gaku70

For my case, I made a 3D sketch and indicate the tiles numbers and then paste on the wall so that uncle do not have to tell the workers. For the tiles, uncle didn't come to inspect. He told me to check the tiles myself and tell him which one is missing or not correct. There were some missing tiles but all correct.

Thanks for the explanation. I was looking at Electrolux, Bosch, Brandt and EF and finally zooming in on either EF or Brandt. For Brandt, any idea if GC, HN or Courts has any promotion on this washer. Thinking of getting it by this week. asugama: Really like you carpentry. Even from far can see the lines are clean and very good workmanship.

Now I understand why the tiles breaks easily at the corners. I have some corners which broke when the worker installed the accessories. They tried very hard to conceal by using coloured grouting but I still manage to find out. Thanks for sharing the tips and the detail writeup on the hollow tiles. I am sure it will benefit the home owners in this forum.

Pet, no problem. I am giving myself some time to take a break and so will not unpack so soon. By the way, any idea how to remove the powdery stuff from the floor. Aparently after vacuum and mopping, I still feel there is powder.

I have not personally seen it myself but the explanation given to me by Joseph was the grouting for the hollow tiles and the adjacent tiles has to be cut using the electric grinder. No hacking is required. Then chemical with cement is inserted into the grooves. Finally they use white cement to cover up the grouting.

ashes: Thanks ashes, yes finally can shift in. This weekend will still be busy due to the delivery. Really looking forward to see my furnitures and electrical appliances. familyof4: I was told that those on the side will have lesser problems. I noticed the hollows are usually on four corners of four separate tiles. It is localised in one spot. Those that are hollow at the center on a single tiles are the ones being replaced. pet: To be fair it is quite subjective. The older we get, the less sensitive our ears becomes. Some of the tiles that I found a little hollow sound, I just let it go since uncle said he cannot hear it. But for those serious case, you can really see the corner without any cement on it after it has been removed. Not all tiles can be removed in a piece though. I only managed to see about two. The rest are hacked into pieces. You can actually differentiate the sound. Solid has higher frequency. rondy: You are very "On". I don't even know there is a website on how to check for hollow. Uncle used a test pen. For me, I uses a one dollar coin. It will be scary if the tiles burst. Hope some expert here can advise. aubrey: Don't think uncle will change the hollows wall tiles. Most probably he will insert chemical with some cement. That's what he did for mine but I do not have many hollow wall tiles, just about 3 I think. Maybe it is more difficult to change the wall tiles compare to those on the floor. I thought polishing must be done before he hand over to you. That is why I did not want to shift until he polish the floor. Last week I took leaves as well intending to clean and unpack my stuff but I merely watch the worker doing the retiling for 2 days. I see that our situation are pretty similar. I too need to move out fast because the rental. As for me, I hope they do the rectification over one weekend instead of coming in again and again. If it is not major, then I don't want to take the trouble. I agree that it is very messy to replace tiles and may cause other damages. So I don't want them to rectify any further. apple: Didn't know your HO was also delayed. I thought it might have been my wrong way of managing him. For the major issues, I will ask him to rectify. For small ones, I will do it myself or close one eye. Hollow at the center of floor tile is more risky. If you dropped something heavy, it will just give way. So for me, those in the center must change. For wall tiles, I dont think he will change it unless you insist.

Thanks preciousjam.

Ivy: Thanks for believing that I am a real home owner. I do hope to forget abt the reno and move on. Rasp: Thanks for the wishes, I needed them. Talking about rental, just want to share with you. Initially I was told my HO will be delay for a few days and so I managed to look for a one week rental. The weekly rental is more expensive and if you anticipate longer delay, it is more worthwhile to take a month rental. Two weeks of weekly rental is close to a monthly rental. For the remaining hollow tiles, it is not that bad and the hollows are only at the corners. So not that dangerous. To be frank, the more rectification I made, the more problem I faces. For example, after rectifying the tiles, I found my carpentry damaged. And also I do not want anymore delay and argument. So will just accept it. blackcar: From my understanding, he talk to the bosses of the third party and he doesn't know the third party workers well. The third party might use different teams of workers so quality might be different. Unless the third party is a one-man show then he is sure of his quality. Just like Ah Wei, uncle mentioned his name a few times and I can guess he is proud of his workmanship. growler: I will take your advise and pay the balance after rectification is completed.

Angel: they definitely need air. Usually airstone is sufficient to create aeration. guy: Is your tanks overcrowded? For mating, what I did was select the pair that I think will create nice fantail and put them in a condusive tank just for them.

