meepok

Hi neighbours, Was just wondering besides doing the usual check for defects in your flat, did anyone do a "Flood Test" for their bathrooms? That means to seal up the drainage exit and flood the entire bathroom area, including the sink and shower area, with water to about 1" and let it sit overnight. It is meant to test the waterproof-ness of the tiles/membrane. Do you think it's necessary? I've got a friend's friend who is working in HDB saying that it's better to test it now than to wait for the tiles to 'pop' should there be any unlucky leakage in future.

Hi alister, Ok thanks for the tip! Will contact Starhub to clarify the charges.

Hi Gadgetman, Yes I too heard about the big plan to revamp the area, closing up the road infront ,etc. But it seems the plan never really took off I suppose, I think that plan was also made public few year ago. But those 4-storey shop/flats have been around for ages, looks kind of out-dated as well in a good retro kind of way. Brings to mind those retro shop houses in Queenstown before they demolished them. My guess is that they may get to vote for some cosmetic upgrading in the coming months. It will be quite sad if they were to demolish them to build another run of the mill shopping centre!

Hi vowsh, oh, that means Starhub won't be charging me for the new point if I'm not getting them to do the extension? My contractor will most probably be extending the point for me at $110, laying it across the floor to the opposite side. Cos I thought Starhub will "tax" me for doing up an extra point

Hi alister, I may intend to extend and fix another SVC point on the opposite side of the living room (just in case I feel like switching the position of the TV set), does that mean I will be charged extra by Starhub? I'm not subscribing to their cable programmes, just normal free-to-air stuff will do for me.

Hi Yang Guo, I'm glad you had a better understanding of the flats in 79... we just want people to be more informed of their choices, that's all. No other intentions... Yes, TPY is quite a dream location for many... and for me, it's like coming full circle... as I was born and raised in TPY... was abit sad to see the big water fountain infront of the library demolished though... and TPY garden has seen better days... used to be a hot location for many a wedding shoots!... and of cos, the old 79 had plenty of character too.

this is called "brainwashing"... they have already instilled "fear" into many a Singaporeans... the fear of voting against them... the fear of finding out who you voted... the fear that Singapore will collapse without them... the recent budget announcement... many "ang pows" given out... many will be happy... but do they know it's actually their money after all?? last year they said there was a deficit in the Budget... but this year *surprise* they had a surplus instead!! Wow! How did that happen? GST? I thought that was meant to "help the poor"?? Transparency in our government?

I believe jaCKY has no intention of demeaning the 75sqm units per se... I can see where he's coming from cos I have the same feeling and feedback as well when I went to kaypoh the sample units the other day. HDB is not being very transparent with its potential customers... first, the majority of available 4-room units are of 75sqm. By displaying a 90sqm sample unit, it only shows the unethical "hidden agenda" practice of the HDB. Were there no vacant 75sqm sample units available to show? Why couldn't they have sample units for all the 4 & 5 room flats? I've met 2 couples during my visit to the sample units, and both had no idea there are 2 sizes for the 4 rooms in Blk 79, 90sqm and 75sqm. They assumed that all the 4 rooms and 5 rooms are of the same size as the sample units shown. This goes to show that not many will scrutinise the floor plans and specs given by the HDB or on the HDB website. Hopefully, they will find out that the 4 room 90sqm sample they saw is quite different from the 4 room they are getting, if they are getting the 75sqm units. I've questioned the HDB officers on site and they had the cheek to tell me the 75sqm units will not be shown to the public. You will get to see the floor plan only if you're selected after successful balloting.. or alternatively, you can view the showflat samples over at HBD Hub. But we all know that there is no 75sqm showflat in HDB Hub. On the other hand, I've personally seen a 75sqm unit... and it's not as small as it seems. The living room and kitchen are slightly smaller and more compact. The MBR seems to be of similar size as the other bedrooms. In fact, the kitchen looks visually bigger than the kitchen of the 5 room sample unit... but I may be wrong. To conclude... it's all about transparency, something which the HDB and our first world government do not seem to have much of...

Hi all, Just FYI... The Shop & Save supermarket opposite our flats is now open 24 Hours. Let's hope the kopitiam/food court below 79E is not!

I think Bargain Hen will not be of much help... not unless he becomes the next PM! These MPs are just a bunch of wayang kulits... a fine example would be that Vivian. Seeing his before and after MP attitude will induce mass vomitting! The TPR ERP gantry is situated such that it charges for cars ENTERING TPY... and TPY is neither a business district nor major industrial core center... why the need for ERP if not for $$$ sake? In a "first world" country like SG, jams are inevitable what with the increase in population. Especially during the 2 peak hours daily, it's all part and parcel of the economy... the gahmen is just leeching onto this to fatten their pockets for the upcoming recession. Period. And don't get me started on comparisons with other developed countries!... HK's MTR is way more efficient and user-friendly than our "first world" MRT... to think they even have the balls to compare! One good way to solve all the congestion problem, is to do away with the Road Tax, or keep it to a low amount, then charge drivers for road usage via more ERP. Reduce the tax on car prices... but then this may increase the number of cars on the road since they're so cheap...and it's back to where we started!

