jackio1917

Planning to check out some shops tomorrow. Saw this on OM website. Looks good.

Hi NeoBy, yes, the toilet iis pre-renovation. The house is very well maintain but old. Thus plan to major overhaul. Hi May_dream1, thanks for the idea, good suggestion. Draft 2 Hi,piknik,the layout of the kitchen will be exactly like this. Not much space but workable. (Heehee, think the draft not very accurate). Photos are my current rental unit which is the same layout as my HDB.

First draft on layout for the house Still not satisfied with the living room. Too much space wasted.

Photos of the master bed room :

Systemind platformwith two hidden tables for my living room (dont remember exact measurement, abt 3x2m/++) cost 4.5k, with installation. 30cm high. Just right for the window. But this we don't need to worry for now, can slowly save up money to get it later. we choose to have this instead of opting for a cheaper version bc, firstly we respect the patent that Design Tray has, secondly, hubby loves the solid wood material (I jumped on it n no quek sound was created, good quality) n the storage option, thirdly, can move the whole platform to new place in the future. we are not getting any sofa or tv console/ feature wall as well as TVs so money can be saved for this. We r with budget but we dont want to sacrifice the quality. That is why the "expensive stuff" r in our Reno brief.. Haha.. But not all are to be purchased or get done immediately. We will get kitchen first, plumbing n piping works, then electrical works. The rest is to be done slowly later after we move in. What makes the house look nice in the end are the furnitures, and little stuff we use in the house, and these can be done at our own pace. Hoffen kitchen is at $900 per meter for bottom cabinets. With my kitchen size, I can totally afford to get L-shaped bottom cabinet from hoffen n the cost will be jut a bit higher than a normal customized kitchen cabinets. And I think it can last me for quite long. since I cook daily, hubby n I agree to get a good kitchen. Hi, just visited your blog while looking for ideas for my place. very interesting blog. Just to share that i used Systemind platform for my previous place. Very good quality and still in very good condition after 5 years. Will strongly recommend.But didnt remove it when i sold my place cos it was there when the buyer view the place and though it was not so nice that it disappear when they took over the place. Also i have no immediate place to install it as my new place is not ready yet. Will check out the Hoffen kitchen as well for my new place. Always like a nice designer kitchen.

Btw, started to scout for a contractor last weekend only to realise that most of them are still close for CNY. Even most lights and accessories shop in Balestier is closed. Anyway, we checked out a pole system wardrobe and now awaiting for quotation (4m wardrobe in master bedroom). My Boy got the loft bed idea when we staycation at festive hotel Sentosa. Search the internet and found this Ibenma loft bed which cost $1,800 . and that is only bed + stairs, table not included. http://www.ibenma.com.sg/proshow.asp?id=1658 Tried Ikea too but not suitable thus thinking of customised the loft bed for him.

Haha, your blog is really super long, i am now at page 5 only. will be my reading material for today.

Hi Potatoes, thanks for the information. Yup, mine also need to plaster everything include ceiling. Never realise the cost till i read renotalk. Got a shock and then contemplated to keeping it (save $$$$)but need to knock off some display area on the wall, then the lobang how? So in the end decided to just pain pain one time plaster the whole unit. There is also 2 Roman column decoration that strecth from floor to ceiling in the living room, intend to remove them as well but the flooring....... Hmm.......

Hi May_dream1, just visited your blog and realise that your place is in Boon Keng. I was staying nearby (close to City Sq Mall) before i bought my current Bishan unit.

There seems to be a lot of work to be done Renovation work will include - Rewire / paint whole unit - Plaster the whole house rockstone wall/ceiling (Just realise that it cost $2-3k to plaster the whole unit, faint.... .. - Change all doors ( main entrance+ 3 bedroom) - Change all window and grills - Laminate flooring for 3 rooms - Redo Kitchen with new floor and wall tiles (Hubby cannot tahan the blue tiles) - Redo both toilets with new floor and wall tiles and shower screen. - Custom made loft bed for my son room - Sliding wardrobe for master and parent room - Others to be decided Yet to settle on renovation Budget. my mind tells me must control not more than $35k, heart say i wan this, i wan that. Haiz.

Hi May-dream1, yes Bishan.

