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Hey guys, am thinking of doing up a corner for my collection of cognac and wine. any recommendation ? I've chanced upon this unique display cabinet but its gonna set me back at least 4k. and knowing me... i'll probably put it up for sale in the garage section after a couple of months lol Hence not looking for anything too expensive. Any recommendations?

its expensive. and risk of damaging homo tiles high. i had my floors polished and tiles were cracked and scratched and the polisher would not take responsibility. Plus its quite a hassle to leave untouched overnight. End result - shiny floors for 1 week. Cracked tiles and damaged grouting.

Hi ihuazi did you manage to do double glazing windows for your place. Can you advise the cost =)

ask around. my ID saw there are new ones in the market which no need storage tanks.

www.bigshadowboxes.com.sg Sorry. what are shadow boxes?

Seems so.. why are these companies censored in the first place? yeah finally decided on one who is reasonably priced, service orientated, has helpful suggestions and a head for design. Also in this line for some time and has the branding of a big company to back him.

Contractor Selection Process This wasnt an easy decision as there are so many pros and cons, opinions and factors involved. It took us months to eventually come to a decision. We were quoted from so little as 34k to as much as 62k. The variance in price definitely did not help our cause. Here are some of the IDs weve been liasing with. 1) NoffWess (can't type full name in this forum) 2) Dizthing Eyedentity (can't type full name in this forum) 3) Sky Creations 4) White Space Living 5) Calaido Interior Designs (can't type full name in this forum) 6) The famous Alan of the renotalk forum 7) Good term contractors 8) Classik Eyedears (can't type full name in this forum) 9) Summit Interior Design 10) AX Interior Design 11) Rest & Relax 12) Metamorph Design 13) Chew Interior Design 14) Lourve Interior Pte Limited 15) Wood and Metal General Contractor 16) Ish Interior design And this is as far as I can remember…. Gawd. Ironically, I came up with my floorplan myself entirely.. perhaps maybe I am too picky and particular. Anyway it brought about a new set of problems who do I choose to do up MINE design… I bet many out there would go with a contractor… that is not always the best alternative. Was intending to do a writeup on each company but believe that would take me a couple of hours…and it wouldnt be fair to them. Will instead write experiences and common expressions / traits displayed seen during our interactions : *There are very few proper designers most layouts which were recommended to us were uninspiring and impractical ( not taking into account details such as the beams, height and theme) Most people we met with the exception of one… had similar proposals. The exception however gave us a quote of 51k… although his idea was radical and exciting, I did not think I could afford it… *Salesmen vs layout staff vs quotation staff sometimes the people who you speak to passes on the job of doing up your layout to another dept and yet another dept to do the quotations. Leaving the original sales guy in a state of confusion and not in the know. Perhaps this is why their sentences contradict or things in the quotes arent particularly clear. lines which I am sick of hearing - Dont worry ...... - Then I will play with the lights… (seriously what does this mean?) - here is my quote… that is before my discount to you lah.. too expensive issit? Then I reduce the price loh… (why do we play these games) - Got money can already loh, all your problems are be solved - so can we sign today? (its as though we will change our minds after we go back renovation still needs be done!) - I normally do condos and bungalows one… (ok bye) - I can throw in this one for you lah… (Coloured PVC for one wardrobe or some low cost item) PS this is usually after they have marked up 20 30% on the larger items - Mine better quality mah. I use blahblah, others use blahblah. (honestly, how am I expected to know these things unless its my bread and butter) *the words minimalist, modern, contemporary has lost the all meaning… * 5 different quotes from 5 different companies = 5 different way of quoting and different dimensions (same layout!) Eg. Kitchen cabinets was estimated between 12ft 34ft. My wardrobe was calculated from 18 ft to 28 ft. *Some quotes are extremely detailed settee in solid plywood 6mm thick with laminate finishing (up to $50 per pc) under the window of approximately 3-4ft with blahblah hinges and custom made cushion top with blahbblah material PLUS can flip upwards and thereby doubling up as storage space for items such as your books, clothes or past quotations from other IDs Whereas some just state 1 pc sitte in MBR. *All IDs say other IDs are dishonest. *Carpentry work is surprisingly difficult. Most companies quality varies. Some feel very light and flimsy, some are alittle shoddy. Things like creating a rounded edge cant be done by some of ID companies sub con would need additional monies if you want such designs. *Suspended TV consoles…. Swivelling TV feature wall… Cushioned wall backing on bedhead. Box up , L Box, downlights, china made homogenous, laminated floorign… HOW BORING!! Why does everyone do the same thing? * Price of tiles / laminates etc dubious dubious and more dubious. Some allow up to 3.20, some dont even put that in but verbally say up to 4.80 per tile. Argh. Frustration. * Minimalist theme = as cheap and as little materials as possible for the highest price. * everyone is patient before you sign the contract. Ok enough griping. In the end, here are some of the things which I like (may not be a good gauge) - prompt response, responsibility and takes note of little details during discussions (sort of an indicator of the renovation process itself aint it?) - arranges appts, drives you to various locations to see tiles, current projects, completed projects and to meet you at your place of convenience. - understand your quotation and needs well. (I had to repeat my requirements 2-3 times before some of the IDs eventually added into the quote) People often 4get I had pets to cater for even after I reminded constantly. Works within your budget - nice shoes. - follow up with emails, phone calls and presentations during meetings. (drawings, contingency plan.. etc) - tries his/her best to provide a better pricing. - communicates well. - able to provide before and after pictures of previous projects. - site visits (takes measurements, pictures, spends time noticing the layout and restrictions) - Organised (able to find his files, pictures and notes readily) Better yet, remembers your details.

