gadgetman

Hi M&M, I thought you've been to my place before? Remember I have two air-con compressors installed on the ledge right...one on top of the other (top one on wall-mounted brackets) Mine is a 3+2

Opps...sorry only saw your post now...had a very busy day with my kid and only went to check on the house around 7pm today. Not much progress unfortunately...But should be going down again tomorrow afternoon to inspect the laminate flooring in greater detail. Perhaps will be there around 2.30pm to 3.30pm...will sms my number to Ms White just in case...

No problems! Check your PM too....

For my case, its the homo tiles first then followed by the laminate. I guess it also depends if you are also going to have platforms in your bedroom or living room. Usually the carpentry work (the platforms) will only come in after the flooring and ceiling is done. In this case, it is only logical for the laminate to be done later. The other thing to consider is also that the first phase of the reno tends to be more rough, unlike homo tiles that can be polished later, scratches on laminate will be harder to fix. It therefore makes more sense to have the more delicate laminate to only come in towards the end of the renovation...

For those who now stay in TPY, not sure if you have noticed this very unique cafe that has opened up recently along that strech of shophouse near the library and delifrance. The cafe is called "Food Addict," must say that both me and my wife are already quite addicted to it! The owners are young entreprenuers who were previously from NYDC and so all their dishes are of a high standard. Our favorite is the Prawn Aglio and their wide range of cakes!! The best part about them is that you get really good value and really good service. Heard from the owner that they are also interested to move to Blk79C, but they are unable to find any info on the HDB website to tender. Really hope that they can move here, their present shop is really too small. I can already imagine that this will make a very nice alternative hangout place for the Blk79 kakis - especially when we want to have something other thant traditional kopi!

Finally! The Supreme laminate flooring is done!!!

Alternatively, they can perhaps have more season lots at the lower levels. The Park and Ride carpark that I use now at Blk156A has at least 4 huge lower levels reserved for season-parking. White lots are only available at the higer levels...then again, this means that residents may have to go even higher up if all the season lots are taken up and other people come and use up the white lots too! Actually, after thinking about it, it's not such a bad idea to not have free-parking on Sunday. I assume most residents will have season parking and so it is only our visitors that will be inconvenienced. But it is just the Sundays and Holidays that we are talking about (since they will have to pay anyway other time as well!). I am sure most people will prefer to pay to have a convenient parking lot rather than have it free but with no lots left! I have spent enough time in crowded carparks on Sundays waiting and fighting to get a "free" parking lot. If I add up the time and petrol wasted, it is not "free" any more

I actually went to Aik Leong last Saturday. But unfortuantely my expereince was not very good (maybe we do not look like serious customers...) First, the price quoted for the Electrolux dryer was only about $10 cheaper than Best Denki. But we are more concerned about the product knowledge of staff who served us. I was told very convincingly by a Best Denki staff that the EDM606A Dryer can vent the hot air from the front, but the Aik Leong sales staff said that this is not possible! So who is correct??? Finally called Electrolux and they said can! BTW, can anyone share if the front-venting option is really necessary? Other models usually come with a back vent but there is usually a tube that can channel the hot air away to a nearby window. The only problem with this is that the dryer may have to stick out more from the wall-mount and this may not look nice aesthetically. Any comments?

Hi Almonddust, I could be wrong, but I remember reading the renovation manuals that the frames can be removed but must use a blowtorch to cut out the frames rather than to hack....something like that. For my case, I am not quite sure what actually happened. It appeared that HDB asked my renovator to stop hacking the frames initially when they first started at the early part of my renovation. Then the half-hacked frames were left alone for a long time. My ID said that the have to ask the PE to submit an assessment before they can continue to hack. This item is included the same PE assessment for the hacking of the bedroom wall. Then finally the PE endorsement and HDB's response came, and they continued to hack off the frame completely. Now my toilet entrances are completely naked !

You are sure right about that...money has been flowing out like water for the past two months for me

Hi TPYRC2, Thanks for the reply...I was thinking of something more hassle-free as bulky items may be involved. But the idea to have a garage sale at the void deck sounds like fun. Perhaps we can reserve this idea for later when more people have moved in...then we can have our mini "pasar malam" to deal with smaller used items such as electronic gadgets, books, collectibles, etc.... But before I get carried away...any supporters for this idea from other 79ers?

Hi TPCRC2, Just a wild idea...can we have like a temporary notice board at Blk79 to advertise for used items (such as furnitures, electric appliances etc.) I thought there might be some of us who may have existing items that we may like to clear before we move house and some of these items may still be in very good condition. I know we already have Cash Converters, but they may not take in bulky items like furnitures and cabinets. The seller can leave some photos of the items and leave their contacts for interested parties. I know this may not be good news for the heartland shops, but there may be some of us who will be on a tight budget and such items will really help them out. Of course I am imagining the things to be sold at token prices...for example $50 for a sofa or a TV console etc. BTW, great suggestions by Strawberry Pear !!

This is perfectly alright, my ID didn't pressurise us or encourage to buy anything while we are at Lookz and left the decision making up to us entirely. He in fact drove us to another unrelated outlet to view a basin that we like. Our purchase from lookz is quite minimal as most of the items are already covered in the quote. Do note that if he has included items like basin and tap in your quote, he has to come up with something for you without asking you to top up anything more! Therefore, do check with him what he is offering you first before jumping on the more costly items! for all you know, you may like what he is originally giving you!

Just a tip on LCD TV for your consideration: If you are getting 37" and above, make sure that there is a feature to smooth fast moving pictures, otherwise the display has a tendency to be jerky - this will definitely spoil your big-screenmovie expereince. this problem is only more apparent in large screen LCD TVs so if you are getting smaller for your bedroom, it is not very important. I think only Samsung, Sony and Philips have such technology. The Samsung R81 series for example has the Movie Plus feature... Just my two cents.... No problems at all! Welcome to the Guinea Pigs' Units!!

Yup I checked with Best Denki too...I will need an upside down model as my existing washer is a top loader. But the one that fits my budget, the F&P, will expel the hot and moist air from the back! So now only left with one option....and it cost $699 instead of $408!!

Arrrrrrgggghhhh....confirmed on Ariston already.... But seriously the design looks better than Joven...that's why decided on form over factor....

Does anybody know much about Electric Dryers? Was told that the F&P model that I like to buy (cos cheapest around) will expel the hot and moist air from the BACK! As the dryer will be mounted next to the Kitchen Cabinet, I can immediately imagine how disastrous things will be after a few months. Was told by the salesman that there is only one model (funny how there is always only ONE model...) in the market that expel the hot air from the front through a collapsible tube. Model is Electrolux EDM606A Dryer. The sad thing is this baby will cost $300 more than the F&P model but it will supposedly also dry the clothes faster as it is of a higher capacity - this translate to long-term savings too....Can someone let me know if this will be a wise-investment?

Haizzz...must talk to wife now..really tempted to do it

I am trying to psycho myself too...my toilets are both white and cost me about $2800 to overlay...it seems a bit silly to save on $400 more now and run the risk of the original bone color WC not matching the nicely done up interiors.... But $180 seems like a reasonable price...so far the cheapest I've seen is about $200...Is this price after bargainin and inclusive of GST? Thanks...

I have already written a feedback email to HDB on the apparent discrepancies on the approval of the wall hacking. I saw strawberry pears' neighbour had hacked the wall but their door frames are still intact! This was what we wanted to do initially but HDB's reply to me was that the supporting Lintol above the doors must go (meaning the door as well). We have since scrapped our hacking plans due to the complications that will arise from this additional requirement. But it seems so unfair to us now. We paid the PE fees and yet cannot hack the wall. The Tech Officer from HDB, Barry (very nice guy), called me last night to explain the situation, but I was driving and was busy with my purchases, so I asked him to call this morning instead. I am not trying to blame any body in particular, but I felt that the HDB system should have been more transparent and fair. The HDB Structiral Engineers and TO are just doing their job, but such important decisions should be treated more sensitively and decisions applied more consistently across the board. In the first place, we were left with no choice but to hack the wall because of a design flaw by HDB - there is not even enough space in the MBR to fit a reasonable queensize bed and a 2 meter wardrobe!! If this is not a design flaw, I really don't know what is!!

Hi Alister, You are changing your WC? I am seriously thinking about doing so too. Would appreciate some advice on this...thks!

It was quite a daring move to go "Ang Gong Gong," our main concern is if it will look too Cheena...But then we wanted a bright theme for the kitchen and the red chosen is not normal red but techno steel red - hope that will make a diff! The actual color is not very obvious now cos all the surfaces are protected by a plastic film, praying hard that the end product will be what we are expecting BTW, we have also opted for a white top for the kitchen cabinet. We thought white will set off the red very well, but then again, it is not a conventional color as most people will go for darker colors. My ID asked me for a final confirmation just now and I told him "white"...hopefully I won't do an expensive U-turn again later! Finally bought my dining and kitchen lights and the MBR sink and tap today. We took a while to shop for the MBR sink cos we do not want another white basin. In the end, again settled for a very controversial piece after much deliberating. My ID was even concerned that it may not go well with the theme and color of the MBR toilet and that really got us thinking for a long time. To make matter worse, there was already a very suitable piece available and it is flower-shaped like the theme of our MRB toilet (but yes, it is also white). This is a fool-proof choice that will definitely not go wrong, but in the end, we figure that we have to be true to ourselves as this will be our home - so made another daring decision against all conventional wisdom and advice from the expert I will keep this a surprise until you see it in my house the next time! Oh yes, the tap will be a conversation piece too! The lights are another story altogether and we went for simple and smart designs that will not only look good but will be easy to maintain as well. Spent about $480 for the dining and two kitchen lights. By then already so tired, so we put off the purchase of the toilet and storeroom lights to another day. But these should hopfully be simple and straightforward decisions

Wow...looks like another big gathering is brewing!! I would be dropping by for a short while at my place around 6.30pm but will have to rush off very quickly to finalise my final renovation purchases from Balestier...hope to say hi to you all later!

Not likely mine will be faster...I still have not decided on my MBR basin yet. So this may delay installation of my toilet cabinets and other fittings. Went up last night to have a peek at the kitchen cabinet. It was already a quite dark so cannot see very clearly. Hopefully, can see more things installed by today!

Same sentiments here...there are some mistakes, but generally not serious ones or not entirely their fault. Most important thing is that rectification and problem-solving is prompt and hassle free. Was told the other day that my planned water-feature at the doorway will not be possible due to potential problems with leakage. They have already warned us in advanced of HDB requirements, but have came up with an ingenious solution initially. However, even that solution will have problems after the carpentry guys studied the design in detail. In the interest of the quality of the work, they have recommended to drop the water-feature idea. We were quite dissapointed initially cos the water-feature was one of the items we are most looking forward to. Luckily, my ID was able to come up with a few suggestions to modify on the existing idea. Some of them are a bit crazy, but finally one bright idea stood up and it may be even better than our original design! Hope everything will go well with this new idea