54:26,130
will be a simple footing, 1.5
meters wide, so and so forth.

Jake – 1329
00:54:26,130 –> 00:54:28,236
But if the soil tests come
out, “Oh man, this is…”

Melvin Lim/Jake –

1330
00:54:28,236 –> 00:54:29,340
– Fail.
– Fail…

Jake – 1331
00:54:29,340 –> 00:54:30,410
They wouldn’t say fail.

Melvin Lim – 1332
00:54:30,410 –> 00:54:34,550
– Okay, so if the soil
test is not optimum,

Melvin Lim – 1333
00:54:34,550 –> 00:54:36,660
you can still rebuild
a house, just that…

Jake – 1334
00:54:36,660 –> 00:54:37,493
– Costs.

Melvin Lim – 1335
00:54:37,493 –> 00:54:40,020
– Yeah, you have to put in more…

Jake – 1336
00:54:40,020 –> 00:54:42,610
– Exactly, you have to
strengthen the soil,

Jake – 1337
00:54:42,610 –> 00:54:44,720
such that you are
(speaks foreign language)

Melvin Lim – 1338
00:54:44,720 –> 00:54:45,729
– So, money can solve the…

1339
00:54:45,729 –> 00:54:46,909
(Jack laughs)

Jake – 1340
00:54:46,909 –> 00:54:47,742
– In a way, yes.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1341
00:54:47,742 –> 00:54:48,970
– Okay.
– Yeah.

Melvin Lim – 1342
00:54:48,970 –> 00:54:50,920
Because really, it’s not practical.

Melvin Lim – 1343
00:54:50,920 –> 00:54:51,937
And I don’t think any sellers will-

Jake – 1344
00:54:51,937 –> 00:54:52,930
– Will want to do that.

Jake – 1345
00:54:52,930 –> 00:54:55,750
And it’s a very noisy and a very,

Jake – 1346
00:54:55,750 –> 00:54:57,190
I would say, industrial feel,

Jake – 1347
00:54:57,190 –> 00:54:58,690
because they are powered by diesel.

Jake – 1348
00:54:58,690 –> 00:55:01,100
So they’ll be bang, bang,
bang, and it’s smelly.

Jake – 1349
00:55:01,100 –> 00:55:03,020
Then basically your garden will have

Jake – 1350
00:55:03,020 –> 00:55:04,620
one fat hole down there.

Melvin Lim – 1351
00:55:04,620 –> 00:55:06,180
– Yeah, and it sounds I’d be thinking,

Melvin Lim – 1352
00:55:06,180 –> 00:55:07,013
after you do a soil test,

Melvin Lim – 1353
00:55:07,013 –> 00:55:07,920
what do you do if you don’t wanna buy?

Jake – 1354
00:55:07,920 –> 00:55:09,290
– Exactly.

Jake – 1355
00:55:09,290 –> 00:55:11,410
That it gives a bad signal
(speaks foreign language).

Melvin Lim – 1356
00:55:11,410 –> 00:55:12,930
– Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Melvin Lim – 1357
00:55:12,930 –> 00:55:16,677
Great, it’s been awesome
having you back in our

Melvin Lim – 1358
00:55:16,677 –> 00:55:18,280
“Sofa so Good” season two.

Melvin Lim – 1359
00:55:18,280 –> 00:55:20,640
And we’re very happy to
kick start this episode one

Melvin Lim – 1360
00:55:20,640 –> 00:55:25,110
of “Sofa so Good” with Jake again

Melvin Lim – 1361
00:55:25,110 –> 00:55:26,210
in this season two episode,

Melvin Lim – 1362
00:55:26,210 –> 00:55:29,920
and we’re gonna talk a lot
more about landed properties

Melvin Lim – 1363
00:55:29,920 –> 00:55:32,550
and a lot more about some of the things

Melvin Lim – 1364
00:55:32,550 –> 00:55:34,920
that really, if you want
to buy a landed property,

Melvin Lim – 1365
00:55:34,920 –> 00:55:36,090
what are the things that
you need to take note.

