Lauer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbZDjnWtK1A&feature=youtube_gdata_player Enjoy!

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Very sad case, these are the problems where an architect is not fronting a construction project, and it goes wrong. I don't supposed that there is a liquidation schedule worded in the contract? If so, then I think that hands are tied.

"Let it be" is not quite the situation here, in my view. We can interpret this song in any way... Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vwPUvfS1k&feature=youtube_gdata_player Enjoy!

What is the big deal to argue?

Your story is indeed creepy...

I can share with you what I know, which by no means complete, so other forumers please add to or change what I wrote. 1. Yes, a submission to PUB (or NEA?) is required. Each WC attracts a fee in your monthly utility bill. There are several by-laws related to how the new sanitary pipe can connect to the IC. So you should find out where is the public sewage pipe buried underground and how it runs across the land. 2. Yes, the submission will have to be done by a Qualifying Person, who is usually the architect. The increase in built-in size will have to be less than 50% for A&A. BCA approval is about 2 weeks, but be awared that BCA is really the last before construction can begin. In other words, in your example, approvals from PUB for the toilet, URA for the building extension are to be obtained before BCA submission. And each approving body has its own schedule. Therefore, to avoid delay caused by the need to resubmit, knowledge of QP of the relevant by-laws is important. Hope these help. Cheers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE-U5e78WHc&feature=youtube_gdata_player Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

I am not sure of the experiences of others when it comes to tiling. Tiling is normally done in the bathrooms, kitchen etc where one normally also does carpentry such as vanity, kitchen cabinets etc respectively. This means that the color, texture, and dimension of the tiles selected would have to match with the color & texture of the carpentry and solid-top. And when tiling is to be done at the walls and the floor of an area, such as bathroom, the ID would have to come up with a detailed tiling plan for the tiler so that the linings are all aligned. So some tiles would have to be cut in specific dimension by the tiler before affixing. Because of the process involved, I always thought that the tiling part is the most valued-for-money part of the entire ID cost. Just my thought. Cheers!

You meant to extend the facade of the existing house out? Not that I know of. I would suggest that you buy an architect coffee, and discuss with him/her the idea. Don't take the words of a builder, my advice. http://www.ura.gov.sg/circulars/text/dchbr/pt1landedhousing-dchbr.pdf Cheers!

From water-tank & water-pipes. Enjoy!

Congratulations! I believe that this is an interesting project, considering what you have in mind. No doubt it would involve a reconstruction to achieve the open & flat-roof profile. Houses built before the existing by-laws could have the less than 7.5m setback for the front. Cheers!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Dear XC90, You could find interesting experiences shared by forumers under the thread "Builder vs Architect", where cost & quality was discussed. But I think that most of us, when we started the reconstruction of a house, were laymen but we learnt quick enough during the process. In your situation, having a shortlist, I would suggest having each candidate to procvide 2 reference projects under construction for a site visit. And it would be better to have one of project at the 3rd or 4th month of construction, with the other close to finishing. There you should be able to judge the different aspects of construction, one where the foundation, walls, sanitary etc are being built, and the other where the finishing of wall-plastering, timber flooring, toilet, marble-flooring etc are. I would also caution you that if you have a builder fronting the project, an active involvement is needed. Doesn't matter the builder's reputation. Cheers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNdXk6DRxaQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player Oops!

Dear XC90. Based on your line of enquiry, I am just curious if you pick firstly the architect or the builder? Cheers!