tension_z

actually, there is nothing to hide, I think moderater should bring back the thread. let the forumers decide. Candy's explanation should still stay but under owner's previous post. we are here to learn anyway. =) Cheers.

can. we arrange another day. Will PM u my contact. If you are around ur house, sms me. I should be around quite often during this final stage.

no problem Shivan, u sms me when u reach, then I tell you which unit we are at. If you missed tha 11am timing, and wish to visit my house, can also let me know. I see if I can arrange another slot (depending on how late all the house hopping ends then I will detour back to my house) have a good day.

skywu, can I view ur house this Sat? you might tell me your long story when we meet, we see if it is normal. what are the type of defects you found, share with us here, we can tell you if this is normal as well. Did anything you agree is on black and white? Even though my ID firm is pissing me off now and then, they have a proper black and white procedure to record defects and the materials owner choose. how much have u paid this company? see what we can help u here =) Hi yeoman that's right. at least my ID is willing to rectify the defects, that is y i didn't reveal their ID co. Still patiently waiting for the final product. You can come over to my house to decide if I am a perfectionist =) Good ones u must say, Bad ones as well. we can learn from one another. No one can protect us except ourselves. even if same trade ID, won't comment much as they don't want to spoil market. cheers. see u this sat, 11am. PM me for my unit. ok set. 11a.m at my house, then decide the next house. Neigbours, pls bring own water bottles. No fridge in my house, hence no drinks provided. HAHA. I think a lot of talking will be taking place. we make this a good learning journey ya?

one by one ah. again I want to say it is heart warming to hear neighbours' support. carelinwen, I checked out with capenter. yes, my ID is ridiculous when he said 2 months. I hope 2 months is the longest time that I need to wait or earlier. If he tell me 2 weeks, then can't commit, I will also be angry. So this part, just give and take. Something about this is I do not want to rush them or whatever. I have a new bed which ID arranged to be delivered when it is still defects' rectification cos' he said I rushed him. My bed was bought during expo, a month after I signed contract with the ID firm. That was Dec. If April, I still don't get the bed, the bed company may start charging me warehouse holding fee. Who is going to bear? U may say, let ID bear. On the surface, ID may bear, then ID may charge you somewhere else (out of nowhere), neighbours, we must remember that the contract quotation amount is not the final yet. It will still add on. right on, I am still hopeful, so not necessary to reveal the ID firm. all i can say is they are quite popular in expo home deco show.

till date it is 4 months. but say 3 months minus off chinese new yr break. ID told me 2 more months if to uninstall the home shelter feature wall. maybe this sat, u guys come and see if my feature wall is acceptable? so,3 + waiting 2 months about 5 months? HmmMmmMmmmMmm. which ID hah? Keep his identity 1st bah. Latest status: most of the earlier defects were done. but found new defects. hey, neighbours, did your toilet basin get stuck? both my toilet basin stuck. water can't flow down. got to get ID's plumber to do something about it. Actual handover is always a mystery. I trust the ID, but doesn't trust his dates anymore.Heh. I didn't expect them to compensate me as they are not the type that give excuses and dilly dally this week only, they have got workers to come in on Mon and Wed to work from day to night. but a lot of waiting of time in between. my father sounded out to me that we shouldn't be the ones standing there day and night to tell ID what the defects are, he should be the one to observe and tell the workers. I waited for the carpenter till near 9pm just to tell him what I told the ID earlier in the day. (still sort of pissed) I didn't want to expect much from them now as I don't want to feel disappointed. Sat open house still on. Take my house as a case study. let me know if it is good/bad/comments. I won't get hurt/offended..cos some part of my heart is numbed already. Have a good day all.

thanks cocobibi and congee. time check: I left tpy at 10pm plus. yes, my last worker left at 9+ p.m. my worker very hardworking hor. --------------------------------------------------- i always experienced low batt when i come tpy. low batt due to calling ID,calling the worker. y am i doing the ID job to call worker? -------------------------------------------------- back to my reno journey. ID came at 5pm (promised at 2-3plus) in his dream, he informed us that he will be late. his own carpenter team has no idea where he was. he packed his schedule so tight that he is always rushing. business very good i guess. ----------------------------------------------------------- came in about an hour, showed him the mess. so much for the trust in his workers. I stayed with the workers from morning till night, I felt that it is not his workers' fault. They did what they were told. Imagine no ID supervise the workers. Other tilers from neighbours' house told me that I can't expect an ID to stay at my site whole day as they have other site to run, so? now problem spruge up. problem as in even my MBR room can't close properly after fixing. (this was just one of the new found defects) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- workers came, workers go.. forgetful workers, busy ID, ended up imperfect work. 5pm came, all workers stopped work for the day. ID told me to stay till 8plus to wait for his carpenter to look at the faults. 3 hours I am doing nothing. -------------------------------------------------------------- not all things are bad though-> SUPER DUSTY as I have mentioned earlier, ID arranged a strange timing at 7.30pm to ask some workers to sweep the dust. heng, I was still at TPY pasam malam. went up. after they swept, they told me stories of what is normal standard of acceptance for workmanship. I am not listening to them. guess what they say? (these people are not my ID, heng) -it is ok for bomb shelter door to be slanted. (???) -it is ok to have hollow tiles (??? cannot expect 100% no hollow) then i asked them who wants to be responsible if tiles pop up after a few years. They said ' won't one'... (cos they won't be the one responsible) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ carpenter came only at 8.45 pm. maybe ID think I am tai-tai/housewife/jobless. fyi, i have a job de. full time somemore. I didn't get angry anymore, the angry juice sort of dried up. I spent the whole day waiting for ID, waiting for carpenter, waiting for everything. Kudo to a worker who worked until 9+ to make things straight. A patient malaysian. Thank you, blue shirt uncle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ maybe I should sign up for guinness record of renovating 4 rm flats for 6 months. maybe... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

