My Home, 4I In Tanjong Pagar Plaza

[v1hypersg 0]

1st nightmare,

went to meet the 1st ID recently,

was not very keen to meet up with this company as they only send me 2 package and that's it.

other IDs, based on what i requested, gave me customised quotations according to what i would like to do,

went down to meet with the ID,

as i did not prepare myself much, just thought i sit and listen to what they have to say,

ask the guy if he will be the one that will attend to me from start to completion of the renovation, he said yes,

then he pass me few thick booklets of the reno projects that his company did,

i also pass him some information and ideas which i have,

then another of his colleague, joined in and participate in the discussion,

then after listening to my idea, they said the addition of another toilet bowl in my toilets is not feasible as approval might not be give by hdb and also cost a lot of money,

then they mentioned some other ideas and we chatted along,

i ask for schematic sketches or rough drawings of what they proposed but they said i have to pay 1.5k deposit,

then if i decided not to go along with them, i can top up another 3.5k to take up their kitchen package,

i emphasized that they are the only company to force sell their packages rather than customised quote for me,

and they keep saying that there are a lot of hidden costs for those customised packages,

then they say they can provide the customised quotation in 1 weeks' time and ask me to make appt with them on the following week to discuss,

i asked them to email me the quote and their proposals in advance so that i can have a look or compare their prices with other firms,

they say i can bring down other quotes and compare it with them on the spot and clarify my doubts on the spot,

i feel 'raped' or trapped by them with their forced selling tactics,

one conclusion, any ID which keep calling you, are not good IDs because they are so free to pester customers to sign their packages rather than busy with projects on hand,

straight away, dump these IDs immediately and dont waste your time,

also they keep asking what is my budget, why they cannot offer proposals with the costs and i decided which i want,

please PM me for this ID firm to avoid being caught in the same bad situation

[Hoo8899 0]

1st nightmare,

went to meet the 1st ID recently,

was not very keen to meet up with this company as they only send me 2 package and that's it.

other IDs, based on what i requested, gave me customised quotations according to what i would like to do,

went down to meet with the ID,

as i did not prepare myself much, just thought i sit and listen to what they have to say,

ask the guy if he will be the one that will attend to me from start to completion of the renovation, he said yes,

then he pass me few thick booklets of the reno projects that his company did,

i also pass him some information and ideas which i have,

then another of his colleague, joined in and participate in the discussion,

then after listening to my idea, they said the addition of another toilet bowl in my toilets is not feasible as approval might not be give by hdb and also cost a lot of money,

then they mentioned some other ideas and we chatted along,

i ask for schematic sketches or rough drawings of what they proposed but they said i have to pay 1.5k deposit,

then if i decided not to go along with them, i can top up another 3.5k to take up their kitchen package,

i emphasized that they are the only company to force sell their packages rather than customised quote for me,

and they keep saying that there are a lot of hidden costs for those customised packages,

then they say they can provide the customised quotation in 1 weeks' time and ask me to make appt with them on the following week to discuss,

i asked them to email me the quote and their proposals in advance so that i can have a look or compare their prices with other firms,

they say i can bring down other quotes and compare it with them on the spot and clarify my doubts on the spot,

i feel 'raped' or trapped by them with their forced selling tactics,

one conclusion, any ID which keep calling you, are not good IDs because they are so free to pester customers to sign their packages rather than busy with projects on hand,

straight away, dump these IDs immediately and dont waste your time,

also they keep asking what is my budget, why they cannot offer proposals with the costs and i decided which i want,

please PM me for this ID firm to avoid being caught in the same bad situation

Feel bad on your experience, but it is indeed true that no one will give you drawings unless you pay some $$$. There is 1 famous ID in renotalk by the name of Ben, try to contact him and see if you would have better chemistry.

[v1hypersg 0]

but what is the point if after discussing the ideas you would like to do for the house reno, the ID cannot provide an concept drawing, i mean, even a sketch, how can the customer visualise how the place is going to be ?

furthermore, it is not just a few dollars,

imagine paying 1 million dollars for a bowl of fishball noodle, you would at least have a small sampler and then decide to pay for it, right ?

i do not need details 3d drawing with dimensions but a rough sketch, or else how to decide and sign the contract ?

also for condo show room, they have lay out drawing as well, if there isn't, who would buy ?

sigh .....

[May_dream1 14]

but what is the point if after discussing the ideas you would like to do for the house reno, the ID cannot provide an concept drawing, i mean, even a sketch, how can the customer visualise how the place is going to be ?

furthermore, it is not just a few dollars,

imagine paying 1 million dollars for a bowl of fishball noodle, you would at least have a small sampler and then decide to pay for it, right ?

i do not need details 3d drawing with dimensions but a rough sketch, or else how to decide and sign the contract ?

also for condo show room, they have lay out drawing as well, if there isn't, who would buy ?

sigh .....

for 3D drawings, usually they would need some deposit. i went to one that asked for $300 for 3D. but there are others as well that will do drawing if you are keen. just go look around.... don't be dishearten.

