fencer

I don't think any contractors or ID would allow the inclusion of such clause since is a threaten to them.. unless law says is must..

Yoohoo.. talked.. things moved 10%.. At 1 point when things heat up during conversation w my bro-in-law.. Henry said Spore is very small loh (to my bro-in-law).. Hmm.. wanna drink kopi together? Broken tile won't be replaced. Coz canot be seen, hard to change, is acceptable, place would be dirty, may damage other things.. Window.. won't be changed.. checked and slope is within tolerance limit... no leak now, got 3 years warranty.. is nice coz no gap betwn window/grill.. As usual.. walk around.. talk out of context.. compare to other hses.. And most important.. is my unit required to have fire-proof door to HDB rules? According to Henry, previous door is non-fireproof coz is light enuf to be carried by 1 worker. Henry Theory No. 9 here.. replaced exactly the same type of door, no fault. If ex-owner did replace fireproof door w non-fireproof door (coz of heavenly mistake etc etc etc), Henry as a HDB licensed contractor is not responsible to find out this information coz he just replace 1 to 1. IF HDB comes and knock on your door.. like blueocean said in some cases.. owner fault.. owner kana... So pls be careful.. Same things happened. walk around... talk out of context.. don't answer qns straight, compare to other ppl.. story of car selling.. Wiring need to call Liang to come down and put a trunking in the box up coz is dangling = dangerous.. and likely my hse wiring won't pass HDB test.. likely.. not confirm.. so better dun go test water... Those who wan HDB testing, please make it known and wriiten in contract.. Henry dun know abt this coz no open box up before = no notice.. wic last time i showed him abt the spill paint and unpainted portion.. but Shhh.. Did not wan to mention any more other things to waste.. either i DIY, live with it or ask others for help.. time is of essence now.. SHOULD hv prepared haf year after reno to settle things.. hint hint to others.. And yes Simon.. Henry offered for me to retain the rest of the money until i confirm w HDB.. End story, i nd to call up HDB myself to ask abt the fireproof door. If need to change to fire-proof door, i'm in deeper ****.. e.g can the door frame take the weight of fireproof door? if need replace, need hack frame, tiles etc etc.. I'll keep a small sum for the window and cracked tile.. would seek advice from other ppl..

Still no answer. Have just resend the MSG to him again.

Ok. I'll ask him abt this tonite. If he appears in the 1st pl.

Agreed. As alot ppl is telling me, wic alot ppl is suggesting as well.

Henry did not, at any point of time, say what is the amount i can hold back for the window. I simply don't want accept coz i dun know how much is the total cost of the replacement until i get a quotation. And is temporary told back the amount until the "big boss" decide to rectify or not.. If "big-boss" says is ok and just punch more holes, does it mean i need to pay the rest Henry since is "job well done" and is reno is completed? End? nothing is replaced as request and i pay up all..

My HP message to him at 11.14am. "FYI. I b going down to the hse tonight to take pics with my bro-in-law. If you wish to discuss the matter, please be at the voide deck of my hse or next block at 7.30om tonight. For any future correspondment, pls contact me via sms or email for transparency sake. Thanks you and have a nice day." I had taken 1 step back. And i hope he do so also.. so now is up to him bah..

Sorry.. i was mentioned the details of the window testing, at what angle tiles shld be laid.. where 1st.. etc.. those more technical stuff..

Hmm.. i also asked him dumb questions.. at 1 point, i asked him if the bottom and top of the door covered since my main door kana rain water easily. He said yes. i ask him about other doors also.. he also said yes.. after 2 weeks, i bought a ladder to start cleaning the hse, and discover all the doors top and bottom is open and unprotected.. i asked him again, he said is like that. Cannot do anything oledi.. Last i encounter, he called abt the installation of the broken toilet basin. Day 1, the guy broke it. Day 2, i went to see see. and it was up oledi. Day 3 or 4.. i forgot, Henry called to arrange a time to install basin. i told him is already installed. He said isit.. oh.. ok then.. The last painting rectification.. he told the painter to do this and that.. i checked next day.. not done.. day after not done.. was tinking mayb bz or rescheduled.. wait and wait while i started cleaning the hse.. When Henry called me last fri.. he told me i shld hv told him that it is not done.. means after that day with the painter, he did not come down at all.. And i can say for my hse. he did not know exactly what was done, at least for the 2 month on.. i was there more of the time.. no prob.. when i met him and ask him, there are conflicting answers.. Ha.. mayb he was bz with all other projects loh.. i also dun knw y only i kana this.. when other hses he did is ok.. Imperfection is there.. and me and my wife and agreed to just live with it to save time and effort.. but not those wic would cause us future problem loh..