Anyone managed to do up double glazed windows ? or can advice if my quote is pricey. Thanks !

Yeah i agree. Space planning is bloody important. Oh yar.. i was quoted 4250 to change all my windows as well. (casement) in total 10k for air con and windows for a 3 room flat... pengz.

oh yar... i decided to use an ID afterall... gave up. Afraid of the inability to manage the project. Bad ideas / colour combi and reno kokups. Still puzzled over this whole air con thingy. what is cool enough and what is too cold!!!!!!!

I was quoted 10 and 13 for the study and MBR respectively (MSY-GE10+MSY-GE13) under a 20btu compressor (MXY-2E20) + a 18 and 13 for the living / kitchen area (MSY-GE13 + MSY-GE18) under a 28btu compressor (MXY-3A28) for $5500. Can anyone advise if this is necessary? is the price expensive as well ?

Was quoted $4250 for : living room -5 panes (4 swing 1 fixed), study - 5 panes (4 swing 1 fixed) Master - 2 panes (both swing) Kitchen - 3 panes (all swing) Double glazed with sandtobene rubber gasket. Not sure if this is a good price.

Very useful!!! Thanks Lawry for sharing. Most appreciated.

Hrmmm... taking action against him? But he knows where you live!! He might come round and get people to do "disturb you" every now and then ,..if you know what I mean... I would think this would be sunk cost and terminate the contract le.

gimz63251073 : Yeah fingers cross on alot of items I plan to do. i think all that is left internally is a piece of the MBR wall =) Tha's a good suggestion! the washing machine swaption. Hmm the shoe cabinet will be designed like a letter C to allow for natural light as well as a place for deco / keys / letters etc. Yeah ... i'm thinking hard now about the thigns i need to store... its not as easy coming up with a list .. all i have so far is my desktop ! lol stardust205 : thank you! actually the IDs i've been liasing with said the same thing with lines like " oh yar... thats a good idea and why didnt i think of that" and i'm like " yeah precisely dude" Hrmm Glossy-finish kitchen cabinets? How did you beautify your beams? i think my kitchen height is 2.3m... false ceiling there is almost too daring. The toilets : haa its a matter of mutual respect i guess.... i just thought of this yesterday though ... how the heck am i going to bathe the dogs ?!?? the shower area looks small! and dogs arent exactly cooperative during baths Just a quick thought as well... Can i use one aircon in the lviing / kitchen area? Do you think it would be sufficient to cool the area?

thats the width of my whole house! Yeah i dont think i should do a foyer in that case...

5.7m? 5.7 ft you mean ?

HAha morale of the story...yelling works? Looking at your hacking.... i just realise something.... my king size mattress is already at the house..where am i gonna put it when they start work!! they hack the whole house floor tiles at one go?

Hey Rover this looks nice! how long is the foyer area? heh. I like the pebble stones.

Was trying to do up my own 3Ds today using 3D Max 2012... gave up. Am worried over the cordination / space planning and design part le. Colour scheme etc etc.. A part of me now really really really want to employ an ID instead of a contractor... but it would be a waste as we already spent hours on the layout... sigh mabaricows : yeah.. am leaning towards top cabinets as well... Already have a potential problem with the open concept kitchen - ie lack of ventilation... but i dont wanna get the typical glass partition ! heh mach668 : abit on the high side between more than 40k. Value is 430k

Vincsk2003 Take a look at the reno t blog - quite a few people are doing that. hope this helps.

Can.... you see Wen's TPY 3 room flat topic =) Hey wherre is your place ah ? PM me if inconvenient.

Your pipes are the same as mine! (toilet) are you re-routing them ? ie the centre air pipe... i think i may need to to have more walking space yeah .. after abit of thought.. may not be the same estate ej lol.

Yeap indeed. Ceilings are low. Recently went to a 3 room unit with top / bottom kitchen cabins on both sides... feels abit claustrophobic. The foyer : yeah... on paper it looks good.. the actual thing may turn out silly, haven seen a 3 roomer with a foyer yet haa. The study : ejszaka, yeah I am hesistant to do up a study... but we're both students. Studying is a big part of our lives... what i'm trying to achieve is a study area which is also a cosy lounge area.. space is of the essence!! Terence : floorplanner.com =) you could view it in 3D too (thats the most helpful part) Do take note of the measurements though... HDB floor plans are usually not as accrurate... The beams : hahah EJ, the vertical beams are offset with my ceiling horizontal beams... for yours... i think if you really really really want to open the space.. go get a PE to endorse then can knock down as well. The TV signal thingy : check with HDB... if no one uses it... may be able to take down.... May still do up the cabinets afterall.... unless really minimalist living... 1 pot 1 pan. LOL

The idea behind the usual placement of full height mirrors and mirrored sliding door...(dark tinted ones btw) is to reflect lights and space from both angles ... drawing away the attention from the unusual wall structure (which was self inflicted) the sofas idea : when viewed from the living room ... at a certain point... it becomes one long sofa ... heh The toughest part of all : the TV feature wall idea........... to be continued.