purplesky

Hi H4happy, Yes, grouting lines is the toilet floor tiles. My main problem is not really because they are dirty, that I think most probably can be solved by scrubbing for hours bah, or to live with it. The main problem is the grouting are not done well, they are like only half filled, very hollow and thus dirt get trap in them very easily, also makes it more difficult to scrub it clean too. Tks, hmm don’t think I need any electrician now yet. Did have some lights that kept on flickering, but got my hubby to solve them already, hope will not happen again, cos they siao siao one. As for the hood/oven switch, think will leave the dummy heater switch as it is, no choice lor. As for the laminates, are u using laminates yrself? I really very scare of my floor laminates cracking, very insecure. Other defects still can be hidden or nv see then nv mind, but for flooring hor, how to don’t see/feel or hide it? Haha, everyday, everytime have to walk on it one. For the broadband, I also not sure is the problem w Starhub or @ my end, that’s why I’m asking neighbors lor. Not going to call the ID company up, what for calling them? When the previous things they also nv complete, so now call them up also no use. The only thing that company knows is how to start a shouting match over the phone! Btw, how do u remove the kitchen & toilet’s red & blue stickers away cleanly? Cos I removed mine already, but still have the stickers stains there. Tried using the stickers’ remover and also cif cleaner also cannot remove them. Think maybe bcox my plc have the stickers pasted on for too long, so now cant remove them totally away. Any ideas how to remove the stickers stains away cleanly? To Xian, congrats!

Hi Neighbors, Thanks for all the well wishing! Yap, we finally moved in liao! Rushed to move in before the CNY, but as still got a lot of things not completed, hence did not managed to pack everything in time for relatives to come to visit during CNY. So now since CNY over already, been taking own sweet time to pack, in fact still living out of cardboxes cos sick of packing. Not sure how to pack all my stuff when the wardrode/drawers’ size were not done according to measurements/agreement, hence got no time nor mood to figure out how to unpack my stuff yet. (eg. my hi-fi cant fit into the tv console’s shelf, cosmetics cant stand upright in drawers). The thing that I’m most upset is that our purchased electrical items do not have any more warranty left or only left a few months due to delayed reno. So scare of the items breaking down, eg. fridge, air-con, heater & etc. Cos our oven, brand new, haven’t even use, and already spoilt and no more warranty hence have to pay to get it repaired. And also imagined our surprise when we moved in on the first day, wanna put the oven in to install and then realize that the carpenters had do the drawer on top of the oven too big, hence it cannot be open if the oven is there. So no choice, but have to find a carpenter to redo that drawer’s height first then can install the oven. And don’t know why the electrician had done up the wiring wrongly, hence even there got 2 heater switches, but now 1 is dummy, and the other 1 have to be share by the hood and the oven. And after 1 week, the stainless steel dish rack actually crashed down cos the carpenters had do that compartment too big, and the dish rack support is not enough, hence now this dish rack can only put some stuff and not full load if not too heavy for the support. Plus as the reno took so super long, HDB not willing to solve those defects by their contractors, as it’s over the 1 yr period. So now have to live w the toilet’s cracked tiles and bad grouting. Cos that time toilet is too dirty so never managed to check it properly. Btw, will the bad grouting results in leakage to the floor below? And if really there’s any leakage (whether or not caused by the bad grouting), is there any warranty for leakage from HDB within the first 5yrs? My internet connections from Starhub is very slow, and will often get disconnected. Not sure is the connections from Starhub not good (due to more users sharing here) or problems w my router (though I have no problem w it before moving here). Anyone using starhub’s internet also have this problem? Also lastly, for those using laminated flooring, do u experience creaking or cracking sounds from it? Feeling very insecure with my laminated flooring, cos every other step, sometimes can feel like it is creaking under pressure when stepping on it. Feel like it will crack anytime. Not sure it is normal with laminated flooring or is it that it is not installed properly. If it’s the latter, then headache liao, cos that’s nothing I can do abt it when my bulk of furniture are all unmovable carpentry items. Anyone can advice? As for the Blk 26D, throwing things down drama, hopefully no one was hurt. If I didn’t remember wrongly, think last time way back when neighbors start moving-in, think it’s mentioned in the threads before, that this happened before. Not sure whether it’s the same mad person who’s throwing things down or not? Anyway, hopefully on one was hurt, and it will not happen again.

