Can't Seem To Leave Toa Payoh!

[sff 0]

Progress Update:

12 Feb : OTP Exercised

08 May : First Appt, Reno Contract Signed

13 May : Reno Loan Applied

19 May : Reno Loan Approved

18 June : Key Collected, Permit Applied

21 June : Week 1

Day 0 - Permit Approved

Day 1 to 3 - Hack floor, wall & cabinets (Living, dining, kitchen, service balcony, toilets); Throw debris; Carry material

Day 4 to 5 - Remove false ceilings, cornices, toilet doors, etc; Throw debris; Carry material

Day 6 - Sunday (No idea if they work on Sunday)

28 June : Week 2

Day 10 - Toilets wall tiling; Toilets waterproofing

Day 11 to 12 - Living/Dining Tiling

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Hi all,

Decided to set up a chat here also cos I see so many beautiful pictures here and also would like to contribute, but scared my reno got nothing special and nothing to see. Think cannot compare with those swee homes shown here.

My new place is again in Toa Payoh. Dunno why but somehow leave TPY always will come back again. When I was born, stay Blk 3 Lor 7 in grandma's home. Then go Hillview, then back to TPY Central when 9, then Blk 1 Lor 7 again at 10, when married bought TPY North cos got grant 50k that time. Thought finally leave TPY, go Bishan 6 years later (aiyah, ks parent also lah, want to be near good school), and now 6 years later again, back to TPY Lor 8!! Sometimes, I think hubby n me must be a bit siao, sell there and then now buy there again.

My 1st appt is coming soon, am so excited. Think maybe can complete in June. But also very sad, cos will leave my current 4rm soon. Like my current flat very much. Got view, top floor, big windows, 103 sqm. New flat is mid flr, 11yo, and if can see Potong Pasir is considered gd view, then I supposed got there got view too. Hope everything will go smoothly and transaction for both buying and selling "soon soon"

This is the floor plan. Edited some parts of the HDB plan cos owner got made some changes to original layout.

Buying a 5 rm also cos need more space for 3 kiddos to run around. When ask them to plan layout, my 12yo son actually drew a soccer field at the dining area! Just imagine, my 2yo girl can kick soccer with 2 bigger boys. I see oledi my heart also want to pop. Ball fly everywhere, so scared will hit her!

Edited July 3, 2010 by sff

[sff 0]

Basically, I intend to overhaul 2 toilets and kitchen, maybe change living/dining floor and possibly false ceiling/LBox. Also need to put in some cupboards. Started ID sesrching in Jan cos thought can get key in May, but unluckily, HDB threw out our application cos they say our HLE date later then OTP but actually, our HLE is earlier but cos we appeal for higher amount so appeal approval date is later. Anyway, got to resubmit again. And $80 again!!

We went to talk to several IDs/Contractors and this is their response (In order from approached earliest to latest):

1. United Team Lifestyle

- Had a chat with them but found that their price quite high so did not give them my specs.

2. Vision Interior Design P/L

- Specs submitted in person, say need 2 wks, no reply at all.

3. Living Art Design Gallery P/L

- Specs submitted in person, say can give quote that very night, 3 mths later today, no reply at all. Din bother to chase them too.

4. Design Profession P/L

- Specs submitted in person too, say will give quote b4 CNY. Really kept to their word. Received call for meetup b4 CNY. Designer is Kelvin Foo. Very nice guy. Quote quite attractive too.

5. BSH Perception

- Specs also submitted in person, say need 2 wks to quote. Ok. Again, no reply at all.

6. D'Esprit

- Hubby submitted specs to them, then no response, thought they disappeared liao. Then out of the blue, one day, call us and say quote ready.

7. Designer House

- Designer is Ronald. Emailed them. Received quote. So far the cheapest.

8. Plush Living Design P/L

- Designer is Whelan Chan, think he is executive director. He is very patient and detailed. Went through the quote with us and answered our questions.

9. Basic Image

- Received quote from Mr Y about 2 wks later. Quote not bad, price quote attractive.

10. ID Note

- Waited and waited, finally received quote. But not from Henry, from his designer. Quote comparable to Basic Image.