My tiles still have hollows even after rectification but now the obvious ones has been changed. If knock with a one dollar coin, can still tell the difference. Usually they are at the corners. I don't want to rectify anymore and so close both eyes. Uncle explained that the hollow are caused by tiler didn't lay the tiles in order, should be row by row instead of some row some column. After the #$%^ think the workers should wake up. Heard that the some of the workers that did my tiling already got the pink slips. So hopefully hollow tiling like mine will not happen. Rondy, you are right. My HO done but still no official quote. I do have a chinese handwritten draft quotation but it's the use in initial discussion and not accurate. I do not know if you can consider this black and white.

Happy birthday preciousjam. Your bd is 2 days behind me. I nearly forgot about mine. I am happy for you to see that you house is nicely done up.

Thanks smallboy. Yes finally shifted but have not fully move in yet. I still have pending delivery but at least I do not have to rent anymore. Most of my stuffs have been shifted in.

Although I do not know the person who commented as he remains anonymous, I know where he is coming from. I do not know why some people thought that I am a jealous contractor and try to tarnish other contractor's reputation. Some forumners who has visited me and talked to me know that I am not a contractor. Anyway I do not how to convince others that I am not and I do not have the time. So will just let it be.

It will not be 10%. I have not discussed the issue about the remaining on that day but I am sure he know it will not be 10%. Having said that I do not want to go into argument in case of any dispute as I just want to end this reno episode and move on. I have my part to play in this as well since I have selected him as my contractor, I have to take the consequences.

Hi asugama, pinkiedreamy: I am also thinking of getting Brandt 1018. May I know what is your reason of choosing 1018? I was recommended EF 7121 instead.

Sorry guys, today was busy cleaning the place till evening and most of my stuff was moved in the afternoon. I have yet to unpacked and already exhausted from the cleaning and rectification. By the way, just want to share that I believe I have made the right decision for not shifting in on Saturday morning and postponed all my shipment next week although uncle argued with me that I should have shifted while his man is doing polishing. If I have shifting on saturday, I will have big problem doing the rectification today. So my advise is to finish the HO, clean the house thoroughly, complete those rectification that will be difficult if you have shifted in. If you cannot rectify then "bo pian" got to ask uncle to rectify and delay the HO. pbtgal: Thanks and I am glad that the reno is behind me. I found more problems when I cleaned the house. Those that I can rectify on my own, I will to do it myself. One thing that shocked me today was that I found chopstick packaging within my wardrobe. It took me quite a while to remove it because it was hidden behind the drawers. (my fingers are too big to get in between the gaps and has to dismantled some parts of the rails) pet: Finally shifting done. At least I can sleep well tonight instead of having to "fan" on the reno things. Really you that you are interested in reno. I told myself this will be my last. guy77: Thanks. I hope will be 顺顺利利 as well. And I hope to don't have to go into argument again for my last payment. familyof4: I do not mind sharing my experience but some of the forumner think that I have said too much. That's is why I would like to find out which post # so that I can review again and edit or remove if required. kthc: Thank you for your interest in my thread. I am glad that my experience and feedback is useful for you. Yes I have finally shift my stuff in. There are many things which I had postphoned due to the delay in HO. eg. the delivery of bed, mattress, electrical appliances. Now that the HO is done, I hope to settle the rest of delivery this coming weekend. growler: I can understand how you feel. For the rectification which you can do it yourself, maybe you can try doing it. We can share tips of how to do simple rectification. What are the rectification that you have. By the way, have you paid the final 10%? Yes you are right, if you are on a tight schedule, it is not easy to work with uncle.

