M&M

Hi Alister, Thanks for the info. I dropped by at Arcade this evening and the downlight prices were indeed one of the cheapest atound after scouting in Balestier, Jalan Besar and Geylang. Currently considering their offer and Lightings House (opposite Lightings Arcade) offer.

Hi Alister, Thank you for the tip. The price they giving you seems to be quite cheap... will probably pay them a visit tmr Btw Atco is the brandname of the ballast? Actually does it matter where the downlights are manufactured?

Hi Alister, did you purchase any downlights? if so how much did you pay for the downlights?

Hi Glennyuen, It really depends on ur requirements. $30k for renovation plus furnishings can be done but then u probably will have to compromise on designs. I have a fren who was able to do that but she went for the basic. Minimal capentry work and Floor tiling all homogenous and furnishings all pruchase from retail shops. Dun think she has any feature walls and she also dun have a lot of false ceiling. Also, if you intend to forgo design, then it is best to engage a contractor rather than an ID. Based on my limited knowledge, the budgetted costs for some of the basic renovation and home decor items are: 1) Aircon (3 brs and 1 living room) - $3.5k to $4k 2) Floor tiling (homo tiles at 3.5 psf) - $3200 3) Kitchen cabinet 24ft - $2800 - $3500 4) Painting (1 undercoat and 2 overcoat) - $900 - $1200 5) Base for fridge, kitchen cabinet and washing machine - $500-$600 6) Haulage and debris fees - $900-$1300 7) Miscellaneous jobs like plumbing, electrical wiring - $500 8) Lightings (just ceiling lights) - $800 - $1200 If you intend to have false ceilings, then be prepared to fork out more for construction of false ceilings, lighting points and lightings. Hi, You can verify with HDB but I think highly unlikely because it will be disadvantegoues to HDB cos they will be delaying their cash receipts. Moreover not very advisable to delay cos I do think material prices will rise next year and that means ur renovation costs will increase.

Hi Neighbours, I had checked out on the fixed deposits prior to taking possession of the keys. Current local banks dun offer CPF fixed deposits. The only one that I am aware of is Maybank but u need a minimum $30k. Not sure if the minimum amount can be combined. I decided against purchasing an insurance because it is very illiquid so the next best alternative will be investing in funds. As I did not have time to go about researching then, so I let HDB emptied my CPF account. For those already engaging a financial advisor, suggest u give them a ring on how u can ultilise ur cpf funds. For those without financial advisor and interested to park your money in funds, suggest u check out fund supermart. I was informed that the sales charge from funds supermart is much lesser but the only downside is u have to do ur own research. Another alternative to consider is to buy Singapore bonds. Its yield should be higher than the interest u will be paying to HDB and it is payable on a periodic basis.

Hi Lyj898, welcome My designer is renozone and they charge $300 for design fees. I am not sure if this rate is only applicable only if you ask them for quote. They can be reached at 62923345

Hi Gadgetman, Just noticed ur avatar... that's a nice pix looking forward to ur compilation of old photos

Hi Ms White, Does this shop sell other electrical appliances like TV and players? Are they cheap as well? Hi Dino, What is the address of the shop in Mandai? Might be interested to go down this weekend. Any neighbours interested in going down as well?

Hi Ying Shan, The kitchen sink is made in China or Korea? Does it comes with a big drainage hole? The price of the mixer sounds reasonable. I bought rinnai hood, hob and oven at $1470. Since they are of different brands, I can't really comment if it is cheaper. You might want to consider revewing the your kitchen and bathroom acessories in some of the shops in Balestier. The shop names I noe of are lookz and Indulge (there should be more if u willing to take time to explore). The Korean sink I had shortlisted from Indulge costs $280 after discount.

Paiseh Mitch, I only use eyepower to monitor the progress. Never took photos. The only photos I have is the bare apartment. But I presume all of you have those already. Let me noe if u want the photos

Hi Neighbours, Your advice is very much needed here. Just went to 2 aircon contractors in IMM and I was informed by them that it is not possible to fit 2 aircon compressors onto the aircon ledge. If that is the case, it will mean that I will not be able to have System 3 + 1 aircon in our house. Did any of you get the system 3+1 aircon? How do you manage to fit 2 aircon compressors onto the ledge?

Hi mapleleaf, My laptop crashed before as well but my ID dept was able to preserve the info of every data in my laptop. But i presume it was because the HDD was not damaged. So perhaps there might be some flicker of hope for you Hi Tris, Welcome to the neighbourhood. Think you will soon be collecting your keys looking at the progess of construction of your building

Sianz, annual value of HDB flats will be revised as per CNA report this morning. Dunno if the revision will affect the AV of our beloved toa payoh flats.

Dear Neighbours, I am about to commence my renovation soon. I am currently looking to purchase my aircon. I know a number of you had made your aircon purchases. Can you kindly pm me the cost and system that you had chosen?

Hi, Mine was $1620 for a 9ft full height feature wall.

Hi Liana, I bought a queen sized simmons mattress about a month ago. Did not compare to serta or sealy because me and my wife liked the mattress when we lied on it. Since there was a sale going on, we immediately placed our purchase order !!. We are doing a feature wall to cover the bomb shelter. renovation should be commencing soon... all the best with ur search.

Dear neighbours, We have finally selected our ID Will be going down to Balestier this Sun to select the floor tiles, kitchen accessories and toilet accessories. Going to burn a hole in the wallet. And yes, he's bringing us to Indulge. Any tips or things to look out for? Do they accept credit card or can only pay by NETS? Thanks

Wah. So many things to look out for. Think we didnt check some of things such as shower head and electrical sockets So is tomorrow house visiting still on?

The hollow tiles mostly found at the top..we had to stand on a chair to check those tiles at the top.. For those neighbours who have just collected their keys, do keep a look out for hollow tiles. We also report holes in the gaps between tiles. Did they rectify those for you?

Hi Bethel, Thanks for the update. They took quite fast to rectify the defects for you. We reported defects for hallow tiles at the bathrooms and kitchens. Is that considered major or minor? Our officer is also Barry Lee. Think I will give him a call to check.

Hi Xini, Thanks so much for your help Seems a long time for them to do the screeding...3 to 4 weeks according to the form..haiz... Hi, Was looking through the pamphlet yesterday for City Gas...Think the gas heater is free..Not sure whether its still available...Can save some money if its free..Maybe you want to check it out?

Hi almonddust, We got Simmons Classic from Akerman too. Didnt get it at the expo exhibition though. They were having 3rd anniversay sale last sat and sun then. Bought a queen-sized mattress cos our room too small Dear neighbours, Just want to check what is the estimated time for HDB to rectify the defects. We have submitted the defects list on 4 Oct but the defects are still not rectified yet. Also, does anyone know the number to call for cement sreeding. Thanks in advance Cheers

Hi Gadgetman, thanx for posting the pix. Seems like all of you had a great time.... maybe next time when our houses are ready we can arrange for mahjong sessions....

Hi Neighbours, My wife and me will not be joining as well. We are viewing the showflats of one of our shortlisted designers. Pls enjoy yourself and if possible take some photographs and post it onto this forum

Hi Raincole, Were u in SG Bride as well? Did u engage an ID firm called Substance? Care to PM me your experience with them?