Angel81

Hee yeah yeah. It was very exciting to finally get the keys. At the same time, it was rather scary too! Now I can't throw letter at my boss without finding a job first!

Thanks thanks! We love the view too.

Alamak, seems to have missed this reply. Thanks for the feedback! I bought HOBZ hood, hob and oven last week. Can't wait to use them!

Our Search For Contractors I must admit, we didn't search much for contractors/IDs. Or at least, not as much as some forumners here. We went to Beauty World, frequented IMM, onlined everyday to read Renotalk to learn about others' experiences and surfed the web for ideas. Some ID firms did not talk to us, even though we stood outside their shops and looked through their photo albums. These firms we struck them off the list immediately. If you can't be bothered to chat with us, I'm sure you can't be bothered to earn money. An ID firm praised themselves to the sky, saying that they can do anything and everything, but did not bother to listen to our ideas. If you don't pause to listen to your clients, how will I know my house will turn out the way I want? So far, the best 3 contractors in terms of service & price came from forumners here. *Thanks sundrops, chrono, jacky777 & rondy!* We have shortlisted 2 contractors and should be confirming with one sometime this week. Both shortlisted contractors are very nice guys with reasonable quotes. One is cheaper than the other by around $4k. We actually wanted to sign with the contractor A who has the more expensive quote. Mainly because he was highly recommended by a couple of forumners, and that we could get along with him rather well. He also does not mind giving me advice when I called him to ask him about some stuff. The thing that held us back and tipped the scales for the other shortlisted contractor (B) is that this contractor (A) seems abit irresponsible. Contractor A will promise me to send the revised quotes (we revised at least 7 times I think) before a certain date. However, there was not a time that he sent the quotes on time. There were stuff that were discussed that went missing, and I had to remind him to add them in. He's also late for our meetings 4 out of 5 times. I understand that he's busy. If he's not busy, means that he does not have any jobs in hand, which means that there may be something wrong! What I hope is that if he is unable to deliver a promise, then don't promise me or give me a later date/time. I definitely don't mind if he tells he that he's real busy, and could only get back to me at a later date/time. Handing my precious home to someone to renovate is a form of trust. Trust that he will take good care of it during this period of time. Trust that he will deliver what he promises. Trust that the job will be completed on time. If this trust is not there in the first place, how can I trust him to do the job as promised? Contractor B was someone unfamiliar, as we could not find many people using this company. However, he was highly recommended by the one who used, and also by the owners of homes we visited with him. Out of the 3 times he sent the revised quotes to me, he was on time or early for all 3 times. When we met up with him both times, he was there waiting for us when we reach. The workmanship of both homes were good, and the designs were practical and pleasing. Best of all, the quote is very reasonable. If everything turns out well, we should be signing with him sometime this week. *Fingers crossed!* Hehe, thanks thanks! I love the view too! Mac has never tasted so great! Also, we could finally eat cheeseburgers at home! My ILs pray at home, so we can't eat beef at our current place. Next time at our own home we can, cuz ILs won't be bringing the gods over. Hmm, there's still something to be revised, so the amount I have now may not be the final one. Let you know again after I receive the final revised quote k? Thanks Starscream! Can't wait to start renovating.

So cheap? U wana start a painting service? I'm sure lots of pple will wana employ u! My painting is going to cost me $1,800.

YES! We are now the official owners with keys to our EM! We went to our place for the handover yesterday. It was suppose to be in the afternoon, but the sellers were still busy shifting their belongings out. Therefore we went out to meet a last contractor, before going back to our home in the evening. It was after 7pm by the time everything ends and my hb & I are the only ones left in the house. Although the house was bare, we could see all the possibilities this house hold. Really can't wait to start the reno! Pics View from the balcony & MBR View from the corridor, Bedroom 2 & 3 Bye sellers! ~cont~ Yay! See our keys? Empty Level 1 Tiny storeroom Our first meal in our home! And I bought a Happy Meal (can u see the soccer toy?) & wish that we'll always be happy here.

Oooo! Very cute! It's those small ones to put on the table or bigger ones that can be placed on the floor? leh u, should be very heavy bah? But it's worth it!

sadly, this is something that is bobian one. It drives me crazy sometimes as well. Just hope there are no can liao.

Sorry, think I may not be very clear in my reply. Most of the stuff are cheaper at PJ, which was why I went back there. Yupz, I wanted to buy a 1-pc WC, cuz Pinkpetter said it's easier to clean. But the sales pax told me although it's easier to clean, we won't be able to change just one part of the WC if crack. Both got pros and cons lah, but in the end we went for the 2-pc. Main reason is we like the design, second is can change just part of the WC if crack loh. Hope it'll be fine.

Hahaha! My FIL also like this. We brought my PILs up during final inspection to take a look at the place. Almost everything he said dun need to do. I was like . But don't care la, we just do it the way we like. Too bad I can't say that to them, since my PILs will be staying with me.

