Ikoice

Dear Blk 79 neighbours! Its been some time since I last posted sthg. Been so bz juggling work, reno, shopping for hse etc But I'm happy to announce that my reno is officially starting this Tues! I've already chosen my tiles and they are in the hse now. Other than getting caught up with Reno, been bz shopping for our new hse. Went to OM @ Liang Court as well and we decided to get all our furniture from there..haha! Looks like I have the same dining table (and probably chairs!) with strawberry_pear and josephine. But its really pretty and they have a matching coffee table (UNO).Thumbs up to Michael for his excellent customer service I nearly wanted to buy the mattress fm him but after much consideration, still preferred the Sealy Royal Monarch. The lady said that its the same mattress used in Four Seasons Hotel! All I can say is SHIOK! Also bought my fridge, TV, Washer & Dryer from Harvey Norman. I went to check out the prices frm neighbourhd shops such as Aik Leong and told Harvey Norman to match the price. They gave me even lower!! Heard from my fren they have this 'meet your lowest price' policy and its true Furthermore, they are an established company, dont c them closing down in the coming years.. unlike the neighbourhd shops. I'm now left with shoping for bathrm accessories, lights, my oven, hob and hood. Went to Asia Excel@IMM and was served by Maverick. V patient guy..will most prob get my stuff frm him unless Teka sale comes soon Will be heading down to Balestier to get my sanitary ware and bathrm accessories

Dear neighbours, I'm thinking of installing a storage heater too cos' the water's much hotter than instant heater. Cld I find out where you guys will be placing it? In the kitchen?? Anyone actually went to relay the piping to the common bathroom? My ID said its v expensive to do that..hmm... And btw, anyone just hacking an opening between the MBR and adjacent room? Do you think that will be approved by HDB?

My fengshui master came last Thurs to see my flat..sigh...ask us to make quite major changes to our MBR design so now headache loh Could I ask if anybody's permit got approved to just open a doorway between MBR and the adjacent bedroom? Initially wanted to hack but now my fengshui master say sleep in MBR no good, shld sleep in the other room...sianz man. Another thing is the silly pipes for the gas heater. Anyone knows if these can be removed if we not using them? I know that shifting is impossible cos the pipes are all concealed now. Its in the weirdest position now and its likely that we'll bump into them after the kitchen cabinets are put up..hmmm

Hi Alister, count me in too! !! I'll be there the whole day cos meeting feng shui master and ID at my house. Anybody want to come over my hse feel free ya? I stay at 4th floor. !!

Hey tension_z, Dino and alister, What time are you all going to collect your keys? My appt time is 10.10am..hehe...hopefully will see you all there Both me and my future hb are really excited abt tomo!! Oh, for those who are not getting married yet, must write an appeal letter and ake a copy of your confirmation letter if you've already booked your banquet yah? Heard HDB is quite flexi in this Oh, if you guys are the 'pan tang' kind, here's sharing with you guys what my feng shui master ask me to bring tomo: (1) 8 oranges to place in the centre of the hall (2) many little red packets containing 1/5cent coins to place in the corner of each room (3) A big shout (Da Ji Da Li) hahahahaha Anyway, I have engaged Wang Shifu to come see my hse on Sat. He's charges are $488. He was recommended on the Singapore brides forum. If you guys interested, can pm me for his contact. As for ID, I will most prob be signing with A&D interior after meeting Wang Shifu on Sat. Hoping that he wont ask me to change too much of my hse design *pray*. Think tomo I'm gonna continue my hunt for my furniture and electrical appliances...so much things to buy but so little resources...sigh

Hi Strawberry-pear, Can we drop by your hse to look look see see...your reno is already quite underway liao rite? I'm also hacking the wall between my MBR and the adjoining bedroom. Btw, just to check who is your ID? oh, forgot to mention, do count me in for the aircon if we can get bulk discount! I'm looking for system 4...my dad's got a fren doing aircons...asked him for quotes for Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Toshiba and Panasonic. Will share the prices here when he responds

Dear 79D neighbours! I also got my date for key collection! So happy that after writing the complain email yest, I finally got a response from HDB. I will be collecting my keys on 25Oct, 10.10am... hehe.. now asking ard to see what needs to be brought into the hse for the first key opening!! Yippie! v v excited...hehe Anybody gng at abt the same time? Think I'll be getting the ID down the same day to view my flat and confirm the dimensons...what can be done and what cannot be done. I'm most probably getting A&D Interior. Approximately 30K for the reno quotation.

