lawry

Hold and guard that last 40% like anything. Don't be too harsh on your BH. We are all first timers in renovating, there will be things that we will miss out, and we learn from there (and warn others) I can't say it's "deliberately or accidentally" left out of the quote, the brand of the solid surface. But by not having it in black and white, it's not to your advantage. We based that on trust, but apparently that code of conduct in not in everyone's blood. So yes, let them know, 1) keep table top and forgo 40% 2) replace the solid surface and collect 40% Fair and Square.

What???? It was a verbal agreement that you are getting Cresto solid surface???? Hmmmmmmmmmm, that might be a hassle. Granite is granite, blue pearl or black galaxy, it can't be too far off. But when it comes to SOLID SURFACE, there are so many brands. If it's not specifically mentioned in your quote, then it's up to them to give you any brand. It's your word against theirs. It has to be written there, CRESTO and the color code. Your only betting chip is that piece of sample you are holding. So long it's different from the one that's installed, you might still have a case. You just have to be shamelessly firm about it if you want things your way. My guess is that your ID will try to persuade you to take that 3S and give you some discount. Have you paid 100% by the way? if you did, there's really nothing to negotiate already.

ivy, no updates from where I stopped. I resumed work, was so busy, no time to check forum at all. Finally weekend.

This is clear cut, you were even given a small sample of it. It's written in your contract it's Cresto, your ID will have to give you Cresto. Let him know you are not interested in the free 3S, remove and replace. If he wants you to compromise since it's already installed. Then ask if he can compromise and forgo half of the entire bill. Be firm and assertive about it, don't back down on such nonsense. There's no such "hang sheep head, sell dog meat" crap for customers.

sohck, it's been a while. I hope you get the right one, a smooth sailing reno.

Audrey, just read 8 pages of your updates! I've been away for long, I realised. hahah. Sad to know you got carpentry issues also, because of subcon carpenters who chose to cut corners and do wrongly .... But it's good that Uncle acknowledge this and force them to change, that alone makes a lot of difference. I read another comment asking why's everyone flocking to Uncle when they themselves have to do so much and get missed aeroplane. It's simple, Uncle charges at a reasonable price and he's professional enough with no tolerance for any nonsense (as far as I've read from you guy's blog on the way he does things, not that I encountered him personally).Compare this, to big companies with similar IDs who charges double and fared much worse. I'd take Uncle Soon anytime. End of day, I still semi coordinate/design/spot mistakes. At least Uncle is on the customer's side when things go wrong.

If it's something else other than the one you asked for (and paid for), then you shouldn't pay for it, simple as that. You wanted a white shirt, but the storeekeeper insist that you take the black (and pay for it). Would you?

clockwork It's nice to find another green person here. I use things like vinegar (what's the diff with the white distilled version?), castile soap, baking soda, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon oil for general cleaning also.

I second ninku10's suggestion. Get a separate professional ID and a reasonably priced contractor with good workmanship. The professional ID will decide for you the theme, color scheme, layout and space planning, followed by flooring type/color, wall/wallpaper color, curtains. lighting, window types, panes, toilet basins with matching taps. Carpentry design with matching furnishing like your sofa, throw cushions, even paintings and flowers. This being a strictly professional designer proposal, things might not come cheap as well. They might suggest some items which look nice and fitting to your selected theme, but it's expensive. So you have to decide how much do you really want spend on this renovation before you approach them*. *them refers to - Contractors - Contractors who call themselves IDs - Professional IDs who does design & coordination - Professional IDs who does design only

leen My mistake. For the stainless steel range. 365+ is not the high range, but the mid range. < $50 (rusts according to the user above?) FAVORIT is the high range. > $50 ANNONs is the low range. < $5 (rust at the handle + tarnish, my personal encounter) Low/Mid/High range is not a reason for them to rust, esp when it's meant for food preparation. I can get WMF low range. < $40, they're still of sound quality, it's been been a few months, still nice and shiny. Or even this Zebra head brand from Thailand, < $30 no rusting issues either.

