Hdb Resale 5Rm 12Yrs 121Sqm

[filetofish 0]

Day 47 - Installed wrought iron gate, kitchen cabinet top, and bathroom glass doors

Wrought iron gate installed, but main door peep-hole is partially blocked.

Kitchen cabinet top with under-mount sink

[filetofish 0]

Common bathroom glass door

I had previously asked for the door to swing 2-ways. But they installed a stopper so now it can only swing into the bathroom.

MBR bathroom glass door

They installed a stopper here too. Now the door can only swing out of the bathroom.

MBR bathroom mirror

[filetofish 0]

Although renovation is almost completed by now (it's already 2 weeks over-run from the original schedule), there are still many issues to be fixed before I can move in.

Examples of some key issues:

1. The quality of the wardrobe is very poor. I've highlighted it to my ID and he says it'll be replaced. That was 3 days ago.

2. I'm concerned that the space for my fridge may not be sufficient, or its doors may not fully open due to obstruction. My fridge was delivered 2 weeks ago, till now they have not installed my fridge.

3. I retained the fireproof main door to save cost. They took it down when hacking commenced. When they put it back up last week, I noticed that the door does not fully closed. My ID said it was an issue with the door frame. Even if we replaced the door, the alignment problem will still be there. So I said "Fine. Change the door frame." 3 days ago, he said that they will try to ascertain where the obstructions are and sand it off, so that the door will fit.

And many other problems.

I currently maintain a list of about 30 items which I have highlighted to the ID to fix. I also specifically asked him to send me his list (to see if he didn't note down or missed out anything) and when each item will be resolved so that I can check and feedback immediately. However, it's been 3 days and he's still not given me anything.

This is getting tiring and frustrating. One of the reasons why we chose this company over other options was because they said they can complete the renovation in 2 months. I should be able to move in, pending some small touch-up items. It's been 2.5 months and it's still not in move-in condition. What actions can I take against them?

[fishponder 0]

Hi may I know where you ordered your iron gate from? The designs I've seen so far seem to be quite limited. Yours is nice!

[filetofish 0]

Hi may I know where you ordered your iron gate from? The designs I've seen so far seem to be quite limited. Yours is nice!

Thanks! I got it from Metalworld.

[filetofish 0]

Problem with the partially covered peephole is resolved.

[feeshee 0]

Although renovation is almost completed by now (it's already 2 weeks over-run from the original schedule), there are still many issues to be fixed before I can move in.

Examples of some key issues:

1. The quality of the wardrobe is very poor. I've highlighted it to my ID and he says it'll be replaced. That was 3 days ago.

2. I'm concerned that the space for my fridge may not be sufficient, or its doors may not fully open due to obstruction. My fridge was delivered 2 weeks ago, till now they have not installed my fridge.

3. I retained the fireproof main door to save cost. They took it down when hacking commenced. When they put it back up last week, I noticed that the door does not fully closed. My ID said it was an issue with the door frame. Even if we replaced the door, the alignment problem will still be there. So I said "Fine. Change the door frame." 3 days ago, he said that they will try to ascertain where the obstructions are and sand it off, so that the door will fit.

And many other problems.

I currently maintain a list of about 30 items which I have highlighted to the ID to fix. I also specifically asked him to send me his list (to see if he didn't note down or missed out anything) and when each item will be resolved so that I can check and feedback immediately. However, it's been 3 days and he's still not given me anything.

This is getting tiring and frustrating. One of the reasons why we chose this company over other options was because they said they can complete the renovation in 2 months. I should be able to move in, pending some small touch-up items. It's been 2.5 months and it's still not in move-in condition. What actions can I take against them?

Possible to lodge a complaint w the ID's company and request to change person? They usually have a few designers, so even if the company is good the designer may not be...

[filetofish 0]

Possible to lodge a complaint w the ID's company and request to change person? They usually have a few designers, so even if the company is good the designer may not be...

We spoke to the boss of the company and requested that he take over to oversee the project. However, it seems nothing's changed.

He's still letting that ID liaise with us.

Quality of work continue to be poor.

Progress of rectification has been very slow

Completion date has been pushed back time and again.

[filetofish 0]

Glass backing for kitchen top is completed!

[filetofish 0]

We asked our ID why there was such a big gap between the wardrobe to the window. He said it was built based on measurements.

So we asked him to build another platform and shift a cabinet over. The pictures below shows the new platform that was built in.

In the close-up shot, one can easily tell that the platform is of the wrong height. Instead of replacing it immediately, the carpenter went ahead to plaster it to the wall.

My blood pressure keeps getting higher...

[taichipanda 3]

Although renovation is almost completed by now (it's already 2 weeks over-run from the original schedule), there are still many issues to be fixed before I can move in.

Examples of some key issues:

1. The quality of the wardrobe is very poor. I've highlighted it to my ID and he says it'll be replaced. That was 3 days ago.

2. I'm concerned that the space for my fridge may not be sufficient, or its doors may not fully open due to obstruction. My fridge was delivered 2 weeks ago, till now they have not installed my fridge.

