piknik

--- next target moving in date --- NONE. As we have postponed my parents' visit to a non-confirmed date. This is to prevent any pressure for our renovation period. We don't know when we will resume the reno now.. Also, consider the noise n dust at the place, I feel it's not good for my baby to move in too early. Hubby doesn't like the idea but no choice. --- to astarz and battle and other friends --- ideas r best being shared. I will soon post our own drawings n ideas for lighting. Will wonder how to solve lighting problem if we want a fan in living room and no L-box or false ceiling. For washing machine, I have tried to look @ other top load brands. Since my family have been loyal fan of hitachi top load, I mostly will just look @ this brand first, then samsung or panasonic. But the continental top load is my husband's favourite choice due to the slim feature. One renotalk member used this brant top load for a while now n said it is good so far. We don't mind the noise of washing machine when washing.

--- looking for contractor again --- we have called Sam last Sunday n will meet him this Saturday at my new flat, gotta ask him directly if he is keen to help us fix the problem. Aslo, being persuaded by my new neighbour, who works @ mother company of Hoffen, to let hoffen ppl give us a better quote for a package of kitchen n master wardrobe. My hubby saw the workmanship n carpentry works at this neighbout's flat, he was impressed as instead of solid plywood, hoffen wardrobe is made of MDF (yes, this material, if you have read my previous post abt it) and it is very sturdy. Right now for wardrobe, there is a promotion $330 per foot run I think. Was told it is cheaper than ikea wardrobe price.

Hi hi.. I forgot to highlight, I consider buying top load washer only. Like ayazumi n begula said, we can make it a laundry basket n while washing, can throw in a bit of light articles. The models I showed above are both top load, one is a continental one so look like top load but work like a front load. After a few readings abt electricity cost for Brandt top load, n compared with the Sharp one, I am thinking if it is worth money buying the Brandt washer n just use quick wash option in order to save electricity, while it already helps to save water by half. I came across energy star website, from US gorvment. Check on samsung top load, saw that it qualifies for both water n energy saving buy those two models' codes r not similar to samsung top load models in Singapore Market. Do you know any top load washer that save energy as well as water?

--- washing machine --- It's general knowledge that front load washers save more water than top load ones. How about electricity? Which one saves more energy? I find top load is better for those do laundry often. Gentle on the back. especially for pregnant ladies. Sharp top load washer 7kg, around $300... Water consumption: 92L Power consumption: 380w. Taken from sharp website so don't know how they measure this. Brandt continental top load $799 special price. Water consumption: 52L Power consumption: 1.14kwh Based on 60E cycle, 2.5hrs duration. Like this, how do you choose one? It's like either waste water or waste energy. On the other hand, the Brandt one has a quick wash option. Power consumption would be around 370w. If use normal wash cycle, lowest temp (0 degree), the power consumed might be less than the estimated amount. Hum...

Thank you all for your well wishes. I will now occupy myself with other things while waiting for Tommy's decision. My hubby is not at home yet. I don't know exactly what has happened so far btw them. My purchase for the kitchen: 1/ Sharp water oven. For a healthy lifestyle... $939. Don't know how many years of warranty I will have, gotta check again with the salesperson. 2/ Mitsubishi fridge MR-V45C pearl black. $790. A forum member here bought it for $785 in 2010 @ *spam. We like the black 3 doors hitachi fridge, slimmer than Mitsubishi fridge, but taller.. Also, price more expensive. I didn't choose hitachi one as I don't like the freezer to be at the bottom. 3/ Hitachi rice cooker 1.8L. $129. 4/ rinnai tempered glass two inner burner $650. 5/ fujioh hood fx900 $390. Think can get old but rarely used blender, water boiler, portable induction hob from my FiL. And my mom will give me her old white tableware and some cutlery to use first. Can slowly buy nicer stuff later.. What else do I need to buy?

Thanks.. To be clear, I didn't accept Tommy's charity price. I questioned his intention for this directly and discussed all doubt over n over. Only when we reached mutual understanding, we told Tommy to do our house. Now, maybe ikea kitchen is a good suggestion. Hahahhaa....

Thanks. I know That now.. But followed the quote anyway.

