adidaem

Oh yeah, quite a lot of neighbours who installed windows in the balcony split the windows into 2 with small lift up (?) type above the bar. Didn't realize the bar is so slanted... Think some of my walls n beams were severely slanted too... Lousy HDB contractors... Haiz.

Congrats. Condition does look good but photos can be deceiving so hope all is fine in real life too. And no COV! Lucky lucky you. Is that marble flooring on the first floor? Some carpentry is ok for later but do get the major stuff out of the way. And cost-wise do watch out for electricals n carpentry items that can really add up.

Samsung. Don't like the Sony colors but design wise Sony is not bad if you like the monolithic look. Confirmed by lotsa tech mags. Hubby into gadgets and he was insistent on Samsung when we got our place. Unless there is a shift in market leader since... So far works fine for me. Read that LG is ok too. Can't rem which brand has the latest technology. LED is good if your hub doesn't like to change bulbs.

Yeah... Think COV dropped only during last crisis. Else this area's COV is usually quite painful. Just to confirm, you partitioned a small room from the original kitchen? Is it meant to be a storeroom or for other purposes?

Not everyone has a roof for the balcony. If they don't the compressors are still in the balcony which will be double storey in ceiling height. Mine is the unit with a long black fan so if you see my unit you'll understand what I mean. Have seen t-blogs where the compressors are installed along the corridor, I.e above the main door area just outside the two bedrooms upstairs. Think need approval tho.

Hello neighbour. So lucky to get your place with no COV. Most who moved in in the past 2 years paid a bomb for a unit (me included unfortunately). Great idea to change the stairs for more dining space.

1) If the compressor is in the balcony, the heat will get trapped if you cover up with windows. That is a major no-no. A roller shutter would be better IMO, or at least a combi of shutters and windows for the heat to get out. Don't forget that the 3 toilet windows all lead out to the balcony too. Quite gross to have all the toilet air circulating (and trapped) in the balcony IMO. Oh and if you have full height windows you'll face a cleaning problem after some time... 2) Really a personal pref...

Plus consider if you like the feel of stepping on laminates... Think for me vinyl is a good alternative apart from my fear of toxic emissions... Large area is not a problem, but perhaps you need the hardier type of laminates if more wear n tear expected. Can't rem what the diff grades for laminates are. Actually purely based on feel when you step on the floor, I still like parquet... And marble (super ex of course)... Mine was similar to mymoonlighting. Thot was atrociously exp when I did my reno but mine was also all concealed n includes LAN points etc. N used quite a number of down lights.

Oops Paiseh, saw the carpentry and thought almost done. Once the carpentry is in it all moves pretty fast. Yeah, been super busy at work, and suddenly one quarter has passed. Sigh.

I have read so many examples of "star" RT contractors that have become a victim of their own success... - too busy with too many jobs to serve each client properly, - quoting scary pricing that rivals ID prices, - and IMO this is the worst... Take on so many jobs that they hv cash flow problems... Think to be successful in the long term, really gotta rem to keep prices reasonable, deliver the job and stay humble... And know how to say "no" when they have too many jobs on hand. Guess not easy to do? Else wouldn't see so many contractors stumble... After all once a good reputation is lost, really not easy to gain back. If you are facing problems, pls do not handover the remaining payment until all rectified to your satisfaction. After all if can get away with shoddy job, probably human nature to do so... Just my 2 cents, no offense to hardcore supporters of those "star" contractors. Erm, and really not to install wc until the end stage...

Erm... Really gross... So next time if install wc don't install the lid first... Think my contractor mentioned not to install too soon too. I will force my ID to change new lid for me if I had seen yellow spots. Think especially gross to women ba?

Think ok, they hv lotsa experience n there are only that many EM layout. Anyways also dp on how fussed you are about exposed pipes n ducts. We are super, and our IDs too, so quite glad didn't go with the usual AC suppliers... Really can't stand seeing thick trunkings all over walls that destroys the aesthetics of the place. Tell them what you need and they can advise. Need your ID to coord tho cos probably need to conceal in carpentry and false ceiling if you wanna conceal.

Wow, time really flies. Do post pics of your place when you have settled in. Congrats on completing your reno.

Ah ok, thought maybe you let the smaller ones run loose occasionally. If you don't then I guess no danger. Enjoy your new place. Guess you'll find yourself staying at home a lot more?

Oh we went to their factory to talk to them. More fun cos got a glimpse of their other mega projects. My hubby did the liase so I can't rem the name of the guy and lady that we worked with, but they were ok and knowledgeable re layout n stuff.

Erm, isn't that why you have a main con to supervise all the work and make sure that the work is done correctly and up to standard? If you need to supervise and check everything then might as well get the subcon yourself right? Saves on the mark up... I engaged an ID but I spent enough time with my main con in the end stages to understand that. Mind you that I was home mostly cos I was supervising my furniture delivery n stuff and not to supervise the works. Quite surprised that you still have to spend so much time and effort when the main con is taking a cut from the overall price.

No problems with aircon. We got a service contract with them and they call my hubby quarterly to remind us to schedule servicing. We chose them cos we wanted someone who can continue with servicing after the reno. So yeah, all good so far.

Good for relaxation if you can hv a separate bath n shower area. To save water, perhaps a Japanese tub rather than a European type? Ie really just for soaking and up to neck to relax the tense muscles there. I did some research previously, hv a look if you are interested: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/wish-list-a-slipper-tub/ Good if you integrate so that the tub user can face tv in bedroom etc. think will get much more use out of the tub if entertainment is considered.

Hi summersann, well done and hope you have fun doing up the rest of your place. You have lotsa pets! Quite amazed that they get along with each other. No offense but just curious that no one tries to munch on any of the smaller fur kids?

Ah, always fun to see reno that are not run of mill variety. Looking fwd to see your end result. Jiayou.

If you don't think your kitchen will get wet, then is fine... Don't forget that laminates can't take much water. If you are keeping the balcony, consider heavy rains... The portion of the floor nearest the balcony did get wet until we installed roller shutters. Heavy rains don't happen often but you just need one incident to damage the floor right? You can also consider vinyl instead of laminates, supposed to be more resistant to water and hardier than laminates. But do check for toxic emissions n stuff.

I think possible if the loft is built as a furniture... Ie using carpentry and not a structural change. Can be expensive tho. And you will need a good carpenter. Do read the hdb reno rules in detail and interpret as you will... This is my understanding of the rules.

Possible reason based on my limited understanding... HDB usually have exposed wiring/trunking and pipes. These involve less work then those wires/pipes embedded in walls (allowed in condos) since: (i) You don't have to hack/expose the walls to lay the wiring/pipes (ii) You don't have to plaster back the wall (iii) You don't have to repaint or whatever other misc work required to restore the wall condition Less steps = less coordination with different contractors/groups of workers = less time for project = cheaper cost.

Think boyblunder mentioned that he did since the pipes are on level one so shifting the positions of the upstairs loo won't affect neighbour. You can search via Google for his blog.