RENOVATOR’S SCORE CARD
Professionalism (Score: 8.0 – Superior)
Hausmark Inspector Experience:
Once in a while, we meet renovators who are simply pleasant and comfortable to speak with, and By Design Works is one of them. When we first walked into the showroom without an appointment and were greeted by the boss in a T-shirt and shorts, we were surprised. After the subsequent meetings, we realised that this was his casual style. But beyond the easy attire, the experience should not be underestimated. What gave us a lasting impression and real confidence was his clear explanation of how he manages every renovation site, maintains discipline, and uses a systematic workflow to gather our requirements and lifestyle needs.
Altogether, we spent no less than 70 minutes for him to gather and collate notes on our family profile, including every member, daily routines, entertainment habits, work needs, and how we actually live in a space. Throughout the engagement, he consistently demonstrated solid technical knowledge, explaining which installations made sense and which were better avoided.
At our next meeting, he and his team arrived fully prepared with a proposed layout and a completed colour 3D rendering of “our home”, allowing us to visualise the space and make real-time adjustments, an effort we appreciated, knowing such renderings typically take several working days to produce. As expected, their proposal was impressively close to what HAUSMARK inspectors would have wanted.
In our view, this renovator not only knows his craft, but they are observant of homeowners’ needs and requirements. In our view, this is what we would expect from a Seal Quality renovator, and By Design Works has done it.
Fun Tips:
A solid first meeting with a renovator typically runs 45–90 minutes, enough time for them to understand who lives in the home, your daily routines, lifestyle needs, pain points, and how you actually use your space. A good renovator will guide the conversation through family profile, living habits, storage and workflow needs, technical feasibility, and early space-planning considerations, while also explaining what is advisable or avoidable. This first session should feel structured, inquisitive, and focused on understanding you, not selling, because the quality of this requirement-gathering sets the foundation for every design decision that follows
Customer Engagement (Score: 8.0 – Superior)
Hausmark Inspector Experience:
When we first reached out, we met only the founder/boss, as it was a Friday and a work-from-home day, yet the experience was immediately enjoyable and enriching. From the moment we stepped into the showroom, the renovator demonstrated the qualities we look for: warm reception, thorough requirements gathering, clear proposals and quotations, guided walkarounds, and transparent, respectful communication.
Technical jargon was explained patiently, supported by practical suggestions, maintenance guidance, and generous sharing of material know-how. Homeowners should be prepared to spend at least two hours, as this renovator invests significant time in understanding requirements and explaining every detail.
Following the first appointment, our experience with By Design reinforced that this is a highly organized setup. A project lead and an in-house drafter were introduced, each with clearly defined roles. Coordination was precise, and responses to every enquiry were timely and consistent.
Initially, Hausmark inspectors were concerned that having multiple team members might lead to “too many cooks,” but these concerns were addressed confidently. The firm laid out its internal workflow, assuring us that every design, even minor ones, is vetted by the founder/boss before release. We were assured that this was only possible because this renovator limits the number of projects on hand to ensure that quality is observed for every project undertaken. From Hausmark’s standpoint as a customer, this provided the consistency and quality assurance we were looking for.
Project & Site Management (Score: 9.3 – Elite)
Hausmark Inspector Experience:
We requested to view an ongoing renovation, and this became another standout moment. By Design Works is one of the few renovators that we’ve met with site discipline maintained to an exceptionally high standard. For this visit, we specifically asked to see a ¾-completed home to observe the final stretch of renovation, a phase where rushing often leads to compromised safety, poor housekeeping, or subcontractor lapses. What we saw instead was fully aligned with the professionalism we experienced when speaking to the founder. The site was clean and well-maintained, with ample floor and wall protection safeguarding existing installations. Safety reminders and cleanliness notices were displayed prominently, and a CCTV system — installed by the renovator — provided both compliance monitoring and added assurance to homeowners, who are given access to view progress remotely.
In terms of site management, we learned that the By Design project team conducts daily site visits to guide workers, ensure smooth progress, and provide timely updates to homeowners. This level of oversight provided Hausmark with strong assurance in the renovator’s discipline, consistency, and commitment to quality throughout the build.
Fun Fact:
E0 plywood is one of the safest choices for indoor use because it has the lowest formaldehyde emission standard, capped at just 0.5 mg/L, far below typical plywood grades. This makes it especially popular in eco-friendly construction and interior design; however, this will be comparatively more expensive than lower-grade plywood by 5 to 10%. Some HAUSMARK’s ID/Renovators offer E0 wood at a default, at no extra cost.