11. Space Creation

- Designer is Ricky Lau. Recommended by my friend. Received quote from him within 2 days!

12. I.R. Design

- Designer is Roy. Quote received too.

13. DX Interior

- Emailed, have not heard from them.

Will not be getting more quotes cos headache oledi.

[sff 0]

So, after receiving quite a few quotes, we have shortlisted 2 so far.

1. Basic Image - Mr Yeak

2. Design Profession - Kelvin

Our reasons for shortlisting them are quite simple actually lor.

1. Highly recommended

For Basic Image, Mr Y is recommended in this forum so when his quote came in quite on time, we were quite happy that it is within our budget. However, he can only start work in 3rd week of June cos he say he already packed in mid June. So even if I get key earlier, also cannot start. But because of recommendations, I am quite willing to be homeless for 2 wks though it is inconvenient.

2. Sincere and will follow-up

For Design Profession, so far I have not receive any comments about them. Nothing good, nothing bad. Their quote also within our budget and in fact, is the second lowest of all that we received. One of our concerns is that the HDB permit will be applied under their main company S interior K design, and not under the designing company. However, I must really commend the designer. He is quite understanding and friendly. When our flat is delayed, and we told him, never show us black face, and he continued to follow up with us even though we did not 100% confirm signing with him. He would call me once in a while and ask how's my house coming along and if I have questions for him. I am also worried that their workmanship would not be good. Today, we went site visiting and were quite pleased that the tiles laying is quite good. Because the wardrobes are not up yet, he again invited us to view 2 wks later to see the wardrobes workmanship even though we never ask him. Think he is quite on and sincere. Call him usually can get him. Main company around for about 10 years.

So now, price wise, we are inclined to sign with Kelvin. For good reviews, we will stick to Mr Y. I supposed we will make a decision soon.

[lilithfiend 0]

welcome to RT! you're progressing well, almost choosing your ID before your 1st appointment..

Good luck & have fun..

[patsy_sg 1]

That's a really nice squarish layout!! Good luck!

[Supersimon27 2]

Hi sff , welcome to Rt-blog

all the best for yr coming 1st appointment

[sff 0]

Although this is my 3rd home, it's my first time doing reno. So am really a reno newbie. 1st home, we very broke, so never do anything. 2nd home is fully renovated so we also never do anything. This new one now, think need to do something.

lilithfiend:

Tks. Actually I just hope that if everything can settle before getting key, then at least reno can start immediately when get key. Cos I also dun have a lot of time for reno, so must try to maximise time.

valuehunter:

Tks too. Din really want to source for so many in the first place. However, when I walk pass and see one, automatic go in and ask about quotes. Also some are ppl recommend one so we also try. I think what we were trying to find is which id cheapest! After walking a few rounds to those kitchen/bathroom and accessories shops, din expect those little little items to add up to so much.

patsy_sg:

Tks too. Ya, like the layout, dun really have those wasted space. However, for the past few 2/3 mths, was thinking out how to put sofa, tv console and coffe table, and dining table without feeling cramp. The main door is like abt 1 metre from windows, and I find that position a bit odd. Thought of making kitchen smaller and put dining table in the kitchen but dunno feasible or not.

Supersimon27:

Hi, tks too. Really need to thank you for your help in giving me Henry's contact but I supposed I can't use him cos he like very busy in June and I need to move in by 23 July. My durrent home can only stay till 24/7. Reno should have abt 5-6 wks to do, that is if my 2nd appt is also abt 5-6 wks.

[sff 0]

The items listed below are the thing that I think I would like to do for my new place. Mainly wet works. Not much carpentry. Hope works can complete earlier with fewer carpentry.

