adidaem

This type of tracks: http://www.gallerysystem.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8

I love my dryer... really life changing in terms of doing laundry. When my sis finally got a dryer (after I strongly recommended getting one since she has 2 kids), she also said it's fantastic. I would actually recommend getting a dryer. If not I see some RT-ers who got those ceiling type laundry system that can extend outside the window. Seems good, but personally I don't like to risk my laundry to the whims of my upstairs neighbours.

Hi art lovers! Do you have contacts for gallery track installers that you can recommend? Also will appreciate a rough gauge for cost and any tips on things to look out for when buying or while installing tracks? Thanks!

Oh that's great. Yes stove at centre of house is bad, under toilet is bad too. The layout of EMs lends itself to problematic positions by unsuspecting owners. If you still don't feel good, dunno if you have 'sensitive' friends who can visit your place and have a look? If they give an 'all clear' you will feel better ya? And yes do get someone reliable to bless the house. I hear that some of these temple people have 'third eye' so is good to get them in. Unfortunately I don't have any contacts for that - just stories I hear via friends of friends, etc. Once you get the house blessed etc you'll grow to appreciate the space in your new place I believe. If not can always move in 5 years.

Not wobbly. Depends on skill of installer I guess...

Read this: http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=48027

Ok lar, waiting for a corner EM in Queenstown can take years... which I can perfectly understand cos I wouldn't wanna sell if mine is a corner. Guess need to be very 'fated' and also have super deep pockets if wanna get a corner unit. 2 to 3 months is not bad at all. Yeah, airy is really important. Wait until Dec, like having natural aircon.

LOL. Not for me then. I have super oily fingers...

All good tips. Just to add, best to know what you are buying and whether it's better to walk away... Since I pretty much replaced everything, here's my rundown of major costs: (i) Flooring: Examine the flooring - can the flooring be retained? Major big ticket item. - Marble flooring usually looks great after polishing but if there are deep cracks, then it'll be hard to retain. I believe flooring is considered in valuation. So if you need to hack away the flooring, that is one huge expense. - Parquet can usually be repaired unless they are totally rotten. If there is damage on some planks, you can replace those but extensive damage means the whole floor has to be redone. You can't even just lay laminate over cos you can't place laminates over rotten and uneven flooring. - Laminates... are laminates... so you'll probably need to replace them. (ii) Windows: Check the condition, hinges, handle, material used. - Sometimes handles can be changed, and cleaning works wonders. (iii) Walls: Extremely guilty of that... - Many walls hacked means higher cost. Hacking walls at the stairway means PE endorsement is needed which means even higher cost. (iv) Doors: Also guilty. - Another 4 fig sum if you change all the doors. Don't forget you'll have: - 3 x bathroom doors - 4 x bedroom doors - 1 x main door - Either 1 or 2 balcony door (v) False ceilings and spotlights - A few hundred for each false ceiling per room quickly adds up... - Lighting points are expensive and add up very quickly. (vi) Rebuilding walls/replacing with sliding doors/glass - Easily a few k just for that. (vii) Concealed electrical/switches - You need to build partitions or carpentry just for that. Expensive. (viii) Air-conditioning - I did the 2 compressors/6 blowers thing. So yeah, another high 4 figs. (ix) Blinds/curtains - Agree re: sourcing from neighbouring countries. Another low 4 k sum. (x) Carpentry - Can be a killer... that said, really the best way to make use of the space and storage is REALLY IMPORTANT in EMs (cos the store room is pathetic). Some stuff that I think is not necessary: - Customised bedframe/headboard. Is it really necessary? Cheaper to buy the frame with the mattress. Huge savings, like a low 4 fig sum. - Cabinets and wardrobe: consider using IKEA measurements, then you can buy IKEA drawers and accessories which really gives you savings. Like this owner did: http://butterpaperstudio.blogspot.sg/2010/08/stirling-hdb-terrace-189-ikea.html Way cheaper than customising. - Desks, tv consoles and other items... honestly, store bought ones can be better value and quality. Think about it, you can move your desk/tv console when you move next time, but not the one that has been installed on the wall. Plus the quality is usually better for store bought ones, unless you are lucky to get a really good carpenter. No offense meant to carpenters but it's simply the equipment and economies of scale - factories just have the tools to give smooth finishes and clout to buy solid wood at better prices. That said, some things cannot be avoided or it just works out cheaper in the long run to replace them... - electricals - esp re: sufficiency of electrical points. - pipes - aircon pipes (esp if you want to minimise/conceal them, best to do during reno rather than wait) - decent quality faucets and fixtures. A pain to replace if they break down.

Thanks, but yours is corner unit! COV is reasonable too. Sigh, super envious. Luckily none of my neighbours sell their corner unit around the time I bought mine, else I sure puke blood. Did you look for a long time for your unit?

I like your exhibitionist bathroom and glass railings! Any blinds for the bathroom hotel style or is it a pure exhibitionistic experience? How do you like the glass railings so far? My IDs suggested as well but I am terrified of all the glass.

Older flats electrical can be iffy. You may wanna have a look at the power and sufficiency of points? How big is your unit? Looks really spacious. Can share the green floors? Yeah I find terrazzo interesting too. Wonder how much to do terrazzo or if there are people who still do terrazzo?

Swee! Too bad I didn't see this when I was doing reno.

Lol. Let us know if any of you make record prices or COV.

Wow very nice. Looking forward to see the end results.

All good now? Any other changes advised?

The living room is quite big so a normal 9k blower does not have enough power. Even if its 4x9k think compressor not enough power? Mine is like a 20K for living, 17K for dining, 12K for MBR (cos it's bigger than the other rooms) & 9K for the rest of the rooms. Even if you are putting in a sliding door I think you need at least 17 or 20k based on the size? We went thru Aircon Designs who did the computations.

Xtra

Haha thanks emlovers. Not quite sure how to respond to the 'lecherous' looking smiley.

$50k sounds good. $30k for an EM? Is it a recent reno? Prices hv gone up quite a lot over past 5 years with inflation and high demand. Older quotes are simply not comparable. People hv been quoting $70k and above I think. But costs add up depending on design, walls hacked, false ceiling, lighting design, etc. So really need to check if its apple to apple comparison.

Yes Air style but at a fraction of price. Got hubby and I wondering if we can match our fav Air furniture to the designers who had left like Nathan Yong (Grafunkt) and Jerry Low (JotterGoods).

Welcome emlovers and avbeng. Always fun to read about new renos. Enjoy your new place!

Try Grohe. Quite a few designs. Around 1.5k at rrp I think. Both Grohe & Hansgrohe occasionally have warehouse sales with items going at 30% or more discount. Like the one that Hansgrohe had recently: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/hansgrohe-30-storewide-sale/

Thanks. Hmm. If I see it then it's fated lor. Congrats on getting your keys.

Good news for existing owners: Price boost for 'limited edition' executive maisonettes Experts say value will go up as HDB will not be building new ones http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/price-boost-limited-edition-executive-maisonettes-20121022 Median Q3 prices: - EAs: $607,500 - EMs: $631,000 So yeah, EMs pricier than EAs. Woot.