Suggestions For Renovation For Rental Place

[kelin 0]

Hi All,

I am a newbie here and really glad i found this forum for all the excellent tips and suggestions . I'm very new to renovation and need a lot of guidance from you all

I recently rented a new 3 room Standard model HDB flat, the very very old type. The owner is HDB and they won't do any excessive grading for us. The floor is undone, no kitchen cabinet, the common bathroom is even the squat toilet kind and with metal door where there is a gap between the door and the ceiling...(the reason I rented such place is because of the location, and the price is really a steal..although now im not sure if it still after all the renovation it needs...)

Now I have a few burning questions that need your expertise to help with.

1. I want to do some really simple and cheap flooring, like vinyl flooring for the living hall and the two bedrooms. Where can i find cheap supplier? is it advisable to buy the materials and lay the floor myself, or should i engage a handyman?

2. I need to do some simple painting, just white-wash (no ceiling, just walls) to freshen up the place. Again, is it advisable to do the painting myself or should I engage the same handyman who does the flooring to do the painting for me? or should i engage a separate one for the painting?

3. I want to do something to the door of common bathroom, feel very uncomfortable with the gap between the floor and the ceiling since it is located IN the kitchen...How much will it cost me to change a new door? From what I have dug up in old threads I believe i need to buy door, frame plus installation fee. Is there any other alternative? like perhaps use a wooden plank to cover the gap?

By the way I am not working now so there is free time for any DIY. The goal here is to make the place habitable BUT on a budget since it is just rental, a transition place for 1 year while we are waiting to buy our own flat. We need to save anywhere we can

What do you think? Do you have any recommendation or referral for cheap and reliable workmanship/supplier/contractor?

Thanks a ton!!