Hi Danny, Yap, that's why i said nice and daring choice lor!

Last few weeks, we have confirm our furniture (actually already bought them in Dec 08, but as reno took so long, the company closed down liao, so have to search for them all over again! ) Went up a couple of times to do the cleaning when free, got starhub to come down to activate the signals for us, went to the light shop to change light and go back to fix it ourselves, (cos the electrician don’t know why cant fix it), met up w a few curtains guys for measurements, find a contractor in to do a Q bed and study table, take measurements & etc. Went to poh joo to change our sink stainless steel waste bracket, (cos don’t why the id company actually broke the item’s handle and left it and some other loose items inside the bracket, and the bracket actually rust! Don’t know why stainless steel also can rust! The sides of the bracket cause my sink to rust abit too! But can only bring the bracket back to the shop, cos how to bring the whole sink there when’s it’s already fix! Really hope that the rust can be remove and it will not get worse. Hmm, think this poh jooo sink material like not very good hor? Fix up some items that needs to be drilled on (door stopper/clothes racks/air-con holders & etc). Met up w movers for quotations and confirmed the movers. Went up 3 times for the contractor to complete the Q bed & study table and to help us solve some of the defects caused by the id company. Then lucky before we go n buy my sisters n parents bedframes from seahorse, decide to measure first to play safe, realize that the id do my sis’s wardrobes longer and now if put the fat seahorse bedframes, they cant get into the room, so no choice but to get the contractor to do another 2 single storage bedframes, but then who know the contractor don’t wanna do, say their workshop now hands full till CNY, have to wait till CNY over then can start work, no point forcing him to do if he’s not keen, hence have to start all over again and find a 3rd contractor in. Well just manage to find only one contractor and met up w him yesterday. Hopefully, he can help us to complete asap, but now is peak period for reno, so everyone gonna wait, in fact I had called up more than 20 carpenters, half of them either don’t do storage beds, the other half simply tell me theirs hands are full and have to wait till after CNY then can do it). The scary thing is this 3rd contractor, when met up yesterday, did not give me a quotation or agreement form or anything and didn’t even mention the price/amt (except over the phone when I first called him). So I very scare that he will be too busy and nv do the bedframes for me at all, or in time. Cos he also nv ask for deposit for me too. I’m more worried that I don’t have the bedframes in time for CNY. Went to ikea to shop/looking around for a 2nd tv/went to seahorse to order my parent’s bedframe, who knows the price just went up a day before we went there! Up by $119.90 just because it’s peak period! What stupid reason. We already have to pay extra $79 for the delivery and installation cos now only getting 1 bedframe instead of 3 bedframes, then now have to pay another extra just because we want it to deliver before CNY? Last time went to buy, and the seahorse sales warm us that they will only be able to hold on to the items for 3 – 4 weeks, anything more than that got penalty charges, so we don’t dare to buy it yet as our reno don’t know will drag how long by the id company, now confirm wanna buy liao, then the price just went up bcos it’s peak period? Damm suay lor. now still thinking whether wanna pay extra to buy the same thing in order to get it before CNY, (the salesperson say the price will be back to the same in March’10) or to search for other brands that is better but more ex instead. Cos Seahorse is only nice design, cheap price but quality wise for the planks as base is not so durable. Scare that even find the time to go and search, answer might be the same, that have to wait till after CNY then can deliver? Aiya, so many things to be done still, well, really hope that we can move in soon and unpack finish in time for CNY. Lol, now then realize that I have typed so long message. Haha, guess I’m just using the chance (since I seldom at home recently) to rattle off and release some stress. Sorry neighbors, for making u all read my long post. Wish me luck, really hope that my family can move in soon!

