tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2009 More photos of the renovations! Walk-in closet Hacked wall opening at master bedroom View of hacked wall with closet-in-progress View of partition wall of walk-in closet in 2nd bedroom Another view of partition wall of walk-in closet in 2nd bedroom Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 hi Tuababy to my knowledge, PE 'chop' is only needed where there is a RC (reinforce concrete - and only non structural element are allow to hack) portion that you want to hack. Why PE 'chop'? well it's wat HDB wants, to have a 'responsilbe person' aware of the situation. and ' touch wood', if any thing where to happen (which will not cause if it is a structural element, HDB will never allow you to hack - from your plan, those that are bold in black, are structural wall), some one 'professional' to take the blame. so as to say, drywall, brick wall and light weigt block wall can hack without PE endosement (those in your plan that is not bold). well the market rate to get a PE 'chop' for this type of simple endosement range from S$ 250 to S$500. so wish you have a smooth reno. gorilla Yah I aware of that. I read through the entire HDB reno guidelines a few times. Only RC walls need to get PE. However my kitchen wall on the floorplan appears as a normal wall (not shaded in bold) so I wasn't expecting a PE requirement. However I was surprised when the HDB letter came back with requirements for a PE for that wall. I even called up the officer in charge to clarify. End of the day I can only say that HDB is being kiasu and kiasi and not helping the homeowners with such situations (spending hundreds for a PE endorsement). Anyway, thanks gorilla! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gorilla_chow 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 Yalor, it's one good decision we made! My contractor feels that no PE is necessary but HDB says otherwise. However the bedroom wall which I also hacked doesn't requires any PE. Apparently, the kitchen wall is thicker (12cm compared to bedroom wall of 9cm) and is a reinforced concrete wall, hence need the PE. hi Tuababy to my knowledge, PE 'chop' is only needed where there is a RC (reinforce concrete - and only non structural element are allow to hack) portion that you want to hack. Why PE 'chop'? well it's wat HDB wants, to have a 'responsilbe person' aware of the situation. and ' touch wood', if any thing where to happen (which will not cause if it is a structural element, HDB will never allow you to hack - from your plan, those that are bold in black, are structural wall), some one 'professional' to take the blame. so as to say, drywall, brick wall and light weigt block wall can hack without PE endosement (those in your plan that is not bold). well the market rate to get a PE 'chop' for this type of simple endosement range from S$ 250 to S$500. so wish you have a smooth reno. gorilla Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 BBtBB is Tuababy's wife? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lise 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 BBtBB is Tuababy's wife? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
~BBtBB 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 Yup, we engaged Classic to do our kitchen! Their workmanship and stuff are good. Love it the first time we saw their kitchens! It costs more but since my wife loves cooking and baking, we decided to spend more on the kitchen. You're so kind to your wife! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) who is your kitchen specialist? I used to engage Classic, and kinda regret not engaging them this round for my kitchen cabinet. workmanship...cannot fight but price wise, & of cos kithen specialist EX.... haiz Yup, we engaged Classic to do our kitchen! Their workmanship and stuff are good. Love it the first time we saw their kitchens! It costs more but since my wife loves cooking and baking, we decided to spend more on the kitchen. Edited August 21, 2009 by tuababy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dyleen 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 Thanks to my kitchen specialist who referred... costs me $300! who is your kitchen specialist? I used to engage Classic, and kinda regret not engaging them this round for my kitchen cabinet. workmanship...cannot fight but price wise, & of cos kithen specialist EX.... haiz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 can ask...whats your plan for the kitchen entrance? you see...i have a big kitchen entrance, so intend to do up tempered glass, but cant decide if i want a casement door or a sliding one.... It's an open concept kitchen for us. We are keeping it opened to create a much more spacious feel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 How much u pay for the PE for certification? Thanks to my kitchen specialist who referred... costs me $300! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dyleen 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 can ask...whats your plan for the kitchen entrance? you see...i have a big kitchen entrance, so intend to do up tempered glass, but cant decide if i want a casement door or a sliding one.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 Now everything look spacious. Sometimes I wonder how HDB decide if a PE is needed to endorse the hacking. In my case, I hacked the wall between my living room and one of the bedroom, and another is the wall joining 2 toilets. No PE was required, when initally my contractor was worried that the toilet wall, probably need a PE. but nonetheless, all went well, and happy renovating =) Yalor, it's one good decision we made! My contractor feels that no PE is necessary but HDB says otherwise. However the bedroom wall which I also hacked doesn't requires any PE. Apparently, the kitchen wall is thicker (12cm compared to bedroom wall of 9cm) and is a reinforced concrete wall, hence need the PE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackcar 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 It's really so much more spacious with the wall hacked! However, the downside is the need for PE certification which costs us a few hundreds more just for a signature and a stamp chop! The HDB officer and the PE doesn't even need to be around! How much u pay for the PE for certification? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dyleen 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 Now everything look spacious. Sometimes I wonder how HDB decide if a PE is needed to endorse the hacking. In my case, I hacked the wall between my living room and one of the bedroom, and another is the wall joining 2 toilets. No PE was required, when initally my contractor was worried that the toilet wall, probably need a PE. but nonetheless, all went well, and happy renovating =) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tuababy 0 Report post Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) My renovations are underway and here are some photos! View of living room with kitchen wall hacked It's really so much more spacious with the wall hacked! However, the downside is the need for PE certification which costs us a few hundreds more just for a signature and a stamp chop! The HDB officer and the PE doesn't even need to be around! Edited August 21, 2009 by tuababy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites