Sharpion

Yo bro, thanks for the well wishes! Glad to see your house is internationally admired! We must continue our secret plans for Dave hor We just had our house warming over the weekend...100 people!! all the comments were good and we're really happy Still very tired from the whole event...zzz nowadays we also just want to go home and rest. hi skyryen, welcome to the thread We treated the $500 like a confirmation once we negotiated the costing, they would probably ask you only if everything is pretty settled - coz I didn't want to come down again just to do it also. What I think is that whether they give you the drawings before or after depends on their schedule and sometimes they may be too busy to do it first. For me, my main concern wasn't really the drawing but more of someone reliable who I can depend on...drawing can easily change if not happy and worse case just refund if not happy lor hope this helps!

Yo, like mitevo said, refer to the previous pages quite a lot said about him. i'll just add one more... i moved in already for about 2 months and Dave has still been supporting me well with all my house stuff After moving in you really realize how impt a good ID is, a lot of things he told me to expect i'm experiencing now...no complains with the workmanship, it really is good (based on my 2 months of usage la). would add one more thing that, reno is just a small part of actually turning your house into a home ^^ yo bro, i sooo long never come in here...moving in has been so tiring man...hows your house been?

hi bro, eh i tink u mix me up with bro cartoon wayne, heh. but sama sama, i also agree with him. hmm just had a thought, do u guys want to bring Dave out for a meal or something? i mean all of us who he is the ID la...im tinking of doing so already on my own. wa good auspicious date one...for me just anyhow move great to see that things are working out great for u. ya, i agree with you, dave is very prompt with touching up and no complains. i did quite a bit touching up, electrical adding powerpoints (last minute), more painting and some carpentry work with my built in stuff. all done within 1-2 days. i tink i run out of things for him to do liao! as u say, a lot of ppl warn me against full payment before even complete but even till now got no problem. 5 day = 10 cartons, then shld be no prob by CNY all done and comfortable right? ya moving is very siong...my tv has been delayed like by 1 month and im actually very angry ..but they throwing in free gift as an apology so...hai. mattress also delayed. i was so happy to finish reno that i underestimate moving in..packing from old place etc is dam siong...somemore u need to install things to store your stuff. a lot of things with the reno u only realize after u put in your stuff...lucky dave always help out. good luck to your move man! i share with you my father-in-law advice..."own the house and not let the house own you." ----------- feel itchy to express my thoughts for the rest of the readers here as i been reading the previous posts...Intra has their own style of doing things and focus on different aspects compared to other ID firms. this includes the way they conduct their projects (may not be there personally all the time) and even their payment method (final payment before completion) and quotation (never breakdown etc). they are also not cheap BUT i think that is very fair for the quality they give. there will surely be issues here and there but its always how the ID reacts that matters. all my concerns are always addressed fast and well. in the company itself there are different IDs: dave, gladys, ken, angeline, irene etc. i personally had the privilege to have met most of them and feel that they each have quite different characters. i think there will surely be some people that find it hard to talk to some of them...so i would suggest to make sure u really feel comfortable with whoever u choose - it makes a big difference. in regards to fila, hope you are still reading, if it was me, i think you shld really talk it out with Glady and what you not happy abt...dun have to confront but at least give her a chance to make things better. this is just my own opinion la, i always try to be as direct as possible (though not always good results but at least i made sure everything is in the open) however regardless of who u choose, their company culture and values are very strong and im sure the quality will be maintained. sometimes when i visit them, i can see them sharing ideas with each other and discuss each others project so you actually like have a few IDs working helping out on your place. i think i type v.long liao so i better end now. Overall i am very happy with them in all aspects and my reno has been enjoyable. i wish all of you the same (regardless of whoever you choose) in your quest for a wonderful home

IMO any samsung just get models behind the tech curve to get them cheaper - would get LCD instead of plasma or CRT as there are quite a number of benefits incl. elect cost for watching so much. im not really a techie person, this is just wat i think

ya ya ya we also want pls remember to update us - can trade web services for wall painting? heh

you can try Dlink 655 this is the one i just bought after quite a lot of research on this subject - in case you see it, there are very chio looking Belkin routers but reviews have said their performance is very bad.

we also using the same tiles but for our kitchen at first was very scared to use also...but then now getting quite negative feedback from 'older relatives', heh dun care coz we both like it. small issue is that i find is that its quite hard to clean leh...feels dusty mop a lot then dunno if dirty or just design - u get the problem also? waaa...artistic man!

well said, never thought abt it that way b4 !! on hindsight i think we were more comfortable with an ID coz we basically left everything to him including the design - just some general guidance. But if u don't need the design, definitely not point paying for it hor.