Requirements:

Design & Services

1 Interior design & space planning consultation

2 Colour perspective drawing & layout proposal

3 Materials & colour scheme proposal

4 Experience site co-ordination & supervision

5 HDB Permit

Demolition Works

1 Haulage & clearing of debris

2 Supply labour to hack existing cornices, L-box & false ceiling @ whole house

3 Supply labour to hack existing floor tiles @ living, dining, walkways, store, kitchen, service balcony & 2 toilets

4 Supply labour to hack existing wall tiles @ 2 toilets, s/b & kitchen

5 Supply labour to hack existing kitchen cabinet & stove, sink, oven supports (remove and dispose appliance too)

6 Supply labour to remove & dispose existing WCs, basins, faucets, bathtub, toilet doors & other acc @ 2 toilets

7 Supply labour to remove existing wall feature @ living

8 Supply labour to remove existing door feature @ service balcony entrance

Masonry Works (Supply labour & material to)

1 Lay non-stain homo floor tiles c/w skirtings @ living, dining, walkways, store

2 Lay non-slip homo floor tiles c/w water proofing @ kitchen, s/b & 2 toilets

3 Lay skirting for areas not cover by new cabinets @ kitchen & service balcony

4 Lay full height designer wall tiles @ 2 toilets

5 Lay wall tiles for area between top & bottom cabinets @ service balcony

6 Construct base c/w skirting for cabinets @ kitchen & service balcony

7 Construct base c/w tiles finish for washing machine @ service balcony

8 Construct shower drop @ 2 toilets

Ceiling / Painting Works

1 Supply labour & material to construct L-box/false ceiling w recess for curtains @ living, dining & walkways

2 Supply labour & material to construct false ceiling @ kitchen

3 Supply labour & material to paint whole house walls & ceiling

4 Supply labour & material to paint all frames, pipes, doors, gate

Plumbing Works

1 Supply labour & material to rerun stainless steel pipes w 2 hot points @ whole house

2 Supply labour & material to install WCs, basins, taps, mixers, spray guns, bathroom acc @ 2 toilets

3 Supply labour to install storage heater @ common toilet

4 Supply labour to install kitchen sink, tap, slim hood, citygas hob & washing machine tap

5 Supply labour & material to connect to all inlet/outlet piping

Carpentry

1 To construct top/bottom kitchen cabinets c/w soft-closing hinges 22ft

2 To construct unit to conceal water pipes @ s/b 2ft

3 To construct full height sliding wardrobe 9ft @ master bedroom

4 To construct full height sliding wardrobe 5ft x 2 @ bedroom 2 & 3

Miscellaneous

1 Supply & install solid surface work-top c/w 50mm front profile & 75mm backsplash @ k & s/b 10ft

2 Supply & install 6mm tempered glass black backing at kitchen stove area 7ft x 2ft

3 Supply & install 10mm clear tempered glass showerscreen c/w swing door & handle @ 2 toilets

4 Supply & install 10mm frosted tempered glass door c/w handle & lockset @ 2 toilets

5 Supply labour & material to revarnish & polish existing parquet @ all rooms

6 Supply labour & material to plaster walls not covered by cabinets @ kitchen & service balcony

Extra Services

1 Provide chemical washing for whole house

2 Supply & lay protection covering for affected area of floor finishing

3 Coordinating w vendors & suppliers for items purchased externally

Electrical Works

1 Estimated for whole house

[coldflamez 0]

interesting to see that the kitchen is between 2 bedrooms.

some space is wasted with the main bedroom and bedroom 2 facing each other. One suggestion is to reposition the doors and use convert that area into a walk-in-wardrobe for the main bedroom.

[sff 0]

interesting to see that the kitchen is between 2 bedrooms.

some space is wasted with the main bedroom and bedroom 2 facing each other. One suggestion is to reposition the doors and use convert that area into a walk-in-wardrobe for the main bedroom.

Hi, tks for the suggestion. reposition doors? Hmm... wiw never come into my mind, so did not think it of. However, I did think of reposiiton doors to make space to put a dining table so that the walkway won't be obstructed.

But then, means must hack wall and do floor. My bedrooms floor is parquet and I won't be changing them. Plus am trying to keep reno cost low so probably won't hack or do anything to the structure in the house.

[purecat 0]

Buying a 5 rm also cos need more space for 3 kiddos to run around. When ask them to plan layout, my 12yo son actually drew a soccer field at the dining area! Just imagine, my 2yo girl can kick soccer with 2 bigger boys. I see oledi my heart also want to pop. Ball fly everywhere, so scared will hit her!

your son so cute !