shouldn't be a problem. will shoo neigbours to ur unit after that. =) an update today. i took leave today for e defects rectification. gd thing is : some of the faults are rectified. bad things are: some faults can't be undone, have to uninstall the whole thing, redo. 2 feelings: (angry, have to delay moving) (on a positive note, ID didn't give excuses and agree to rectify) But was pissed that-> He didn't come to supervisor his workers. He said he trusted his worker. (Puke blood) He was late for appointment. (from 1-2pm, pushed to 3pm, reached at near 5pm) He didn't see the condition of the house obviously and asked me to prepare for last payment. I must be a Buddha. I still smile at him when he arrive. Obviously, he didn't mention payment when he reached. it is SUPER DUSTY, SUPER EVRYTHING that is not positive. Calm, calm,I must be calm. I think I need to go see doc for high blood. and go yun nan for hair loss over reno. *&^$#@

many things... check for hollow tiles if u have homogenous tiles, carpentary workmanship, painting, and so on.

i m opening my unit at 11 am this sat. I go over to urs once our neighbours are done?

hey, anyone here has good recommendations for maid/maid agency? I am starting to look for one now.

it is warm heartening to receive many PM after I posted my reno. experience. Thanks neighbours. see u all this sat. we will be looking at: 1) hollow tiles (how to check), to hear the difference between hollow tiles and normal tiles. on what is acceptable and what is not. 2) Laminated flooring feel. The workmanship of skirtings 3) Carpentary workmanship acceptance level. ie how big should the gap joint be? the silicone usage the acceptable level after touch up on how it should or should not look like. The cabinets, drawers roller, how smooth/rough it should be. Drilled holes look. 4) Those who want to see the effect after hacking, just to let you know that I have hacked part of the bedroom 1 to make a small walk in wardrobe. Just a small 2 sets of 4 ft WIW, so don't expect something wonderous but good for those to view if they are still deciding WIW. 5) Aircon box up (this one quite nice), piping all conceal, can come and see see. 6) Bomb shelter feature wall workmanship and built-in shoe cabinet, see how the backing is like. to decide if it should be filmsy or sturdy, see my slanted door, and see if it acceptable. if this doesn't look like how ur home door, mine will be a defect yea. 7) Other misc things which we can discuss like your quotation, where to buy ur electrical etc... I am not expert here but guess many neighbours' head are better than one, good for those who have finished renovating to share your experience or still in the process of renovation. we can learn and get to know one another. PS I am not an insurance agent or whatever sales person, I am just a normal woman who have been renovating for a looong time. (= /) Place would be quite dusty as my house is still in the defects rectification stage, those who want to bring baby, little children not advisable. I love children but they come another time, ya. =) Cheers.

Hi Bethel, do you keep a lot of books (old books), old photographs albums? Did u see this on the carpentary wood or in ur books? If those r in ur books, it is not the reno. fault. I think so far I didn't experience that in new house (haven't move in). Used to have that in old house, threw away all the old books, no more already. =)

Did your renovation take very long to complete? PM me. we are using the same ID firm.

Hi cocobibi and meowie yes u may, will be good if u can PM me ur hp, then I sms u my unit. Don't want to post in the public. Just want neighbours to view. =)

hi, is ur problem solved?

thanks bonkitty, i m not disappointed actually. till date, ID is still responsive and helping to touch up whatever he could. On Sat, you can see the almost final product. Guess there will be some dust after rehacking, hope you don't mind. I need neighbours who did laminated flooring to step in my MBR to see if it is the correct feel. where it should be soft/hard/produce no sound or have kok kok or tiak tiak sound when it is step on. Appreciated that. have a good day all. ID, if you are reading this, you can bring your potential customers to view my unit. This is your actual work anyway. =) (calm and cheerful)

nice wardrobe Mrs Png, how much did you pay for it?

