keyswz

We actually went through quite a number of contractors without realising it. The search started probably a month ago. The first one we met was Mr Y. We were not that prepared but just wanted to have a feel of what the prices were like for the various items. Maybe that was also the reason why he seemed not that committed and gave vague descriptions. The second was R, a recommendation by a friend of ours. Quite a friendly guy but failed to deliver any quotation to us. He had sent us an email but without any attachment and there was no response after we informed him of the situation. Maybe he was too busy for us. The third was M. Another recommendation by a friend. Quite a friendly person but no quotations in the end. Perhaps our budget was too low for his liking. The fourth was from S. He sounded experienced and straightforward. Did not choose him as his quotation was one of the latest to reach us. By then, we already had someone else in mind. The fifth was Lina from Home Sweet Home Renovation Works. The first female contractor we met and also the only who sort of understood why my fiancee wanted the additional wall between the master bedroom and the other room. Somehow, that sealed the deal as after that, it was mainly sorting out the final detailed quotation with her. Quite straightforward as well though she can be a bit careless and needed quite a few reminders on the quotation side. She had the most sincerity in wanting our business for she offered to view our flat without obligations so as to give an accurate quote. And even though we did not confirmed with her and we had quite a number of changes, she treated us without lesser amount of sincerity and she also brought us to see her client's place so that we were assured of her workers' workmanship. The sixth was F. The office was located in a rather inaccessible place, but she was quite pleasant. Her follow up was rather fast as I asked about the quotation via email. Her quote was the most expensive and thus she was not chosen. The seventh was A. He was also very sincere and he was the first to send us his quotation. He was the second to call back to follow up and his pricing is very competitive as well. Too bad we met him after Lina. I guess his luck was bad. I would recommend him though. The eighth was R. He seemed creative with many ideas, though they may not be to our liking and he has a preference for expensive designs. He was the last to reply with an indication of a quotation and he wanted to meet us to go through the it. By then, we were already having a busy schedule and we were in the middle of discussion with Lina. The ninth was C. We did not meet up but we sent an email indicating the jobs that we wanted. It was a recommendation from my fiancee's colleague and thus I guess we were obliged to ask him for a quotation. His quotation was too expensive also.

Lol. Guess you have a clear idea of how they will turn out. Got pictures to see (maybe can steal some ideas)? All the best for your renovation!

You can find him at http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=43792&st=0&p=667600&fromsearch=1entry667600 I have not gotten the goods from him nor had I met him, so I also dun know whether it is good or not. Can only update when the stuffs are delivered to my place, probably by March?

The reimbursement was what my friend said and the final deal really depends on how you negotiate with the seller. We were quite 'chin chye' and ignorant at that time, so it can be considered a costly lesson. If you really want to go law by law and if my interpretation of the guidelines (reproduced below) is correct, the owner is supposed to restore it to its original state according to the floor plan. "Construction of Opening at Party Wall between two Flats In the event of a written demand by HDB or the transfer by the flat owner of his interests in the flat, the owner shall at his own costs and expense reinstate the party wall between the flats to the original position within one month from the date of the letter of demand or before the completion of the transfer of the flat, whichever is earlier." taken from http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoGuidelinesBuilding?OpenDocument Not sure if it is too late for you, since OTP signed already right?

Lol... high 5... but u had the dimensions beforehand ya? otherwise how you know if they fitted into the rooms?

WC, basin and mirror cabinet from Heritage Bathroom Gallery Pte Ltd:

Lights from Eurostar Lighting & Furnishings Pte Ltd: Sink and tap from Universal Union Enterprise Pte Ltd:

Lights from Silic Lighting Centre Pte Ltd:

Another workout for our lights and toilet stuffs. Guess I shall let the pictures do the talking. From zero in the forums:

Our shoe cabinets from V.hive Home Interiors: Our bedframe from CNA Furniture Trading Entreprise: to be uploaded... Our TV console from Home Wellness Furniture Pte Ltd:

Sorry for not updating for a long time. Guess I was simply lazy and we were busy finalising our contractor. Perhaps I will share a bit on our route to our new place. Our process of renovation was a bit unconventional as we sort of bought our furniture before we got our keys and before we found a contractor. Not sure if anyone else was like that. And the furniture bought were like all over the place, after walking around the various places in Singapore. From the east to the west and from the north to the south. Great exercise if you really have the time. Our sofa and dining table from A's Design International Pte Ltd: Our coffee table (Nova Furnishing Centre Pte Ltd) and mattress (Absolute Bedding International Pte Ltd) at one of the Expo's exhibition:

I'm only doing the flooring for kitchen and toilets. Where is your place? Mine 123sqm. Lol. But my door (or rather opening) will be at the newly constructed wall. Not sure if yours is the same. You managed to get some reimbursement from the seller? I only knew recently (after the sale) that we can request the owner to reinstate to the original layout or get some reimbursement to do so.

Ok thanks thanks. Will try that and see how it goes. Just worried that the pen knife will scratch the glass surface, as what some websites mentioned.

Ben, thanks for the reply. Hmm, I thought painting over will cover the wood grains? The option I thought I had was to stain it, but effect will not be good as the door had been stained with another colour.

Hi all, Just like to ask if it is possible to remove the UV film from the windows? Think it had been there for many years. If yes, how? Thanks in advance.

Hi all, How can this be done? Must it be via removing the original laminate and pasting a new one? Can it be painted over? Also, if I have nyatoh wood door (think colour is rosewood), how can I change its colour to a darker shade like walnut while retaining its wood grains? Thanks in advance.

These are what we plan to do: Hope to keep it under a 20k budget. Is that reasonable?

MBR Toilet: BR2: Study: Storeroom: After posting all these, I felt as if I am selling my house. Overdose?

Kitchen (View 1): Kitchen (View 2): Common Toilet: MBR (View 1): MBR (View 2):

Photos of actual place Balcony (the non-existent one): Service Balcony: Living Room (View 1): Living Room (View 2):

It's a 5I, the living room is quite big, but the MBR is a bit small... give and take I guess... Thanks piknik!

Hi all, Had been reading and benefiting from this forum for the past few months, thus I guess it would nice to share some of that information. Had gotten the keys a few days ago (after waiting so long for the administration to take place) and currently in the midst of selecting a contractor after reviewing their quotations. Below is the layout: Will update again with the photos.

Hi all, Not sure if this thread is still active. Can some kind souls please PM the contacts of the contractors that you had engaged? Thanks.

Hi Jerome, Can I ask the quote for the following items: hob - fujioh FG-793L hob - rinnai RB-3CG hood - fujioh FX-900 oven - bosch HBN331E2J Also like to ask if there is a latest date for delivery. Thanks a lot.