botaq

i think if you diy most of the stuff, can be done. but i dont think kitchen cabinets and all the appliances will be cheap...

Initially budgeted $45k, then became $55k, then $60k, now at $70k will try to avoid a loan if I can. prefer to dont do now than take a loan. perhaps if i have to make a choice, i'll spend on those permanent and necessary stuff first like floor and electricals. the other stuff like bo liao furniture and applicances can get later...

I think with all the additions I'm making to my place, I'm wondering if $60k will be enough. Now planning to break wall between the masterbedroom and the adjoining bedroom. gonna add cost there. also recently decided to replace the front door grilles cos i dont like it. another $500 plus there. haiz... im also thinking of pemanently shutting the door from the svc yard to the common toilet. wanted to seal it up but that's added cost. will be putting my dryer there instead. in that way i dont have to stack my dryer on my washer and there will be less issue with the clothesrack coming down. also can buy top load washer.

think i spotted your post on the casa clementi FB...

yes i think you can do a few things to it, curtains, blinds or like you mentioned, sticker that will make it look like frosted glass. i think HDB does that for you by default for your window at the air con ledge. the downside of the sticker is that you too wont be able to look out. my ID is installing that kinda frosting sticker on the bifold door that leads from the svc yard to the common toilet. needed some privacy there....

wah, painting the whole house on your own? super siong leh... classifieds has some cheap house painters.

dont know if i got you accurately, but were you saying that previously the water heater could be located in the service yard? I'm getting a storage heater and would prefer it if I could place it in the yard. for my svc yard, i'll be installing grilles and windows. There will be kids visiting and also a bit cautious about the rain. esp cos the wind can be strong on the higher floors. Alternatively i know some ppl are considering bamboo blinds which are quite weather resistant. you could consider that if privacy is a concern. i get what you mean about privacy for the svc yard. when i was walking ard i noticed that for some svc yards, you can look in from the corridor!

for my reno budget, i include everything, including electricals, plumbing, furniture etc. in that way i have a clearer sense when i will go bankrupt.... shelving, about $200 if im not wrong. http://www.yee-sin.com/ there's also those boltless shelving for about $200 as well at Giant in IMM.

Do u also know if Ezzi will cut my hdb poles for a price? i might not want a new clothes line. happy with the HDB one but it's too long. will crash onto my dryer. if it's shorter, would be better. thanks.

interesting. where is your water heater located now?

oh those. yeah, i think everyone would have problems with that. i'm also enbloc, but i dont mind the new place. care to share your new clothesline? I dont like the HDB one either, it will hit my dryer when lowered.

Hi Mersing, Are you sure that there are small windows on top of your sliding window? From wat i last checked, i dont have those in my unit. just the sliding window. Are you on Casa Clementi facebook page? I have been working on my design since I chose my flat about 4 yrs ago, but more actively since beginning of last yr. wanted to think thru it very carefully. saw a few IDs and settled on Ideal House. Most of the IDs I saw had similar concepts but Ideal House had the best attitude.

Hi Mersing, I chose bay windows as well. I specifically chose bay windows cos I didnt want the full height window. I was certain that I would be installing grilles. Grilles on a full height window will make it look like a jail cell. Grilles on a bay window look less jail like. If i werent installing grilles i'd definitely go for full height. I've operated the windows in our blocks before and there's no issue reaching to open cos the locks are placed lower. there are also no windows on top. you can use the bay windows as a seating area. some people extend the bay window about 0.5m to make it a bed. Can also use it as shelving. possibilities are endless. hope this helps.

thanks!

where did you get the payphone from? I been searching high and low for it. thanks!