Renovation Update - My Boutique and Tailoring shop

My boutique and tailoring shop is taking shape.  The contractor has started the renovation and work is progressing very well right now.  I could already see the lay out, where my office is, where the display area is, fitting room and the tailoring activities.

So far so good.  And I've started to look for potential staff now.  I hope it wont be a hard feat.

And the most important thing as well is to buy the machines which we found out were quite pricey.

The tailoring area

View from the tailoring area to the display area

View from the staff room

Close up view which shows my office and staff room

The staff accomodation taking shape

But first, let me report hubby got his Lesen Rampaian today, another yay... Alhamdulilah.


And the staff house is taking shape and almost done.  Looks good.  The contractor did a fantastic job,  they are quick and the workmanship is satisfactory, so its all good.  These pictures was taken yesterday.

Congrats hubby!

A 2nd shower is being built

The main bedroom

The view from the kitchen to the rooms

We got our Jawi inscription!

Yay.... after one week its done.

 

 

Today we went back to Dewan Bahasa and collected our Jawi inscription.  Wow.. I am impressed, at least there was no glitch whatsoever with all our applications.  So happy with that!  Now that we got the Jawi we could already design the sign board for our shophouses.

 

 

So hubby and I went to one of the advertising agencies in Bandar to get the quotation.  We had a few choices after getting the info from one of the staff at Dewan Bahasa.  This agency is Shim Advertising and they quoted us this.  For signboard with lighting (20x4 feet) its B$1440, with no lighting its B$960.  Since our location is under TCP control, then there would be B$150 tax fee that we need to pay them (dont know what for).  Its quite expensive isnt it.

Hubby was thinking maybe we should look for other quotation as well.  And maybe get sponsored from Pepsi or Coke?  Maybe its not such a bad idea.  I think we should consider that :)  For his restaurant I mean, but not my tailoring shop, it wont be appropriate lol.

Another big leap today.

My signboard Jawi

Hubby signboard Jawi

The advertising agency

Hubby in discussion

Update on Renovation

The renovation work for hubby's business is underway today.  Not on the restaurant but on the upper floor that is, the accomodation for the workers.  The restaurant still need some more approval to go ahead (I told you its not easy and so time consuming, oh well...)

Hubby wanted to hire about 8 workers so we are hoping this place can accomodate these workers when they arrive.  And part of the requirements to apply for Quota from Labour Dept is to get the accomodation ready.

We have secured the contractor for this as well, so its work in progress now.

We would expect the work will be done within 2 weeks.  Then we will apply for quota for the workers. 

Meanwhile, here is how hubby's restaurant would look like at this stage as designed by our architect.

The renovation starts....

Yesterday we secured an agreement with one of the potential contractors to renovate my tailoring shop.  As expected it didnt cost as much as hubby's restaurant, nevertheless its still need alot of planning and spending.


They should start work any day now and maybe in two weeks time the renovation will be done.  And I need to do some finishing touches to it to make it more inviting to my potential customers.


And since the work will start, I want to share this drawing on how my tailoring shop would look like.

I have big plans.  I've read a number of articles on how to start this business and how to decorate the showroom.  So its gonna be an exciting few weeks for me.

Update on Requirement from TCP

I did mention in my previous post that for my shop renovation, I did not need the service from a qualified architect because the renovation was minor and the walls to be built did not reach the ceiling.  Which was ok because we did not have to pay so much for the architect fees.

And recently we were informed that as of 1st March 2012, all renovations, either full or partial will have to go through a qualified architect.  Which could be so expensive!  Hubby need to hire them and it cost us B$5,000 for their service.

So I am glad for that, luckily we applied to TCP for my shop before 1st March!

Application for Jawi Inscription on the sign board

After we obtained the Lesen Rampaian, we went to the Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka to apply for the Jawi Inscription for our business signboard.  This is compulsory, the jawi inscription has to be the prominent part of the signage. Based on what is stated in the Lesen Rampaian, the signboard for the name of our business has to be in Rumi and Jawi.  The Jawi has to be double the size of the Rumi.  And the Jawi inscription of our business has to be approved by the Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka.

The office was easy to find.  Well.. we've been to this government department area for a while now so we kind of know where each department situated.... 

There was a form to fill in, where we did right away.  And it will be processed and approved within 5 working days.  Once we get that approval and Jawi inscription was given, we will bring that jawi to the advertisers and the process of creating the business signboard will begin.

Phew... hubby and I agreed its not easy doing business.  There are so much to do to get everything approved!  But it is definitely a good learning experience for both of us.

Another waiting for about a week now for the Jawi.  Still to come, after getting the jawi we will look for a good advertising company to print and produce our business signboard.

Lesen Rampaian in my hands

Today is such a wonderful day.  So happy that my application for Lesen Rampaian is now approved, Alhamdulilah.  We collected the certificate today at District Office, paid the B$100 fees and finally its in my hands.  We are ready to roll!

Lesen Rampaian is the ultimate requirement to start any business, but not entirely.  After obtaining this sijil or certificate business can start although we still need to do the following:

• Seek approval for signage of the business
• Get labour quotas from labour department for the workers

So after getting the certificate, we went straight to Labour Dept to seek advice on the workers requirements.  We are planning to get 4 tailors for my shop so we should ask for that.  We also obtained the forms and the list of Approved Employment Agencies under Labour Department, phew! I can see where the headache will be, heheehe. 

That still need alot of work and I will blog about that later.

By right we should be able to start the business right now so we are almost there.

My Lesen Rampaian

I can now run my business

Oh by the way, hubby also submitted his application for his restaurant Lesen Rampaian and he can collect it next week.  His application to renovate the shophouse was also approved this week so he is also one step up the ladder.

We are both hoping things will continue to go well, Insya Allah.

Time to build...

Alhamdulilah, at last we came to this stage.  Today hubby and I asked two contractors to quote us the price for my tailoring shop and the accomodation for the workers.

Both will come back with their quotations very very soon.  If we like the price then we will take it up and the constructions will begin.  Cant wait.

Lesen Rampaian (Miscellaneous Licence)

Alhamdulilah I submitted my application for the Lesen Rampaian today.  It was supposed to be submitted last week but there was one error on my Registrar of Business Name certificate so that needed to be sorted first.

This is the ultimate application.  If this is approved then I am on my way to open up this business.  I am excited.  To come this far is an achievement in itself.  And its no easy path.

To obtain the lesen rampaian, there are a number of documents to be prepared, all to be in 7 copies.  To get the application form cost B$2.00.  And the documents that need to be submitted are:

• Two types of application forms
• Copy of IC
• Copy of certificate of Business Name
• 3 copies of application photo
• Copy of Location plan
• Copy of drawing of shop with measurement
• Copy of Land title deed
• Copy of latest Land title tax
• Copy of approval letter for the shop building
• Copy of Agreement between landlord and application.

The approval and certificate should be ready by 21st April and I am hoping all will go well and I will get the certificate soon.

Little progress and more waiting

Some progress although still super slow.

We have sent the request letter to TCP last Feb and for my shop, I got the approval to renovate on 14th March.  Yayyy.. at least something in the works although we are a bit confused on the whole process.  We dont know whether we still have to go to ABCi to get another approval or that letter is sufficient.  Looks like another wait when we came to ABCi to enquire they said they will get back to us with what need to be done next.

Something too much bureaucracy is just so daunting and unnecessary but we still have to follow the right and proper channel.

Hubby suggested we should just go ahead.  Submit the form and all the supporting documents to District Department to get the Miscellaneous Certificate.  Will update more on that when I have the time.  

In the meantime, more waiting to come.