blackcar: You are right that to say that he has many sub-contractors and they keep changing. I know that whenever he found that the sub-contractors have quality issue, he will stopped using them. However, even if the sub-contractor is good, he mentioned to me that it is "heng suay" which workers this subcontractor assigned for your work. I noticed he is outsourcing most of the work out these days.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. This afternoon after checking the rectification with my friends and relative, I left my place and on my way back I saw uncle van on the road. So U-turn back to meet him. Both of us didn't mentioned anything about the events that happen in the morning and so I don't want to be petty as well. Frankly I am too tired talking about $$ stuff and if he "forget" about my rental and shifting, I will just take it as money lost and move on. The HO condition was also not what I expected but I don't want to complain since it is not serious and I can do the rectification myself. Uncle was on the phone when I reached and was #^%#^ people again. After he is done, he walked through the rectification stuff that he has done. A few rectifications are still not done (think he forgotten) but I do not want to do it anymore for the fear of more delay. In the end, I accepted the HO. Lastly he asked me if I can forget about the vacuum cleaner issue since he has already scolded the workers. If I insist he will pay me. Told him I am not the petty type but just want his worker to ask before using the owners things as this is a gift from my brother for shifting to this new flat. The vacuum now looks old and dirty. I am also partially at fault for not moving everything back to my rented flat from the last week shifting. I am relieved that my renovation has come to an end. Thanks everyone for the advise and concern. My experience has not been a bed of roses. I will sum up my honest experience and assessment with this contractor. First the pros: 1. From the quotation that I have received, no one else beats his price. His pricing is about 3k cheaper than the closest contractor. The closest contractor is also a popular contractor in this forum. For ID that I have requested quotation, the quotation is 10k more expensive. So for people with low budget like myself, he is the number 1 choice. I have actually found another contractor who is cheaper than him but this contractor does only tiling. I will need to arrange for hacking and also clearing of stuff. So found it too troublesome and engage uncle instead. 2. Uncle is very "chin chai" with FOC items and also the VO. I insisted adding stopcocks for all my toilet accessories. He complained that nobody do it this way but still do it for my at no additional cost. My FOC items are stainless steel backing, mirrors and the storeroom shelves. 3. If you want your flat to be made with quality, need to find out the right tiler, carpenter, electrician etc. Must do your research. Not all his team's workmanship is good. So need to do your homework. Eg. Ah Wei is recommended for carpentry. Cons are: 1. Problem with english. After completing my reno, the quotation is still not ready and I have given up asking for one. So no black and white. 2. Difficult to contact. But I have to admit he seems to be improving alot and return missed calls. However he is OFF on Sunday. 3. Problems with "Aeroplanes" and he does not keep to his timing. Even when he said he is on his way, he might be on his way to someone else place instead of yours. 4. Very very forgetful. I remember given him at least 5 copies of floorplans. And the whole file was lost together with the layout. This might be due to overloading. If he reduces the number of project, his memory should improve. 5. Have to manage third parties instead of just one person. Eg, the electrician, carpenter, window contractor. But sometimes they don't really care and you still need to ask uncle to tell them to do work. 6. Have to keep chasing him for every steps of the reno. If not progress will be slow to a stop. Sometimes workers will be in for two days and disappear for next three days. It is not uncommon. 7. HO delayed. So if you have already sold your flat and need to move out at a stipulated date, please be prepared for delay or make some contingency plan. I didn't, that's why panicky when HO didn't happen. Lastly I will not delete my thread but if there is anything you feel is not appropriate, do let me know which post # so that I could edit or remove.

It is not miscomm. For my last shifting he admitted his mistake and will pay. For today he felt that he did nothing wrong as he has arranged the polishing this morning so he refused to pay. For me since he told me to give him until 3pm, so definitely I cannot arrange shifting in the morning. According to him shifting and polishing can be done at the same time. To be fair, I cannot say that he is wrong but after so many broken promises, I did not want to take the risk and shift and if not done properly shift back again.

Just quarreled with Uncle. He refused that I charged him the movers and told me that I should be able to move in this morning. We both have our own principle. I really want to get over this thing fast. HO changed 2 times is still ok. You can see how many times my changed. Thanks for standing on my side. I know uncle's supporter will not like my posting and I have already received negative remarks. Even though my unhappiness, I don't want to affect his business. And so I may delete my blog once this episode is over. Different people manage him differently and perhaps my way is not right and thus so many delays.

This morning mover called me at 8am and I told them cancelled. They were already downstair and negotiate with them and pay three of them some coffee money and transportation fee. Really pouring money into the drain.

Ivy: Sure, I will update after meeting him this afternoon. I have been keeping mum all this while because uncle is a nice person and I don't want to affect his business. But this time it is really over the limit for me. Can you imagine I have been rushing down after work everyday to see that polishing not done and it's always "tomorrow". I don't know if I am unlucky or what, I have not heard in the forum anyone has HO delayed so many times. rondy: 5% of it I have already used for the rental, movers etc. The balance 5% if deduct the workmanship then think no more already.

rondy: THere is no bill. Every thing is cash term and no receipt. I believe these are third party delivery man. preciousjam: He knows that I am renting and offer me 50-50 but I cant be paying everyweek for their delay. I will tell him to pay full because it is unfair. Initially thought chin chai with him but after so many broken promises I will not relent anymore. That is why the amount is growing every week and I couldn't take it anymore.

Will meet him tomorrow and if still polish and rectification not complete, I will engage another contractor. Anyway the amount I have spent on wasted delivery trips, shiftings, leaves, rental is already more than half the remaining sum.

Uncle has confirmed the HO date and he has taken over from his pm. The delivery was not arranged now but a few weeks back. Last week suppose to be delivered but I have called up to change after getting confirmation from uncle. Furniture also delivered last week and I have to beg them to bring it back to store in their warehouse after paying them the transportation. For the mover, I have to book one week in advance and now cannot change because no one answer the call. If they come tomorrow morning, I still need to pay them. That's the practise.