Dear Neighbours, Sorry I cldnt make it for the gathering...but I'm sure all u guys had lots of fun!! Will try to make it for the next gathering! Anyway, I'm quite cheezed with HDB cos until now they have not given me a key collection date...they say they give out in batches but until now, all they can say is end of the month or early next month! That's not an answer loh.. I been waiting more than a month liao loh..sigh... Anyway, my bf sent them a long wonderful complain letter about unsatisfactory service...yup. Even if I cant get my keys any earlier after this I'm just glad that I highlighted to them all our frustrations! (my bf helped all blk 79 neighbours who have yet to receive their keys to complain..hahaha Think my bf wrote one heck of an email...very very good...must praise him tonight

Hi rainbow04, you can log into the myHDB page on the HDB website to check the number of the officer handling your hseing application. My officer was Gladys so I called her to check. She will ask u for IC number and will do a check. She told me my loan has been approved and that we wld be getting our keys end Oct/early Nov I stay on the 4th floor...so low hoh...

Hi droplets, when will you be collecting your keys? Although my loan has been approved (I called the officer to check), she didnt set any key collection date for me she just said they hope to give me my keys by end Oct, early Nov.

Hi tension_z...you stay in Blk 79D too yah? which floor do you stay at? I submitted my loan application on 4 Sep..so wondering y they taking so long...when did you submit your loan application form?

Hi neighbours! So happening...I'll ask if my bf can make it this Sunday to join you guys To all those staying in Blk 79D, I called HDB today and the lady in charge of my application said that my HDB loan has been approved! Yippie...she said they are targeting to give out the keys by end Oct eraly Nov...wonder y they need to take so long man...sigh

Hi pink_sea, I'm from Blk 79D too! Submitted my loan application letter on 4th Sept...so hope I get my collection letter soon too. I'm staying on 4th Floor...what abt you? wonder if they give the keys from the low floors upwards...

