duomaxwell

Day 1 (Continued) Following are photos after all the debris are cleared and all the materials for the false ceilings are brought up by the sub contractors by the end of the first day. Both the toilets basin are being removed as well to make way for the toilet vanity cabinets Was being advised to take photo of all the markings of the cold & hot water pipes for reference so that in the future, you will know where the pipes are located so that drillings can be avoided at those areas (even though i heard that sometimes the markings might not be accurate, but at least they serve some form of reference). So use this opportunity to take photos of all the "markings" before they are removed. Remaining pics are Materials for False Ceiling works

Day 1 Hacking Dropped by during lunch to take a look a the hacking progress and saw it was almost done. surprised at the speed of how fast it was even though it was only by using a hammer. Removal of Skirting In order to save money by reusing the skirting in areas which will be covered up by cabinets, we decided to ask our ID to remove the skirting and reuse the skirting for the built-up room

Ya. I was surprised as well. cannot imagine the after-effect if i did not go and check. Our neighbor also asked BSC to check during defect rectification and also dug out lots of debris. I think its really up to the workers. Guess the workers who worked for our project just went the easy way when building the flat.

Our ID helped us to submit the hacking permit on the 18th Dec 2015 and the permit was approved on the 24th Dec 2015. . All thanks to our ID who helped us to keep calling and chasing the officer for approval as he mention that due to festival period, they are short of manpower, so approval might take sometime. 2 permits were submitted (one for the hacking of Kitchen Wall & Window Panels, another one for the replacement of toilet windows with exhaust fan) The Hacking of the Kitchen wall is to allow us to build a "Bar Counter" in the Dry Kitchen Area and it will look something like this. We will hack the whole wall and build a bar height cabinet. We will be starting our first day of Renovation works on the 28th Dec 2015 (which is today) by doing all the "heavy" works which is the hacking of the walls. Waited for 2 weeks (9th Dec to 23th Dec) for the defects rectification works to be cleared by BSC. That's why can only start work on the 28th Dec even though we collected our keys on the 5th Dec. There are so many defects that if we don't close one eye or sometime 2 eyes. I think we might need to spend at least 2 months playing tug of war with BSC for the defect rectification. *Decided to hack half height of the window wall instead of full height because ID highlighted to us that the kitchen cabinets will not be able to be right beside the mirror as there is a need to leave a small gap between the kitchen cabinet and the full height glass window. We gave it some thoughts and decided to hack half height instead of full height so that in the future, we will not be troubled over the housekeeping of the small gap between the full height glass and the kitchen cabinet.

Complied version of defect checking from different sources by googling

We did not return to our new house until 3 days later. Arranged for ID to meet us on the 8th Dec to help us with the defect checking. Before we came the ID already helped us marked out all the defects. There are too many defects to list them all down Following are some photos of the defects (Mainly paint stains on the floor, windows, rusty & loose door magnet) uneven grout lines on the balcony door, stains on the balcony floor, window handles. uneven finishing on the main door Purposely brought hand gloves and luckily i did because i dug out all this debris from the drainage in the service yard and kitchen More debris from both the toilets and bubbles on the parquet flooring in the master bedroom.

My mistake. its just your Name & NRIC. will amend to prevent confusion.