Hi H4happy, Sorry, been very busy w reno stuff/festive period & etc, so nv reply. Ya, don’t mind to arrange a Christmas/potluck party & etc if my house were ready by then. But then, that time, my id still did not hand over the hse to us. The company can delay my reno for a year, haven’t even complete the balance stuff, and kept asking for the final payment. Of course, we are not willing to, told the mgr that only when they complete the balance items and hand over the hse then we will pay them. No hand-over, no final payment. And she got the cheek to tell me: “No payment, then we will purposely drag long long on the items and see who can afford the wait!” So I repeated the same things: “Only upon hand-over, then we will pay them. That’s what all other people do right? Industry standards right? If not I pay already, and u don’t do it, then how? Esp the bal items are just small items and defects, & u already drag so long on it, if I pay already, then I can forget abt getting them back to complete it anymore. Besides, they already delay my reno for so long, and yet as a mgr, u still dare to tell me that u will purposely sit and drag long long on it?” Well guess, what she says? Ok lor, since like that, then they will stop doing everything and will send me lawyer letter instead and see who will be scare? U better think carefully! And then she hanged up on me. Really fed up w it man, don’t know what should I say, except that we are damm damm suay to kena this reno company.

If I remember correctly, think Danny get 1 of the furniture shop to customize it for him, cos he wanted a taller table.

Hi Danny, Yr kitchen colors w the laminates also very nice. Like the wall tiles colors, and the lights effect shining on it. And the cabinets base is metallic color or? The rack placed there also a very good choice! Can be use to put those small bottles of sauces, convenient when cooking. Dining table also nice, tall and like bar counter, very daring choice!

Wow, u soooo good!!! Yr wife is so lucky and blessed to marry u. We r the other way round de. I’m e one doing the research online (items needed/brand/place/prices & etc), furniture shops hopping, then shortlist the items needed/places/locations/opening hrs then go w hubby and decide together. As he works long hrs, so no time to do all the shopping around w me. So I have to be the person to do all the homework first, then go together w him to chose, cos if not then he will do nothing for the hse/reno liao. In fact, it kinda become my full time job, as previously quitted job to concentrate on rom/reno matters/and the big move before getting a new job, but in the end, who knows the reno becomes a big nightmare w the id and the company and dragged for 1 whole yr. In fact till now, its not really consider over yet. !! Really very stress and depressed by it. Cause us lots of headaches and problems. So really envy all of you who had a smooth and nice reno process, and now already staying in yr nice own home sweet home. Yap, the wallpaper is really very nice! 365 days, happy smile, love & peace. Really makes one smiles and or like trying to remind e person who’s looking at it to smile and be happy! Really a good choice!

Hi Danny, Congrats, yr place's reno done up very nice! Very modern stylish. Yr chosen furnitures also match perfectly overall with the color scheme and design. Yr place looks very nice, very smoothing and comfortable. Love the wordings on the wallpaper very much too!

Hi Butterfingerzz, Thanks for the reply. Sorry, but i didnt have time to log in to read, hence have been gg up to my plc to clean by ourselves. Tks for the info anyway, maybe next time can consider to engage a cleaner co to help out instead. Btw, yr kitchen is looking great. Looks bright and spacious!

Hi Butterfingerzz, How much u spend to engage the cleaning contractors? Tks.

Hi Wenwen, Congrats, yr final results is very nice! Very well done!

Hi Annjoy, Congrats on starting yr reno finally. Hope u have a fun & smooth reno progress!

Yes, that time seems like so long ago liao. Went to cindy's and simpleboi's place. Last Wed, went up to my plc to check the status, happened to met my same level neighbours, both of them (from different units) are very friendly. Am very happy and glad, cos previously was very worried that as my reno took so super long, scare my direct neighbour will not be happy abt it. Luckily, they both are very friendly and nice , so guess shouldnt be a big problem bah. Well, hope my plc can be hand over soon, and we can move in asap.

Hi Crystal, Hee, i see. Thanks for sharing. Whao, u very hardworking. Loyang there so far, u also go huh? Got spot anything new thing there?

Hi Crystal, Thanks for sharing. Yr package is indeed good lor. No, they ask me to top up $680 for the dining set, and another $250 for the magnum. Hmm, yr IFC sales person is the indian guy? The loyang branch not willing to discount de, i should have go back to the IFC Branch that day, cos previously the indian guy told us can select Q mattress and dinining set with no top up. But the loyang branch say cant, cos bedframe is cheaper so have to top up $680. But as that day went to sitec, and late already, so went to the loyang branch lor.

