sentinel

$400 is very cheap! How many trips did it take?

Most of my work is done. All the shipment has arrived. What's left is for the carpenters to install the cabinets, electricians to mount the lights, plumber to install the bathroom accessories. Still, we were wise to go down each day to take a look. There was some oversight, like they left out the internal colour PVC in the master bathroom cabinet. A wrong model of light was delivered wrongly. All these need to be highlighted immediately, else it'll be too late by the time it's finished. Balcony light installed. Carpentry starts.

I got a partial refund, about 70% because I had been using the item, a digital photo frame for a few months. Just don't be intimidated, even if the Registrar side with the contractor. Try asking the Registrar whether you can counter-sue him as well. It's very cheap for us to launch a SCT claim, more expensive for companies.

Very true, despite this being my 2nd renovation, there are still many areas which I was caught unaware. With hindsight, it's very easy to say I should have engage this sub-con, did this here, do this there but in the midst of the action and with limited time, sometimes I decided to let my id handle it, although I know he will charge a profit for it. I value my time and time is money because I may have to take time off, leave to meet with independent contractors. It's also difficult to really compare 2 different quotations. I realised that maybe some companies have more leeway to negotiate with their sub-con, or they happen to use a sub-con which is cheaper. So I faced this situation where some items quoted by my id is cheaper and others more expensive. So far, my id is willing to work with me to overcome some of the situations and I know he did absorb some of the additional costs, i.e. he's not the "niao" type. My previous id gave me black face when I wanted to install an additional toilet shelf ... 2 more weeks to go till completion, fingers-crossed

I'm sure there is a mediation session where both you and the contractor will attend. The Registrar will listen to both sides of the story and he's a reasonable guy. I won my case at the SCT before for some other claims on IT equipment.

Talked to a newbie at a show in Expo somewhere back in July. Not that I'm against newbie ... after ask long and short, this guy emailed me back 1 month later asking for my requirements again ... I can't be bothered to reply.

Hi, where did you buy your digital lock from?

Don't need to sign exclusive agreement lah. However, within 3 mths (I think), if the previous viewers suddenly come back to make an offer, you still need to give the deal to your 1st agent. Normally that's in the contract terms. For private, the quantum of the comms is very big, I'm sure there will be lots of agents eager for your business. Set it clear from the start if the agent cannot find a buyer in 1 mth's time, you will rope in additional agent. The agent will need some time to post ads, make calls, do their groundwork too. You can also use back the same agent to look for your HDB and not pay him comms, up to you to negotiate

Another buy that exceeded initial budget. Ariston FK62 CXS. I assumed Ariston had removed the pizza function from their entry models, e.g. FH52... it's not listed on the specs, forcing those who need the pizza function to get the higher-end models. They also did away with the rotisserie function, which probably wasn't that useful after all.

I decided to go for these from Amazon and its resellers. Grohe 40 364 robe hook for common bathroom - from Amazon Grohe 40 462 Essentials 24" Multi-Towel Rack for both bathrooms - from www.faucetdirect.com Grohe 40 511 Essentials Cube Robe hook for master bathroom - from Amazon Grohe 40 507 Essentials Cube Tissue Holder for master bathroom - www.faucetdirect.com Grohe 40 689 Concetto Single-Post Tissue Holder for common bathroom - from www.faucetdirect.com

Replacement of the balcony grilles is gonna cost me over $2,000 ... sianz to the max ...

Hi, from where did you get the blinds from? Thanks.

Hi, do you have any fan that the blades retract when not in use?

Hi, do you carry any model where the blades can retract when not in use?

I just got mine from YES Electrical in JB two weeks ago. Maybe it's just me, the guy there doesn't seem very knowledgeable, can't really answer my queries. In the end, I look at the brochure and selected those which has a shorter hanging rod. Mine is a HDB too, so the ceiling is only about 2.5m. Have to buy those "ceiling huggers". I got the V-touch Junior, Baby fans for the bedrooms, the V60 for the living rm. Next week install, fingers -crossed ... The R60 in Malaysia has a longer hanging rod compared to the R60 sold in Singapore. This comes with a LED light. My first choice was this.

La Cafa delivered the wrong dining chairs, the replacement took months. The customisation of the bedframe side tables also took a few months and I had to repeatedly call them. The mattress I bought from them was sunken in and I had to again call repeatedly for replacement. 2nd time, I replaced my bed frame, they again delivered the wrong model! Again took a few months to replace because of no stock. I realised that they will accept orders without checking inventory and then try to "smoke" you by delivering another and hope that you didn't notice. That said, I like the solid wood of their furniture. The spring mattress is still super firm after 8 years and I bought it at $800 only (probably our best investment!). The bed frame is still creak-less after 6 years, TV console standing strong. The sofa cushions is also very firm and friends had commented that theirs sagged after a few years. Quality good but lousy service ... glad I finally got what I wanted from them.

You bet. My laminated flooring was good for 3 whole yrs without kids but spoilt within 1 month upon the arrival of my son, not to mentioned the skirting which started to disintegrate at the edges. Spilled milk, vomit caused damage to the flooring convinced me to go for tiles at my new home.

Seems like construction, renovation, furniture is a good industry to be in .... I honestly think that the id profit margins are very high ...

Called up quite a few windows contractor ... seems most of them don't do it ... never knew this to be a show-stopper ...

Since when did things become so expensive? I was quoted $1,200 for just the replacement of the corroded bar at the top! Going to get another quote ...

Went to JB on a Fri afternoon for KDK fans. Traffic was light at the causeway and we were able to make a turnaround in 1.5 hrs. Indeed, the savings were huge! 4 ceiling fans for about S$630. That would cost about S$1200 - $1500 in SG.

Got this swivel TV mount from Homefix for $79. The TV would not be facing the bed. This laundry rack actually cost $35.90 ... bought from a neighbourhood shop ... When did things become so ex?

Yep, that's why I swear by the LAN points! Cat 6 can support up to 10Gbps.

Thanks to you, I got it at HomeFix! Gonna get my id to mount it for me!

Aircon piping by Gain City. Opted for an additional System 2 for the dining and living rooms.