friends78

Thanks mae29! Yah, last time never get FM a bit regret... So this time round, engaged. Since decided to engage, must follow the 'rules & regulations' imposed by FM mah... For a 4-room with 106m2, it is indeed spacious. Luv the hse but hated the high COV but left with no choice cos it's the next block to my PIL's place (1 min walk). As we are weekend parents, to get to see our baby everyday, everything is priceless. Mine is resale flat... got my keys liao...

Hello guys! Finally it’s my time to start my very own T-blog…..Short intro… I have just received my keys to my resale 4-room flat in Boon Keng on Monday, 10 Jan 2011. Prior before my second appt, the owners aka the sellers have graciously allowed the Fengshui Master to audit the place and the contractors to take the measurements. When the audit report with the proposed layout/colors was ready, I proceed to contact the 3 contractors that I have in mind to quote. Two of them are quite ‘famous/popular’ in this forum and I shortlisted them after spending days reading thru threads in T-Blog, under Renovation firms and service, thru recommendation and my personal experience. Here’s my floor plan I’m still waiting for the auspicious date to perform the ‘open door’ ceremony, hence, can’t go in yet to take photos. For a start, here are the photos which I have extracted from the valuation report Here are my reviews on my encounters:- 1) ID Note My brother engaged Henry’s service to reno his Woodlands flat 2 years back. We decided to give Henry a chance after hearing my brother’s reviews. We also stalked T-blogs secretly to read the pros and cons of Henry’s work (Apologies to Marshmallow & Junwei84, u have a silent stalker all this while). On the day to meet Henry, I was late, in fact very late cos the sellers cldn’t get back in time to open the door for us. Henry spent about an hour waiting at the void deck, calling me repeatedly. His face was stoned when we arrived to fetch him up to the unit. I showed him the proposed layout that my FM had given me. He took a look, walked around the house and took the measurements. The whole process was about 10 mins with him making a few recommendations here and there. But somehow he made quite an impression cos he reminded me of a character in The Chocolate Factory movie (okie… totally irrelevant, I know….) 2) Han Yong Han Yong renovated my first flat 5 years back and I am very satisfied with their service. Hence, I went to approach them after meeting Henry. They came to take measurements and we chatted just like old friends. 3) Basic Image After meeting Henry and Han Yong, I decided not to trouble the sellers again by arranging another meetup. Both meetups were almost similar as we already had in mind what we wanted. We already had the layout plan which the FM has provided us with and we want to follow strictly. I proceeded to email my requirements with my floor plan to Mr Yeak to request for quote. He was very nice to entertain us even thou we only liaise via sms and thru email. Mr Yeak even smsed me around midnight to inform that the quote has been emailed to my account. Boy, I was indeed impressed! Decisions:- All three quotes came in within a week. The amt difference is 5 to 10%. For Han Yong, I realized that the descriptions are mostly overlay and overlay, be it flooring for the 3 rooms and bathrooms, wall tiles for the kitchen and bathrooms. Han Yong only recommended hacking of Living and kitchen flooring. As for Henry (his quote came in about 3 days later than Han Yong), he recommended hacking on everything. I called him to ask him how come people can overlay but he can’t. He replied ‘Can… but not advisable. I can recommend overlay to make your quotation look very cheap but this is a 16 years old flat leh. I scared it will give u headache as the years go by.’ The reply was indeed honest and straight to the point. As for Basic Image, Mr Yeak’s quote was the highest among the 3. We decided to drop Basic Image without meeting for further discussion and to concentrate on the other two. We arranged for a second meeting with Henry. This time round, we had a 3-hr discussion. We went thru the quote item by item, he was able to draw out the designs we had in mind almost immediately and he further add on a few details to make it more practical. He also promised to give us some drawings on a later stage. The chemistry is there, we are comfortable with Henry and the price is right. But since we have engaged Han Yong before, we were still inclined to engaging them again as we are very pleased with their work. While going thru the items, Han Yong further increased the price as they realized that they forgot to include item like solid top for vanity top and wrong dimension for shoe cabinet. Also, they requested that I provide the photos/images that I want them to customize, be it kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, TV consoles, feature wall etc. We ‘sian half’ already upon hearing it. My first flat was a premium flat purchased direct from HDB with min reno that need to be done. Two main items; Kitchen and Masterbedroom wardrobe. Hence, the other time was pretty simple, I show them the pages I like from Home & Décor mag and they did it accordingly. This time we need to do a total overhaul as the current state is really cannot make it type. With a naughty 7-mth old baby who keeps us so busy every single min, where in the earth can we find time to read mag and cut out /print pictures….??? Hence, after pondering for a week, we decided to take the chance and sign with ID Note. We do hope it will be a smooth journey for us. The hacking will start on next Friday (based on the Fengshui Master’s recommended date). To be continued……

Cos I engaged Fengshui master to decide most of the stuff, 3 weeks is actually more than enough. They came to take measurements (with sellers' permission), sent the quotation to me within about 5 days... then I discussed with them either by face to face or thru phone to clarify the measurements and 3 days later, revised quote... I do hope that 35k is enough but by going thru the quotations from the 3 IDs/Contractors, I think the price is very standard, 5 to 10% up down... I will more or less decide which ID either tonight or tomorrow. Really hope I can start my T-blog soon....