from what i know in my blind research, blinds really depend on 2 major things: - roller mechanism: japan made la, pulley chain, electronically powered, etc. - blind material: blackout, see through, fire proof, water resist etc etc. basically more features more $$$. when you go to those blind shops they charge per sq. ft. Not sure if length of blinds matters, whether need a customized size or standard fitting etc. Currently my whole house uses blinds...i did something quite scary, i just use 1 blind system for every window area i have...(ranging from 4-5 panels) instead of dividing them. even the blinds people warn me surely have problems with the center frame, not that functional etc. but for me, i personally don't like the space in between...so there. now that it is done, no regrets at all. For me the cost is about $380 for 4 panels, using Japanese chain pully system, blackout material. its just one big blind. i am very happy with the blinds people my ID recommended me, if you want their contact just PM me they are very professional and the quality of their workmanship is very good. However they are not that cheap...or maybe its the blinds i chose...*shrug*

hi welcome i'm pretty new here also. actually i think this question has been asked before if you search for it. Anyway I'll just write my thoughts here. For me i just finished my reno with the help of an ID and here is my personal take about the pros of using an ID: - they are like project managers, they really help organize which contractor come in first la, how much time is needed etc. they also can control the quality of the work done as they know becoz they seen so many liao - they know which contractors are good and know the market well. contractors 'give them face' also becoz if you hire a contractor, you are just ONE customer...but an ID relationship equals to a lot of future potential jobs so i think in a way contractors work harder. my friends who done without ID have A LOT of problems with contractor running away etc. especially for after sales problems...really no reason to help u ma. - contractors tend to blame each other for everything (even with an ID), you need someone who really knows his stuff to put them in their place. sometimes the issues are complex...like for eg. the plumbing guy broke my tile in the kitchen so who do wat? in this case, my ID just said no problem and it was fixed the day after liao (i don't have to care who) - MANY MANY MANY things you will not expect with your reno...i can't even remember how many times i was thinking...OMG, this kind of thing also got! Imagine you ZERO exp while an ID has like 1000 projects or more before (if you hire an exp one la) - VERY hard to visualize and communicate what you want (unless you can draw it)...also it may not be possible or feasible to do. eg. my house i wanted a certain tile for my toilet..then my ID said not advisable coz of maintenance etc...small things like aircon guy need to coordinate with electrical (for power), wet works (for piping) and carpentry (in case get blocked)...have to take many things into consideration. Ok i can go on and on but i'll stop here. I think you can do it yourself IF you have a lot of time...time to research, do a lot of homework on every contractor...be willing to meet and negotiate with many parties..slowly wait for 1 job to be done then do the next etc. be very careful with contracts etc. u can save A LOT of money but you will have to make up with your time and effort. Actually my advice would be to do once with an ID and then later in the future u can do it yourself lor. of coz u need to choose a good ID la (if you choose to get one), you can read the posts here for a wealth of info. A lot of problems if you choose the wrong ID also. Not saying my ID is the best, really depends on individual preference. hope this helps! sry if post too long, im a bit insomatic now

your place really looking good, keep updating k! that day met Angeline at Intra - said that your place v.nice She seems very busy man...people keep coming to see her, she have to work on Sun also...actually their job not ez hor!

hihi, tot u mia liao. wow sounds like things really going good for you bro! we are also very pleased with wat has been done with our place...onli thing, we keep cleaning and cleaning and still so dusty..hai~ My deliveries all coming this week, just hope it fits well with the design now. Should be ok coz everything we buy we consult Dave Ya really agree with you about him going the extra mile. but i guess maybe coz we can communicate well with him, perhaps got some ppl may find it difficult - so advice for ppl considering any ID, please MAKE SURE you can communicate well regardless who la aiyo what happen with the 5th floor ppl? b4 my reno start, i went to my new neighbours and introduce ourselves etc. BUT i never do for the floor below me...then jun jun they also KP me sia...btw, realli love ur avatar man...! great to hear it was a very exciting time for us too. After that, touching up then pretty much done liao too hor - in time for CNY.

