OceanEleven

How much is the hood? FX900 or FS890? Hoe Kee?

It really depends on usage and the cost incurred and lastly if your place's aircon ledge able to fit in 2 compressors. Eg. If max usage is 2 bedrooms and living only on some very hot days daytime, perhaps system 4 may be a better option. Also if Sys 2 x 2 and Sys 4price diff is insignificant, may be better off with 2 system. This will ensure sufficient cooling. Lastly, some BTO or resale has small/no aircon ledges, so it is better to confirm before any purchasing 2 systems.

Side by side fridge looks big but internal volume is smaller than some big 2 door fridges. Also the cost is much higher compare to 2 door fridge. Side by side also reduce the cabinets you can have in the kitchen. Panasonic NR-BY552XSAU (or this range) may serve one better. It is an inverter fridge and the freezer is at the bottom door. Daily usage is more on the cooling compartment, so this design will suit better. Mitsubishi Electric is widely used by many, so later any repair or parts are easily available. Just that System 4, you cant have the living and 2 rooms on aircon at any given time though as I believe your blower for living is more than the 9/10k BTU type. My 2 cents.

Brands and Pricing for Vinyl So far I had only compared 2 brands, namely Evorich and Krono. With laminates out of the pictures, so does Supreme, Pergo, Tarkett etc too. Evorich as many will know is aggressive with marketing and promotion. Sponsoring TV shows and attending excitations and mind you, these cost money. My gut feel is that what the psf price offered during exhibition can be offered during walk in as well. Main factor deciding what price you get is the floor area you are doing. If you are doing a complete 5 room compared to doing 3 bedrooms for a 5 room, chances are you are able to bargain a better psf price. So note this when considering, it should the same for any brand of flooring – area dictates. Evorich import their flooring from the States but the hearsay is that the States dealer gets their stock from China. So if this is true, at the end of the day, we are paying for made in China product. No that I have a problem with this but simply for knowledge purposes. Anyway, the walk in psf is approx. $7 but roadshow/exhibition prices vary which as mentioned, depends on area. From friends and fellow reno bloggers,I have heard can be anywhere from $6 to $6.25. The feel and texture are pretty alluring and comes in many shades of wood and grains, a worthy consideration if one like what they see and feel. Evorich market their vinyl as HERF ie. High End Resilient Flooring. And yes, it sound sophisticated. Next, there is Krono. A brand known more for their laminates. This was introduced to me by my ID. They had brought in vinyl flooring as well but not aggressive in marketing. Matter of fact, you cant even find this product on their website. I had visited their showroom; there are 17 colours to choose from, with 7 more to come in April. Seriously, texture and feel wise, it is hard to tell them apart from Evorich. Perhaps one a little more matt while the other is slightly glossier. The range is pretty comprehensive and enticing. I would say one or two colours will meet one's preference Krono’s vinyl is from Korea, well that’s what I heard and their pricing is approx. almost $1 cheaper than Evorich – ranges like $5plus Samples from both brands I had, look similar to me. When lie side by side, I cant tell them apart. I stand corrected, both products are actually OEMs, meaning factory manufacture for them, but branding and marketing done by their own companies. After looking thru both companies and knowing I have no beef with my pocket, I went with Krono.

Hi there, you can try reading my blog, posted about buying from TB and using Amcon, may be of a little assistance.

1.4k just for switches or??

Share the link of the tatami coffee table. Did you feedback to the seller?

Time for choosing flooring. At the very beginning, already decide to go for laminates but then learnt of vinyl in the market. So did some study and realize perhaps vinyl may be a better option after all. As mine is a resale unit, the flooring are laminate, after removing, the previous layer of tiles are revealed. This is perfect for overlaying with vinyl, no need for hacking, no need for leveling and no need for cement screeding as well. In a way, there is some savings for myself. So why vinyl over laminates. Simple reason, it looks like wood but without the wood properties. Laminates are not exactly waterproof. If water are left on laminates, it will absorb and swell over time. Laminates are also more hollow when step on and not as resistant as vinyl. Vinyl needs no skirting but laminates is a must due to contract expand properties of wood. so there is always a small gap at the edge of the wall. Hence skirting are needed to cover up this gap. From what I understand, replace a defect piece of vinyl is easier than laminate. For vinyl, simply replace the defect one while laminate have to start from the wall nearest to the defect piece. There are concern of vinyl emitting poisonous gas but local brands have this covered. Most had sent to relevant authorities and pass the requirement test. The gas concerned here is formaldehyde which is harmful especially to children. Passing the test does not mean no gas but more likely means within an acceptable level. No brand will be "champion" to tell you no gas whatsoever. Then and again, if we cant do anything about the annual haze, why the concern about these, let alone the daily fumes fro the traffic. Another plus point about vinyl that appeals to me is the texture and grooves, it provides friction prevent slipping when wet and feels great like wood. Next time shall go a little on the brands and pricing.

Give and take a little here and there. Most of the time depends on what one is buying as well. Sometimes when a deal is too good to be true, most likely it is then. Have to be a little more hard working and do more homework. Like pricing, there are so many selling the same item with quite a variation in price. Overall hardware are a safer bet. Smaller items with non movable parts like toilet accessories or certain furniture as well. There are some signs to look out for such as when mention a solid wood 1.6m table weighs only 10kg, perhaps better to look else where. A fellow reno blogger bought a table as below, it turns out to be s solid buy, drawers with soft closing as well. But then how many are willing to fork out RMB2300 for this 1.5m table. He took a leap of faith and paid off. Many will be put off by the price tag, thinking all TB stuff should be cheap. So again nothing is guarantee but if dirt cheap, then guarantee quality is "there" only.

So far tiling of the toilets and kitchen are done. Currently running wires and cables for the house. Electrical needs some planning especially for first time house owner. Numerous issues to consider and this will have a significant impact on the reno budget. Many failed to realize how costly electrical is and fail to cater a realistic budget for it. Number of lighting points - depends if you are doing false ceiling, cove lights. Normally false ceiling will come with down light. One plus point of false ceiling is that it can help to conceal aircon trunkings, wiring etc. Down light are costly, ranging from $20 or more, even more for LEDs. and each down light is consider as a lighting point. So add the cost up - eg. down light cost $30, lighting point $35, installing $10 = $75, imagine if you have 20 of these. Also have not add in the cost of the false ceiling. 13A Power Point - The price difference between one and double power point is a mere $10-$20, so most owners will go for double at a given point. Then it is the cost of a double point that is the killer. Prices ranges from $60 or more per double. So if you place gonna install 15 double point, you know your math. Data Point - Averages from $110 up. Average house need 4 points if doing structure cabling. TV Point - eg. $90 per point, if all rooms need one, mean times 3. Telephone Point - Also in the tens of dollars, can be $50 or more but may not be need in all rooms since most if not all uses HP. Unless fax is needed. Then the rest there are aircon point, 2 way switches, installation of fan, installation of lights, hood & hob point etc subject to needs and want. Some prefer different switches like Clipsal, Legrand, schneider etc and so the price snowball..... Time to bring out the calculator...... Remember, each lighting point is counted as one point. So if you choose a pendant light that needs 3 pcs of it to achieve that aesthetic look means you are paying 3 x lighting point and 3 x light installation. 2 way switches are a must in some houses due to layout. No one wants to off the living room light where the switch is near the main door and only to walk thru the darkness to the bed room. So beware and be prepare.

Think 15-20 Watts should do the job. Slightly brighter is ok cos the light are not on all the time.

You need to have false ceiling to achieve the effect. Depending on size, may cost a few hundred for the false ceiling.

Still looking. Up to personal preference. Can be a normal ceiling light, pendant light or even a mini chandelier. Mainly depends on how much you willing to spend and how are you trying to achieve.

That is a pretty hefty purchase. With almost RMB3000, I can almost cover living, dining, kitchen and maybe even the 2 toilets with some decent lighting. Of course not those pricey or fanciful lights though. Matter of fact, the ones I am looking at now for living and dining are approx. RMB500 each only.

Bargaining is subjective, not all things I bargain for. Normally is when they charge a shipping fee to China warehouse or when I am buy 2 or more pricey items. If you are buying a second time, you can also try bargaining a little. I bought a full height dressing mirror. Slim slender type for the MBR,

To chat with the seller, you have to download Taobao/Tmall chat ware Ali Wang Wang (阿里旺旺). From there you can contact seller with queries you have. Eg. if you are buying a few items, you can bargain for a better price. Just note that so far all my discussion are conducted in Chinese, means typing in Hanyu Pinying, may post a challenge to some though. Upon agreeing the price, you submit your order, the seller will then amend the price for you by sending a new window with the new pricing. Click and pay accordingly.

Shopping in Taobao and Tmall is quite fun. Especially the bargaining part. Just bought a mirror, after bargaining,managed to bring down the price by RMB42. Another saving that goes to other things.

Thanks. You wont believe the price I've paid for it. I think it goes well with the normal white basin.

This is what we call "Cast in stone".

Link for the study table. (Should be this one) http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.47.p8BfSr&id=35673264308&_u=k1n55c8t9b8f Comes with soft closing drawers, very solid feel, in 3 various sizes. The actual piece look s very real, finishing is not bad as well. Can be custom made but you need to talk to the seller direct.

http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=17768925643&spm=a1z09.5.0.0.GdJbhY This should be a more accurate link. Anyway Tmall suppose to be more secure and more authenticity Given the price paid, Grohe or not, as long as it can last for years, think should worth the money. Price of a shower and mixer in Singapore is also about the same. Saw the local Grohe Bau series, even during discount is also about SGD500 ++ if I am not mistaken. So what is the point of paying a premium where there are alternatives.

http://trade.taobao.com/trade/detail/tradeSnap.htm?spm=a1z09.2.9.209.O68udo&tradeID=537918179195330 This is the type I bought. Authentic or not you have to do your own homework and study a little more.

Size of sink also plays a part, if the sink is small, then this piece will look overkill.

Selling at Elmark. Singapore 55 Ubi Avenue 1 #02-04/05/06 Singapore 408935 6741 0729 (5 lines), elmark@elmark.com.sg

Could be measured wrongly, maybe 680mm instead. Anyway ID confirm even 750mm also not a problem.