Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 I started this with my personal feeling: it is really really tough to find a permanent home especially with a very tight pocket, and I thank God for His blessing to get us a home with no cov at current situation . So I came out with this thread to document down every single effort and journey in building this new home.When I said permanent home, it refers to a shelter to built a family, to grow children and probably to stay during our retire ages. With this in mind, we knew that we should buy a spacious one, not too old and not too far from MRT.After browsing more than 10 units at the North, we finally got one at Sembawang, is a 5i located about 500m away from the MRT. It's about 5 minutes walk for me .... We viewed the 13years old flat the night before we went on our honeymoon trip (so coincidence ), and the house is really poor maintained but we are attracted to the price, which the agent said can try without cov. After we left the unit and an hour of consideration, we called the agent and told him that we wanted to try at cost. The agent did not get back right away because he had problem to contact the seller. Not to waste time, we went home and wait for the good news. Then, the agent got back with the confirmation and he drove to our rented house at Yishun just to pick up the 1k OTP fee. That was about 12pm that night, and I almost couldn't sleep that night after the deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 So this is the floor plan.Well we love the squarish layout, easy to decorate. We intend to cover the study area and to make it a room, now I can use it for my partime works, and can turn it to be another bedroom when necessary. And I wanted to add that another plus point is about the kitchen, it is small and just nice! For me, I don't really like a big kitchen because I seldom spend my time there, moreover bigger kitchen means more built-in stuff means more damages to pocket Hmm... one thing lack about this unit is that it doesn't have a balcony. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piknik 1 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Congratulation! Such a spacious place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Just to share a candlelier that always in my mind for long long time alreadyI saw from 淘宝网 and wanted to order 1 for living room, hopefully it turns out to be a nice one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Congratulation! Such a spacious place. Thanks, I am like you, no money still want to do reno. With the tiny amount in CPF and no subsidy, we estimate to fork out atleast 100k for this one. so the budget for reno, haha 20k inclusive of accessories and furnitures. Everything will be on installment plan where possible.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ayazumi 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Hihi, I think $20K for renovation is quite impossible, as you mentioned, the resale flat you bought is poorly maintained. I also tried to find a contractor who can do my renovation at $20k, but I can't find one like that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 So let me list down like this:Complete redo of MBR: S$4,000Overlay pebble flooring at common bathroom + accessories + door: S$1,500Overlay tiles at kitchen: S$1,000Hack kitchen cabinet and redo new set, est. 12ft total: S$3,000Eract new wall for study plus door: S$1,500laminate flooring for living, dining and bedrooms: S$4,000Electrical: S$1,000 (father of friend, she said can be cheaper)Painting, wallpaper, bar counter, top hung cabinet above TV console lighting: S$1,000Total S$17,000 nia ma! But is my budget enough?Fridge, TV, cabinet, washing machine, wardrobe, bed, sofa : try to get with installment plan, so not that siong lo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ayazumi 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Above prices you self-budget, or quote from contractor? I think the electrical and painting are under-budget. If you are doing rewiring the whole house, price range might be between $1,500-$2,500. The cheapest I got, father's friend, $1,800 for rewiring. If you want to do overlay tiles, definitely the price is cheaper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Hihi, I think $20K for renovation is quite impossible, as you mentioned, the resale flat you bought is poorly maintained. I also tried to find a contractor who can do my renovation at $20k, but I can't find one like thatI happened to pass by this contractor at Yishun central: Tay Heng Long Renovation Construction I saw from their brochure that the reno package for 2 toilets is S$5,580 including hacking and waterproofing, but no shower screen. Their package for kitchen is also S$5,000 plus including hacking, waterproofing and 10ft of solid wood kitchen cabinet. Not sure if there are any hidden costs. Maybe you can try first and let me know? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ayazumi 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 I happened to pass by this contractor at Yishun central: Tay Heng Long Renovation Construction I saw from their brochure that the reno package for 2 toilets is S$5,580 including hacking and waterproofing, but no shower screen. Their package for kitchen is also S$5,000 plus including hacking, waterproofing and 10ft of solid wood kitchen cabinet. Not sure if there are any hidden costs. Maybe you can try first and let me know? I have found a contractor already. I set my budget 30k, and I am able to meet below or just nice 30k. My renovation has delayed to next month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 Above prices you self-budget, or quote from contractor? I think the electrical and painting are under-budget. If you are doing rewiring the whole house, price range might be between $1,500-$2,500. The cheapest I got, father's friend, $1,800 for rewiring. If you want to do overlay tiles, definitely the price is cheaper.I will try to maintain all the lighting points, but maybe to change the switches etc. As to the paint, I need to paint only the ceiling, doors, 4 bedrooms' three wall (p/s, another wall will use wallpaper). Donno if enough. For wallpaper, I think I can get it at S$10 per roll (5.3sqm/roll) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ayazumi 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 I will try to maintain all the lighting points, but maybe to change the switches etc. As to the paint, I need to paint only the ceiling, doors, 4 bedrooms' three wall (p/s, another wall will use wallpaper). Donno if enough. For wallpaper, I think I can get it at S$10 per roll (5.3sqm/roll)If maintain the lighting points, and to only change the switches or relocate your point, the price is between $75-90 per point. It depends how many points you want to relocate, then you times (X) the number of points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 ayazumi, thanks for the tip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZzzMonster 7 Report post Posted February 7, 2012 I happened to pass by this contractor at Yishun central: Tay Heng Long Renovation Construction I saw from their brochure that the reno package for 2 toilets is S$5,580 including hacking and waterproofing, but no shower screen. Their package for kitchen is also S$5,000 plus including hacking, waterproofing and 10ft of solid wood kitchen cabinet. Not sure if there are any hidden costs. Maybe you can try first and let me know? You may want to check out the link below... Not sure if its true... http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=46683 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoo8899 0 Report post Posted February 8, 2012 Nowaday very hard to find a realiable contractor, well-known one charge you expensive, no-name one don't know the workmanship.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