Martin, I will be receiving my keys tomorrow. I have started my ID shopping 2-3 weeks ago. Invited 3 firms to quote and all almost more or less the same. (sianz half liao) Range between 50k to 55k. The items I want is as follows:- 1. change tiles for whole house.., parquet flooring for 3 bedrooms 2. Toilet walls and kitchen walls tiles also change 3. Paint whole house, 4. Build in wardrobe for masterbed room and study room 5. Kitchen cabinet set with island 6. Change two toilet doors 7. Change 3 bedroom doors and main door, Main gate & Replace 4 sets of solid wood door frames 8. Lbox 9. False celling living room 10. Vanity Cabinet in toilet & 6 ft cabinet for Balcony 11. Glass screen that separate the shower area 12. 2 TV feature wall, 2 TV consoles (1 for living and another for masterbedroom) 13. 20 ft Study table (10 on top, 10 bottom) 14. Windows grille for whole hse 15. shoe cabinet All 3 reno firms said I must either cut my items or choose cheaper materials for my items or the discount won't be much. Sigh ah...

Thanks. I haven't confirmed quote, just sourcing as I have yet to get the keys. Currently waiting for my 2nd Appt, 2 more weeks to go. Can pm your quote to me? Sigh... I hate renovation cos of the need to make decision... I see that my quote is mostly overlay and overlay...

I recently called for a quotation for my resale flat which I will be getting the keys next mth. Noticed that the desciption for my kitchen, bathroom wall tiles and bathroom floor tiles have this sentence ' To supply and overlay existing wall/floor tiles using adhesive method'. Am I right to say that the contractor is not going to hack anything and just 'paste' wall/floor tiles on the existing ones? Is this method better than the normal hacking and replacing? Is it safe? Will the tiles pop out after many years? Thanks.....

I just engaged Cecil Lee. He gave me a very detailed explaination on the respective placement of beds, stove, colours to use etc.... Good or not, I don't know yet as I haven't started my reno as I will only receive my keys in mid Jan. But till now he is still very prompt in replying my sms whenever I thot of new ideas for my reno. No selling of things too..

When exercise OTP, u need either LO from Bank or HLE from HDB in order for the agent to submit the documents to HDB to book the first Appt date.

Wah...so chim leh... The report is in English but honestly, I don't understand at all. For mine, seems not so good so I rather not know then to know. In denial I guess...

Sorry to hear that. For mine, he did come personally and spent quite a while explaining to us. On top of that, he even drew out two floor plans with the proposed layout of the beds, stove, sink and the colours to use and avoid. Yah, he also gave us a long list of computer personal bazi which we don't bother to read cos too many pages... Maybe while on leave then I read lah...

Me! I just engaged him. He gave me a very detailed explaination and floor plan on the respective placement of beds, stove etc.... Good or not, I don't know yet as I haven't started my reno as I will only receive my keys in mid Jan. But till now he is still very prompt in replying my sms whenever I thot of new ideas for my reno.

It's not possible. The buyer pays HDB directly not to u. HDB will hold the amt and will only give u the sales proceed cheque on your 2nd appt. So if u intend to buy and has scheduled your buying of flat's first appt before your 2nd appt, you will still need to come out with the cash required first.

The 3 parties need to be around for the first appt. Your buyer and your seller have to agreed on a common date and go down with you on the first appt. You have to use HDB loan so u need not engage a lawyer, can use HDB lawyer to act for u. Can use CPF to service loan. You need not pay the COV within the 10 working days after your first appt if your sales proceeds is enough to offset it. Hope it's helpful:)

I am currently waiting for my first appt for the purchase of resale flat. Have called HDB, the case officer said CPF housing grant is only for first timers. Even thou the unit I bought is just next to my parents, I am not eligible for any grant. I bought my first flat direct from HDB five years back. The so called 2nd subsidy is for new flat purchase directly from HDB.

Thanks so much... I think what Bepgof said is true. Good to have mortage experience with the banks so next time I won't be so confused when venturing to private property. Thanks so much, guys. U guys are so much knowledgeable and helpful than HDB and Bank officers. I'm totally clueless with Bank loan.. and u guys by sharing views has indeed clear many of my doubts and make me more confident

Hi POSBank has offered me LO today, I have yet to sign up. Need to check, my valuation is 465k and I have requested for a loan of 300k. I intend to finance the remaining 165k with CPF and cash of cse. If I were to take up Bank loan, how wld HDB know how much CPF and how much cash I intend to use for the remaining 165k? Also my 2nd appt for my sale of the current flat and 1st appt of my purchase of the new flat is on the same day. Do u think the CPF will be in time to be credited in my CPF account for the deduction of the remaining 165k? Sorry for all the questions cos the bank officer doesn't seems to know the procedure. Thanks.

How much does the law firm charge? How wld I know whether the legal subsidy is enough to pay? Thanks again.

Thanks so much! Was looking at Maybank Loan package or POSBank Home loan. Maybank offers: 1st year:0.88%, 2nd Year:1.9%, 3rd year 2.3% and thereafter SRFR less 0.5% which is 3.25% Don't intend to do full redemption. Loan amt is $300k for 25years. Sianz part is need to do refinance every 3 years cos the 4th year interest rate usually high... Do I need to go to law firm once your application of credit facility is approved & signed? Legal subsidy is I need to pay first claim later or Bank settle for me? Sorry for the stupid questions cos really clueless on loan... Only want to take bank loan due to the refund of 50% cash proceeds as family needs the cash urgently.... Sigh...

Hi guys, need to know about the procedures for taking up Bank loan for HDB Resale flat. Wanted to take HDB loan but must refund 50% of the sale proceeds to service the HDB loan. Need the amt to pay for COV. Administrative wise, taking loan from HDB seems more easy...Get HLE approval, turn up for 1st and 2nd appt and sigh a few forms can liao... Taking up Bank loan seems complicated. I still need to go thru lawyers right? May I know the procedures for Bank loan? Thanks.

Can I have the list as well? Thanks. friends78@hellokitty.com