3. I retained the fireproof main door to save cost. They took it down when hacking commenced. When they put it back up last week, I noticed that the door does not fully closed. My ID said it was an issue with the door frame. Even if we replaced the door, the alignment problem will still be there. So I said "Fine. Change the door frame." 3 days ago, he said that they will try to ascertain where the obstructions are and sand it off, so that the door will fit.

And many other problems.

I currently maintain a list of about 30 items which I have highlighted to the ID to fix. I also specifically asked him to send me his list (to see if he didn't note down or missed out anything) and when each item will be resolved so that I can check and feedback immediately. However, it's been 3 days and he's still not given me anything.

This is getting tiring and frustrating. One of the reasons why we chose this company over other options was because they said they can complete the renovation in 2 months. I should be able to move in, pending some small touch-up items. It's been 2.5 months and it's still not in move-in condition. What actions can I take against them?

Part of the main door frame is embedded into your concrete floor for sturdy structure reason, best not to change it cos new door frame cannot be done the same way as the original door frame. In order to change your main door frame, must hack the tiles around the door frame, too much work, something your ID would not dare to do.

ID work on commission-based; best dont change ID halfway into your reno cos the next one maybe worst than the first. And most ID has a pride to maintain, if you change him to another ID and if you regret, you want to change back he may not take your job. Roughly can tell your ID is inexperience.

[taichipanda 3]

This is the common bathroom. The drain at the shower area is not where I specified it to be.

I want it to be at the corner so that when I shower, I won't be stepping on it.

I've given the feedback to my ID and he said he'll get it corrected.

To construct a side outlet to route waste water to main outlet, due to the floor thickness to be effective for waterproof for your neighbor below, the pipe diameter cannot use 4" (that is the original outlet diameter), usually will use 2" diameter pipe so if you bath without water-saving shower head, it will create a puddle of water very fast cos the drainage cannot route waste water fast enough.

Now your toilet floor is completed, if you die die want the above, they need to hack the floor tile and need to redo the waterproofing again at your expense. I would suggest you change to different type of floor trap.

[taichipanda 3]

We asked our ID why there was such a big gap between the wardrobe to the window. He said it was built based on measurements.

So we asked him to build another platform and shift a cabinet over. The pictures below shows the new platform that was built in.

In the close-up shot, one can easily tell that the platform is of the wrong height. Instead of replacing it immediately, the carpenter went ahead to plaster it to the wall.

My blood pressure keeps getting higher...

Relax and hear me out. There must be a reason for building a pole system wardrobe this way...

If you want to build it wall to wall, then the wall must not have window; if not the clothes will be quite dusty, so most logical planning is to build frame around the pole system with sliding door, then the little space next to window, customer can put a stand alone clothes hanger. Not all people will straight away throw the clothes they wear directly into the laundry bag, i'm sure many people hang it somewhere to air dry or to wear later on, that little space is perfect for such thing.

If they build a platform wall to wall, like what you have now... if you want to build a frame with sliding door later on, then they must hack away part of the platform which will affect the stability of the entire pole system. Actually i see the pole system wardrobe is build correctly, just that your ID is lousy in explaining why it is done this way and did not offer alternatives to you.

Your ID is inexperience in communicating with both the customers and contractors. Good ID will do progress report on at least a alternate day basis and discuss with customer what job is going to be done next and any concern or last minute changes from customer. When i say last minute changes means minor changes not involving complete redo with additional or complete different set of materials. If customer really want such huge changes, customer must be told to expect delay up to a week for ordering and delivering of materials.

All these miscommunication between you and your ID leads me to the following questions - Where and how you find your ID and what research you done on them? Have you talk to any of their customers before? Have you seen any of their current ongoing project? Seen testimonials from their past customers?

Edited June 16, 2012 by taichipanda

[filetofish 0]

Part of the main door frame is embedded into your concrete floor for sturdy structure reason, best not to change it cos new door frame cannot be done the same way as the original door frame. In order to change your main door frame, must hack the tiles around the door frame, too much work, something your ID would not dare to do.

ID work on commission-based; best dont change ID halfway into your reno cos the next one maybe worst than the first. And most ID has a pride to maintain, if you change him to another ID and if you regret, you want to change back he may not take your job. Roughly can tell your ID is inexperience.

Thanks for your advice. ID decided to change door and guarantee that the mis-alignment will be resolved. He didn't talk about price though, so I'm not sure if he's going to charge me for it.

The door was ok when we took over the house from the previous owner. They took down the door to facilitate their hacking/renovation and when they put it back up, it's mis-aligned. My view is that they should bear the cost of replacement since it was damaged during their work.

[filetofish 0]

To construct a side outlet to route waste water to main outlet, due to the floor thickness to be effective for waterproof for your neighbor below, the pipe diameter cannot use 4" (that is the original outlet diameter), usually will use 2" diameter pipe so if you bath without water-saving shower head, it will create a puddle of water very fast cos the drainage cannot route waste water fast enough.

Now your toilet floor is completed, if you die die want the above, they need to hack the floor tile and need to redo the waterproofing again at your expense. I would suggest you change to different type of floor trap.

Thanks. I'll test out the rate of water flow when I move in and take a shower. Really hope it's ok. We already have enough problems and have compromised on our standard so that we can move in. Getting ID to open up the floor and redo will be the last resort.