Yoz! Hehehe, yeah I rem asking your advice about Hobz and MN. Hehee, wanted to get another sink, but much more x and longer than this one. In the end settled on this one. Hope it'll be nice. Arh! Same like me loh! I love going to IKEA, and hb is fine with it too since he loves the meatballs there. hahaha.. Wah, u bought 4 sets of bedsheets liao ah? I just bought 1 set yesterday. Hehehe, going to search for another set slowly. I went to the HK at IMM, and I find that it's overall cheaper at PJ. Speaking abt 1-pc WC, I wanted to get it as well. But the staff at PJ said that if the WC cracks, then got to change the whole set, instead of just that part. Don't know if it's true anot lah, but u may wana check it out. Hi Haven59! Hee, thanks thanks! We were thinking if we should get an EM as well, cuz my PILs will be staying with us, and intend to have kids as well. But since it's our dream, we just went ahead with it. Hope it turns out well.

Hahaha! I was in the exact same situation as u are when I was waiting for my 1st appt! To satisfy ourselves we went to look at all the stuff and do market research. Check out the stuff that you want then next time when it's finally time to buy, u won't need to waste time and can go straight to the best shop to splurge! Hee... Go ikea! Lots of gd ideas and little cheap and nice stuff. I bought a bit here and there, like candles or kitchen stuff to make myself happy.

Haha expensive meh? I went to afew others, find that PJ's price comparable leh. If the cheapest WC at PJ is not nice and cost $180, must as well u get mine at $190. Think mine quite nice leh. hehehe... That's abit lame, if I don't think it's nice, I buy it for what? hahahha

Thanks rondy!

First to drop by and spam chop! Congrates! Very nice place u got there. Think u have a blog as well rite? Nice nice!

Nice! Love the rooms with the lights on. Looking forward to the pics with furniture.

Hehe thanks thanks! We like the set too, esp the extra storage ideas. Even part of the sofa has a hidden storage space. The tv console 3 shelves can be shifted around or stacked up for a different look. Can't wait to start playing with it, but just afraid that it'll be too low. Knek knek knek... I gan jiong mah Also, PJ staff told us that with CNY coming, lots of stock will be not available, therefore decided to take the plunge loh. The tap is $70 (inclusive of GST). The shorter one, whh we bought for the common toilet, is $44. Yupz, that time when I met up with him, he was early by about 10mins. I appreciate people who are punctual. If sme1 b4 signing the contract can be late most of the time, what about after signing? Also, I won't be able to trust him/her words. What if late handover over and over again? I may be paranoid, bt well....... Action speaks louder than words. Hehehehe! Let me say thanks for the invite first then! He said that he'll send the revised quote latest by tomorrow. So if I need to see his workmanship (aka ur house ) maybe will ask him if can show us on Sun anot loh. I bought it at Poh Joo, the one opp Lavendar Food Court. It's quite near ur place, so can pop by anytime. hehehehe... Yeah, I love the mbr basin. Simple is good cuz it'll be "nai4 kan4".

Hi tommy78, Did u buy ur MBR toilet's basin and tap from PJ as well? I think we got the same one! Aiyo... PJ's after sales service not very nice leh. The lady could have better tel skills. Which PJ did u go to?

Yoz! Icic. I like his work attitude. What he promises, he gives. For eg he'll tell me when he'll send me the quotation, and he'll really send it on or before that promised date. The other contractor in my final list that forumers recommended is a very nice guy, but he always don't give what he promised and is late 4 times out of the 5 times we met. So far have not seen any of his works. If his final quote is good, I'll ask to view. My toilet bowl (Velin 138 WC with normal seat & cover) is $190. I did not get soft closing as the shop sales person told me that it'll spoil after long usage, esp if we keep open & close it. With soft closing it's $220. Both toilet basins cost $120 each. Haha, we kiasu mah. And we've been there before already. So thought to just buy first loh. Anyway, they let us pay just $100 deposit for all the stuff we bot. So why not do so before the price increase?

Woohoo! U r back! Looking fwd to the completed house pics.

Hmm.. Comes to think of it, yah, u guys r quite rite about the walking space in ID's layout. How abt making the store smaller, and the fridge to be next to the wall, instead of leaving a space btw wall and fridge? At least got more walking space. Then the kitchen cabinets also dun extend till the end, cuz the entrance to the svc balcony will be blocked as well.

~Continue of Yesterday's Purchases~ 2 sets of Velin 138 WC and pan collar An oval basin with a tall cold tap for MBR toilet A rectangle basin with cold basin tap for common toilet (looks sth like the pics) 2 push down waste trap - no pics 2 sets of handspray sets - no pics *Hi-5!* Hehehee.. Good to hear that their after sales service is good. I was thinking between Rinnai set and Hobz set. In the end decided to get Hobz, cuz of the lifetime guarantee. Haha, we can't resist mah. And for Poh Joo, they told us that they'll be increasing price after CNY, so we decided to get them now loh. I intend to shift in around end of March, but handover will be end of Feb. Wana celebrate my bdae in early March at new house, but wana shift in only after our tentative short trip around mid-March.

Good idea and great space saver. I'm going to "borrow" this idea for my house! Very sweet idea.

Wah! So nice with just $25k? Cools. *thumbs up*

Wah... Both seems very nice! I prefer ur layout for the balcony, living room and MBR. The kitchen layout from ur ID is good, cuz got a storeroom, and u'll be able to interact with ur guests slightly easier. Also it's easier to reach the fridge/stove/sink in this layout.