Supposedly, only hacking n make good of wall done so far. If Tommy keeps his word regardless what happened last night, should have shower kerb for master toilet with U channel ready for shower screen, base for kitchen, washing machine area and fridge. But since even this morning, Tommy didn't response to us still. We are ready to give the project to someone else more trustworthy already. My husband will talk to Tommy's family members later to see what can be done abt this, in the best way. LESSON: be it friends or not, have black and white contract discussed first, then start the renovation. We mentioned the contract a few times to Tommy but he "forgot" about it until last night, hubby casually asked abt it again when he told us to pay half of the renovation cost to him as deposit first, the rest can wait til all the Reno jobs are done. He can casually reject the idea what? N tell us why he doesn't like it.. Why such a big statement "don't do this any more"? Luckily we haven't paid the big amount yet. I have done projects FOC for charity groups and schools before, still had to display total professionalism to these projects. I can't understand why Tommy doesn't like us to expect a contract, estimated schedule details for reno schedule? To be honest. We are replying heavily on him to tell us what will happen the next day, as his men are busy with big money projects else where. We are able to accept that. Biggest worry is abt his health. What if suddenly he goes for medical treatment? Who will take over?

Money involved so need a BnW piece of paper to give assurance n kind of solution for difficult situation, especially when Tommy's health is concerned. Anyway, no discussion on contract yet but the guy seemed to be less interested in our low budget project n he currently only does landed property projects leh.. I just read my husband's message history with Tommy, surprised at the suggested attitude to easily drop our project. Umm.. I need seriously a solution to meet my target moving in date already. How long does it take a carpentry factory to fabricate my kitchen? Anyone knows? we choose an open concept kitchen. Thats why I just ordered a powerful hood, hahha...

Don't let spoiler ruin your dreams tonight. Good night.

:yamseng: Okie... I finally read all those previous pages. And understand a few things, especially the Zen-ness. To me, your reply is really "zen", minimalist, to the point. Hahhaa... I hope all those need rectified will be done by sat for you. Then it will be followed by a happy house warming party. Wish I can join you guys. It's nice to be able to step out of the house and make new friends. Looking forward to view the final, final look with furnishing n furniture.

NeoBy, your reno hasnt finished right? Now I am at page 22, last time I was here, it was page 14-15 only leh... So happening.

--- DRAMA. Just a few days of Reno, too soon to expect one right? --- Like I said before, we decided to engage our friend who is a contractor for the Reno. I have always been afraid if something bad happens, this will cost our relationship, to be exact, my husband's relationship with this guy. Tonight, when I was having my avocado milk shake with honey, my daughter was sleeping next to me.. My husband SMS-Ed and said Tommy doesn't like our idea of signing a Reno contract. Well, we haven't signed anything with Tommy and we are about to give him 30-40% of the Reno cost as deposit payment. To us, first time home owner, this is fine, as we trust Tommy. But we are also professionals at work and we believe doing things for charity also need to perform certain degree of professionalism. So, to be clear and to avoid bad experience, we'd normally want a contract. And like any other contract, there is a term called "depending on negotiation btw home owner and Reno contractor". Well. Like this already, still can make someone flare up and accuses us for not trusting him. I could understand the guy has certain health issue right now that stops him from receiving extra projects, and he is rich enough to not just suddenly run away with our little deposit payment. We know his family members, home address...I have no doubt abt that. I just want things to be clear for whatever situation arises in the future, that's all. Haiz... I have met all the sensitive males, seriously, they are just suddenly too sensitive to think clearly about our position. I have had a peaceful day today, my 11 months old baby just spoke her first "baby" word. Very cute. And I didn't expect to end this day with such a "BANG". My husband is still at work, stressed now bc of this. We together think of a back up plan already. Life is never dull. Things happen when you least expect it. :bangwall: :yamseng:

Thank you Takeyu.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you, ayazumi. I thought this day would never come, hahaha.. Now anxious abt activity happens each day.

Reno started on 19/03/2012 Hacking was done. The girl was not me. She came with the contractor who took this photo for me.

Hi. Could you give a review of the Brandt top load washing machine?

Hallo, congratulation on your wedding! When are you moving in? My hacking of a kitchen wall only start next monday. Yeah, finally some progress. Could we visit your beautiful home?

I think panasonic is very okie, good to save money. If I don't get starmex, I am fine as I got used to the old aircon in my current bed room already. Any other new aircon can't compete with the noise from this one..

Just visited our flat, to check on the aircon piping n to give A*** the cheque for deposit payment. We are pleased to see the insulation pipe is class 0, changed as we requested. Felt super good. Now have to wait for the aircon installation. Heard from A*** that the mitsubishi compressor units r soon to be island wide out of stock due to Thailand flood last year. Everyone, if you have not yet bought the aircon n intended to buy Mitsubishi one, pls check with your chosen supplier soon.

Oh.. I also love to paint my door white. Thanks for the info. I will ask my contractor abt this.

Thanks for the light shop info. Will try to visit the shop soon. I like the idea of being to use one bulp instead of all, when necessary.

Wah, I like the kitchen picture you posted!!

Congratulation! You have moved in. So fast!! :yamseng: :yamseng: