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Some feedback after installing and using the Blancometra 9 sink for a few months: + Nice looking and solid + Big basin good for washing woks and bigger size utensils, or simply putting more bowls and plates inside - Food bits leftover at the basin further away from the drainer, perhaps because the base is quite flat, and the water flow is not enough to wash the food bits towards the drainer - Not familier with using the drainer; If pushed in too deep, the water is blocked; If pushed in lightly, the food bits does not get trap in the drainer and flows in between the grap and drainer into the pipings directly If getting this sink, suggest to get a kitchen tap that can "reach out further", so as it's easier to wash away the food bits towards the drainer. Kinda regretted that we never consider doing that semi-undermount i.e. sitting the sink into the solid surface top such that the sink edge is level with the solid surface. Did the usual overmount. Because our sink surface area is limited, the hump of the sink edge prevents us from placing chopping board besides the sink. Also gotta wipe digilently when water spills over the edge, so as to prevent the moulds. Also regretted choosing white solid surface .. Though nice looking, it's very easy to dirty and stain it if not careful. Sigghh.. Beware home owners, best not to sacrifice practicality over looks

Bought a package with FC @ furniture mall earlier. Customer service is average I would say. Price is not the cheapest. Long story behind the purchase.. At first, we ordered the package items without specifying the exact models. The sales guy said that we could choose the models later when nearer to delivery date. He mentioned about giving us a very good price, and for that price, we cannot choose the more expensive models later on. However, later on we found out it's all BS.. Went to another FC outlet and ask the ala carte prices, and we found out that the total price is much lower than the package that we signed.. Very upset then.. Went back to FC @ FM again to try to talk to the sales guy again, and luckily he's not around, and we are served by another sales person.. Coincidently, this new sales person knows my ID (the 1st sales guy doesn't deal with my ID before). This 2nd sales person allows us to choose the "expensive" models that we were not "supposed" to choose before.. So conclusion is, if you are thinking of buying at FC, it's advisable to compare prices between the different outlets and exhibitions, and bargain hard.. Their price is not the cheapest.. Not disclosing the sales guys' real names, as I do not wish to implicate my ID.. During delivery, they were willing to help in ensuring that the sofa cover we ordered are delivered in the color we wanted.. They delivered the wrong color of dining chairs, but have no problem replacing the correct chairs.. Same case with the coffee table, they helped to replace the original coffee table which we found a big scratch.. After-sales service is acceptable la..

Hey. anyone heard or have experience with Europa Interior before on their curtains?

You could try a warehouse at Pico Creative Centre, level 3, around Kallang area. It's not one of the front-facing shops, you gotta walk to the back, along a long corridor, before reaching the warehouse area. They have used and and new chairs (they run renting biz to coporates i think). I bought 2 barstools there, quite nice.. Think I saw the egg chair that you might be talking about.. When bargaining, talk to the male boss instead of the lady boss, easier to nego the prices..

Heyhey, wanna check with you what kind of fabric you are getting for your sofa? The normal type or those that are "water-resistant"? 3 seater L-shape? The dining set and coffee table can choose glass wan?

Good luck to you.. You know what, I just remembered that the salesperson whom I signed my package with mentioned that they may have the usual complaints that items are not delivered on time due to shipping issues etc etc, when I told them I saw some complaints abt FC in forum. Dunno why my eyes paste stamp still sign with them.. haha Btw, last time it happened to my parents that we ordered a sofa to be delivered on certain day, we all took time off to receive the sofa, but the sofa never arrive on that day. Had to call up to ask, and end up the shop gives all kinds of excuses e.g. lorry breakdown etc etc. Question is, why can't they at least give us a call to inform, rather than we angrily call them after waiting for moons? And then the truth becomes more obvious when they waited for almost 2-3weeks to deliver. Either shipment problem or maybe even forgot abt the deal? Where is the trust and honesty.. sighh Good idea! Will go sungei kadut first before going to showroom at furniture. Guess warehouse could have more choices on display compared to showroom. Btw, the salesperson told me last time that the furniture mall showroom will undergo renovation during CNY and new furniture models will be displayed after the reno. So folks who haven't selected your items yet can go take a look..

Hi folks, A bit blur here. I bought a new flat from HDB (actually already people staying there for few years cos leftover from SERS allocation) and got my electrician to shift one or two SCV points. Is that a need for my case to "activate" the SCV points for my unit? Just the shifted points, or all the points? I thought I just need to go to starhub to sign up, plug in the decoder, then able to view SCV liao..

My suspended TV console has a small block underneath it at the center. No problem with support, cos we had 3 grown-up guys standing on top of the console for testing (the contractor asked us to try, else we wouldn't dare to)

Hi monica, You could try looking around in places like furniture mall, park mall, IFC etc. Massimmo is nice too, but price a bit steep.

I just signed up a package with FC @furniture mall. A bit worried after reading the bad reviews at sgbrides. But notice that the reviews were quite some time ago i.e. 2005, 2006.. Happy to read the recent reviews here .. The only concern now is that we didn't really like the package that we signed up.. Fabric sofa + wooden coffee table + wooden dining table set w/ 4 chairs.. Actually we were only interested in the fabric sofa at first, but the salesperson "sai-ko-ed" us to sign up the package which he said is more worth it.. However, we didn't really see any designs of coffee table and dining that we liked, but due to the late hours and also quite tired with looking around, we hastily signed on the paper.. The package deal wasn't cheap at all, at around $4k. And we think the wooden furnitures quality are only so-so, not solid wood, just ply with veneer. Sighh, already signed what to do now.. Was thinking of some possible actions: 1. Change the order, remove the coffee table and dining table set, only get the sofa (possible?) 2. Change the order, keep the sofa but change the coffee table and dining set to bed frame 3. Keep the order, but ask for discount or upgrade of items Anyone have any similar experience before can share? esp abt changing package items.. Thx thx!!

The 2 Hoe Kee shops I went to are not as bad as the experiences at the Jalan Besar branch. Bought some stuff from them and the items are delivered correct and prompt. But find their stuff a bit more pricey. Think would only go there again if can't find the items/design elsewhere.. My experiences: Hoe Kee @ Jalan Besar - Originally wanted to get my bathroom stuff from them, but LUCKILY they closed on Tuesday, so no chance to meet that black face boss.. heng ahh Hoe Kee @ Genting Road - Bought my hooker hood/hob, sink and tap from there. Was served by an uncle.. He's ok, explain this and that, though can be a bit "pushy" in the sense he tried hard to recommend a certain brand.. Also got misleaded about the special tap promotion that he said had expired but willing to give to us then (later found out at other outlets that the same sink and tap promotion is still on-going)... Delivery was very prompt, and the goods are accurate and no defects.. Hoe Kee @ Tanjong Katong Complex - Went there to confirm the delivery of the hood/hob etc purchase. Was asking them about water heater but didn't buy from them eventually.. The sales guy I talked to was quite friendly and helpful.. Adamas @ Jalan Besar - Bought my bathroom accessories there.. The guy was helpful, and even offered ideas how we can save some $$$ by buying a complete set and sharing the items between 2 bathrooms. We were undecided whether should get one particular item, and the salesperson said we could get the item first (to save on making another trip down), and if really don't want later can go back to get full refund.. SSC @ Bukit Timah - The lady salesperson was ok, but not those friendly type with smile la.. She knows where the items are placed.. We almost bought their bathroom accessories, but at the very last minute (after printing out the order form of items and going to pay) having 2nd thoughts and decided to KIV. Though we felt a bit paiseh, the lady said "You are the customer, so you have the right to decide whether to buy or not, no problem".. SSC @ Changi - Very big place with many items.. But no one came to serve us when we were in the shop for almost 1 hour... But they are ok when we approach them for questions. My mum bought a kitchen accessory there, later found out the same thing is cheaper elsewhere. Poh Joo @ Jalan Besar - Went there when they are about to close shop. The guy (with slightly chapped lips) was quite friendly and still bother to show us the items we asked for. Didn't stay long there though.

Hi ngangie, Haven't heard of ppl doing what you suggested. Instead of spending extra money making the switches, why not set the rent room aircon to room temperature, then keep the remote control away? Just a thought..

My 5-room false ceiling and L box cost is around $1.6K, which includes foyer, dining, partial living and common corridor to bedrooms. Also inclusive of box-ups here and there (pipings).

Usually I get ID or contractors asking for 10-40-40-10, or 10-40-45-5, or in my reno case => 10-30-30-25-5. Usually they will ask for 10% deposit when signing the contract, then 40% when starting reno work, followed by the rest of the payments in stages according to the progress of work. So if you haven't paid the 10% deposit yet, then the 50% your contractor is asking could be the (10+40)% when work starts. If the payment terms in your contract is to give 50% at start of any reno, then you have no choice but to follow it ya.. Just gotta trust your contractor, then hope and pray.. If the payment terms doesn't state 50%, then in my opinion better be careful, cos I read a few cases in forum that some ppl pay up in advance but the work wasn't progressing as expected. ON hindsight, before sigining the contract, if you have concerns with the payment terms, you could always negogiate with the ID/contractor, especially if big amount is involved. Some are quite flexible in the payment terms since they want to get your deal. Jus my 2 cents worth...

