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Hahaa... initially I had started a community blog but then decided a T-blog here seems more fun as the useful input from people (who are more experienced than I am when it comes to home renos) is more instantaneous and that would really help to guide me along in real life as I'm battling through my crazy renovations. So... here's the story. I had initially set out wanting to DIY my bathroom renovations. I had lofty ambitions of doing it as I'm in a 'transition' period at the moment so have some free time on my hands to, err, do something with my hands. Also, my budget is(was!) very small... I was only able to afford to comfortably fork out $3k max for these renovations, which I reckoned would mostly go towards the materials and only in the case of really needing the professionals to do stuff I really knew I could not do (i.e. plumbing and waterproofing) would I use part of that small budget I had squirreled away for engaging them. I am very confident in my own dexterity and my skills; on top of that, I am also someone who never ever thinks anything is beyond learning and doing. I was adamant I neither wanted to use an ID nor a contractor, as I have done some brickworks and other cementing work before in my life. Plus, I've been spending the last few months watching Youtube videos so am now suitably qualified as an armchair contractor! However, after several heated arguments with my parents (neither of whom was forking out a single cent for this reno), I gave up and was forced to engage 'professionals' for this job. I calculated, albeit naively, it would cost me 'a bit more' than my initial budget, probably in the region of $4k, which from my extensive research was a general estimate for most bathrooms. I thought that since I simply wanted a very SIMPLE and industrial theme, it was not at all like all those expensive showy bathrooms with gold taps and other such nonsense. I mean, my name doesn't start with TT Boy was I wrong. And stupid/naive/egotistic/narcissistic to not have seen this from the start! Sure, some of you are saying "If you don't have money, why waste it on something so useless and impractical as a bathroom renovation?". I know we don't spend most of our time in the bathroom, that not everyone who comes to the house will use the upstairs bathroom and besides, here's the funnier thing-- I don't even live in the house! But. Sadly, I have always hated my family house because the design, colours and funishings are so puke-worthy fugly. Every time I use the bathroom (and I don't even go back that often! Like once every 3months??) I am reminded of how it looks worse than the kampong toilets I've been to in my lifetime. Kampong toilets are actually decent looking, even though they aren't too hygienic. Anyway my bathroom is so fugly until I cannot stand it. I don't know what Keppel was thinking when they built the place-- was the designer a 5000yr old Englishman stuck in delusions of the 17th century? It's that bad. So, anyway. The fact that I was so adamant to do this is testament to my deep hatred for the bathroom, and to the fact that I'm not doing this to 'show off' to people but instead this is a real personal issue I have with the bathroom. I want to go in and feel "Ah...such a nice, clean, modern bathroom. I feel so relaxed, happy and peaceful...", not "OMG this place is so fuglyyyyyy, this would be the perfect place to hang myself in!". Basically too much of the spaces I do use when I go back are very shamefully fugly, and such an eyesore especially when nobody bothers to take care of anything. It's bad enough that fugly is not something you can wash away with bleach... imagine fugly and years of willful neglect. So I decided to take remedial action as soon as I had saved up enough. As a result, I am now almost $8k out of pocket as the cost of this g-**** reno keeps escalating by the day. And when I say I really, really, really cannot afford it, I mean it. I'm not one of those people who always claim they're broke but in their bank accounts there's enough money to feed the entire continent of Africa for a week. As an entrepreneur, I have no savings. Zero. The first time I saw more than 2 zeroes in my bank account was when I was 29, when I got a good project that paid well enough for me to save a little rather than live from hand to mouth. And now, because of this bathroom reno, I am back to square one

I wanted vinyl flooring for my kitchen, living hall and bedrooms. My cement screed was done at a lower height, shortage abt 7mm - 10mm from my kitchen existing tiles. I was unable to have my vinyl levelled between kitchen and living hall. They have to put on an pvc cap between kitchen and living hall. Is there anyway to fix this? I was expecting the whole flooring to be of the same level.

we are halfway to complete our 4 room flat renovation. some of the good stuffs done by the sub-contractor that we absolutely love it. the kitchen cement walls, done by the tiler. Though it was his first attempt for such request but he did it anyway!

Dear All, We provide building materials with delivery to sites at great affordable and reasonable price. Feel free to contact me here should you need any of the followings; Cement, Floorscreed Cement, Waterproofing Cement, Wall Plastering Cement, Chemical Cement, Bricks, Hollow blocks, etc. Same day delivery. Thank you.

Floorplan: 4 room Type 3(H)

Very happy to have my own place, shifted in quite awhile & decided to share some of my excitement. Its typical floorplan of a new BTO. Details: Where: NE of SG Level: 13th View: Can see till JB but not for long bcos of the new development coming up, boo hoo hoo.... Wind condition: Year end very windy Satisfaction level: 10/10

Hi All, I am heavily considering Cement Screeding/staining for my new home. What are the pros and cons of doing such especially for HDB. 1) I've heard about crackings, is ther any way to prevent that from happening. 2) Any local contractors that you can reccomend? 3) Cost? Is it much costly than having tiles? Your kind advise will be efry much appreciated. Thank you.

After some viewing and searching, we'd finally bought our 3 rd HDB flat, a 5I unit at Tampines. This is our 2nd renovation experience but it feels so new to us as we renovated our 1st flat some 20 over years ago with our contractor friend. We were in our 20s and I basically let him took care of everything besides selecting tiles and lightings. This time we planned well ahead and my OC also very much involved in the whole process and our house is considered done. I will be updating and uploading photos as and when I have the time. Of course to share and provide some info if needed but please bear with me if you don't hear from me immediately. Well, although we planned ahead (even before we collected the keys), there were changes along the way and we ended up having some lightings unused. To kick start, I will share our floor plan.

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and hoping someone can help me. I have a 4 bedroom HDB flat and planned to do either a Vinyl or laminated flooring (to be decided) for 3 bedrooms. Unfortunately, i have to put my renovation plans on hold for next 1 year but still plans to carry on with HDB's free cement screeding. HDB had came back asking me for thickness of screeding to apply, and advised that I should check with my ID on their flooring requirements. As I don't have an ID now, I'm unable to answer HDB's question on the required thickness. I just know that the total thickness must not exceed 50mm. Can anyone advise me what the typical or safe thickness to provide to HDB, considering that I might go with Vinyl or laminated flooring in future? would 30mm be a good figure? Many thanks for your help. cheers.