renotm

You actually met all the 9 contractors??!!!!! Well, exclude those I briefly talked to at those expo exhibitions, I have only officially asked for 5 quotations through emails, all 5 got back to me, but I have only met up with 2 based on their initial quotations. All of them are recommended by fellow members. This is already draining me sick (today MC liao). Yes, I also do not intend to move again, even before these "exercise". That's why I am thinking of doing the renovation with the most "timeless" theme (which I dunno what yet). Really?! Thanks a lot! I was paiseh to ask you if can visit your place or not but it is really nice of you to ask... you need to ask Andrew for "showroom" fees already. Will this coming weekend works for you?

Well, I don't intend to move, at least not within the next 5 yrs... , but we never know too. The table is really solid, the touch and workmanship is good. Heavy too. But on 2nd thoughts, I probably won't get it, the look is too "antique" for my "minimalist" theme. Oh, it went better than the 1st round, I think. I let him do the most of the talking. His initial quote was way out of my budget and expectation... by a good 30%!! Really din expect adding a little here, a little there, will end up 30% more than I initially thought. But he did work with me to try to get the price lower by suggesting alternative. He will get back to me in the next few days. One thing I noticed is that he do not like us to "outsource" things to other contractors, this is where I thought why the 1st meeting din go as well as I hope, he wasn't very pleased (I sensed lah, dunno if he really was) then when I asked if I can go direct (eg, doors). So this time, I never asked that again, I merely ask if can be cheaper or got alternative or not. I am also meeting another contractor later this week for 2nd quote. I had a pretty good impression of her during the first meeting (early Jan), but during that time, a lot of things were not quoted. She also brought us up to one of her almost complete site to look at the workmanship, I must say it was quite good too. Let's see how things go then. These meeting contractors-going through quotations after quotations sessions are starting to drain me out... so much so that I was telling a friend yesterday that I am very tempted to just dun do ANYTHING for the apt liao. (You can tell by this that I am a low-energy person. ) Actually the place is in well-kept conditions, and the sellers did the renovation ~5 yrs ago when they first bought it, so I really could have just move in without doing anything. Would love to post the current condition here but think to respect their privacy, I will only do it after they move out.

Yeah, the price for this console table is about equivalent to custom-build, but I was thinking that I can take it with me if/when I move (build-in can't). The shop is Geminis Lifestyle Pte Ltd. They said they are located at The Furniture Mall. If you are interested too, maybe can go to Singapore Expo Hall 6 today (last day) to take a look. They are towards the center back of the exhibition hall. According to the sales, their showroom price is much higher. Thanks thanks. Haha.. Tues is also he said one.. I just told him earlier better. BTW, how is his carpentry's workmanship? Yeah, if I do get this table, need to rethink my kitchen's "theme". Wasn't going for resort/woody feel, so now is back to board.

Thanks a lot. He called me when I was at Courts looking at the fridges, he has completed the quotation! But verbally he said it has exceeded my budget (which I dun rem what figure I told him.. haha). Anyway, I refrained myself from asking the price over the phone per your advice. Will be meeting him tomorrow to go thru the quote with him. Wish me luck!

Today I went to the Expo for the "Luxury Living 2012". I have start going to these kind of exhibitions since I bought my place... my weekends have never been so "tiring" before this (flat). Since Jan, my weekends are usually spent at Balestier Rd, Jalan Besar or Expo for various "research". Today, I also decided to go to Courts Mega store at Tampines since it is quite near Expo. Spent over 10 hours (includes travel on buses since I dun drive) between these 2 places. Anyway, the "Luxury Living 2012", as usual, it is a small scale one, just one Hall 6 (not fully occupied either). Normally nothing really caught my attention enough to wanna get it right away, usually is just KIV. But today, I came across this table that I liked a lot, and was thinking of using it as my kitchen's Breakfast table, so I dun have to do the build-in type. What do you guys think? This is a solid Muir Wood Console table, but the width and length (50cm X 150cm) is just nice for my breakfast table (refer to my earlier post for my intended kitchen layout). Almost wanted to put a deposit for it, but as usual, I stopped myself from buying on impulse. The sales lady Kristen was very nice, she said since tmr is the last day, if I really want to buy, I can come back tmr, and maybe she can even ask the boss to cut the price further (was $1300, selling $980 -> last quote $950). Then saw this Matrixz boltless Rack 4-tier, starting from $100 and above. KIV-ing them for my storeroom storage solution. http://www.matrixz.sg/images/2-in-1-DIY-Rack-amended-1.jpg

Haha... of coz... NOT! Though I think I rem reading something about your "Teah power", but it was really after these 'conversation' here that I'm truly amazed by your "power".

Haha... you made it sound soooo easy! Think u can open class, and start teaching the art of "teah-ness". Now that i have probably "blew" the rapport, any advice to "patch" back?

Not all women know how to "teah" leh... do wrongly will have even greater negative impact one. I said so becoz I for one, dunno how, and the thought of me doing the "teah" already starts to give me goosebumps.

Wow, This is the art of talking, negotiation. I am more direct person, tactless sometime, guess this renovation journey also give me the opportunity to work on my negotiation, bargaining skills.