Yes, inner laminates are usually white. But some IDs or even contractors with better taste would opt for a different color, it makes them unusual in a nice way compared to the norm. Of course that would cost more, but some IDs do that at their expense to make a difference, effectively putting themselves one notch above the rest. That's what I noticed from some of my friends' houses actually (except for my own...) All of them had black, gray or matching laminates for their insides and their price per foot was the same or just slightly more than mine.

Sure hamdan, not a problem.

That was neat! I noticed there's no wire casings leading to your lights as well, all concealed wiring? I just browse to page 1, your kitchen laminates had a nice touch, your ID used actual laminates instead of the usual cheapo white PVC for all the inner parts. It's especially evident at the dish drainer area where the background is of the same color as your external laminates. Overall very thoughtfully done.

jaskel, that black ceiling skirting is very unique! A proposal by your ID or your personal idea? It can possibly set off a new trend apart from the common cornices.

Glass, you need a WIPER. Any soapy solution will do to get rid of the soap scums, but you need a wiper to wipe it clean. As for the mold within silicon, I found no solution yet. But some people recommended Duck cleaner or Mr Muscle.

Oooh, your MBR bathroom tiles combination is very nice! The abstract patterns removed the joining lines. Are your windows powder coated? This seem to be a new trend now.

leen 365+ is IKEA's -high range- cookware. I would expect better quality for that price tag. If that rusts too, really nothing to say. I'm not sure what's Jimmy's surname, should be the same guy you are referring too. Thumbs up for their service despite that little glitch. his.beloved.child Have you called Jimmy? If last min, will be a bit difficult to make an appointment with him, because it's only him and his team of guys working. Even he himself is doing the moving together with his workers. You might like to check the weiken thread about built in ovens, under my link call tblog relocated. I don't have a built in oven, but several guys there seem to have some electrical trip issues with their oven, you might want to discuss that concern with your ID and the vendor if it might be a potential issue. greenpeace_sg Those from HDB are quite basic, decent and usable. I don't have one, but those in my old house were from them. Good enough flush. It's quite a waste to tear them down and replace with new ones when they work fine, unless they look really off from your theme. Just my personal feel.

Oooh, finally your own blog! how's irobot so far?

handam, Your TV feature wall is very nice and unique! It slides open/close to hide your tv? This is truly ID fare.

Yes! We consumers have had enough of getting ripped off and taken for a ride. Stop feeding customers with substandard work, wrong parts, wrong colors, lousy work and expect full price. Replace or 50% discount for the compromise. I buy a white shirt, i get a white shirt. Not one with a missing button, with the collar torn, or one sleeve shorter. That belongs to the 70% clearance bin!

hi enivi Metro C switches by Clipsal is very different from the rest, they look much nicer with that led light at the corner. The price of it is quite steep compared to other normal switches also. But there are people who buys that idea, the look and willing to pay the price. Don't ask your contractor, sure inflate prices, they don't do things for free. Drop by any of those Choo Chiang branches or even give them a call to get an idea of how much it costs. Yes, all the Clipsal switches comes in 1,2,3 gang.

Uncle needs a meticulous PA to handle all these details! Which house, which parts, which color, all better record down, it's difficult to remember off hand like that since he's handling so many houses. Redo, although uncle doesn't charge extra, but I think he would have to absorb the losses if it's indeed his wrong instruction. Lose out a lot in the long run.

If it's in black and white that you agreed to certain colors with your ID. You have every right to make them tear down and redo. If want a paint over, then 50% discount, or else redo. My veneer doors are $320 each. They are ridiculously light and hollow within also. Once there's wind, you get them slamming in no time. I don't like those doors as well, didn't expect them to be this light.

DNKY, how come we both Weiken, but yours turned out so different? Yours is really modern contemporary, mine's mortifed contempt. Just that main door & bedroom doors were so much different My HDB style door was $480, it's not even fire rated, and my bedroom doors uglier but $320 each. While yours is $380 and $280 respectively.

My blog is should be what your experience is all about.