eastlovin

Oh no what happened? Hang in there, I hope everything will be sorted out fine eventually.

Haha Dwinsplace, yes I agree that maintenance of parquet will be a huge chore. For my parents' renovation 3 years ago, they spent a large chunk of their reno budget on parquet flooring for the indoors and long strips of chengal wood as outdoor decking and trellises for their garden as they really love wood. But the new maid has totally destroyed the indoor flooring with lots of long deep scratches and scuffs after less than 6 months with us and the weather has not been kind to their outdoor decking as well. Now I would say their flooring is a bit "rustic" looking lol They are planning to get someone to re-varnish and repair the wood at some point in time but it just means more $$$ spent on maintenance!

Those are some useful tips you have there vuzu- would be useful for future flathunters!

Hi Shah- yes agreed that there are not many resale MPers here so decided to come lend some support when I saw your tblog lol Mine is also a 4 room flat! Looking forward to the updates!

Agreed. I think sometimes it's really luck of the draw whether you get a competent ID/contractor no matter how much homework you do. Good luck Rice and do keep us updated Hang in there!

Lookaround, I have an ID but he's not a problem solver and tends to make a big deal out of any little issue which arises without trying to find a solution first, and I'm the one who has to find a workaround to any problem. Otherwise, he says "no choice, it is like that already" or "you need to buy another one cos this one not suitable". I'm really grateful to all the renotalkers who have shared their reno experiences as most of the time, I manage to find a solution from the forum. Also sometimes he blackface me if I suggest something or spot some mistakes his sub-cons had made while the works are ongoing and then ask him to get them to rectify before proceeding. All these and many more add to the stress lor! Sometimes I feel like I should have just DIY-ed and save the money since all the design ideas came from me anyway argh.

The hacking works are looking good- should be very open and spacious with the walls torn down! Also, great idea of using concrete screed tiles for the raw look but not compromising on ease of maintenance I've gone for parquet throughout the entire flat except for the kitchen which will be tiled up. I've not bought anything from TB for my reno even though I've heard largely good reviews from other renotalkers cos there are so many learning curves like navigating the site in Mandarin and looking for a freight forwarder etc and I'm just so **** lazy LOL

Oh no I was deciding between the Joven 35litre and Ariston 30litre storage heater for my flat and eventually went with the latter. Installed already but my renovation works are still ongoing so yet to try it. GMC, your experience is scaring me a little! Lol. Will report back after I've moved in

Like CuGu, I also got mine from Gain City at a similar price

Hi Dwinsplace, haha we were also specifically sourcing for flats in the MP and Cassia neighbourhoods around the same time as you and we ended up in MP! We are currently in the midst of renovations and have encountered the same problem of finding out only during hacking that the HDB layout plan was not very accurate with the exact beam locations and measurements. We ended up having to re-configure our design after spending so much time planning and discussing the proposed design layout according to the supposed official HDB layout plan! But considering that the flat is close to 40 years old, maybe measurements weren't so accurate in the 70's lol We have decided to install a digital lock for our main door too but are still contemplating whether to go for a digital lock for the gate as well cos it almost seems to defeat the purpose if we have bring the key for the gate when we go out! Your 3D plans look great- looking forward to further updates from you!

I totally agree with you that many places put you through so much hassle and give false promises and at the end of the day after lots of frustration and to and fro-ing they think that a refund will absolve them of any responsibility and make them any less culpable. I am only in the middle of my renovations and I have already had so many bad experiences to date (from furniture to lighting- big and small companies alike). Other than time, money and opportunity cost wasted, the worst consequence of all these experiences is the stress that has led to numerous unnecessary quarrels with my partner as we inevitably end up blaming each other for choosing a particular company which caused us the headache and disappointment. Even my parents do not recall these poor business practices from when they did their own home renovation many years ago and they are shocked and are now of the opinion that times have indeed changed from when people used to take more pride in their business. I do not wish to name names at this point until I start my own T-blog after my renovation is complete as some of these companies have either yet to refund me my money or resolved the situation. Also, I do not want to jeopardise my chances of getting my money back should they come to know that I've named them on Renotalk! We need to support one another and maybe start a sticky list of shops/suppliers to avoid so that other homeowners will not also fall prey to such despicable business practices. Ok i feel much better now after adding my two cents to this discussion. Peace out!

Raymond, kudos to you for making the painting of your flat a family project. I think it turned out very well! Looking forward to more updates!

Hi Lookaround, glad to hear your renovation is complete now and everything's looking good! Looks like your renovation journey has been pretty smooth so far yay! I'm still in the midst of my reno- super stressful and have to close one eye to many issues along the way. Can't wait for mine to be over too!

LHWH- is it not possible for your contractor to change that one cracked tile for you? If not, thankfully it's at a corner and should not be too noticeable!

Looking good so far! I like your armchairs and marble flooring- the only marble I was allowed by my other half in our house is the kitchen and vanity tops lol. Looking forward to more updates on your reno!

My unit was the first I saw and I offered on the same day after my first viewing- my friends were very shocked when they knew it haha. I wouldn't say the flat was love at first sight as it was in original 70's condition (i.e. super old and run down!) but I grew up in the neighbourhood, knew the area well enough and was prepared to overhaul the entire place anyway!

Looking great! And this is coming from someone who is not really into industrial theme haha. Looking forward to your updates!

Agreed with wroomwroom- we just bought a close to 40 year old flat and EVERYTHING had to be hacked off and replaced. We are planning on staying long term. Most important for me is that the location cannot be beat for most older flats and whether or not en-bloc would be announced was not a factor in my purchasing decision

Don't worry the money you paid for your EM in Bishan will be worth it! Then again I'm probably a bit biased because I grew up in Bishan lol Looking forward to your updates!

wow you really went all out on the subway tiles! looking forward to see the fantastic complete look when the cabinetry etc are all up in your kitchen!

Hello I'm a fellow MPer here! So sorry to hear of your harrowing experience with your ID- hope you managed to sort out the mess he left behind. Looking forward to hear further (positive!) updates from you!

oh by the way, forgot to mention your dog is very cute- what breed is he/she?

LHWH, I'm so sorry to hear about the problems you have been encountering during your renovations. I'm also in the midst of renovations now and so many unforeseen things have cropped up- really had to close one eye to lots of them if not by now hair all white already! Hang in there!!

Wow I'm so proud of you too for finding such a fantastic flat!! If I were looking for a flat in Pasir Ris, it would have ticked all the boxes for me too!!

Hi fellow MPer! We have just gotten our flat in MP too and are currently in the midst of renovations. Like yours, ours is an old flat in original condition so major overhauling works were required as everything needed to be changed! We were too busy/lazy to plough through all the useful information in renotalk before we started our own renovation (regret that a bit now!) so we just relied on our parents' advice and experiences from when they did their home revamp a few years earlier LOL. So stressful- I really cannot wait for our renovations to be over, after which I'll start my renovation blog too! In the meantime I'll be parking myself here to lend some support! Good luck with your renovations!