[sff 0]

Recently, we went to look at kitchen and bathroom accessories, and some furniture. Maybe I mountain tortoise, but I see price already my heart pain. The better quality ones will make super big hole in my pocket, while the cheap ones... really v cheap, but the things cannot make it. Some of those advertisement that say got low price, we went. Then we left shaking our heads. I mean, I dun need very good stuff but I cannot tahun those like going to fall apart stuff.

I went to Geylang to look at bathroom stuff with hubby. So we bought some and placed a deposit. The lady was quite nice, some items gave us quite a big discount off the price on the price tag. Not sure is it cos we went w/o ID, so gave us better price. We got 2 sinks and 2 wc (those $288 1 set kind), 1 kitchen tap, 1 single bowl granite sink to undermount, 2 toilet paper holders, 2 towel racks, 2 jet sprays, 1 washing machine tap, 2 bidet valves, some pipe stuff for under the washroom basin dunno call what, a few other misc and some she gave us free. Everything looks cheap and reasonable but then total up, We also visited the shops along Jln Besar but we didn't get anything there.

We also went hood and hob searching. At first we went to Best Denki to see the models available. Think we saw Turbo and electrolux, and some others. Bought a portable oven from them. Got nice big discount. Then at Jln Besar, we went into a store. Saw a hob, were quite impressed with the flame and their lifetime warranty on the tempered glass. The size is also not so bulky and the design not bad. So we bought it. Even though for the price, we can buy hood and hob from other brands, we decided to stick to it. Then we added a hood. Actually we didn't really want a hood but if we dun put one, like a bit weird leh. So we got the cheapest from them. The pullout telescopic slim kind. Placed a deposit - $100. We also saw hood and hobs at other places, but the hobs are either very big or the designs not to our liking. We are going to have a small kitchen in our new place, so we didn't really want to put in something big.

Next, the aircon nightmare. Actually, wanted to join in the aircon group buy in this forum. But I never receive any reply, so I went to IMM to get one. I want to get a system 3 first then some time later then add a system 1 or 2. But my new flat can only put one compressor. If put 2, 1 will be in my service balcony which is infront of my common toilet door! So no choice, pick a system 4. We figured that we may end up switching on 3 or 4 units in the future, so we got the inverter model. There, the salesman told us that for system 4 inverter, only got sanyo, MitHI, Fujitsu and MitE available (if I remembered correctly) Salesman was pushing Sanyo but we did not get it. Cos my sis-in-law is using MitE and she say good, so we pick MitE. Price is higher than other brands but we will use the old aircon in our new place to trade-in.

For furniture, we went several places to look see look see. No good too. Either too ex, lousy or ugly! In the end, we went back to the store where our current furniture is also from them. Not that their designs are very nice or what, but rather it's more value for money, and in our opinion the designs are acceptable. We bought a package from them at Park Mall. It includes a 3-seat leather sofa, TV console, coffee table, bedframe and mattress.

However, we changed some items. We felt the leather sofa was a tad small, so we change to a fabric L sofa (2.5m). We pick a white TV console (1.6m) and for coffee table, it was too big, so we took the white side table (0.6m) instead. We kept the Q bedframe and change the mattress for a dining table (1.4m) with 4 chairs. Salesman was very nice.

We still have so many things not bought yet and already, we have to lock aside quite a bit of $ for the items that we placed deposit for. If given a choice, we would not want to buy furniture, but ours right now is not in a good condition, or otherwise some pieces are too big.

Edited May 20, 2010 by sff

[sff 0]

your son so cute !

Hee. Boys, I supposed. Surprisingly, he found soccer lame when younger. Now, he thinks soccer so fantastic. Choose sec sch, first qn he ask is, "got soccer cca"? After supplementary in sch on Sat, he will call home and say he's staying back to play soccer. Last time, he will just say "soccer stupid, lah"! Wonder what changed his mind..

[sff 0]

These are some of the stuff we bought so far.

1. Sofa. Ours is black in colour and the cushions are also in black floral prints.

2. TV Console

3. Coffee Table

4. Dining Table. This is 1.7m. Ours is 1.4m

5. Bedframe

[sff 0]

Continue...

6. Bathroom Sink

7. WC

8. Kitchen Sink. Granite. Undermount

9. Kitchen Tap

10. Portable Oven

Edited May 20, 2010 by sff