hihihi

updated more pictures.

u all know those tiled cement structures erected at the ground level. This afternoon I saw a worker using a tool to knock every single tile check for hollow, and mark with a spray. Was pleasantly surprised at the professionalism, thought they will just anyhow complete the work and forget it. to think my brainless renovator still dare to jeer at me for knocking every single tile for hollow.

there's only that few big players in the sungei kabut area. but i recently start to see suppliers numbers (freelance perhaps) start to appear in the lift.

of coz yes. And sure some contractor will start to cut corners, unavoidable. So u have to look deeper into where they can cut corners. And if worry, then take out those items and ask direct supplier to do. Or ask contractor to show u samples, take photo, document all the promised quality.

True. Ministers are also singaporeans too, isn't so? Vicious cycle.

Long time ago I had stopped 154th tripod news from polluting my mind.

I would have to agree with the contractor on the potential cost savings. If hack, then extra cost: 1) Hack 2) Clear debris (if got other rooms have hacking, then can merge this cost) 3) Make the surface smooth again Of coz nobody likes traces of previous owner to be around, whether seen or not seen. But whether to hack or not hack must consult your pocket for approval.

I feel abit amused and surprised by the news. First impression is, with this kind of high demand market now, the commision will just going to go up and not come down. So yet another price hike for commoners, again. And the news is quite badly timed. Despite the interviewed pple's positive reaction in the news, u always have to intepret to its direct opposite reaction.

Don't worry. Hacking wall requires a permit application, this won't get approved. (IF follow the law)

there's a beam there, u probably can't knock down the whole portion.

Found 3M Scotch Gard in Carrefore level 2. Price=$15.++. Saw 3 types on the shelf. I was looking for Scotchgard™ Fabric & Upholstery Protector but couldn't find (only have the foaming Cleaner), it's either out of stock or not selling. Anyone going there can check out with the staff and update here? Protector

apologies, I had a typo. Carpentry should be per/ft run not sq ft (sq ft is for window grills). feature wall, maybe they use expensive wall paper, mirror, more gungfu needed. so the higher cost can be "explained". tv console although is more custom size than standard-sized kitchen cabinet, but the price should not deviate too far. Now u know your contractor profiting from where

if u keep within the service yard window as the cut off point, u should be safe. I also painted until there, but painted white, similar to the outside wall colour.

I did a suspended-with-base-support (not fully suspended) coz it'll be more steady, afraid my kids grow up jump on the TV console. and my TV will be wall mounted. Another reason for doing the base is so that I clean less floor area.

if the renovator is cunning, he will charge u the same cost per/ft as kitchen cabinet. So ends up suspended or grounded may cost the same. Judging from the amt of material used, console per/ft should be slightly cheaper than kitchen cabinet. Edited: PSF should be per ft run

some pple do deco below, put pebbles. I intend to put those small speakers below.

Granite and marble colours: http://granitecolors.mgcrenovations.us/

definitely need to screw something: the 2 holders at both ends to hold the rod. Otherwise the rod won't be able to hold the weight of clothes. U can easily buy those holder + rod from hardware shops. See if they can cut the rod to your required length.

seems like u're doing the reno coordination yourself. my grills I let my renovator do. Although I could also have taken the job myself. Renovator, I breakdown the charges, cost me $6/sq ft, u can use this as a guideline. And grill installation requires permit application.

AFAIK, mirror is fixed in this manner: [wall][wood backing][mirror] The wood backing is needed coz (1) mirror doesn't stick well to wall and (2) most important is that wall may not be perfectly flat. such a large piece of mirror, when stick to a non-flat surface, will lean with the shape of the surface. Thin mirror will be more flimsy than a thicker mirror. A non-flat mirror will cause a distorted image (same as those science center's funny mirrors). Your mirror should be fixed up by glue, therefore the only way is to break it. If it's not acceptable, u should highlight this to your renovator to correct this defect.

I saw some LED lights during my shopping. Some shops do their own modifications using the usual housing, but, I find that the brightness is just not there yet.

wow, isn't it too many cabinets on 4 sides? Wouldn't it makes the whole kitchen looks very cluttered. Not to mention cost of making the cabinets, cleaning etc.

Ideasmiths dramatic story. Good that u have a SD to vent your anger on. Mine also had some cock up, but I had to shout and quarrel with the renovator in order to get him to change some design which obviously he's at fault. For my toilet accessories, I made it a point to ask them to install on a weekend, so that I am there to tell them what I want. For my carpentry work, I did some drawings with dimensions.... but still... they made some decision and didn't inform me. Never get intimidated by your renovator. And not live with the mistakes that they had made. Of coz, visiting your house everyday is a must. After the flooring, that's where screw ups starts to happen.

Few mths ago I got a quote from www.austscreen.com, is about $560. Prices changing (goes up) nowadays.

off topic abit... regarding painting of wall. Before the bangla used by my contractor started painting my wall, I had already self-plaster some portion and also sand other portion of the wall (seperately portions, e.g wall A is purely plastered, wall B is purely sanded). But after he painted, the wall is like not smooth, like got those "Mo-Peng". It looks even more obvious with the lights shining on it. Comparing those plastered surface and sanded surface looks the same, uneven. Is it because the paint is too thick? Is it bcoz he used roller to paint that caused these unevenness? I was thinking of re-plaster the wall, and leave it just like that. Will the plaster powder off easily?