Hmm.. i only got til end of May to settle all things. I don't think would be useful to use reps.. coz information from 2 3rd party and back, sure there would be miscomm.. 1) Either he complete everything within these 2 weeks or i ask other contractor to do and minus the expense from the 10%. The rest would be returned to him. 2) They already cut alot of holes.. including the last row wic lets in more water to bath the silicon in rain water wic is covering the rivet to prevent leaks. Well.. i hope it can be settled also coz is affecting my hse wic i bought.. and is causing stress to my wife as well.. But then, he is the 1 sueing me leh..

Hmm.. i also didn't find out abt the certification of the electrician.. so "Cross"my fingers".. Ha.. Comsumers are ignorant on these issues, but that is why there are jobs for contractors and IDs. They are the 1s who are suppose to be better or well versed in such things. If we consumers have the same knowledge, know wic sub-cons to use and how things are done, would there be a need for contractor or ID? But good to learn when information is provided.. Thanks blueocean..

i already mentioned i was in reservist while the reno started.. And it started on 3rd March 2010.. Not to be rude but I do not know what Henry had told you. I did not say it overflow.. i'm saying the water is trapped in the centre and the centre is tilted towards the inside of the hse.. The water need to rise to a certain level to be drained out. so more holes made in the window frame is going to make the water flow upwards right? i have asked for a new opinions and the frame is suppose to be to levelled. If you say the whole wall is tilted back, i got nothing to say.. And fyi, i said i wan to speak to the big boss at 6+.. wic until 8 there is no call at all.. and by that time is said they are off already.. Can i ask, did Henry make an effort to contact the boss to say i wan to expedite the issue? I said also the silicion on the rivet would crack over time so insist on replacing the grill as well. Note.. i asked a few opinion.. and all say y mount to the window.. The visit by big boss is on 25 May 2010 and is to see how it can be rectified.. so if i allow it, means 1week+ is wasted again and if he insist is "like that 1" or just drill more holes, does it solve the problem? If mosquito is to breed, can i say the contractor said is a norm? For the crack, at no point in time did i say is ok not to replace it. Did Henry told u i said ok? Did Henry tell u i called him on sat abt the leak and he came only by when? The leak continued for sat, sun, mon, tue and finally wed was fixed.. would 2 leak be serious enuf to just come over to see and hv measure to prevent water from reaching my dressing table etc? coz it's got warranty so is ok? That is henry's committment wic i saw.. Can i know at any point of time, did Henry ask me for money before the friday call and i die die dun wan pay up? or came to ensure if all the rectification is complete before making such demand? His point in the tele-conversation is that it is my duty to tell him if his painter had painted finished.. He did not even come over to see how it is or isit being done. What's PIC? if you're talking abt the big boss.. the 9am is to hv a verdict on the window.. not meet him.. and i told Henry also to ask him to call me so i can explain and arrange with him.. Is henry who gv alot of excuses and die die dun wan me to talk to him..

We all are mah.. coz we are singaporeans.. is a trend.. Ha..

Just for info.. i'm more of a hands on person.. i enjoy fixing things.. since i learn more, and knowledge is useful to you and any1 who needs it.. and of coz destroyed some things on the way.. Ha.. but not much lah.. Hmm.. mayb to some, it gives more sense of belonging since you personally "fixed it".. I pefer not to ask for help if i can do it myself.. but not if threatened... To make it clear, I just want the window frame+grill replaced (with the grill mounted to the wall instead) and of coz frame is leveled (BCS standard at least or better), broken tile changed and piping redo. I can get another contractor to bill me on these and the $$ would be deducted from the last payment. The rest would be returned to Henry... Good? All these need to be done in 14 days (19 May 2010 to 2 June 2010).. wic my letter of demand will states any way.. and would countdown starts 2morow morning. I will be spending $$ to send a registered mail+express post.. Yes.. is additional $$ again and waste of my haf day lve.. Anything beyond 14 days, i will bill him the details of the cost, no respond, i will go to Small Claims Tribunal straight.. Any1 can offer to inform Henry? I be asking a 3rd party to be present as a witness from now on. I don't tink i wan to talk to him on the phone anymore since he getting rude and threatened me with legal action through email. Either sms or email wic i can show as proof or meet up with a 3rd party. If he does not retract his email wic threaten me before 6pm tonite, i will send the letter of demand straight 2morow. He can come meet me at the hse with my bro-in-law and my now-wife at 7.30pm at the voide deck.

