Seewichai

Do not like plastic floor traps. Bought some SS floor traps to be install instead. 6 x 6 4 x 4 The whole lot of them

Oh ya, forgotten about this. Tiles selection and basically these are the tiles that I had shortlisted. Fast game as I already knew what I want. For all floors in living room dining room and rooms. To choose one of them. The left piece suppose to be much darker, I guess could due to the lighting. Service yard. To choose one of them. Kitchen floor. To choose one of them. Toilet floor. Left (Master) and Right (Common) Divider

After reading much reviews on Mitsubishi Heavy Industry aircons, decided to get them and place order once Mr K gives the green light. A week ago, Mr K gave the decree and zoom off to Gain City. Was surprise that the price had gone up by $150. According to the salesman that metal prices had gone up, not sure how it connects with their existing aircon stocks but whatever. Requested for a snr technician to assist in the installation and appointment made on this coming Monday. Mitsubishi Heavy Industry System 3 Inverter

Chinese will be good. Mostly of my conversation with him are Chinese and smses in Chinese as well. I think showing pictures to get the message across is good and I believe Mr K understands English but not those bombastics or 'chim' words. Just show him the pictures and point to the location of your flat and states what you need. About his fees, I can't really comment on it as different people got different requirements. To me he may not be the cheapest, but the priceless experience he gave me is Fast, Efficient and Responsible. You only do renovation one time.

Meh.... I think I forgot to post the 'live' picture of the Kraus SS sink. Followed by the other items from Amazon. For now. Not bad, really a looker. Amazon's Packing Department are zealots. At first I thought is a small little dude. But quite tall. Very small clock, smaller than what I expect. For the kitchen. This going to be on my living room's wall.

No lah brother, I also same. Only when Mr K says, then I go source for the items. Only last week when I buy my lightings, is only one day before he told me can buy lightings already. All my others such as bed frames, washing machine, fridge and other home appliances I haven't even take a look yet. Will try to post something in a short while. Now is waiting for aircon installation on this coming Monday before Mr K can get his sub con to do painting.

Chpt 3 : The List Went on to buy some stuff and some look see look see. The first purchase was a sink. Read about it and inspired by Kim76. Kraus KHU103-33 33-Inch Undermount 70/30 Double Bowl 16 gauge Kitchen Sink, Stainless Steel Put it up on my wishlist and once it hits USD$400, immediately paid for it together with some items. Originally wanted to get a single bowl but then again changed my mind and get a double bowl instead. The ETA was supposed to be a week plus but I had received a call from Singpost in 5 days later that whether is there anyone at home to receive an item from Amazon. Wow, big item so fast to arrive than those small items. Indeed rather heavy Nicely packed with lots of protection The loose items

Nice.

Morning. Yep, actually the house is already 3/5 done. Most of my items have yet bought and I rather buy those ex stock that are available than waiting for couple of months. My contractor would just tell me, "Ok, it's time for you to buy aircon. Then I go buy aircon. "Ok, it's time for you to buy lightings." Then I go and buy. No stress at all. Also, it is so challenging to upload pictures on Flickr.

Yeah, read all the horror stories about irresponsible contractors, IDs etc etc. More horrifying than having Jason with his machete hunting you. However, don't really like to go from shops to shops, I rather purchase everything I need from the same shop and ask them for a good discount. But that will be another post to come. Thanks! Actually I am from North and moving in North. Being a Northerner since 2001.

Nice, I envy the mosiac patterns you got for your kitchen though. Happy renovating!

Arranged with the selected contractor to meet up for the final time. Informed him that I am in the final stage of selection and would like to finalised the renovation details that I want and so that he can give me a revised quotation. What I like about this contractor is that, what he said and he delivers. He arrives early for our appointments & one time earlier than me. When he say he will give the revised (there are a couple of revised versions) quotation by certain date, I will see them at those date. To me, these tell something about the contractor. After getting the finalised quotation, I informed the contractor to start the work on the auspicious date and time to start the work. Also, it's time for shopping.

