lawry

Yes, I've heard of this in practice also. I was tempted to do the same when I wanted to move house. There are rookie agents who are desperate enough to close such deals, but they must be informed beforehand what's in store for them. Like what you said, there will be no exclusivity, whoever has the ability to secure the highest price for the unit gets the deal. That can be done, provided they know the rules of the game, what they stand to gain or lose, then let them decide if they want to be part of the game. If it's all agreed upon, then there's no reason for any the agents who lost out to seek compensation from the houseowner

For buying house, you are free to engage any number of agents, whoever has the house you like at the right price gets the deal, there's no advertising cost involved, except asking you to view the houses. But when it comes to selling, it's a different thing altogether. The exclusivity practice is there for a good reason. Being the sole agent in charged of marketing your place during the contract period, he will have to pay to advertise, bring people down to view your house, transport, etc. He stands to gain 2% commission if he managed to sell your house within the contract period. BUT ... if he didn't manage to sell after the contract expire, you have the right to either extend the contract if you still want to use him or terminate him if you think he's not good enough. NEXT, sign with someone more competent for the same process all over again. Right now, for your case, If you think agent 1 was incompetent, you should have signed the exclusivity with agent 2 and get him to handle instead, and you have to let agent 1 know about your decision. But instead, you got both agents to do the same thing, to be fair to them, only one of them will be able to close the deal, the other will lugi for nothing. It's partially Agent 2's fault also, he should have asked if you signed exclusivity already or if you want to sign up with him first before commiting and doing all the leg work for you. Now that he done all the advertising, viewing and stuff, you tell him the deal is closed, but not with him .... of course he's not very pleased..

I got a schedule list from my ID, it shows the progress of each day and what to expect, gives me an idea of when to get what (like lights, hood, stove and toilet accessories). On the more significant days, I will go down to take a look. Anyway, you have discussed on paper what to expect for the renovation, if it turns out otherwise for no good reason, you have every right to get your ID to change it to what you both originally agreed on.

Can I check, how many of you actually asked for PUB testing since it's optional? There's much more freedom if you skip the test, if you decide to do the test, quite a few restrictions like height of DB box, number of heater points, height of plug in kitchen, etc .... I'm in a dilemma.

I change my ideas VERY OFTEN too! But so long your ID hasn't indent all the necessary items (paints, laminates) or made the arrangements with the carpenter (measurements, design, compartment, etc). You should still be able to change. If you are afraid that your FH might make noise, then you better propose something much much better than what you originally had in mind.

It's not up yet, but I will be using granite in the upcoming renovation.

You're welcome. That wasn't white actually, it's very light wood. Ask if your ID have this TAK laminates catalogue. I've 1 with me here, borrowed from my ID for all my carpentry laminates selection. That laminate is called Sukiri Bamboo WY1210D on page 13 from the collection 2007 - 2008. I've went through all these before, considered black top with various cabinet colors also, but eventually I gave up the vanity cabinet idea due to space constrains. Hhah, I've seen a few solid surfaces before, so it's roughly there. I liked this particular one, black surface with small white dots and some red sparkling spots. But in the end, I opted for black galaxy granite instead.

I'm using granite for mine, it's the 2 pieces of cut-out (sink/stove) from my kitchen cabinet. Solid surfaces just have too much cons ... not that cheap either. $70psf (SS) compared to $110psf (Granite)

Ask for some color coordination perspective drawings from your ID before you decide your tile colors, solid surface and cabinet color. Easier to decide the colors on paper first, then select the material. Since your tiles already up and decided, I guessed you already knew your theme, just short of which cabinet color to use. Wenge is out, makes your toilet very dark since your floor tiles is like maroon? I've drawn up something since I'm quite free now, heheh. You decide and see which color you think is nicer. http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4530/oasisvanitykx9.gif

Agree with HSH21, if your aircon is on for more than 12 hours a day, and you aircon your whole house, you have to take inverter, save electricity. If you just use it at night when you sleep, a non inverter would be fine also, at least you buy it cheaper upfront..

My ID told me from the start, it's standard that the price for the wardrobe WILL INCLUDE a set of 3 to 4 drawers, but if I want more drawers, she will have to charge a bit extra. Reasonable because there are extra materials for drawers, meaning the metal running track. But she didnt mention how much it would cost.

We can't tell from the codes/model number what you got .. Unless I happened to have bought the same item. In this case Rinnai RH90CD, I got it at $615. As for the rest, esp lights, would be good if you have a photo. There's no way for any of us to tell whether 3893/32 bk at $79 is cheap or not..

Does your vanity cover the entire wall area across? Can actually draw some 3D pictures with colors to see the effects, you already got your wall colors and your black solid surface, just need to know what's the cabinet like ...

My ID quoted me $450 for 3 bedrooms. But Living Rm + Dining Rm is $650, I think she inflated the price for living + dining after I decided to take out the Lbox/False ceiling. I close one eye on that and let it pass, compared to other ID, she already gave me quite good prices for the other items (tiling, plastering, painting and installing accessories). She's quite nice and easy going, so give and take lor.

Can't possibly be totally flat against the wall isn't it, esp if it's ready made ones. Unless it's carpentry, then you make allowance for the aircon trunkings. Even if there isn't aircon trunkings, there will still be your tiles/laminate skirtings to create a gap...?

$300/$500 just for a quotation and perspective drawing, but not refundable? To view sample flat, still need to sign up with them first?

Make a trip down to Jalan Besar, there's a whole stretch of shops selling such basins. You should be able to find something you want. If only you asked this earlier, a few weeks ago, the shops (lighting/basin) at the right side of Daiso IMM was having some clearance sale. I saw similar ones but different color going for $60 to $90 only.

Are there any other books that you can recommend on this topic? I don't mind reading more about it even after I'm done with my own reno, can advise my friends next time. Preferably English, but Chinese will do as well.

I asked for a normal Bifold door, quote ranges from $220 to $260. Should be around that price then?

Hi ahnah, I got my basic 八宅风水 knowledge from Joey Yap's book . Fengshui for Homebuyers : Interior

Thanks!

Hi Mr Chong, thank you for your reply. I'm still around. !! That simplifies the whole thing by a lot if the focus is just on personal gua instead of confusing between house/personal gua. I can work out my bed, study table orientation using my own kua. But when it comes to kitchen, do I use my mum's or my wife's kua to decide the facing direction of the stove?

I actually skipped tiles for the entire kitchen. It's mostly the elderly folks who were used to having tiles all over the kitchen walls, easily $3000+ (depend on kitchen size) extra on your quote..

It will look like this? or

I would like to know too! Glossy finishing would look great when the ceiling light is reflected off, but there might be a hard time maintaining that shine. Also, it can be quite slippery if wet, not old folks/kids friendly. Matt surface would meant less maintenance since you don't have to make it shine all the time, even if there are scratches, it's not so obvious? And definitely not so slippery as well .. Just that you don't get the showroom shine as seen in most interior magazines. Depends on what you want, practical or aesthetics. I was considering those tiles used in shopping centres. Glossy with glitters. But it would probably look weird for residential ..