Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) It took me a while to decide to start a reno t-blog.I really wanted to start one to share my renovation progress as I have benefited infinitely from the many RT-ers who are ever so kind to keep their threads updated.But I am afraid I lacked the kind of commitment to answer or help people who posted queries. Nonetheless, I have decided to go ahead and start one to "give back" to where I've learnt a lot.My hubby and I bought a 3-room flat in the central area from a SBF exercise more than 3 years ago and we are finally collecting our keys this Thursday.Many have asked, why don't you guys buy a 4-room since the location is so good. My answer to all of them was, my hubby had just started working and I'd just switched job, we did not want to stress ourselves because a 4-room in the area was well over half a million. Now fast forward 3 years with more job security and financial stability, calculations have shown we can pay off our debt in 15 years and we are both very happy about it.This is the floor plan of our modest home.ID hunting started in July and meet-ups happened in August till early September. Initially we told ourselves, just meet 6 will do so we tried shortlisting. But ended up with 9 in the list so we met a total of 9 IDs. I am happy to say most IDs we met were very friendly and professional and know their stuff. We eventually signed the ID whom we were able to communicate with most effectively and were most comfortable with despite their quote being the highest amongt all we have met.He is someone very near our age group and this may have played a big part in communication. Furthermore, he never took more than 10 minutes to reply any of our messages from enquiry time to now, even on Sundays. This is a very important to us as we are not afraid that we can't find him when we need him, it's that kind sense of security. Our ID is, Eric from T** 8*'s S****o.Our requirements for the home was very simple, we didn't want our very small home to look any smaller. And that it has to be bright and light coloured. Both hubby and I looked at what seems like infinite number of photos and decided to jump onto the Scandinavian bandwagon and below are some of the 3Ds.Will be sharing our purchases next on. Edited October 28, 2014 by Huiqing He 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaddyWinter 10 Report post Posted October 28, 2014 wow, central location 3 roomer! The price should be around a 4roomer in other less matured estate I guess..Very nice 3d drawings... Don't need to be bothered about answering queries and stuff... Just keep up with the progress of your renovation actively I believe will be good enough Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g0mug0mu 8 Report post Posted October 28, 2014 The 80s ******! Enjoy the Reno journey!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Feliciachua 3 Report post Posted October 28, 2014 Welcome to RT! Very nice 3d drawings you have.. ..i like the dining table!! Enjoy your reno process! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 29, 2014 wow, central location 3 roomer! The price should be around a 4roomer in other less matured estate I guess..Very nice 3d drawings... Don't need to be bothered about answering queries and stuff... Just keep up with the progress of your renovation actively I believe will be good enough Thank you DaddyWinter, yah I think the price could have fetched us a 4-room elsewhere at the time we bought. There really isn't too many 3-roomers around, happy that you have shared as well.The 80s ******! Enjoy the Reno journey!! Thank you g0mug0mu, we will!Welcome to RT! Very nice 3d drawings you have.. ..i like the dining table!! Enjoy your reno process!Thank you Feliciachua, we will try to enjoy. We eventually changed the dining table ironically. Haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 29, 2014 After looking at our 3Ds and a round of discussion with Eric, we started shopping for loose furniture.This is really difficult for me because I dread the hassle of comparing prices or designs, if I see something I fancy, I would just go ahead. I think the more I see, the more confused I become. Hubby does not approve of this. So after going to many furniture stores, these are the final buys.2 seater sofa in teal from Castlery, $969.http://www.castlery.com/products/hanford-loveseat1.5m Wayne dining table from Comfort Design, $845.http://www.comfortfurniture.com.sg/products/tables/wayne-dining-table/1.5m TV Console from Second Charm, $1500 (I really 不舍得 spend this money but the hubby really like this)https://www.facebook.com/secondcharmfurnitureA pair of metal dining chairs from fortytwo.sg, $126 plus delivery.http://www.fortytwo.sg/living-room/seating/chairs-lounges/retro-metal-chairs/retro-metal-chair-rustic.htmlRita bench from Starliving for the other side of the dining, $190.http://www.starliving.com.sg/e-shop/product-category/relax-chair-bench-stool/rita-bench.htmlReally excited about collecting our keys tomorrow! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Sharing our Taobao lighting buys today. Fortunately for me, the hubby is into Taobao shopping and I just have to give him the link and he will do the rest. Including comparing the pricing of forwarders. He managed to find out that Peeka offers sea freight based on actual weight if you are using their forwarding service. This definitely saves us a lot of money because some of the lights are packed in bulky packaging for protection but aren't really heavy. Because of this, we saved about $60 for the shipping of our dining light. The hubby also prefers to order and send stuff in batches, he says, "don't put all your eggs in one basket."Dining area lighthttp://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&id=38577802511&_u=u1ervrhv7856Kitchen lightshttp://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&id=36000979631&_u=u1ervrhv1474MBR Bedside lightshttp://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&id=40483196292&_u=u1ervrhve94aWalkway lighthttp://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=35433036649&spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&_u=u1ervrhv6da8Bedroom 2 Lighthttp://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=35983309792&spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&_u=u1ervrhv5723 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Bunker lights for storeroom, service yard and both toilets.http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&id=38086989290&_u=u1ervrhv5687Living room track lightshttp://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=18526497926&spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&_u=u1ervrhv254fPhilips LED lightbulbshttp://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&id=38588350638&_u=u1ervrhve0dfEdison bulbshttp://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?id=25859540830&spm=a1z0k.7385961.1997985097.d4918997.Cclgvc&_u=u1ervrhve3b8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 31, 2014 (edited) Finally collected our keys yesterday, we were all jittery and the hubby says more nervous than our wedding day.Our keys to a new beginning!Our super small living and dining area.Fun sized kitchen as we would term it (self-consoling).The view that we really love.We checked for defects and have heard from neighbours that there ain't major defects except the window frames and we jumped straight to the windows when we went over. Indeed they were filled with chips all over like this.There are some other minor ones like uneven plastering and broken grout lines. We submitted the defects on the same day and the BSC says hopefully it can be done in 7 days. The lady in the office says it's faster this period as the contractors are still working on 2 other blocks. If all blocks have been handed over, the rectifications will take longer as the contractors got to travel from other sites.Anybody has suggestions to where we should really take note of? My hubby thinks we were not through enough and we should go through again. My ID was there with us but he thought what we submitted were what need to be done. He also brought along his electrician to propose all the electrical points. The electrician drew all over the walls the suggestions and says he will let our ID know the price to fix up the electricity of the whole house. Will the ID take a cut? Edited October 31, 2014 by Huiqing He Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
binzz 10 Report post Posted October 31, 2014 Your new place is a superb location, right beside MRT, lucky you... We are in the same neighbourhood.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted October 31, 2014 Your new place is a superb location, right beside MRT, lucky you... We are in the same neighbourhood.. Thank you binzz, we love this area and also think we are very lucky. Too much good food. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huiqing He 7 Report post Posted November 3, 2014 The electrician quoted us the following prices. Is it considered expensive?New lighting/fan point: $60 each1x13amp socket outlet: $70 each2x13amp socket outlet: $75 eachSCV/Lan point relocation: $90 eachPhone point relocation: $60 eachInstall track light: $30 eachInstall light: $15 eachInstall fan: $60 eachShift light point: $45 eachBlack PVC piping for living room: $150Conceal trunking for TV cable: $100We were quite stumped when we got to know it costs $1790 to fix the electricity for the whole house. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaisharon 1 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Hi huiqing, I think the price is reasonable for double and scv point. I had called a few they charge me more. By the way, is the electrician license? Can PM me your electrician contact? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simple13 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 Overall, your electical cost is ok.I mean, some are a bit higher and some a bit lower but overall it evens out.Main thing, u must be comfortable with the electrical...as can talk anot.Yes....electrical works are expensive.....this is 1 area many (including myself) overlook I would say to go for all double gang socket is better as more value for money and if 1 spoil, no need immediate change, and area still can be use n not become a "powerless zone" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jabbathehutt 3 Report post Posted November 4, 2014 how many socket points are u looking at in total? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