[getzski 1]

but what is the point if after discussing the ideas you would like to do for the house reno, the ID cannot provide an concept drawing, i mean, even a sketch, how can the customer visualise how the place is going to be ?

furthermore, it is not just a few dollars,

imagine paying 1 million dollars for a bowl of fishball noodle, you would at least have a small sampler and then decide to pay for it, right ?

i do not need details 3d drawing with dimensions but a rough sketch, or else how to decide and sign the contract ?

also for condo show room, they have lay out drawing as well, if there isn't, who would buy ?

sigh .....

half of the ID i went to did come back with at least a sketch, but most of them had sketch what they wanted to do(so as to maximize profits), and not factoring my requirements.

don't be dishearten. just keep on reaching ouyt, you will find one that is experienced enough, and knows what you want.

[getzski 1]

if you post your floor plan here, i'm sure there will be kind souls here that would contribute good ideas for your consideration.

[franciz 0]

if you post your floor plan here, i'm sure there will be kind souls here that would contribute good ideas for your consideration.

Ya, post yr floor plan. Let the ideas flow from there.

[v1hypersg 0]

this is the layout of the house,

[v1hypersg 0]

Shot at 2012-03-11

this is the layout of the house,

[adidaem 6]

anyone having same toilet type as mine ?

just 1 toilet and 1 wc,

should i combine into one or keep 2 separate ?

can i install a toilet bowl in to toilet ?

You cannot add another WC/toilet bowl where no outlet already exists. The waste has to go somewhere, so the pipes have to be already in place since you can't possibly relocate or add pipes downstairs in your neighbor's unit.

I think combining or keeping the WC/bathroom separate will depend on your family size/habits. Since there is really only one WC/bathroom, I'll suggest keeping them separate so that if someone takes a long shower, people who urgently need to use the WC can still do so and vice versa. I will however ask the IDs whether another basin, no matter how small, can be added to the WC for hygiene and convenience.

You have not divulged your family size/members or plans (e.g. just couple but plan to have kids soon, etc) so it's quite hard for RT-ers to give constructive comments?

Objectively looking at the MBR, I think wardrobe space may be a challenge and on that basis I would recommend enlarging the MBR by knocking down the wall next to the WC, and either converting to WIW or to take about 60-65 cm to construct a wardrobe along the current wall. But again, it really depends on your family needs and budget. Some people need a home office, some want a games room, some want space for future/current kids/in-laws/maid/etc. So the design really needs to factor in your lifestyle. Any good ID will seek to understand your lifestyle and needs before proposing their design to you.

As for the IDs you have met, I think genuine IDs will give you a rough layout plan sketch at least to explain their design/space planning concept. No detailed technical drawings or 3Ds tho cos these involve a lot of time/cost to produce and no sane business person will put in that much effort/time/$ unless it's for the possibility of a multi-million $ project. In fact, I'll be wary if the ID does provide 3Ds before you make any payment/sign contract cos it may very well be recycled from a previous project. I have heard enough horror stories of recycled/identical designs since HDB layouts tend to be fairly identical, especially for new developments.

Just my 2 cents. No offense meant. Also want to congratulate you on your new home! It's a great location and I'm sure you'll love staying in the city once you move in.

[v1hypersg 0]

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9226/layout1f.jpg

this is a rough idea which i have,

make the odd room with pillar into study and also the storeroom in the study,

then bedroom at the sides,

both bed rooms to have side tables, built into wall and wall mounted lamps, built in desk and built in wardrobes

[v1hypersg 0]

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I will be staying in the house with my wife and dog, no plans to have kids for the time being and occasional friends from overseas popping by to stay over for weekend or a week the most,

i was thinking to the make the middle room or main bedroom into study as it is big and a storeroom in the odd corner,

both bedrooms, just beside table, built in, built in wardrobe and wall mounted lamps

[v1hypersg 0]

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next idea, was to make the middle room as master bedroom with storeroom as per pic attached but not sure how this would work out and then room next to toilet as study

[v1hypersg 0]

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toilet, i was hoping to install another toilet bowl and entrance into kitchen as in the day, when we are working, as least my dog can go in toilet and do his business,

if i leave the whole house for him to roam, he might make a big mess, that is why there must be an entrance from kitchen into toilet,

then next, i thought to change the orientation of toilet bowl to face study room with sliding glass door as it takes a smaller footprint,

then other toilet to install another toilet bowl with shower screen, and small basin and mirror and suspended cabinet underneathe the sink

I checked on this forum and a lady mentioned she managed to install another toilet bowl in the bathroom and no problems

please refer to this link to that reference : http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=47612

as if the above of installing another toilet bowl is doable, i will redo the whole toilet to make that work, i mean if flushing will not have problem and hdb approve,

[adidaem 6]

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toilet, i was hoping to install another toilet bowl and entrance into kitchen as in the day, when we are working, as least my dog can go in toilet and do his business,

if i leave the whole house for him to roam, he might make a big mess, that is why there must be an entrance from kitchen into toilet,

then next, i thought to change the orientation of toilet bowl to face study room with sliding glass door as it takes a smaller footprint,

then other toilet to install another toilet bowl with shower screen, and small basin and mirror and suspended cabinet underneathe the sink

I checked on this forum and a lady mentioned she managed to install another toilet bowl in the bathroom and no problems

please refer to this link to that reference : http://www.renotalk.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=47612

as if the above of installing another toilet bowl is doable, i will redo the whole toilet to make that work, i mean if flushing will not have problem and hdb approve,

Do let us know if HDB approves adding a new WC.