Dear all, Here's my quotation for your comments, pls. My flat is a 90sq metre 4 room flat at 79D I asked for the package cos I think its cheaper and I need the stuff stated in the package (items 1-33. The standard package is abt $14K). Cancelled a few items from the package which I dont need and some things which my ID quoted (i.e. air con-- my ID said can get cheaper outside, decorative tiles in passageway, decorative dividers). In addition to the items quoted, I'm also thinking of asking my ID to build a platform so that I can put my mattress on top, a bedhead with alcove lights and a bay window with storage below. Haven asked him to quote yet though but looks like everything will add up to about 30K. Any advice and comments on my quotation is appreciated!! I will likely be signing up with the ID soon. 1 Professional Service FOC 1. Design and consultation 2. Furniture Layout 3. Color and material proposal 4. Application of permit from HDB. Masonry work 2 Supply and lay homogenous floor tiles c/w skirting for living hall. - 3 Supply and lay homogenous floor tiles c/w skirting for dining. - 4 Supply and lay homogenous floor tiles c/w skirting for bomb shelter. - 5 Supply and lay laminated flooring c/w skirting for master bedroom - 6 Supply and lay laminated flooring c/w skirting for bedroom 2. - 7 Supply and lay laminated flooring c/w skirting for bedroom 3. - 8 Supply and construct base for the fridge c/w tiles finishing. - 9 Supply and construct base for the washing machine c/w tiles finishing. - 10 Supply and construct base for the cabinet c/w tiles finishing and top cement screed.- 11 Supply and construct shower kerb for 2 nos. of bathrooms. - 12 Supply and construct kerb for main entrance. - Electrical work 13 Supply labor to install ceiling lights and door bell for existing point. - Carpentry work - 14 Design and fabricate 18ft kitchen cabinet with laminate finishing and ABS trimming swing doors 15 Supply and install 1 set solid post-form tabletop. -250.00 16 Supply and install 1 set of dish tray. - 17 Supply and install 1pc stainless steel sheet at stove wall area. - 18 Design and fabricate 14ft walk-in wardrobe with laminate finishing and ABS trimming for bedroom 2. - 19 Design and fabricate 1ft wardrobe with laminate finishing and ABS trimming swing door for bedroom 3. -175.00 20 Supply and install designer handles. - Plumbing work 21 Supply labor to install direct inlet piping to kitchen sink. - 22 Supply labor to install direct outlet piping for washing machine. - 23 Supply labor to install water inlet/outlet for kitchen sink, tap and drainage system - 24 Supply labor to install 2 nos. bathroom accessories. - 25 Supply labor to install 2 nos. water heaters. - Air-con installation - 26 Supply and install 3 in 1 split unit air-con for bedrooms. -1,499.00 Ceiling work 27 Supply and construct false ceiling for living and dining. - 28 Supply and construct false ceiling for foyer. - 29 Supply and construct false ceiling for passageway leading to bedrooms. - Miscellaneous work - 30 Supply and painting for whole house using ICI paint. - 31 Supply and chemical wash for whole house upon completion. - 32 Supply and lay cardboard protection on flooring. - 33 Supply labor to clear debris after renovation. - Additional items Kitchen 34 Supply and overlay homogenous floor tiles for kitchen. ($980.00) 35 Supply and lay water proofing membrane. ($120.00) 36 Design and fabricate 2ft x full height kitchen cabinet c/w laminate finishing and ABS trimming ($600.00) 37 Design and fabricate additional 7ft kitchen cabinet with laminate finishing and ABS trimming($700.00) 38 Supply and install 15ft solid surface tabletop. ($900.00) 39 Supply and install 1pc stainless steel sheet at stove wall. (approx. L10ft x H2ft ) ($450.00) Living/Dining 40 Design and fabricate L4ft TV console. ($400.00) 41 Design and fabricate L10ft x H4ft feature wall for living hall. ($800.00) 42 Supply and install 10 nos. new lighting points for the false ceiling with light holders ****/dining ($300.00) 43 Supply labor to install 10 nos. ceiling lights for the false ceiling with light holders ****/dining. ($100.00) 44 Design and fabricate decorative dividers for dining area.($600.00) Foyer 45 Design and fabricate L11ft x full height feature wall c/w shoe cabinets and black mirrors finishing. ($2,190.00) 46 Design and fabricate L3ft x full height feature wall c/w swing door and laminate finishing.($600.00) 47 Supply and install 1 no. new lighting point for the false ceiling at foyer. ($30.00) 48 Supply labor to install 1 no. ceiling light for the false ceiling at foyer. ($10.00) Passageway 49 Supply and install 1 no. new lighting point for the false ceiling at passageway. ($30.00) 50 Supply labor to install 1 nos. ceiling light for the false ceiling at passageway. ($10.00) 51 Supply and lay decorative design floor tiles for passageway. ($200.00) Master bedroom 52 To apply Professional Engineering chop for hacking away the wall ($500.00) 53 Supply labor to hack away existing wall for master bedroom. ($200.00) 54 Supply labor to touch up affected hacking area. ($180.00) 55 Supply and construct false ceiling with light holders for master bedroom. ($180.00) 56 Supply and install 4 nos. new lighting point for the false ceiling for master bedroom. ($120.00) 57 Supply labor to install 4 nos. ceiling light for the false ceiling for master bedroom. ($40.00) 58 Supply and construct partition wall for master bedroom.($380.00) Bedroom 2 59 Supply and construct raised platform c/w 2 storage drawers for bedroom 2. (approx. L9ft x H6.5ft) with laminate finish ($1,290.00) 60 Supply and install 1 no. new lighting point for bedroom 2. ($30.00) 61 Supply labor to install 1 no. ceiling light for bedroom 2.($10.00) Master toilet - 62 Supply and lay water proofing membrane.($80.00) 63 Supply and overlay non-slip floor tiles. (300mmx300mm) ($480.00) 64 Supply and overlay wall tiles.(300mmx300mm) ($1,300.00) 65 Supply and install 10mm clear tempered glass shower screen c/w 1 pc swing door. ($450.00) 66 Supply and install 5ft granite vanity top. Design and fabricate 5ft suspended cabinet for vanity top. Supply and install 1 set mirror. ($1,250.00) Plumbing work - 67 Supply labor to change whole unit existing pipes to stainless steel pipes. ($600.00) 68 Supply and install 3 in 1 split unit air-con for bedrooms. (Mitsubishi)(Non- Inverter) ($2,099.00) Total (after bargaining): $28,000

Hi all, Anybody knows when we can get the keys to Blk 79D? Cos I will be gng overseas soon and dont wanna miss the key collection date Been hunting for IDs and might be settling down on one soon. Will post up the quotation soon for comments

Hi Alister, Wow!! So amazing that you've already approached so many IDs!! Even more amazing is that you are staying my block 40th Floor! The view must be magnificent! Anyway, can you share what you asked the ID to do for you? or you can PM me and we can share quotations. I've received about 5 quotations so far..

Hi Bethel, My flat is 90sqm. Finally decided to hack the wall between the MBR and the adjacent room after much consideration...wanted to preserve the adjacent room actually but then I cant have my WIW...and I really need one cos I got alot of clothes! Haha...we were planning to keep the room for a kid in future but then again, we'll not have a kid so soon and even so there's another spare room to use.

Dear Neighbours, Been some time since I've posted something..been really bz with work. Anyway, I've gotten my loan letter! Yippie...gonna send the things required soon and pray we get the keys soon..hehe. Have been on the lookout for IDs and met up with about 3..really spent my whole Saturdays meeting them and viewing their completed projects So far I've gotten about 5 quotations from A & D, Plush Living, Earnest Interior, Image Cre*tive, Baroque Design. The quotations all hover ard 30K…trying to cut down the costs to about 26K (inclusive of aircon system 3, non-inverter) Here were my requirements to the IDs: 1. Hack wall between Master bedrm and adjacent room 2. Build a Walk in wardrobe in master bedroom 3. Build platform with storage in adjacent room 4. Overlay tiles for MBR bathroom and kitchen 5. Laminate flooring for the 3 bedrooms 6. Feature wall and TV console 7. Shoe cabinet and feature wall to cover up bomb shelter 8. Tall cabinet in kitchen for my oven My advice to all who are looking for IDs is to meet up with them first to discuss your requirements. Give the same set of requirements to the IDs and then compare apple for apple. Also ask to see their completed or work-in-progress projects..look at the workmanship for the carpentry, laying of tiles and floor laminates. When you read more and know more, you tend to ask the right questions and therefore chances are, the ID will know not to mess ard with you..hahaha!! There’s a reno fair coming up soon at Expo…big scale one. Not sure who will be there though but think sign up there can get free gifts Read more Home and Décor magazines to get inspiration & ideas (actually, our draft sketch was very similar to the IDs proposals…haha…but we are too lazy to get a contractor cos got to monitor a lot of things ourselves so getting ID instead). Since many of us getting our keys soon and looking ard for IDs, shall we compile the list of IDs that we have visited to compare quotes to make sure that we are not being quoted differently? I’ll start the ball rolling first ID Firms 1. A & D (ID: Alvin) 2. Plush Living (ID: Avee) 3. Image Creat*vE (ID: Jeffrey) 4. Baroque (ID: Mike) 5. Earnest Interior (ID: Zann)

Hi Yel & all! here they are! didn't take many without my camera! these are from my bf's hp. but looks like i'll be bringing it along just in case from now onwards!