Hi May_dream1, It was your contractor whom I met this afternoon. As I am also trying to limit my budget, but still getting the best possible option, I asked about "outsourcing" some items (like what if getting doors and/or solid tops from direct) several times. At one point he said something like, "... you kept asking about the price hor...". I dunno what to react, but aren't we supposed to ask the price as part of our concerns? Anyway, he made a comment towards the end of the discussion that my expectation/requirement are not similar to yours... also not quite sure what he meant. haha. He is working on the quotation now, hopefully can see the "damage" by Tues.

Just met 1 contractor for initial discussion. It went well... I think, but most likely will blow my original budget. Now will wait to see his itemized quote. I think I sounded Jin Jin Ji Jiao... Everything asked "how much? "..."is this expensive? "

Hi, I am looking for windows contractors. Saw a lot of members here engaged Alex (from A&V windows). How about TBT Team Works (aka Tan Boon Tat)? Any one have any reviews on their workmanship and services? I actually contacted both of them a few months ago (right after my OTP, a bit kan cheong, heehee), Andrew from TBT gave me a slightly better rough quote as compared to Alex. He even called me up to verify some of my request before giving me the quote. Based on initial quotes and impression, I am leaning towards engaging Andrew from TBT (his quote was ~15% lower), but I really wonder about his workmanship. Anyone have any comments on TBT? Alex already has a lot of in this forum, but I only saw a few comments on TBT. Thanks!

Rem to close the door when u are washing clothes... washing machine tends to vibrate more as they age, my old one once vibrate so much while spinning that it "moved" itself off the base! I wasn't around when that happened but my sister was when that happened. You won't want to buy another door (unless you dun mind).

Haha... thanks! What would you suggest for the "many things"? I more or less know how I want to do my kitchen, but for the living area, still not fix... only know I want minimalist style. Now waiting for Andrew (recommended by you! ) to contact me again after his CNY break.

Hi PurpleFairy, Welcome to Renotalk! Yes, the "waiting" process can be . I came across 2 units that I really like but I can't buy due to timing and seeing the prices kept going up wasn't helping too. But I think for your case, it may not be as bad as my time, as I already seeing the asking COV dropping over the last few months. So maybe it is a blessing in disguise for you. So just keep looking... I looked at no less than 20-30 units before I found this one.

Yes, money hard to earn these days, so must consider long and seriously. He also recommended some other appliances that I will need to buy for the new place (fridge, WM etc). Luckily I was rarely an impulsive buyer, I always (99.9% of the time) will research all pros and cons of each brand/model (and price of coz)... occupational habit I guess. I noted down all models and quotes but only paid a 30% deposit for these few items (which I have researched since my OTP). Now starting to research Fridge (must be 4ticks), Front-loading WM, instant heater, air-con etc. Any good recommendation?

Hihi, Got... the windows for bedrm 2 is on the left, in fact quite bright during the day. Yeah, but the sales did say if the price drop (which he guarantee will not), he will drop the price when it's delivered. So I figure no loss for me.

It's been a long while since I last update my t-blog. Went for my 1st appt on Dec 1, 2011... 2nd appt on Jan 12, 2012. However, as seller needs to extend their stay for 3 months due to their new place is not ready, so the renovation plan can only start mid-late April, 2012. Nevertheless, I have started looking around for renovation ideas and began contacting several contractors (from the recommendation from fellow forumers (thank you all!)). A few got back to me with their initial quotes, but as my renovation will only start way after CNY, none have get back to me from the 2nd/revised quote yet. So, while I patiently waiting for them to get back to me after their CNY break, I also went to Balestier Rd (many times), Jln Besar, and Expos (for the furniture/home living shows) to start getting some ideas about what/where to get my home appliances, sanitary wares and lightings. So to cut the story short, the 1st 2 things I bought for my new place are... 1. Rinnai Hob RB-2CG & Hood RH991CT (@ $1088) 2. Two KDK Ventilation Fan 20-WUD (@ $65 ea) I have been eyeing on the Rinnai Hob RB-2CG for the longest time, and the quote I got is the lowest I sourced. And from what the shop told me, that most appliances' prices will increase ~10-20% after CNY period, I decided to pay a deposit to reserve them first, since they allow delivery in April.

Hihi, How much did you pay for this sink? Is this under or top mount type? I was looking for something like this. Thanks a lot.

Hi hi, Can you pm me June and Hubby 's contact? Thanks in advance.

Hi, How much is your toilet's bi-fold door and where did you get them ? I am looking for something like that. And for your Blum system from KSH, is their price competitive to Blum Ubi? Thanks in advance.

Hihi, Can share roughly how much did they (Lina and A) quote you for the renovation? Can you also PM me "A" contact? Thanks in advance. Happy Chinese New Year!

Hi Aron, I just got a resale flat recently. The seller have a system 4 (3rm+living) installed ~5yrs ago. I will be doing whole flat rewiring and most likely need to re-route all the aircon piping. I was told by friends it is best to replace the aircon when I do my renovation. But from the last look I rem, the units still look quite new. What is your advice? Thanks.

Hihi, can PM me Ah Soon's and your contractor Andrew's contacts? TIA!

Can you pm me your contractor's contact? Thanks!