Thanks May Love Well, i'm not expecting 100% sui sui renovation.. but think of the money and time i had put in.. if any1 of u were to buy my flat, either u see or i told u that the master bedroom window frame would accumulate water, and possible leak coz of the way the grill is mounted onto the frame, crack til in toilet and saw the piping was crooked (at the joint area).. would u buy from me at the full price i asked for? Assuming it was like over 5 years later wic the condition would likely be worsen. Ha.. Thanks MayLove.. the lawyer part is already covered.. "i got a serious of backup plans oledi in case things turn ugly".. Well.. tonite i b going down to the hse with my bro-in-law to take pics to be attached with the letter of demand. I of coz i be taking morn lve to to go Post office to post the registered mail as well. Seriously can't tink of why i nd to do all these.. anyway.. not that i wan to.. if it has to be done.. it has to be done..

I just want the window frame and grill and the broken tile replaced, and the pipe done properly.. and i definately won't pay him the last 10% without the job being complete in the proper way.. i dun intend to go through all these just to get back $$ from him.. coz i can spend the $$ wic i didn't give him to employ others to do it. Time is more important to me.. Well.. Henry is the 1 who is threatening me with legal actions.. not the other way around loh.. But if he insist, i dun mind loh... Hmm.. i hardly call it miscomm.. i told him in plain words what i wanted. e.g send me the last quotation. dun tink how it can be a miscomm.. I gathered good feedback on him so employ him loh.. saw the works only from the forum.. looks good.. and no complains.. i gather i'm the unlucky few bah.. I still dun see y it is so hard to just do your job and get paid for it.

I sure hope he knows what he is doing.. coz this is going to get very messy.. Yup.. i totally agree... That's why i'm writing my official letter of demand at the moment. Would send it out by 2morow.. Also be send email to various agencies to complain about Henry and his company, including HDB.

info.. the height of the step down in my master bedroom toilet is 3/4 of an inch while the common toilet is 1 1/4 inch.. Pics of the drainage area in my master bedroom toilet.. The pipe used is abt 1.5in in diameter.. and notice a number of holes for the cover is cemented.. so i tink is what caused the water not to drain out fast enuf.. These 3 pics are taken abt the same time.. Left side which is nearest to the drainage hole, is haf filled with water. Right side which is furthest away froom the drainage hole.. the water is stil very very low.. Notice the place near the stainless steel tray is stil quite dry.. while the other side is almost fill to the top.. I'm not sure if this is the design.. i'll DIY and try remove some of the cement bah (using drill).. hope water can flow faster...

Something to share on my gate.. wic i hope is not a problem.. e.g gate wld drop and hit some1? Mayb is purposely done this way.. anyway.. the gate stays open when opened.. so hope is not a problem.. Top left side of the gate.. Bottom left side of the gate.. looks good right?? Bottom right side of the gate.. And now.. see the top right side of the gate... whala... For those who cannot see the difference, look at the door space left for the gate for all the pics.. e.g the white part wic is the door frame.. 4th pic is almost missing it..

Hi Pretty99, base on my own theory only huh.. Ha.. if done correctly, the water shld not overflow to the dry part if the drainage is done correctly. e.g The floor trap shld be taking in water fast enuf. Initially consider only kerb coz my toilet is small oledi so wanna use shower curtain to make it make it "appear" bigger... Henry suggested step down coz nicer and i only know abt it after the tiler finishing the toilet.. anyway.. i not having glass divider so didn't make a big fuss.. I had seen alot of setp downs in my friends houses so mayb the company tink the tiler skill not that good so dun wan take the risk bah.. Hahah.. mayb huh..