Dear Future Neighbours, I was taking a bus past our blocks and guess what I saw?? The road to Blk 79C is open and they have removed the barricade to the block!! I immediately grabbed my bf and rushed down the bus...hahahha We were so excited to take our first step into our future neighbourhood compound!! V memorable...went to Blk 79C Lobby and wanted to go upstairs but they locked the gate. Took some photos of 79C lift lobby...hehe...dunno how to post leh..anyone care to teach me? !! Blk 79D will be next...I just cant wait!!

Hi all, Hearing a lot of rave reviews about Kelvin and seen some of his designs on forummers blogs. Think its gorgeous! Can kindly PM me his HP number too? Thanks! My flat in Toa Payoh Central will be ready in 4Q 2007. Do you think its too early to go look for an ID now?

Dear Future Neighbours!! Go check your flat status at the HDB website or use your Singpass to log in. They just updated the flat status and my flat (Blk 79D) will be ready by 4Q 2007! Yippie...about 5 months max before we get our flat....so exciting..gonna start going to home & decor exhibitions liao Btw, there's one coming up in Sept at Expo..look out for it and hope to see you guys there!

Hi twotwobravo, My bf and I just went to Unimax Creative opposite our block. Was attended by Desmond the manager. I felt that he provided good service and wasnt pushy at all. He was patient with us (cos we didnt know anything!! haha...they are the first ID we approached) and kindly showed us materials, designs till the point where all the other shops were closing liao...haha. So far, we like their designs and are pleased with the meeting. Told him of our budget (i.e. 20 - 25K). We actually went to him with some initial drawings and ideas for our flat but told him that we will leave it up to him to be creative in his concept He told us that he will get back to us with concept plan in 2 weeks time and we told him to take his time as we are not really in a rush (heard from him Blk 79D might be ready by Sept!! oohoo! He offered to pass us the layout once he's done for us to consult the geomancer, following which he will tweak the floorplan again if there are changes. He will then come up with the 3D perspectives of the various rooms/living rm/dining rm/kitchen. Can't wait to see his proposal..v excited now We did ask him if he cld give us good pricing and he assured us that his prices were competitive. Read some reviews on the Femalebrides forum that they are on the slightly pricey side but that their workmanship and efficiency was good. Reliable and dont have to worry will run off with your money kind...hehehe Thus far, what I've gathered is that they have CaseTrust (meaning that they are accredited and if got any complains can go to CASE), are HBay recommended and provide 8 years warrenty for workmanship. My bf is keen to try them out cos the first mtg went well and we feel comfortable with Desmond. Furthermore, just opposite our block so I warned Desmond in jest tat if I find sthg I dislike abt the reno I will scream from my window!! hahahaha...but frankly speaking, I dont mind getting them cos I work nearby and my bf stays in TP so we can pop by v often to visit. I asked him about discounts and free gifts and he say will see what they can give us for the house (we said we wanted a bathtub and he said he can give us one!!) But we'll keep our options open still I'm also contemplating IntraDesign and maybe GPlan cos I read the Singaporebrides forum and Renotalk and they highly recommend these few. Not sure which of the IDs opposite our flat that offer the showflat package but discussed with my bf and he's quite keen (cos can save money anybody can share what is the name of the ID? There's a Substance Interior and a Living Arts Interior Design if I'm not wrong. What a lengthy post..sorry if I bored any of you guys Will keep you updated on the proposal when I receive it yah!

Hi there future neighbours! Finally found a thread for TP Blk79! so happy I'm staying in Blk 79D. Just as excited as all you guys and glad to hear that the first batch of flats might be released in August!! I've been looking ard for IDs on the forums..shortlisted a few liao and hope to meet up with them after my bf finishes his exams in June!! Oh, btw, I heard the lift bell ring last week! Yup..think they are testing the lifts already for some of the blks so exciting