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Hi Ely, Been following your blog from page 1 till now since this morning. It's been a fun read, not to say informative and helpful. I am also a new home-owner like you, and me and my partner are as impulsive as you and often got carried away with our purchases. After reading through like 14 pages of your blog (will continue to finish reading them after I reply to this post), I find that me and my partner have too much in common with you. Our interests, our likes, and our behaviour - are very similar (except that I do not have such deep pockets like you)! For the reno of my house, my ID were also merely just following my instructions. Me and my partner have strong opinions of what we wanted and the ID did not have the chance to display his creativity because we had already what we wanted in mind! RIght down to customised cabinets and cabinets, I would draw out what I wanted, take photos of what I saw and asked my ID to customise to my needs. Bascially, both you and I should have got ourselves a contractor instead of an ID because we what we wanted in our minds! Me and my partner would spend our weekends shopping for household items and furniture, as we found it to be a very enjoyable experience. However it does put a serious strain on our wallets as we did not spend wisely - we buy on impulse and on the asethetic feel of the item (love metallic, and chrome items - brabentia bins, wmf kitchen accessories are our fav, have a soft spot for nice lightings and designer furniture too), ignoring the fact that we have basically no use for the item! We have overspent on our budget, and left with quite a number of items that couldn't fit into our house, ranging from wall clocks, wallpaper, kitchen accessories, lights, floor lamps etc. Thats really a big waste of money. Frankly speaking, I think all first-time homeowners are 99% like us, so no worries!!! I have been wanting to write a blog about my house-hunting and home-building journey, but can't find the time to do so. Meanwhile I will just follow your blog and will look forward to your new updates! If you are organising a house-warming or house visit, please do invite me! Can't wait to see your house!

Nice pics! Love the kitchen design, clean lines, modern, but certainly hard to maintain if you do cook!

Forfar heights, blk 48? U must have paid over 700k for this flat. Nice view!

No la, I already promised him I will give him the job, and once promise is out, I cant take it back. WhaT I wanna know is whether he is a worthy fren or not. If he getok me, at least I know I have one less fren.

Demolition Works - Dismantle existing s/s sink @ service balcony. $25 - To remove existing wood skirting @ master bedroom. $80 Masonry Works - To built cement concrete base with selected tile @ new washing machine area and cabinet area. $350 Carpet Floor Works - Supply labor and material to overlay floor tiles in selected Carpet @ Master bedroom and bedroom 2 $1,755 Aluminum Window/ Grille /Doors - To install top hung sliding wooden frame door w/ clear glass @ master bedroom. 4 $2,000 - To install aluminium frame with clear glass sliding door / top and bottom track @ master bedroom. 4 $1,300 Electrical Works estimate - Lay new lighting point 8 $396 - installation of light - 1x 13A power point - 2 x 13A power point - Replace new switches *Note: Lighting Fitting to be provided by client. Wooden Doors/ Veneer door works Framing - Relaminate of existing door @ Master Bedroom (2 doors) $720 Carpentry Works Master Bedroom - To install Bed head Cushion padding in selected fabric finish on existing bed head panel. 1 $900 - Relaminate of existing 2 x bed side table for master bed. 2 $250 - Design & fabricate study table w/ glass top surface in selected laminate finish. (4ft length) 1 $720 - Design & fabricate dresser unit w/ stool in selected laminate finish w/ mirror panel. (4ft length) $984 - To install raise platform w/ plywood finish. 1 $870 Kicthen - Design & fabricate storage cabinet to conceal piping in selected laminate finish @ Service Balcony. $720 Living Room - Design & fabricate Altar shelf w/ feature panel in spray paint finish. 1 $1,500 - To install laminated wooden ledge for display column @ 2 sides of the room 4 $288 Cleaning Works Supply labor to clean up master bedroom after renovation. 1 $100 I know these are not standard renovation works order. The ID is my fren's company. so he claims that what he is giving me is already very cheap. Therefore I din not even go around asking for other quotations or designs from other IDs However, my frens all told me that I should do price comparison before committing. I will still let my fren do the job no matter what is the outcome here in the forums. But at least I know whether i got kena getok or not.