Hi Jacky777, all comments are welcome. the rehacking of hollow tiles and all the touch up for carpentary and touch up paint, I did ask my ID based on his experience, when can it be done. He told me he can't give me a definate answer. I see at this point, even if I pester him for a date, it is unlikely to come true. so... however, I got to say that ID arrange for touch up immediate and didn't dilly dally. so for this while, I am waiting to see miracle to happen. for neighbours coming on sat, if you see those defects disappearing means ID and workers did their job. they are doing touching up on defects on 2 days during this week. See what they can do these 2 days. You guys help me to see what is the standard of acceptance based on ur recent reno. I feel that it shouldn't be too different in workmanship, right? I am not Sers, from Jan 7 when my HDB permit is approved, effective expired date should be May 08. I hope I won't wait to see that ID has to extend. It is ridiculous to renovate a 4 rm HDB for more than 4 months. by right, yes, ID has to compensate for the extended time doing reno, since it is way passed 3 weeks. whenever I see neighbour started reno in Mar, moving in in April, how envy. since taken into account hacking, CNY, (rehacking hollowing tiles which takes time-which is no fault of mine), I didn't argue with them. my last limit of tolerance will be by end of April. Till then, if I am still in such mood, you will know who my ID is. I give chance already, still being trusting, understanding. I think word of mouth is an important advertising for the ID and also the company. I almost recommend him to my colleague last month, but I think he better concentrate in finishing up mine 1st. of course, if he is good eventually, facts will be posted. Just hope that mine long reno is an isolated case. =) (be calm, be cheerful)

I also don't know when I will be moving in.

Hi Chris, can I see ur defect photo? I am also in the defect stage now. email: tension_z@hotmail.com

Hi Liana, Can lo. We make it this Sat say 11 am at my unit? same here loh, overall looked fine, my non-experienced father saw the house and thought it was nice. but on closer look, my contractor uncle shake his head non-stop. i just want to know if he is too fussy or it is really bad. Another neighbour is coming over to take a look at my unit after hearing my scenerio. we can see together if you don't mind. More heads better than one? can u PM me ur hp number, I will give u mine too. easier to contact. hi cece, sorry I think at this point, I shall keep his identity 1st as this is not final stage of renovation. I still trust that he is rectifying the defects. I will post facts here. If he is good, I will share. If he is not good eventually, i won't recommend. That's all I can say for now.

Hey, thanks Jacky777, ya I remembered asking, do you have experience with them (PM me if you have) I am such a consumer that I won't penalise any ID until the last result is out. Though it can be depressing at times when things just doesn't flow in the right way. I meant i can understand totally that it is never a 100% smooth journey when it comes to renovation. as for communication, i think i have done my part. Id always call for me to inspect the right goods and right measurement before actual work, time wasted is not here, just those which I mentioned earlier. Things are usually rectified eventually. but will sometimes get angry when u think such things shouldn't happen in the 1st place.

My defects list 1) I did my foyer area with small pebbles. U know those park path way type. Some of the small pebbles came off due to water wash, meaning some pebbles didn't stick well to the cement, so I request tile to fill up those small holes either with pebbles or cement, reasonable? 2) This problem I have discussed before in forum, the bomb shelter featured tic tac door, a bit slanted at the bottom. ID promised to look into it. And it is confirmed that a contractor can make it straight, I am not sure I heard this from where, when they said thin wood are not perfected straight is not true. 3) visible gap in joint line in carpentary, as you can see the brown base, is it normal? 4) untidy wires in florescent lights? 5) kitchen cabinet drawers (roller type), when open together will knocked each other? 6) unlevel wardrobe doors? 7) visible box up line after painiting? 8) holllllllow tiles........ 9) a little not straight paint at the top ( the line between wall and ceiling ) ID said HDB wall not straight? 10) Supreme laminated flooring said HDB floor not straight? heee... all said HDB's fault? well, at this stage, I don't want to say who is right or wrong, maybe if anyone of you is kind enough, can let me see your renovated house to see what's the standard like? or maybe u list your fair share of defects so that I know mine is just normal or not normal after all. I don't want to come across as too fussy also don't want to be gong gong. I want to be understanding to my ID as well and respect his professionalism. As neighbours, i think we ought to protect ourselves. My ID is quite a nice chap, if you have questions to ask him, I think they wouldn't mind. I can open up my house for ur viewing if you want, mostly there during weekends. PM me in advance if you want to see.

and so, tiles are laid. workers rest for 2 weeks for CNY. fast forward----- After CNY, carpentary came. Hopes picking up. Things are going fast. I shall skip the buying lights and accessories process. (dun want to say already) seems like the last few post are complaints. well, there were also nice times with ID. ie he came personally with me to confirm measurement with my bed manufacturer he bargained real hard for me for my mattress and dining table he returned calls most of the time ( 90%) <- this is very important he co0ordinated delivery without me worrying (though these are his job but we can't take for granted too, and these mostly take place on Sundays- Kudos to ID) Lights were up, Carpentary were up, walls painted, aircon were up, nice box up was constructed though have to pay at a cost. things are finally getting in shape. the last time i went up was April. Id told me that he wanted to rush for me as he was paiseh that my reno took like more than 3 months... but the way he rush? he asked for bed to be delivered when I haven't entirely clean the floor and it was before defects checking date. It was a huge queen size bed stuck in the middle of MBR. I appreciated that he asked for all the things to come at 1 go when I was around..but...how to clean? if scratches how? he said, he will be responsible. HmMmmMmm.. Now the long waiting time. last thurs was supposed to be handover. my uncle came over to do defect check. This is what I wish to ask you neighbours. Is this normal? My defect list ( to be continued)