Melvin Lim – 1366
00:55:36,090 –> 00:55:40,120
And once again, Jake is not
just a chartered surveyor.

Melvin Lim – 1367
00:55:40,120 –> 00:55:45,070
He’s also a lecturer and a
teacher at the BCA Academy.

Melvin Lim – 1368
00:55:45,070 –> 00:55:46,660
Right?

Melvin Lim – 1369
00:55:46,660 –> 00:55:49,740
Imparting his knowledge
to the next generation.

Melvin Lim – 1370
00:55:49,740 –> 00:55:52,969
He’s the one that is, what
course are you teaching?

Melvin Lim – 1371
00:55:52,969 –> 00:55:54,177
Is that diploma?

Jake – 1372
00:55:54,177 –> 00:55:55,670
– Yeah, I’m teaching
diploma, technical drawing.

Melvin Lim – 1373
00:55:55,670 –> 00:55:56,700
– Right, okay.

Melvin Lim – 1374
00:55:56,700 –> 00:55:59,950
And so, he’s an inspiration
to the next generation.

Melvin Lim – 1375
00:55:59,950 –> 00:56:02,470
And plus being a chartered
surveyor in Singapore,

Melvin Lim – 1376
00:56:02,470 –> 00:56:07,050
is a rare kind of certification
because it’s a worldwide

Melvin Lim – 1377
00:56:07,050 –> 00:56:12,050
kind of accreditation plus he
also runs his family business.

Melvin Lim – 1378
00:56:12,710 –> 00:56:16,900
Very enterprising person leading his team

Melvin Lim – 1379
00:56:16,900 –> 00:56:19,850
in doing the interior renovation space

Melvin Lim – 1380
00:56:19,850 –> 00:56:22,840
plus of course, rebuilding A&A space.

Melvin Lim – 1381
00:56:22,840 –> 00:56:25,970
Yeah so, if you have
any inquiries you can…

Melvin Lim – 1382
00:56:25,970 –> 00:56:27,610
His number and his website, his links

Melvin Lim – 1383
00:56:27,610 –> 00:56:29,127
is all down in our description below.

Melvin Lim – 1384
00:56:29,127 –> 00:56:31,660
You can check out his company
and then give him a call,

Melvin Lim – 1385
00:56:31,660 –> 00:56:33,000
if you need any services.

Melvin Lim – 1386
00:56:33,000 –> 00:56:37,600
He also is a big fan
of us and our clients.

Melvin Lim – 1387
00:56:37,600 –> 00:56:40,910
And every time when we have landed clients

Melvin Lim – 1388
00:56:40,910 –> 00:56:43,870
that wants to have a bit more assurance,

Melvin Lim – 1389
00:56:43,870 –> 00:56:46,390
he does have a professional
service that does a walk through

Melvin Lim – 1390
00:56:46,390 –> 00:56:48,560
with our buyers on the ground.

Melvin Lim – 1391
00:56:48,560 –> 00:56:51,500
Yeah, so thank you Jake for
always supporting our team.

Melvin Lim – 1392
00:56:51,500 –> 00:56:52,333
Yeah.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1393
00:56:52,333 –> 00:56:53,513
– More than happy.
– Yeah, fantastic of you.

Jake – 1394
00:56:53,513 –> 00:56:56,470
It’s always a super happy
feeling working with your team.

Melvin Lim – 1395
00:56:56,470 –> 00:56:57,420
– Great, awesome man.

Melvin Lim – 1396
00:56:57,420 –> 00:56:58,390
All right.

Melvin Lim/Jake – 1397
00:56:58,390 –> 00:56:59,223
Thank you.
– Thank you man.

Melvin Lim – 1398
00:56:59,223 –> 00:57:00,990
Okay, thank you for staying
tune with us on this

Melvin Lim – 1399
00:57:00,990 –> 00:57:03,750
“Sofa so Good” season two, episode one.

Melvin Lim – 1400
00:57:03,750 –> 00:57:06,010
So we hope to see you on episode two.

Melvin Lim – 1401
00:57:06,010 –> 00:57:07,260
Meantime, take care, bye.