elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) Hi all, I've learned a lot from this forum, so I thought I should share a little of the experience my wife and I are having during our renovation. A friend of mine has given our crib the name Rancho Relaxo and I think that's sort of what we're going for. Relaxed and comfortable. We had a budget of 10K in mind, but that's been overshot by a whopping 50%. To be fair to our ID though, we've been happy with the workmanship so far and everything's been pretty smooth with only a few minor hiccups. Plus we did do some extra stuff after the contract was signed. Although I also have to add that they are a bit more expensive than some of the other ID firms out there....ahem. The process of selecting and ID started a month ago and renovation works began on the 16th of November. It's been an exercise in balancing things that absolutely had to be done and pampering ourselves with a few luxuries we decided we deserved I usually enjoy the threads with lots of pics, so I'll do my best to show more pics and write less. Before I start though, I'd like to share one piece of advice- For anyone doing reno works, please make Lightings.com.sg your first stop for your lighting needs and take down their prices. They can't be beat. OK...let's start. I'll be showing the before and during pictures for now and add the 'after' pictures when they happen. View from corridor: 1st HDB appointment: 15th September 2009 2nd HDB appointment: 27th of October 2009 Price: Ridiculously high..... Living Room The living and dining area is actually a nice space, but it unfortunately had a false ceiling covering the entire area which had to go in order to make the space bigger. There's also a freaking beam that divides the room, which I'm going to hate for as long as I leave there.... Before: Edited November 30, 2009 by elfettucine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 During: Still During - electrical works done. Still during - my projector screen is up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Changed the switches to Rocker Switches. Unfortunately not legrand or clipsal. Basically no name, but it works... Service Balcony: I didn't snap a pic of the service balcony area before the reno, but the tiles were the original HDB pink tiles and the paint was a chocolate colour. The wifey and I chose rustic-looking Spanish tile that we're quite happy with. After Hacking After tiling Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 (edited) Kitchen: Initially, we were ok with the kitchen and I thought we wouldn't have to do any reno works at all, but my better half insisted on a new hob and hood. After we got the flat though, I noticed that the work top was stained and greasy, so decied to change the worktop to granite. There was also no oven and that's something we use quite often, so we had to do some carpentry work to fit it in nicely and deal make the big empty space below the hob look nice. Edited November 30, 2009 by elfettucine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 I heard these guys are called 'Orang wiring' :-) Kitchen Sink Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chinchye 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Welcome to RT.. nice home.. Hope ur renov will be smooth sailing.. cheers!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Master Bedroom and MBR Toilet: Before During MBR Toilet We're going for a beach feel with bathtub! Shower area Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 MBR Toilet during hacking MBR toilet after tiling (not totally completed yet) We chose white on our IDs advice, as it would make the room look a bit bigger, which I think was good advice, though I wish we had more of the blue mosaic tiles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 MBR toilet blue mosaic tiles Bathtub installed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 MBR Toilet - installing the hollow block Tiling of bathtub started Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Other stuff: Oven to be installed: Basin for MBR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elfettucine 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Welcome to RT.. nice home.. Hope ur renov will be smooth sailing.. cheers!! Thanks! I hope so too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickey M 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Hey elfettucine, ur reno is progressing really well. And bathtub! Envy u. enjoy ur reno process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SGK 0 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks! I hope so too! Hi welcome to renotalk. Wow, how did you mange to keep your damage below $15k? From your pics it seems that you are doing quite a bit of reno leh. Wish you a smooth and happy reno experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