There's no corruption in SG... only LEEgalised corruption! Pay them more so they will not be corrupted! LMAO

Hi Mapleleaf, Not sure if the tap key given by HDB can be used to turn on the water supply. I tried mine but to no avail cos the tap head given and the main pipe socket does not match! One is smaller than the other! Guess I'll have to go back tomorrow with a spanner instead. Hi jaCKY777, Can PM me the contractor's contact and details? I'm thinking of doing up entire flat with tiles instead of laminate mixture. Is it the unit opposite the one with the sloping kerb entrance? Or is that Alister's unit??

Hi Redwyrm, Not too sure about the details of the ceremony, I'm not as "pantang", it's my MIL, she'll be guiding us along... So far I was told to bring a hammer, lighter, a big empty paint can (to burn the offerings), some loose change in coins, some red packets. I was warned not to say anything "negative" after entering the flat. Not even complaining about how small the place will be! Upon opening of the main door, we're not suppose to enter immediately, need to wait for "other things" to exit first... eerie huh? I suppose there are many different ways to do this ceremony... I'm leaving it to my MIL to lead the way. Will keep you posted after the ceremony... but if you're not so "pantang" then I suppose it will be quite simple Hi tweakmax, Aiyoh... these workers sometimes too much also... I was snooping around the place before I got my keys and I saw this notice stuck next to my unit, with some details about defects and errors spotted during HDB's inspection. Guess what? One of the points said there was faeces on the bathroom floor. WTF??! Saw the same description on some other units as well... Guess I'll have to bring bottled water to test the drainage since I haven't turned on my water mains yet.

Hi Silver88, Can PM me your list too? Looking for ID for my new place. Hope to find some smaller but good IDs beside those big ID boys. Thanks!

Hi all, Anyone with feedback on the service and work done by The Line Living @ IMM? Thanks!

Hi a-star, So you from 79A? I think should be after CNY judging from the progress. Don't know why the delay was so long for 79A, all started around the same time. Some how along the way, things slowed down for 79A while the rest continued... Hi M&M, So that means this $10 is on top of the usual $52 S&C charges? Haven't got my water and electricity turned on yet, will be going down for "door opening" ceremony next week. That means I can't check the flushing and tap defects, if any. The lady in the office downstairs said it's alright to report the defects even after 1 week. As long as before reno starts. Am I correct?? Thanks!

Not sure if I'm correct but I was told by the HDB officer the other day that PUB will still charge you a minimum of $10 per month even if you have no water usage charge, true??? Cos I didn't turn on both power and water on key collection day since reno won't be starting so soon.

Thanks M&M... points noted. Will bring along camera & notebook to record down any defects. Thanks for the advice alister! We'll probably get quotes for both flooring types and decide... any downside to laminates you know of? Like water spills, termites and stuff? I know for definite that parquet is out of our list. So far so good for your ID? Will be going down IMM tomorrow to check out some of the IDs there first.

Hi there bro! Thanks for all the info... really appreciate it! Yeah... my limited budget doesn't quite allow for all those bells and whistles I guess... cos after seeing the various ID's portfolio, they all seem quite similar to me, the overall concept & design I mean. Don't want to spend a bomb on reno with nothing left for the other stuffs... I suppose a bigger budget of 40K or more will allow for a more show flat standard design. Am actually looking at a simple, contemporary style with an oriental twist. Just not used to the false ceilings, feature walls, etc. that's why... just feel that these may feel dated in years to come, just like cornices Maybe if strike toto... then different thing altogether! haha!

Thanks for the info bro! Just out of curiosity... have u completed your reno?

Thanks a_star! !! Was asking about the difference cos I read about tiles for the kitchen floor, but I remembered HDB telling me only tiles for the bathrooms for balloters, or maybe I'm mistaken?? Anyways, really glad to have stumbled upon this forum for 79ers! If only I knew of it last year, cos I've been snooping around the area when they were still in construction Only managed to "visit" my flat earlier this year when they removed the barriers. Still, it's a nice kampung feeling here to have all 79ers coming together!

Hi ms-white! Thanks for the advice! Yes, I like meepok very much indeed! I may not be doing any laminates at all in fact, all tiles for the entire flat. Trying to keep cost down, otherwise got to live like Korean after reno!! So does that mean I need not get HDB to do the screeding if I'm not doing laminates? From what I've been reading here and in SGbrides, seems like there are many bad IDs out there! Still deciding on either ID or contractors since I'm not very keen on those stylo-mylo designs anyway. Too many false ceilings, etc. Heard there is a difference in fittings and finishing between those SERS and us balloting flats? Will keep u guys posted after my "door opening" soon! Thanks again!

Hi to all fellow 79ers! Just got my keys this week for my 79E unit. Will be doing the usual "door opening" ceremony soon. As I'm very new & green to this reno thingy, just like to find out some info from fellow neighbors here before I start with all the major reno. Any important defects I should be looking out for besides the "hollow tiles" mentioned by fellow 79ers? What's this cement screeding thing all about? Will HDB be involved with this? Am thinking of simple reno with budget of 20K max for 4 room 90 sqm, practical? Have yet to source for ID/Contractors, any good ones to recommend? Sorry for all the queries, very green to this! Thanks again!