Since we were lucky even to bring forward our key collection date from 10th Dec (Thursday) to 5th Dec (Saturday) (Coz some say its very hard to get an appointment on a Saturday). We did some research whether 5th Dec is a good day for us to perform the "Open Door Ceremony" as well. One of the website we bump into is http://www.geomancy.net/reports/free-report/freerpt-dateboth.htm which offer free 30 days Auspicious Date for One/Two Person(s) Luckily it's considered a auspicious date for both of us based on the website above and the lunar calendar. Thus we decided to perform the "Open Door Ceremony" on 5th Dec as well. Googled for the procedures for "Open Door Ceremony" and the following are the results which we combined from different sources. (P.S. It is a rojak from different sources. Maybe that's why our neighbour's (2 level above us) unit number come out as 5th Dec 4D consolation prize instead of our unit number ) Things to prepare: 1) 1 packet of Uncooked Rice 2) 1 packet of Sea Salt 3) 2 packet of Dry tea leaves (tie kuan yin) 4) 6 Red packet with $8 x Singapore S1 coin inside (Total $48 worth of $1 coins) 5) 1 bottle of black vinegar (to be poured into 4 cups) 6) 1 packet of Green beans 7) Cotton wool + dish for germinating the green beans 8) 2 units of Fao Gao (don’t get the white one) (Can be Brown, yellow or pink) 9) 1 x Pineapple 10) 5 types of seeded fruits must include a. 8 red apples b. 18 oranges (kum) (avoid pears) c. the remaining 3 types can be i. 1 packet of strawberries ii. 1 bunch of bananas iii. 1 bunch of grapes (should preferably be purple or reddish. But not green or black coloured grapes) iv. 1 pineapples v. 5 dragon fruits 11) 1 or 2 containers for mixing of rice, green beans, sea salt & tea leaves 12) 5 x paper cups 13) Stool (so can sit and rest) 14) String for the hanging of rice packet 15) Water (Weather is hot) Procedure Door Open 1) Knock the door 3 times, Say your rank, name and nric no. and announce that you are the new owner of the house 2) Close door and wait a few mins. Then knock and say you are coming in now..... before entering the house, say a prayer at the door and proclaim that you are the rightful owner of the house and claim ownership and possession, and politely ask any 'uninvited guest' to leave 3) Open the door but make sure u don't face the entrance "face-on". Either turn your body to the side or to the back. Keep the door open for a while to "give chance" for former "residents" to vacate. 4) say auspicious things (up to individual what you want to say) 开门大吉 甜甜蜜蜜 幸福美满 身体健康 永永快乐 平安发财 Huat ar 5) Open door, both call out 平安发财then roll 1 pineapple in (bowling style) while continue saying auspicious things (to symbolise ushering of wealth and prosperity) (Roll pineapple mean $ roll from outside to inside) (notice where the pineapple stops.... This will be your "Fortune Position". So in future, you can put all your "lucky emblems" at this spot.) 6) Mix uncooked rice, sea salt, tea leaves (Tie Guan Yin) and green beans 7) Before entering your home, toss a handful of mixed rice, tea, sea salt and green beans into your home from outside the open door entrance (Leave a "cup-full" of green beans - for later placement at the living room area) 8) Enter the house with your sale and purchase agreement (and marriage certificate for newlyweds) 4 corners (For Cleansing of house) 1) Enter and begin from the left side of the entrance in, spread mixture along all corners of your home when entering 2) sprinkle sparingly along the perimeter of the entire house when you enter. Small amount will do. (It is not a matter of sprinkle lots of rice/beans but rather, try to sprinkle all over the apartment inclusive of the toilets/yard (The purpose is to “sow” wealth into the apartment. 3) Scatter ALL around the house (including toilet and yard). The process of scattering the "Rice and Green beans" means sowing of wealth around the house and the "Sea salt and Tea leaves" means chasing away the evils (Rice is to represent abundance of food in the future and salt is believed to get rid of spirits and ghosts. It is also believed that these spirits hide in corners of the house, hence people normally throw at the corners. The last burst you will throw out of your house to symbolise getting rid of them out of your house.) 4) Use the pineapple to roll around the house (excluding the toilet) then place the pineapple in the middle of the living room. 5) When finished place 1 cup of black vinegar at each of the 4 corners of your house (2 in living room, 2 in master bedroom) 6) Similarly place 2 oranges and 1 red packet (with 8 $1 coin) at the 4 corners of your house 7) Open all the door, windows, lights, water pipe, heater, electricity/gas appliance (to make sure and declare everything is functioning). We clean the energies or 'Qi' in the house by opening all the windows to let fresh air flow through the house. (Let the water run for approximately 3 minutes. This is to signify the flow of energy/qi in the house) 8) Bring all the things in The Centre of the house 1. If the toilet is in the centre of the house, use the nearest point to the centre of the house. 2. Place 1 fa gao in the centre (brown, yellow or orange) DO NOT PUT WHITE! 3. Place 5 types of seeded fruits in the centre e.g. 5 red apples, 5 oranges, 1 bunch of bananas, 1 bunch of grapes, 1 packet of strawberries 4. Place the 1 red packet (with 8 $1 coin) in the centre. Living Room 1. Prepare remaining Tea leaves (tie kuan yin) and place it in the middle of the living room 2. Place in the middle of the living room the dish containing cotton wool, water and dish for germinating the green beans. this process symbolic "growth" and have some "yang qi" at home. Stove in the kitchen 1. Place 1 fa gao on the stove (if no stove put at future stove location) 2. Place 3 red apples and 3 oranges 3. 1 red packet on the stove 4. Hang the remaining packet of rice on the kitchen window Lastly, leave your home and close the door. Do not return to home unless necessary – wait for 3 days before returning home. Extra things to take note: 1)Leave these stuff for about 3 days and you can remove everything after 3 days of placement. Use the money in the red packet to buy sweets or sweet drinks for family consumption, can buy ice cream too, as long as it is to buy something sweet甜甜蜜蜜. 2)Fruits need to be eaten or thrown away. DO not give it to other people. 3)If the green beans does not sprout, place it at somewhere with light, even after 3 days you can still add water, make sure it grows. Can throw it away after one week Do not sweep the floor on the three days of placement. For example, if placed on Saturday, only sweep the floor after Monday i.e. from next Tuesday onwards ONLY. Return only after 3 days. After 3 days, bring a big plastic. We open the door again and discard the fruits beside a tree, left 1 pineapple at main door

For home owners who are interested in buying blum accessories, can drop by blum showroom as they are having pre christmas sales (30% off). But action need to be fast coz i heard the sales staff saying all the pallets will be cleared this coming thursday (17 Dec 2015). Hoot 1) Starter kit (Not part of christmas promotion, it is a ongoing promotion and more worth it as it is having a 35% discount if you need all the items in the in starter kit) 2) Anti Slip mats (Made in Germany) for all the kitchen drawers and cupboards to protect them from scratches and stains.

Just to share, For those who is looking for gas water heater can pop by Toa Payoh, tomorrow (10th Dec 2015) last day Hoot a Macro MA_1210FER @ $460 today and got a free AEROGAZ 12" Table & Wall Fan (AZ-1208FTW) worth $99. Further more, installation charge of $80 is waived and additional 6 more months warranty for the gas water heater (Total 18 months warranty).

As mention in my thread http://www.renotalk.com/forum/topic/71527-llpls-new-house-punggol-waterway-brooks/?p=918011 I am willing to let go of the 25pcs of Philips 67053 "warm" 2700K downlights at $24 each (Total $600) which is a steal if you compare to singapore's price. (Refer to Post #46) The only con is that warranty already started on 16th Jan 2015 (ending in 15th Jan 2016). Interested buyer can PM me

The bad thing about this long wait is ideas keep changing along the way and the mistake is thinking key collection will always be earlier than the expected PCD but it wasn't the case for us. Instead HDB send us a letter stating that the PCD will be delayed. So the first idea that was changed is the colour of the downlights. Previously we thought "warm" 2700K is suitable, but along the way, ideas change and now we want to install the "Cool" 6500K. As such, we are willing to let go of the 25pcs of Philips 67053 "warm" 2700K downlights at $24 each (Total $600) which is a steal if you compare to singapore's price. (Refer to Post #46) The only con is that warranty already started on 16th Jan 2015 (ending in 15th Jan 2016). Interested buyer can PM me

Finally, after such a long wait (4 years, 2 months & 9 days), we finally collected the keys to our new house on the 5th Dec 2015 after we called in to HDB to ask for change of date for key collection so that we don't have to take leave on the 10th Dec 2015. Further more 5th Dec 2015 is a good day.

Hi Ivy, I am currently looking for FSM in preparation for collection of keys to my new house. Would greatly appreciate if you can PM me the list of FSM which you have put in great effort to compile. Thanks

Initially also thought of buying downlight of other brands. But have seeing some forumers mention that usually the LED it self is very lasting, the only component which might fail is the driver and if the driver spoil, will need to go back to the same shop to buy the driver as drivers sold by other shops might not be compatible. So have a bit of concern over this. Further more, the pull factor towards buying Philips downlight is that i just need to top up "a little" bit more then can get a "branded" downlight. I understand that driver of the Philips downlight is all built-in, so if the driver spoil will need to replace the entire downlight, that's why i brought additional philips downlight (about 5 additional, as we only need about 20) in the event that the downlight is really faulty and for future proofing in case 5 years down the road, downlight is faulty and this model is no longer available in the market. Tampoi Lighting is giving one year warranty for Philips Downlight, the only con is that if the Philips downlight really goes down within the warranty period, have to ownself take down the downlight and go into Johor to have the one to one replacement made.