Design Standards (Score: 8.8 – Elite)
Hausmark Inspector Experience:
This renovator continued to impress Hausmark Inspectors by arriving with not one but two proposals prepared for our consideration. They were among the few renovators who paid close attention to the slanted, converging layout of our floor plan and proactively designed solutions to visually “correct” these structural imperfections. This sensitivity was applied consistently throughout the home from the master bedroom to the living room and children’s rooms, using carpentry strategically to conceal and realign irregularities.
The renovator also demonstrated boldness and creativity, incorporating unconventional materials such as acrylic and using light and shadow lines to achieve an art-gallery-like ambience. Their understanding of natural light was evident, proposing fixtures and design elements that allow daylight to enter and travel through the home. These ideas were presented through mood boards that closely matched the aesthetic direction we had in mind.
To further assess the competence of this Hausmark Seal winner, we tested the team with unusual scenarios — from constructing an indoor pond to placing laundry systems in unconventional areas. They responded with thoughtful solutions and viable alternatives, reinforcing their adaptability and design depth.
Even though this was only a first proposal, it was clear that significant effort had been invested behind the scenes, well done team By Design!
Additional Information
- 3D Rendering and Layout Diagram are provided for reference even before confirmation
- Chargeable design fee to take home the designs for unlimited edits and changes
Eco-Social Responsibility (Score: 5.0 – Baseline)
Hausmark Inspector Highlights:
The renovator demonstrates a solid understanding of sustainability standards and has meaningfully incorporated environmental compliance into their work. All carpentry is produced using low-formaldehyde eco wood.
Showroom Quality & Craft (Score: 5.0 – Baseline)
Hausmark Inspector Highlights:
Tucked inside an old industrial building, our first impression of By Design Works was honestly flat. The cargo lift ride up, and the plain fire-rated wooden door with a tiny “0620 By Design” label didn’t provide much hint. But the moment the young, hunky boss opened the door, the mood flipped.
We were being welcomed into a warm, quietly inviting workspace with a mock-up kitchen and living area that felt calm, lived-in, and intentionally simple. Nothing flashy, no neon, no staged theatrics, just practical build-ups that helped us visualise real spaces. The layout was open and pleasantly thought out, and the quietness of the showroom made the discussion feel private, almost like the entire place was reserved just for us.
The overall layout felt thoughtfully put together, simple, pleasant, and naturally conducive to discussion. There are a few material samples placed around for illustration; the selection of samples would predominantly be done at the suppliers’ location. Overall, the space was quiet in a comforting way, and the informality of the setting made the conversation feel private and unhurried, almost as if the entire showroom was set aside just for us.
Fair Pricing & Terms (Score: 8.6 – Elite)
Hausmark Inspector Highlights:
By Design provides detailed, itemised quotations that clearly explain how each cost is calculated, with no hidden charges, making it easy for homeowners to understand the breakdown. Their explanations go in depth — even covering structural charges between partition walls and providing clear justification for why such provisions are required.
As a CASETrust-registered company, their after-sales warranty and payment terms are well documented, giving homeowners confidence in the process. The payment schedule follows four stages, beginning with a 10% deposit and ending with a 5% retention, in line with CASETrust recommendations. We also noted termination clauses tied to the proportion of work completed after commencement. Hausmark Inspectors assessed this as fair, though individual homeowners may wish to clarify the specifics directly with the renovator.
Post-Project Support (Score: 8.0 – Superior)
Hausmark Inspector Highlights:
By Design provides a 12-month material warranty, and a certificate will be mailed to the customer upon full payment and will commence from practical completion
Online Presence (Score: 7.4 – Strong Performer)
Hausmark Inspector Highlights:
By Design has a moderately strong and active social-media presence, with the majority of reviews reflecting high customer satisfaction and consistent praise for their service. No high-risk feedback was noted, though the overall volume of reviews remains modest. From a marketing and customer-engagement standpoint, By Design could further strengthen its brand by encouraging more customer reviews and developing more creative, engaging campaign videos that add vibrancy, personality, and relatability to the brand.
Fun Fact:
Take unverified reviews with a pinch of salt. No harm referring to them but always refer to HAUSMARK as your baseline reference and more importantly to perform your own due diligence by visiting and speaking to the renovators before you commit on one.