Chpt 2: Appointing the General Like everyone, you need to select the most capable general to assist you in leading the battle. If not there will be chaos and your lift be miserable. Initially I had only pursue after 2 contractors since I already have in mind what are the design that I want. Minimalist Scandinavian with dabs of wood, white and black after much long research and deliberation. As I do not want to go through of the hassle to see numerous contractors or repeating myself over and over again, I targetted 2 contractors in the first place. But that expanded to 5 instead. 1) D Int***** I** & D***** PL - A friend's recommendation. Spoke with the designer and informed her my requirements, arranged for a day where herself and her boss to come down to the site for accessment. Spoke for sometimes while the designer provides ideas, the boss provides technical ideas on some of the ideas are feasible or not. It was interesting when both designer and the boss debating against each other on some of the ideas floated. At the end of the conversation, the designer mentioned that will email the quotation but it only arrives much much later. It seems that most of the coordinating works are manage by the designer while the boss coordinating the procurement and sub cons. Unfortunately during the shortlisting period, there are some minor hiccups. The designer was on long medical leave. At the 2nd meetup at site, the boss called up at 5 minute before the appointment time to cancel the meeting, a bad point for me cos I am already there waiting. Subsequently at the 3rd meetup, he was late for 45 mins and I had rushed from workplace to the site. It was already almost dark when he arrives, plus the best part was he had assumed I have the copy of the quotation which I told him I did not have, even I had prompt the designer many times. Told my friend about this and he said to drop them. 2) H** In***** Re******* - Called and arrange for a site discussion. Came down promptly on time and came across like a man with no nonsense type. When I begin to talk about what I want, he took out a piece of my floor plan and begin to scribble down. Most of the time he understood what I want when I tried to describe what I want to do at certain location of the house. Some of the time he offered solutions and suggestions which I had overlooked. At the end of the discussion, was impressed by him as a practical man and someone who are conscious of his work. He promised to give his quotation in 3 days and voila! 3 days I received his quotation. 3) Unknown Firm - The contractor's number was given by a friend. Called to arrange for a date to come down to site for discussion. Two men came down, initially was a little put off with their 'brutish' manner. I guess the other older man sensed it and toned down a bit. The older man was more experienced than his younger counterpart and gave a few good ideas. Did not ask for a namecard as I already marked them off from my list. After conclusion, the older man promised to send a quotation. A few days later, I got an a sms version of the quotation and in Chinese... 4) U** Co********** P** L** - Got to know the boss of this firm is by chance, I was actually enquiring about haulage stuff with HDB and they referred me to him. After some conversation, the boss offered to access my site and a quotation. I was thinking why not, and a date arranged to see him. A decent man who claims to do commercial building renovation as well. He had prepared a simple quotation for hacking and was rather surprised at the low charges for the hacking. Unfortunately his quotation after rounded up wasn't cheap as well even the hacking was extremely low price. 5) Ge***** ID En******** - Was at the neighbourhood mall buying some stuff before going to the new house and chance upon this ID firm. Was actually looking at some of the tiles display outside the shop. The ID came out to greet me and subsequently followed him into his office and have a short discussion. Arranged the same date with 4) for him to access the place. Soft spoken and seems to know what we want, promised to give us a quotation 2 weeks later. He said that his brother is getting married in M'sia so hence the long wait. He promised to give us the quotation the first thing when he comes back. His quotation came back and was rather surprised. His quotation was the lowest among all. Most of the rest was in the 30ish range while his was in the 20ish range. Felt curious and asked him of why his pricing so competitive. He informed that since the site was so near that he could simply walk there and they have their own factory and hence the good price. After collating all the quotation, the elimination begins.

Cool, thanks!

Thank you jus4fun & mrmerry Actually I thought of overlay the toilets' wall tiles as well since I am doing the overlaying of the toilets' floor tiles. After some calculation, I decided against overlaying the wall. I think including the doors, the option from HDB cost about $4K. Kinda sayang the price but since me and family going to stay for long, hack care and do it.