This following are the description of another purchase for the home across the causeway on 16th Jan 2015 @ Tampoi Lighting Centre Sdn Bhd No. 2, 4 & 6 Jalan Titiwangsa 3/1, Taman Tampoi Indah (Batu 6 1/2, Jalan Skudai) 81200 Johor Bahru. Johor, Malaysia Tel: 607-2418999 (HL), 2418990 / 2418963 The purchase from Tampoi is 25 pcs of Philips 67053 downlight @ RM65 each ~ S$24.25 (Rate 2.68 on 16th Jan 2015). Total is RM1625 ~ S$ 606.34 (Rate 2.68 on 16th Jan 2015) We made the decision purchase philips downlight from Malaysia because the selling price for the same model in Singapore is really too expensive (~S$45) Even the price during last year Nov Philips Carnival is not attractive enough (Same price @ S$45) Initially thought maybe I can save even more if i purchase from Taobao when we first saw the price of Philips downlight during our first visit to Tampoi Lighting to recce for fans and lights. But too bad I could not find any seller on Taobao selling the same model Philips 67053 Downlights. So i went on to search for similar 4 inch square philips downlight but the result was not promising. The price was about the same as what Singapore is selling http://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a220m.1000858.1000725.21.qqLd9O&id=41322472363&skuId=65084889416&areaId=440100&cat_id=2&rn=092a794979419ae9a76f40e5c1136629&user_id=1058664264&is_b=1 (RMB249 ~S$53 Rate 4.68) So i gave up hope on buying Philips Downlight from Taobao and proceed to purchase Philips Downlight from Tampoi Lighting during our 2nd trip there.

Sorry, but i have yet to fix up the kitchen mixer, so i cannot advice whether there will be any problem fixing up the tap. But i think it should be able to fit? coz Grohe Singapore is selling the same Kitchen mixer as what i brought (Eurodisc Cosmopolitan ref 31122002) http://www.grohe.com/sg/9163/kitchen/kitchen-faucets/eurodisc-cosmopolitan/product-details/?product=31122-G288&color=002&material=31122002 Plus the dimensional drawing shown on Grohe Singapore website show exactly the same G3/8 inlet So i assume Grohe Singapore wouldn't be selling a Kitchen Mixer where the size of the inlet is not suitable for Singapore? So maybe the illustration is incorrect? or Grohe Singapore really did make a mistake and sold something which is not suitable to be installed in Singapore. **Crossing my finger that it is an error with the illustration and not incorrect size as i made the purchase after ensuring the model (31122002) which i brought is exactly the same as what Singapore is selling** I can only advise the verdict after the installation of the Kitchen Mixer by the plumber. P.S. i went to see another Kitchen Mixer model on Grohe Singapore website (Minta 32917000) (http://www.grohe.com/sg/9331/kitchen/kitchen-faucets/minta/product-details/?product=32917-G082&color=000&material=32917000) and the dimensional drawing is showing the same thing G3/8