Congrats to you too! I'm also following your renoblog. Now all the deliveries are coming in...hope nothing screws up during this time Has been a really great experience dealing with intra, can say even fun. Mitevo bro no updates?

hehehe all their iphone is i intro to them wan, dave was using HTC touch then i showed him my phone and he was like..."i want" lol...they are currently 'fixing' the MMS thing...soon shld be able to MMS Later my house handing over liao, finally!

waa u 2 really innovative man, thanks for sharing your ideas

nice idea man! we also have a door like that, will consider doing something like that too...only we are not as artistic as you so quite scared...

heh, when i first saw him, this is the words i said, "so you are the ah beng boss of intra everyone talks about!" i dun tink he is that beng actually la, in fact, i feel he quite refined esp. in what he wear etc. (if u look closely la) i also paid 50/50 with him...like jule says, try talking to him if u feel its too siong good luck for your reno project! ha...u never see dave yet ah? actually i got picture of him but he will burn my house down if i post it here..lol u can't miss him one la, he always wears those colourful shirts - next time ask angeline to intro to u la. haha, ya agree, his hair style quite cute especially in the morning when he just wake up that time. i guess sure got some ppl cannot click with him one...but as you say, you know him more you find he is really a nice guy - crack a lot of jokes one...his design is really good - now that my house is 99% complete, can really see what he say is good.

ya, the false ceiling shiok!

nope, its not just you like mitevo said, we have no regrets engaging INTRA even though the quotation was not 'broken down'. to us, it boils down to trust and having the confidence in your ID. i believe IDs can easily 'do bad things' to you even if they break down the cost to the cent. i think it is important to have good communication with your ID so you know what you are getting. its more of having the right expectation for what you are paying. as jule has brought up earlier, there can be some issues and no reno is perfect one...but the important thing is to see how the ID reacts in the event something is not right. i'll be completing my reno this coming week already and so far i am very happy with intra. they are reliable and are always there when you need them good luck to your reno project, hope you can enjoy it as much as we do

lucky you checked love your colours

wa sounds like a good deal, you got any pics?

oops, i think i was reading another post abt someone in tampines and thought u lived there also. ya now that i look at ur floorplan again closer, it does seem like those walls can't be hacked... well on the bright side can save cost and use for other things ya mine also 18 yrs...a few things u shld be esp concerned with in an old house: - piping need to change to pvc? - wiring trunking exposure (is it ugly?) - water proofing of bathrooms - electrical maximum capacity - eveness in the edges like window frames, door frames, wall coz sometimes the concrete looks even but is not (esp in my case) so the ID have to make special boxed in areas. - main door fire door or need to change? eeks i very lor suo, u didn't even ask lol anyway have fun with your ID search, it is really a very big step so choose carefully

hey your floor plan looks very similar to mine lol my wife and i prioritize the bedroom as one of the more important spaces so we decided to invest more space/money to it. anyway since its just the 2 of us we didn't really need that many rooms. my suggestion would be to tear down the wall between the MBR and BR2...then optionally install a sliding or foldable partition. in that new area (formerly BR2), put your bed, vanity, small study desk etc. coz you'll have a lot of space to play. then for the original MBR, do a nice WIW. Can have nice big TV, built in features etc. We find it very funny that we have such a big house and have to spend most of our time (sleeping etc.) in a small MBR and the rest of the rooms empty so we used the space to really enjoy 'luxury MBR living' The WIW can adjoin the toliet so you can like bath and then change in the WIW with lots of space - shiok. If its big enough, you can even put your vanity there...its convenient. we even considered moisture effects etc. anyway, then when baby comes, you'll probably put the crib together in your MBR when you sleep so there will be lots of room. If you ever need the room again you can just close the partition back again and you have back your room. im just about finished with my renovation already (last 2 weeks). Had a lot a lot of ideas but after lots of discussion with our ID decided to just hack down one wall to extend the MBR. from wat we see now we really like our decision. But then again hor, its really really about your priority...u have to really IMAGINE hard the spaces that mean the most to you and you'll spend time the most in...then just spend space/cost accordingly lor Oh one more thing before i forget...if your house is old be prepared for a lot of unforseen costs...and becoz its so big, everything you do is more costly...tiles la, wiring la, false ceilings la...aircon for our living room is unfortunately impossible due to electrical restrictions to aircon compressors in our block! hai... Hope this helps fellow Tampinesian!

intra design sells some cool clocks in their showroom also, seen them when i was there for discussion sry but no pics :/ they are modern and funky

jule: haha, its normal la - i change my mind every time also - the trick is, try to not to decide straight away and say i'll go with this first BUT i confirm 2morrow k. seeing the carpentry is very exciting, i tink the most boring part is the 2 weeks from confirmation of carpentry to installation. i'll be going to my house everyday from now to see how they install scrumpee: go to their website: http://www.intradesign.com.sg/contact.htm mitevo: i stay at blk 268 - near central there. have been staying in Tamp for the past 5 years already and i really love the place. we also considered sengkang but no extra grant. my aircon also not installed yet, think they are waiting for carpentry to be completely done first...u are at the most sian part, nothing to do but explore furnishings la. u got do ur curtain/blinds yet? dun underestimate that one hor. also ur basin becareful whether u need special adapter or whether need tall tap to fit...