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$60k not enough can get a loan, right?Most important is that the things must suit your daily lifestyle otherwise it will become a nightmare, no? I rather spend a bit more on certain things rather than be frustrated. The 3rd floor garden looks nice with all those plants.

Guys, I would like to hear your views about the cement screed flooring. What are the disadvantages of not having tiles but just cement screed flooring? Is it very slippery, easy to accumulate mold and difficult to dry?

Thanks for sharing this. I'm getting excited that there is actually a range of options open to me now. Blinds will make the service yard very dark when it is closed? But I like the frost sticker idea. Am going to check out with the IDs regarding this. Any more things you are going to do with your unit? I think my biggest obstacle will be the aircon ledge window - I would love to keep it open but if the neighbors start cooking, I think the odor will be coming through into the masterbed room. Maybe I'll have to put a A4 size paper saying "I'm sleeping. No cooking at this hour please." hahhahaa Whoa, I don't know if $20k budget is enough or not.

Eh, I didn't say storage heater going into the service yard. You can relocate it above the sitting bowl in the common toilet. I don't think the heater should be too far away from the master bedroom toilet? Oh bamboo blinds sound wonderful! I will consider that. I was thinking of using the long shower curtains. Hahaha ... The other thing is the Master bedroom windows. Are we allowed to paste anything on the windows itself instead of using curtains? The opposite neighbours can see me quite clearly too! The ID I met today said he will do a small storage steps for me in the Master bedroom so that I can quickly climb up the steps to close the top push out window when the heavy rains come through. In this way, I don't have to get up (esp at 2-4 am when it rains heavily) and run to storeroom to bring out the step ladders.

Thanks for the tip regarding the shelves! Those ones at Giant, we must install them ourselves? I don't have the strength to carry all the items home. I thought so too that reno budget should include all these things. I saw 3 IDs' quotations. Each one of them will miss out a few items so that the amount will appear below the budget stated by me. However, if I start to include the left out items, it's way above the budget!! I've got 2 more to go for the quotes. See how.

My IDs said haulage work (uplifting of materials & sand + disposal of debris) and laying of the tiles are separate. I think he said 3 room cost about $800-850; 4 room around $950 and 5 room $1100+.

Guys, when you talk about budget for reno, do you usually include cost of accessories and power point installations as well? And the HHS ceiling is pretty high, I think putting up 3 shelves should not be a problem with lots of space below still. Any idea how much it might cost for the shelving? Most IDs don't include this quote.

Botaq, I don't think Ezzi will just come down and cut the pole for you. You can ask your contractor to do that for a charge. Let's see ... I think it's around $120 or less cos they have to remove and shift the brackets away from the original site. Actually, I never thought of using gallon water heater - the idea was proposed by the ID. I'll just use the instant one since it has all along suit my purpose. Gosh, there is really no privacy in the service yard & kitchen area. Opposite neighbours (if they are the nosy ones) practically can see what's going on in the kitchen! Sigh ...

Aurelia, that's right, it's the push out windows. I like my windows open even when it rains. My IDs already asked me to buy 2 steps ladders - one for each room. It rained yesterday, and the service yard is all wet. I'm using Ezzi Living's range for the clothes lines. They can cut the current HDB poles down to the size that can fit into the common toilet if you want to reuse back. So when it rains, those clothes that are hung outside can be brought in and hang in the common toilet area while those on the Ezzi Living can be swivel back to horizontal position easily. I've to pay I think $50 more to relocate the gallon water heater to the toilet area.

No dear, not on top of the sliding window but those at the sides. Casa Clementi facebook page? I didn't know there is one. Mine is enbloc, not a choice. Went over to the new unit to meet up with clothes lines company just now. I'm going to dismantle the fixed one that HDB has installed for us and get the swivel type.

I know ... the first thing when I entered someone's unit with full height windows ... "I'm in jail feeling!" hahaha It's not the sliding windows itself (though I still have to tiptoe to reach the lock) but the little ones at the top that's beyond my reach - what do you call them? I've thought of using the bay windows as shelving too but when the rain come in, my books will be wet ... IDs can't come up with what to do with the wasted space. I've contacted Summit Design too to have a look at my place. You've got your design yet? Met one of my new neighbours on same floor - mom & daughter - not friendly at all. Try to talk to them, they just turn and walk away ...

I've been approached by Jayden for my 3 room unit. Waiting for his quotation.

I've consulted IQ Design Concept, 3D Group, New Interior Design. Am looking for at least 1-2 more to be sure. Am so sore about choosing my current unit cos they all have baywindows!! I can barely reach to open and close the windows. Those windows at the top are beyond my reach. And it's going to be really stuffy during the raining season. Really stupid design. The lower units are better. Only 2 rooms have baywindows. Do you have any ideas how to make better use of the baywindows especially the 3/4 high ones?

Babymarian, can share which ID you have selected? I've got my keys yesterday. Did you check with IQ Design at Clementi Blk 407?

A Tiny Apartment Transforms into 24 Different Rooms http://sg.video.yahoo.com/watch/7423307/19423614 I'm very impressed with Gary Chang's designs. I wonder if we could do the same in our HDB flats? Can any of our local contractors do something like this? I think it's going to be costly as well ...

Thanks, wolflet, for your reply. I did not take up HDB's offer to lay the tiles for the newly built flat. So does that mean WPM is already there in these areas when HDB built the flats?

Just like to have your thoughts regarding the WPM for the kitchen and 2 toilets. 1) Do any of you lay WPM for your newly built flat (3 rm) in the above areas? 1.1) How much does it cost? 1.2) How long can this WPM last? 2) I would also like to know whether any of you have the common toilet with 2 connecting doors? That means, the original door is there and the other connect to the service yard? Looking at the floor design, instead of having the window/wall, I would prefer a door that I can walk through from the service yard.

fierydragon, I've actually tried using a small screw driver as I didn't have a plier at home. It didn't work cos the strength of the screwdriver is not there. I just couldn't get behind the nail hook and pry it loose. Yes, I will use the pre mixed putty plaster that you have suggested to patch up and do some touch up. Thanks. Any suggestions for paint that is peeling off the ceiling? Some patches fell off especially during the damp rains period. I didn't want to repaint the whole unit cos in 2 years' time, I'm surrending this unit back to HDB. I know they are particular about nail issues on the wall. That's why I'm taking them off here and there before returning it back.

Thank you so much, Batman! I will buy one from the hardware shop tomorrow.

How do I remove nail hooks without damaging the wall? The ones that I have look like these. Is there some special tool that I must get?

No. I plan to bring all my current furniture over. From a bigger unit to a smaller one. A big headache.

Need some help here. Below is part of the whole HDB floor plan. I plan to put my bed along the East wall (so that I sleep with my head pointing to 1 of my good directions) - that means the bedroom door and the bed is sharing the same wall. I read some websites which some say it's OK, others a NO-NO. So it is very confusing. The other thing which I dislike is the sha qi that comes through from the WC1 door directly to the bed. I'm planning to relocate the door - please see below. With the new layout, I plan ** to do away with the current MR door ** to install a full length wardrobe (with doors facing the WC1) to block the WC1 ** to relocate the MR door to the far end, at the side of the wardrobe. I have thought of using a sliding door which I very much preferred but not too sure if the contractor can do it (problem is at least 2 wardrobe doors can't be open) or a bi-fold door. I have not come across any FS website to say it is OK to use bi-fold door for MR. Your thoughts on this please. Is this design feasible?

My new home will have this problem. I plan to use my current divider/cupboard to block the qi. Except that the top part of the divider has 3 open shelves.