Since we are on the topic of Flooring, shall continue with a short write up regarding the purchase of flooring. Since we had decided to go with the theme of Scandinavian, we thought maybe it is a good idea to overlay the living room and "dry kitchen" (since the "dry kitchen" can be considered part of the living room after the hacking of the wall and the partition of "dry" and "wet" kitchen using a glass door) So we went ahead to ask our ID to quote us the overlay of vinyl flooring for living room and dry kitchen but was totally taken back from the price provided. Thus we decided to source on our own. Email was initally send out to 1) Bilrich for Alsapan Flooring on 13th Feb (Quotation w/o skirting provided on 14 Feb 2015 for 476 FT2 is $2760.80 before GST which works out to be $5.80 per FT2) 2) Evorich for HERF on 15th Feb But before I can send to other companies for enquiry of quotes, I paid a deposit for HERF with Evorich on 17th Feb 2015 as Kenneth from Evorich checked with his boss and they are able extent the offer of the bulk purchase price which had already closed for BTO flats along Punggol Waterway. However, the only clause is that I got to make a pay a deposit before Chinese New year (19th Feb) and since I was only informed on the 16th Feb for the extension, I had to act quick as the price offered was quite attractive in my point of view. So, I asked my boss permission for a "long lunch" on 17th Feb to go down to Evorich Flooring & Decking Gallery @ Woodlands (21 Woodland Close, Primz Bizhub #01-28 Singapore 737854) to put down a deposit and get some samples. So the quote provided by Evorich for the HERF (w/o Skirting) on 17th Feb 2015 for 1184 FT2 is $7044.80 before GST which works out to be $5.95 per FT2. The reason for the invoice to note down the area as 1184 FT2 instead of ~476 FT2 is because if I later decided to overlay the whole house instead of just the living room and "dry kitchen"with vinyl, I will still be entitled the price of $5.95 per FT2 compared to if the invoice only note down the area as ~476 FT2 (for living room and "dry kitchen") and when i later decided that i also want to overall the kitchen or bedroom, i will need to pay a higher price per FT2 (e.g. $7.50) Even though the flooring of my bedrooms will be parquet, i decided to go with the option of listing down on the invoice the entire house area in case Missy decided that she wants to overlay the bedrooms as well together with the living room and "dry kitchen".

Huh. in that case I might not have the "wow" factor coz i don't really have a big wall for the craft bricks. Haizzz.. I see from your Reno Blog (Pg 7) that the colour of your living room Krono Orginial flooring is as shown below and it totally got the "wow" factor when matched with the craft bricks. Great choice Hopefully the choice of flooring colour (Evorich Markham Oak Medium) recommended by my ID can part a part to help even though i don't have a big wall to play with

Hi Ramondocsw, From what i understand, OceanEleven got his brick purchase across the causeway from Craftstone International Sdn Bhd and not from TB. OceanEleven, please correct me if i am wrong.

Wow, your place looks so beautiful with the brick walls. The photos convinced me that we didn't make the wrong choice to purchase the craft bricks. Hope after the renovation of our house, the craft bricks will give us the "look and feel" similar to the photos which you shared. That's great news, coz initially we are still worried about the housekeeping of the brick walls but seems like our worries are for nothing after reading your feedbacks.

Haha. Sure OceanEleven. You are most welcome to post your brick wall here. Yes, OceanEleven is right, Taobao is a "heaven" for shopping for Lightings in terms of cost savings and design.

As there is a query on the Grohe Kitchen Mixer, I feel by posting here, it will benefit more people. So here goes. From what i understand from the manual, there might not be any need to have additional fittings and/or accessories to facilitate the installation (But i might be wrong as i am not a certified plumber and i can only 100% say that there is no need for additional fittings and/or accessories after my plumber has installed for me).

Wow, didn't know the flat fee delivery charges are S$200. In that case, will not be feasible to opt for this as it will "eat" into the savings which you got from buying Crafbricks from Malaysia. If the worry is about fitting 20 boxes or more into the vehicle, you can opt for 2 trips (Each trip can fit maybe ~10 boxes. Since the price per box offered by Craftstone Malaysia is the same no matter how many boxes you buy). So during the 1st trip, you can go to Tampoi Lighting Centre Sdn. Bhd first to look at lightings and fans before collecting the craftstone on the way back to Singapore. Will be amazed at the savings you can get for purchasing lightings and fans from Malaysia compared to Singapore. (Which i will share later on the purchase of Philips Downlights from Tampoi Lighting)

Wow. 20 boxes, I already had a hard time squeezing 12 boxes to a sedan car with 2 passenger (excluding driver), cannot imagine getting 20 plus boxes into your vehicle with 1 passenger (excluding driver). Didn't know knew we can just meet them at the Shell Station, if not will opt for this as we were being advised by them to drive slower than 90 km/h as they told us that one of their customer drove too fast with heavy load and the rear tire burst when the rear fender hit the tire after the car hit a pothole at high speed. After hearing this from them, i drove back very carefully, always looking out for pothole as i was liable for 2 more lives if something unfortunate happen. Luckily the whole journey was smooth and nothing happened along the way back.