I'm still in the midst of my reno. But hope this is helpful..

My fren's house required skirting to "compensate" for the slanted walls. If you don't put skirtings, the part where the floor tiles touches the side wall might be "uneven", slanted or worse => zig zag holes! As for my house, I'm doing parquet skirting as my FH likes the cosy feeling. Keeping my fingers crossed that all those negative elements e.g. termites would not come in...

Maybe one lesson is to check the tiles before the workers start laying... But I guess it would be perfect if the ID, project supervisor or even the tilers can just discover this in the earliest time before actual work, to avoid such rectification works...

Hmm, I'm using ICI all-in-one and supreme for my house. Do they require the whole wall to be re-painted instead of touch up? My ID did mention that they will do a base coat + 2 additional coats of paint. Not sure if the 2nd coat of paint is the touch up layer after they have almost completed the house. In any case, I felt we shouldn't have to accept patchy paint job. Gotta ask them to repaint whole wall if really needed. !!

Hi folks, Here's my quote from the ID's electrican. My new 5-rm flat already got switches and concealed wiring, so mainly incur cost on the new lighting points and some new and shifting of switches. install PLC lighting points $35 x 6 install halogen downlights $35 x 13 install pendent light $50 x 1 install ceiling lighting points $30 x 2 install fluorescent tube lighting points $35 x 6 install light fittings $10 x 36 install hob and hood point $80 x 2 install single 13A point $40 x 1 install dimmer point $30 x 2 install 2-way switches point $30 x 2 shift SCV points $60 x 3 shift telephone point $50 x 1 shift single 13A point $30 x 2 shift double 13A point $35 x 2 install doorbell $20 x 1 install 15A point for aircon $180 x 1 labor to run surround speaker wiring (cable excluded) $100 total damage = $2325 Think this quote is to the high side if compared to the electricians outside. But on the other hand saves us the trouble looking for another reliable electrician and also the coordination and warranty considerations.

Thanks for the tips ya.. The ultimate reasons why we considered hacking toilets are: 1) get a more prefered color/design 2) change to homogenous tiles instead of ceramic. Just decided that we are not doing anything to the toilets.. Give in to the reality - $$$. Not even going to change the sink/taps.. Use the HDB ones for the time being until spoiled then change..

Nope, only the hacking, tiling and some plumbing. I have existing vanity top and the pipes are all concealed. The vanity cupboard and mirror is quoted for $980 . About 30% more expensive than normal, because the mirror is imported from japan and customised locally, and the vanity top is curved. Not sure about ceramic tiles though.

Anyone using this solid top called "Urban Works" or issit by urban work? My ID is using this, but so far haven't heard of ppl using. Was quoted around $70-80 pfr, so assume this is a normal brand... Also, any advise on choosing color for the tops?

In fact, we decided on black sink before deciding to get a black glass-top hob as advised by ID. Agree their taps a bit pricey, now that I checked out other similar models costing only half of the Blanco tap price after discount. But I guess they are still ok compared to the Franke models that was made in china and costing more. (Assumed that blanco taps are made in germany/canada, as indicated by their production sites listed in website...) Glad to see so many good feedback on granite sink, cos really dint do any research before getting it . Originally targeting SS sinks cos metal seems to be more classy and heat-resistant, just that we couldn't find one with deep-enough bowl.

I heard about this HDB screeding problem from one ID, and he quoted me $600 for screeding 3 bedrooms, instead of using HDB screeding. With the final ID I end up with, she said she would personally go down and supervise the HDB workers doing screeding, so as to make sure the job is done well. She will coordinate with HDB on it. Guess this is a better way cos no need to fork out extra $$$ !!

babyQ, guess your quote is still alright.. I'm considering hacking and re-laying my 2 toilets (renovating whole house also), and my ID quoted $6.4k for 2 toilets. $6.4k only includes hacking, waterproofing, tiling for wall and floor, and plumbing works to remove and put back the existing bathroom fixtures provided by HDB (taps, sinks and toilet bowls).. Pipings are concealed so no re-piping needed. Doing the shower screen and vanity cupboard+mirror cost another $1.9k !! Some consolation for you ya.. haahaa.. but i must say this, my ID has good workmanship and use good materials, thus the high price..