Oh.. ok.. see i DIY lah.. HA.. My main floor-trap is ok... is under the basin though.. Is the round floor-trap in the bathing area wic had problem. i suppose coz is partially covered by cement so the drainage is less efficient. And i can't take it out coz of the cement. The piping underneath is like 1.5in, wic is connected to the main drainage hole (under basin)? I initially asked for a kerb but Henry said the step down is nicer.. anyway lve it lah.. Hmm.. with the step down, isit normal for water to overflow to the dry area? tot the drainage hole is there to prevent that? My kitchen have 3 spots wic water would accumulate leh.. 1 on the fridge kerb at the corner near the wall, 1 just below the fridge curb at the corner near the wall, another at the box up near the dustbin.. 1 more at the guest room wic water would accumulate behind the door. Guess this i have to accept mah.. dun wan risk hacking the tiles to make it even and make the place more dusty..

Hi hcbing, some is whole length, some is certain portion only.. would it be better to scrap all the paint off (whole length, even those un effected parts) and repaint? won't crack again after repaint? what's a moot point? We actually planned to put shower curtain.. i'm sure the pipe connected is smaller then the cover of the hole. And is not tapered (big to small towards pipe leh.. the cover of the hole cannot be removed (shld be right?) and some part of the cover is sealed with cement.. the water in the shower area actually rose quite fast.. e.g the hole is not taking in water fast enuf.. i had seen the cleaner full blast all the tapes when cleaning the toilet and the water is filled up to the toilet bowl area and is at least 1cm above the tiles.. Do you know abt the steepness of all the tiles? e.g shower area, the drainage hole shld be the lowest so water flows to it. The room/living/dining shld be levelled? kitchen floor shld e levelled in such a way that water flows towards the drainage hole?

Thanks blueocean.. I'll read up on the BCA website on the standards. These information is certainly very useful to everyone who is planning reno, in the midst or even after reno ha finished.. There's alot of useful information to digest and learn.. And i would spread the word as well to all my friends and ppl i know on how to better protect themselves again rogue contractors. Personally, i tink is time ppl step up to contractors who is irresponsible. And more ppl should step forward with their encounters so that the public can be better informed and therefore knows how to better protect themselves. And of coz, the good should also be praise for their effort and work done. There would alway be 2 camps.. but then, the public has the right to know what is happening and therefore decide for themselves. That is the purpose of this forum to share the good and the bad (i suppose).

To share my latest discovery... - Discovered that the paints (I HOPE is only the paints), part connecting the door frame to the wall, is starting to crack for all my 3 rooms. - Master bedroom toilet's shower area drainage is not taking water fast enuf and would flood over to the basin side when bathing. (THIS MUST BE RECTIFIED). fyi. it is an additional drainage point added which is connected to the main drainage hole. Those going step down, pls be careful of drainage. Need to bath or on water at full blast to test.. Thanks Mickey M.. For those who stil in the reno, i suggest u bring a voice recorder + camera everytime you go to check new hse. If your contractor is going to talk the same way my contractor is and wasting your precious time, take out the recorder and record. I'm sure it would speed things up. Wic i should have done so can post online on the way my contractors talks.. Hi hcbing, would move in only by end of May. lucky i added in 1 more month after the suppose 2 months of reno. Apparently is stil not enuf. My fridge, washing machine, sofa, mattress etc is coming this weekend so what can only restrict the any rectification those empty places. Those tiles places wic would accumulate water (coz the tiles are placed lower then the rest), i guess i hv no chance but to accept it. Hope i dun nd to wash the floor with lots of water.. Ha.. I'll take pics to share next week bah.. after my sofa etc arrives.. hope dun hv problem with the furnitures.. *cross fingers*..

Hi Lovely.. i'm sure Henry had tot of it very very seriously before threatening some1 with legal action, and knows the consequences well enough since he is not a "fresh grad".. well.. i can loss some cash and time.. he can loss his license, credability and be blacklisted.. Read this post after dinner just now. Ha.. so coincident.. Told my father and bro-in-law abt Mr Henry threatening with legal actions, they too adviced me to go to CASE as well. I think i'll do just that. And i'll also be contacting HDB, BCA and NEA as well. Any1 knows any more agency i shld contact (so as not to appear to look like a carrothead)? But to be polite, i'll draft and send an email to Henry as adviced by my bro-in-law, who knows the field very well. Hi gimz63251073, think Henry is just riding too high up on the waves... as the saying goes.. the higher they are, the harder they fall.. He must be thinking that he can take some1 for a ride and that some1 has to and will pay him for the ride..