Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Hi all just wanna share our journey, get some comments/criticism (we are open to that too!), and help others in their reno journey as well. the DEn: Pasir Ris 4 room flat 104sqm (corridor unit) I think we sent out more than 15 emails but only met up with 9.List of contractors we met: -Ideal House (no news after meet up)-Adecor (workmanship wasnt up to my expectation; but very prompt otherwise)-Impress21 (workmanship is ok; quote was competitive)-Koncept Design (excellent workmanship; 40% higher than average quotation)-Sq2 Design (no news; kept changing our ideas hence not wat we want)-ID Note (workmanship is ok; competitive quote)-DX Interior (workmanship is ok; competitive quote)-*** (bad reviews online; no quotes sent after meetup)-A&D (no feel; no follow up)It was a tedious and tiring journey thus far.... and i believe it's just the beginning. Edited January 3, 2013 by Z3phy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
multi888 1 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 Welcome to RT, I also from Pasir Ris...hope to see more updates soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Hihi! I've yet to get the keys. (1 Mar 2013 i believe)I'll put up my floor plan once i find out how to work out the photobucket thingy.Testing now!And it worked! so up next will be my ugly drawing.... please bear with it.The initial plan Edited January 31, 2013 by Z3phy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
multi888 1 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 You are doing fine...what block is this? I'm at 700+.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) The previous owner has hacked a portion of the wall up to the structure beam between bedroom 2 and master bedroom and has also sealed up the door for the master bedroom. The flooring for the bedrooms and living room is currently broken marble. Things we wanna do (in addition to the initial plan)Living Room1. to hack off existing floor tiles and have the flooring as concrete screed (I am aware of the cracklines issue)2. to pebble wash the entrance area and to construct a kerb so that the dirt from the shoes is not brought into the house. Idea scrapped.3. to build a half height by 7ft shoe cabinet along the kerb. against the window.4. to build a full height display cabinet (glass doors) as indicated in the design5. to build a suspended console with wall feature for TV Thinking of doing a brick feature wall (stucco)Bedrooms and storeroom1. all bedrooms and storeroom to overlay with vinyl flooring (i think hacking costs can be saved from here)2. to construct a glass-sliding door with gypsum partition in between main bedroom and bedroom 23. to build a featured wall as headboard for bed (also to cover up the structured beam)4. to build a 13ft sliding door wardrobe in main bedroom >>change to casement5. to build a study table cum shelving with settee as per design provided6. to build a sliding door wardrobe in bedroom 3 >> change to casementKitchen and toilets1. to hack all existing floor and wall tiles2. to provide and supply floor and wall tiles for kitchen (no wall tiles) and toilets3. to hack toilet at kitchen area and move the existing toilet wall as per indicated4. to hack 1/2 wall in between 2 toilets to make way for a bigger toilet5. to provide hollow block partition and glass sliding door for in between kitchen cabinet and washing machine area6. base for fridge, cabinets, washing machine7. to build a 2ft full height kitchen cabinet8. to build 8 ft top and bottom kitchen cabinets (total 16 ft) as well as 8ft quartz top9. to build a 3ft by 6 ft island with quartz top for ceramic hob and oven as well as dining area So based on these requirements, the quotations we got ranged from $39k to $76k, averaging at $50k. Edited January 3, 2013 by Z3phy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 You are doing fine...what block is this? I'm at 700+.... when i was looking ard for a flat... there were a few 700+ selling at sky high prices!i'm at 500+ =) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 And the process continues...Shortlisted 3: ID Note, Impress21 and DX InteriorDX interior does not do cement screeding, but we were ok to use "cement-like" tiles as substitute. Issue was, I was not so keen on his "couldnt care less" outlook. Maybe it's just his mannerism. I'm shallow like that. Does provide some ideas for us to mull over.Impress21 was very laidback. Hardly provide alternatives, just accepting everything we planned. Fine.. but i'm afraid carpentry problems might arise in future. The guy serving us was not the boss, wich prbably explains why. My fren did engage them before but dealt with the boss (Henry) directly. Was a breeze.Went to Jurong to see ID Note's workmanship. Nice. He appeared honest and keen. Encouraged us to scrap some of our flowery ideas to save money. Most responsive of all the contractors. We're definitely leaning towards ID Note. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) I was wondering if anyone could help me decide which idea to use...Please once again bear with my horrendous drawing. (i'm no artist as you can tell)Which will you choose? Bar top height or normal dining table height?Some assumptions: 1. The cooker hob is same height in both pictures2. The dining table is against the wall, facing the living room.3. Built in over below cooker hob4. It's hollow below the dining table. (is it better hollow?)5. pls ignore the chairs in the picture.6. No children or elderly living in the hse.7. Do not intend to sell this place.. living long term.10/1/2013 - anyone any idea? Edited January 10, 2013 by Z3phy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nexer 1 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 And the process continues...Shortlisted 3: ID Note, Impress21 and DX InteriorDX interior does not do cement screeding, but we were ok to use "cement-like" tiles as substitute. Issue was, I was not so keen on his "couldnt care less" outlook. Maybe it's just his mannerism. I'm shallow like that. Does provide some ideas for us to mull over.Impress21 was very laidback. Hardly provide alternatives, just accepting everything we planned. Fine.. but i'm afraid carpentry problems might arise in future. The guy serving us was not the boss, wich prbably explains why. My fren did engage them before but dealt with the boss (Henry) directly. Was a breeze.Went to Jurong to see ID Note's workmanship. Nice. He appeared honest and keen. Encouraged us to scrap some of our flowery ideas to save money. Most responsive of all the contractors. We're definitely leaning towards ID Note.Selecting of an ID is always a tiring process but its worth it. It will save u alot of hassle durin the reno period. If you still not decide on your ID, maybe you can get a quote from the ID whom i have engaged. Im happy with his service thus far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 Selecting of an ID is always a tiring process but its worth it. It will save u alot of hassle durin the reno period. If you still not decide on your ID, maybe you can get a quote from the ID whom i have engaged. Im happy with his service thus far.Who did you engage, if i may ask? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nexer 1 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 Who did you engage, if i may ask?I have pm u Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 I have pm uGot it!thanks... it's really tiring. We're still in negotiation with ID Note and if all goes well, it's likely i'll go along with him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 Thanks for the recommendation. But i guess it's ID Note for now. Will keep for future reference!Anyway, we have no access to the flat as yet, probably arranging with the previous owner to view again soon! *i love this icon. lolActually the flat's been empty for few years. No one's living in it but they refused to let us have the keys early. I wonder why. =( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z3phy 2 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Today is the first appointment. Asked the previous owners if i could go over on 12 Jan for some photo taking and measuring.They agreed! so excited..so wait for my pre reno photos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue77 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Who did you engage, if i may ask?HiPersonally , I feel if you have not signed the dotted line you could take your time to make the selection. But congrates on finalising your ID. Looking forward to your renovation pixs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites