renotm

I went to Chartis Website, the similar coverage under HomePlus Plan (Silver Plus) is @ $170/yr?! http://www.chartisdirect.com.sg/homeplus_2227_335203.html

Your kitchen tiles are nice! Where do you get them? got model # to share? Thanks!

Haha, I like to do all these hands on stuff, though I may take longer than the experts. I have assembled futon bed, dining/coffee/side tables etc. Most interesting 'project' was single-handedly removed a car's tailgate to replace the broken wires at the hinges.

didn't buy much snacks (and trust me, you most likely wouldn't like it either), coz got to bring the training materials back too. But I do have some small souvenir if you like one.

China is ok, super tired... a 12-hr traveling (transit/wait/flight) is no joke. still trying to recover. Nope, the city I went to got nothing much to buy. only bought some local snacks and souvenirs for colleagues.

Hi keyswz, Thanks for the suggestion. I did roughly measure the 0.9m width in my current place. It does seems fine. So how is your renovation going? Anymore updates?

Welcome to t-blog!! Haha.. you finally did start a blog here. Oh, you were looking at Yishun area? Mine is at Khatib area. Andrew also quoted you about 30% higher? So you finally got a quote from Lina? How do you find your interaction with her? She sms'ed me when I was overseas to inform me that she will be out of country for a few days (in case I look for her). Just got back late last night so most likely will take a few days break before I start my "reno-research" again. Maybe can you also PM me your "abt there" contractor too? Thinking of looking at another quotation before finalizing the contractor. Thanks!

Yeah, I do hope you get to meet her and feedback your "observation". She finally get my 3rd revised quotation out early this morning, after a few sms reminders. She apologized and said she worked through last night to sort out her paperwork and forgot to email me last night (as promised). This is really a turn-off factor, hopefully if I do sign her up (80% chance), she will be more responsive. My england also "super powderful" one, but I think as long as pple understand, who cares? most impt is content mah... haha So, do start a t-blog soon, maybe with the floorplan and reno proposal first, I always love reading them. And me too, nothing much to be done in the 3 bedrooms, maybe pole-system wardrobes and beds in 2 of the rooms. Intend to leave one room "bare" for now.

Haven't, going on oversea biz trip tmr for 2 weeks, only coming back near mid March, then can really confirm the contractors. So I am definitely way behind you on planning and confirmation. Are you gonna start a t-blog to share your experience too?

At times I also have this feeling of . I almost dropped her until I saw a few more other quotes and contractors/IDs. She did tell me that her priority is her existing clients, so at times she will be late in replying (which I also hope is really the case). My take is if you already know what you want and want cheaper quote with good workmanship and the flexibility to out-source certain things (eg windows/doors, ktchen top etc), then give her and yourself a chance (that's what I tell myself too). If not, just drop her. Her loss, someone's gain.

Yup, she doesn't response very quickly, in fact she really need to be "pushed" to get the quotation done. But from the 2 meetings I had with her, she does came off as sincere and quite honest. So do give her a chance again if you are not in a rush to confirm a contractor (I haven't confirm her either). Same here, not much excitement on/after 2nd appt. Now only more (in depth) research as compared to before getting the place. And sometimes the more you read, the more you get confused/unsure. Heee... looking at your OTP date (aka BD date), you are not older...

Got.. claimable once every 3 yrs... but I have used mine in 2010, so this time dun have.

Haha... Our first meeting he also brought another guy along, though the next 2 meetings just him and me. Leaving this Sat... haven't even start packing... only just dug out my winter clothes to check if they are moldy or not...

No doubt Andrew is a busy man... he told me during our last meeting that now he is the only one doing all the quotations. Asked him why not let his people do, he said sometimes they will take >2hrs to do a quotation (and may even be wrong), while he can do the same in <5min (with <5% error for actual). Actually I think if not for you personally referred me to him, he probably wouldn't have time to "entertain" my quotation either.

So how did the meeting go?

How's the renovation so far?

Really nice wardrobe!! What's the height for your wardrobe/door?

Have been thinking about my kitchen layout. Initially wanted an U-shape kitchen, but with the storeroom (originally) in mind, there is not enough space for the breakfast sitting area. After meeting May_dream1 (thanks, May! ) and seeing her kitchen in person, have been wondering if I can place an island in my kitchen (May_dream1 can give lots of ideas, pple who needs help in designing their place can look for her... ). Option 1: a ~10ft 0.8m wide Island in the middle of the kitchen with ~0.9m walkway on both sides. With this layout, thinking of not doing any wall(top) cabinets on top of the hod/hood and sink side bottom cabinet. The wall side bottom cabinet will be ~13ft. Option 2: Keep the original L-shape kitchen, with 2 top cabinets on each side of the chimney hood. Replace the breakfast top with a 80cmx80cm dining table. Something like this Helping Hand's old coffee shop style. http://www.thehelpinghand.org.sg/product.php?id=6&type=Dining Any suggestion/comment?

Hi, PM sent. Rem you may have to "push" her for quotation. Do comment if you find her quote's reasonable... you probably will confirmed your contractor before I do.

Met another contractor this evening. This is actually the 2nd meeting with her. I must say I like the interaction with her. Her quotation is not as itemized as the other quotations that I have received, but when I asked on those items, she would either add them in (some at no additional cost) or explained that they are already included in her quotation. Some examples: 1. She did not include the bedroom doors, and when I asked about that, she would explained to me that there are actually 3 main type of doors I can choose from, and tell me the pros and cons, and price range between them. She will put them in for my next quotation reference. 2. When I ask for some items which she normally dun do, she would gave me the rough quote but tell me if I can find a cheaper direct source, I should go with them instead of her. 3. Blum drawer runners: she did not include that in her quotation, but told me that if I want to, I just need to tell her what model I want and she will get it for me, and I only need to top up the difference (between the original and blum's runners). 4. She is perfectly okay for me to go direct source. Eg, I told her I would like to get my own kitchen solid top during the 1st meeting, and this round, she readily remove that item from the quotation. She did not "insist" nor comment that my choice was "a waste of $". She even said that when I finalize the source, I should let her know so that she can liaise with them for smooth installation. 5. She said that she would prefer to go for a site visit/measurement before (if) we sign the contract. This is to avoid surprises and differences in expectation. I thought that shows that she took the work seriously. And the best part is, her quotation is by far, the cheapest (and I think most reasonable one ). So with the above positive impressions, I added a few more items and ask her to give me another revised quote. Hopefully she would give me as promised by next Monday. The "weakness" I find of her so far is that she needs a little pushing to get the quotation out.

Really nice door! But hor, you installed it before the kitchen cabinets? Wouldn't that be a bit dangerous, as in scratches or worse, knock into it during cabinets installation??

LOL...Haha, actually no need to guess, he said so himself that he OTP (with date) a day after 35.

Haha... I think we can all guess not just Terrain1976's age but also his/her exact birthday. Wah, if that's Kiasu-ism, then I am one too. I started reading renotalk in Oct 2010 (or even earlier? )... then start looking at apartments from Mar 2011, ~4-5 months before I can official get the place, but only OTP in Oct 2011.

Thank you! but I have an appt until 4pm on Sat... Will 430pm be too late for you? I will see if I can reschedule the appt tmr. Let me know? Thanks!

Hi Terrain1976! Looks like we are about the same age... and similar taste too! Your handover date is just 5 days after mine! haha... another things that is similar Are you going to start a t-blog soon? Yes, the boss is an old uncle, but I talked to his staff, who is a very nice lady. I also love the design of the table but becoz the color a bit off my "ideal theme", I have no choice but not buying it. Wah, you already got a lot of things for the new place! So far, I only got the hob&hood and the KDK ventilation fans. hee... still undecided on many things.. so dun dare to buy until closer to handover date. Are your shortlisted contractors recommended in renotalk too? Who knows in the end we may have the same contractor too.