Hi Kel, Big sign !! hmm, thanks for reminding me. Anyway, really envy u all already finished up yr reno long long ago and have moved in since!

Hi Linggie, Thanks, i hope so too!

Hi Crystal, U got a great Cellini package! U went to the IFC branch? Previously, saw it @ the IFC branch, and my hubby likes the sofa set. The Sales person told us we can get the set : sofa/ Q size mattress/dining set without extra cost, unless change the sofa, then need to top up. We think quite a good deal, so we took our parents to go to try out the mattress yesterday @ the loyang branch (cos nearer mah). However, this branch says dont want the bedframe and take the queen size mattress and the dining set, wants us to top up extra $680 for it! And the sofa change to magnum @ $250. They insist that the sales at the IFC branch, made a mistake and gave us the wrong info. Cos take the dining table w/o bedframe actually needs to top up more than $1k, but they willing to discount for us, and give us top up @ only $680? Can share what's yr breakdown of package like? Cos yr package some more change to K size wor? Plus w free pillow/protector and etc. Thanks in advance!

Hi Macbert, Congrats on the good buy! Great location! Hope u have a smooth reno!

Hi h4happy, Sian, go case might even take up more time, cos need to wait and etc. Heard that if case writes the letter to the company, and the company ignores it, that's nothing case can do too. Worse is, they might totally stop doing my place. Just hope that now left those missing items/defects can be complete soon. Actually i feel is only like a few days of work, just that they are taking own sweet time.

Hi Wenny, Just check my calender. Reno is actually suppose to start in nov'08. But my ID have to go for sudden reservice for 2 weeks, so delay and and started in dec'08. Cant remember 1 yr ago stuff liao, thought started in nov 08. Anyway, going to reach dec '09 soon, so it's going to be 1 yr soon. As of today, still have missing items here and there, and defects not settle yet. We didnt even really dare to check the workmanship, unless those that's very obivious. Cos dont think got much point to really check the workmanship, cos if not i really dont know how much longer it will drag? Scare wait 1 yr reno, wait become 1 1/2 yr or 2yrs reno! For yr case, if u cant go down to the site often, then try to at least go through all the items w yr contractor. Things like layout/measurements/materials & etc. Hope that if will helps lor. Thanks, wish u have all the best for yr reno too!

Hi CJREDDEVIL, Yes, u didn’t read wrongly. My reno started in last year, and till now haven’t handover!!! How to cope for past yr? Very stress, lots of headache, tons of frustrations, started to have lots of white hairs suddenly, have to chase the id every time, have to endure the id shouting at us when it’s their fault, have to keep accepting the things that are already done and cant be change. Have to keep making trips down to check my place, take down the missing items/defects and 'report' to the id or now the mgr, and wait for them to get someone down to do, then we have to go and check and 'report' back to them again. The cycle just keep continuing lor. Think I’m slipping into depression liao. Those not very close friends even think that how come we nv inform them we have move liao, and why nv invite them to the house warming & etc. Who can believe 1 yr liao, and we havent move in yet!!! Sorry for making u hear my grumbles.

Hi JandG, Lol, are all men like that? Hmm, hopefully, he really can understand the effort lor. To him, he seems to think that cooking is easy. Yap, i bought some cookbooks, but have no time nor mood to try them out yet. For non-cooker, need to buy a lot of new stuff to make the kitchen functional, plus all the different sauces & etc. Maybe after my reno finally settle, and we have move in to the new place then can got mood to try it out. Besides, it's better to buy the stuff after we have moved, rather then packing everything and bring over. Thanks for the encouragement, hope 1 day i can also cook like yr standard!!! I see, thanks for sharing. Glad that yr reno stuff is over for you then. My reno gonna reach 1 YEAR anniversary liao, but my house still haven’t handover yet!! As of today, still have missing items here and there, and defects not settle. Really very stress and miserable over it.

Hi BBtBB, Thanks for sharing! Will go n check out the baking club t-blog when free. Yes, i think food storage is pretty headache thing. Cant buy too much, but then supermarket some items quite big bag, then cant finish, next time when want to use it, it's spoilt already. (eg. potatos) Thanks for sharing the meat storage tip, will try it out. So that dont need to defrost the whole thing next time, and cant refrost it again. Tks!