Just some photo of the house Main Entrance Kitchen Common Toilet

Been browsing renotalk for a long time and now it is finally my turn to start work on my place. So decide to start a t-blog to keep track of the ideas and renovation that i have. My HDB Apartment ( 4 room HDB , 103 sq meter 4A) This is a 20 year old resale flat in its orginal condition which commanded a premium price .(due to location and proximity to good school). Bought this 4A resale unit from my friend. Save on agent fee and did the HDB transaction on my own, just collected the key early this month. Despite this being my 3rd home in 10 years (Yes,i move a lot). I foresee this renovation to be the most complex as the previous 2 homes are new flats with minimum renovation required. For this unit however, we are expecting a major overhaul due to the age of the house. Although the owner did some minor touch up for the house along the way and are very clean folks who take great care of the house, it is still 20 years old design and condition so we are planning to redo the whole house except the ceramic flooring for the living room which is still in good condition. Will try to post photo of the current condition later.

can i have you contractor contact too? Thank you.

Thank you so much for the reply. Frankly we do like the unit, if not no need to so headache Pros: high floor windy, unblock (school running track/field in front of block) North south facing so no afternoon sun only 3 unit per level (Neighbours not sure but according to agent both orginal owners who stay there for 20 yr already.) location good, walking distance to my son school Recently renovated(so in better condition that most other units we seen for e 20 year old estate) Cons: Concern as listed in my earlier post. Have been reading Renotalk for tips since day 1 of my house hunting so try to look out for signs mentioned by Bluesummerayz during the viewing. Didnt see any so far. In fact, unit was well equiped w appliance like TV,c omputers etc. Waredrobe and kitchen looks new (agent say renovation done 2 yrs ago). Owner couple was at home when we view the place. For now we are trying to keep our options open hear what they have to say/counter offer, at the same time continue to look out for other units. Just cant stop myself from thinking about it. Moving is such a headache, lease expiring in 2months and we most likely going to shift twice( since even now buy also cannot complete in time before lease expire). Beside buying a hdb, still need to look for another place to shift. Aiyoh.

Hi , This is the first time i am buying a resale HDB and i am doing it DIY, need some advise on a unit i am keen in. (I bought direct from HDB and developer before though which really is a lot more straight forward). I have seen a resale HDB flat recently which meets my requirement and price seems reasonable. However, i have some concern and although i have already made a offer for the unit( no deposit paid yet), i am wondering if i should proceed with it. Summary of what have happened so far: 1) On the day of the first view of the flat, the seller agent told us that the seller wanted to do cashdown ( i.e under declare COV and for me to pay them the COV seperately). Agent claim that buyer have used a lot of CPF and the COV will go back to CPF without the arrangement. Seller wants to upgrade to private property and needed the cash for the down payment. 2) We rejected the request but made a offer to buy the unit nonetheless via the official method with COV fully declared. Agent say will discuss with seller. 3) Agent call us the next day to ask to meet the seller to discuss. We replied if discussed on cashdown, not interested. Only willing to discuss on price if official way. Agent say will talk to owner again. 4) 2 days later, seller agent called again to say ok to official declare full COV but seller want extension of stay for 1 month after completion date cos seller need to complete the HDB resale first then can have the money to buy the private property and need a place to stay in the mean time. Again, we rejected as we are currently renting and lease expiring soon. The seller agent ok ok understand then say but seller have not agree to the price we offer yet. Still need to negotiate on price. Again ask us to meet and discuss. 5) Therefore have arrange to see them this weekend to discuss. Is such things situaition common in resale transaction? Hubby now getting worried cos A) It seems seller finance is quite tight and not sure if agent is selling the true. We start to worry if they may be in debts or own ah long money etc. B) This unit is in the market place for almost 1 month already (considering most unit we view in this area are gone in a few weeks), it is also making us wonder why. Apologies for the long winded post but i am really struggling if i should proceed with the discussion with the seller or move on to search for another unit. Any comments are welcome. Thank you.

Wat if seller want to stay for one more month but do not want to postpone the completion date? I am buying a resale hdb but the seller as for extension of 1 month after completion cos their newe place not ready. Still want to have the completion on time cos they claim to need the money to pay for the downpayment of their new place. Private property so cannot do contra. Is this ok?

Hi, i am also looking for a resale flat. have 2 agent looking for flat for me. Both of them did not ask me to sign anything. If u are not comfortable, just reject. If they still insist, find another agent. Hope this help. Cheers.