Windows Installation for resale flat

[StaceySJ 0]

Hi,

I bought a resale flat earlier this year and engaged an ID company for my renovation.

There has been a lot of challenges with the ID company from appointment till now and one of the issues I have been trying to resolve is the windows installation.

I personally find the workmanship really bad but was told by the ID that this is the norm in the market. A friend of mine is currently renovating her place as well had her windows installed and the workmanship is way neater and nicer.  

I will be really grateful if anyone can give me some advise and feedback on this. Whether the workmanship is really bad or if I am just being too particular/demanding. This ID company is one of the big ones in Singapore and I am paying quite a sum for renovation.

Below are photos of the windows. FYI, the workmanship actually looks worse in actual than what's showing on photos.

Really appreciate any help from anyone.

Many thanks!

[snoozee 98]

can't really comment if this is the normal standard of not but my parent's place windows was done like this during the HDB upgrading exercise almost 20 years ago.

The original window frames have to be removed together with part of the cement on the wall and later on, the new frame is installed and the gaps filled back with cement. the lines you see is due to the workers brushing the wet cement with a wet sponge or brush to smoothen the cement surface. I must comment that the external parts are quite badly done as the workers didn't seem to bother to smoothen the edges and just leave them jagged.

in order to do a nice finish, the workers would have to apply a layer of plaster to fill in the imperfections of the cement and later on use sandpaper to sand down the surface for a smooth finish before applying paint primer/sealant and finally the finishing paint. the plastering and sanding down is a very tedious process and can take a few days to complete since everything is done by hand.

it is common for plaster to crack after drying so what is normally done is that more plaster is used to fill in the cracks and then the surface is sanded down after the plaster has dried and then paint is applied.

My understanding is that anything outside your house belongs to HDB and painting is not allowed. But your contractor could have at least gotten some paint which matches the external wall colour to do the touch up instead of just leaving it as raw plaster since the raw plaster can absorb water when it rains.

[harky 1]

outside i dont care (outside hard to make it nice nice as they are doing from inside) .. but inside had to be flash level haha 

Edited September 21, 2020 by harky

[StaceySJ 0]

3 hours ago, snoozee said:

can't really comment if this is the normal standard of not but my parent's place windows was done like this during the HDB upgrading exercise almost 20 years ago.

The original window frames have to be removed together with part of the cement on the wall and later on, the new frame is installed and the gaps filled back with cement. the lines you see is due to the workers brushing the wet cement with a wet sponge or brush to smoothen the cement surface. I must comment that the external parts are quite badly done as the workers didn't seem to bother to smoothen the edges and just leave them jagged.

in order to do a nice finish, the workers would have to apply a layer of plaster to fill in the imperfections of the cement and later on use sandpaper to sand down the surface for a smooth finish before applying paint primer/sealant and finally the finishing paint. the plastering and sanding down is a very tedious process and can take a few days to complete since everything is done by hand.

it is common for plaster to crack after drying so what is normally done is that more plaster is used to fill in the cracks and then the surface is sanded down after the plaster has dried and then paint is applied.

My understanding is that anything outside your house belongs to HDB and painting is not allowed. But your contractor could have at least gotten some paint which matches the external wall colour to do the touch up instead of just leaving it as raw plaster since the raw plaster can absorb water when it rains.

Thanks for the detailed explanation!! 

Understand that anything exterior belongs to HDB and that they can't do any painting as well. But the jagging edges are really an eyesore. I have tried looking at other units' windows from the outside (those who had done windows replacement) and I haven't seen any that's done so poorly. 

Interior wise, the plastering/cement is really bad and some windows are bulging out and not aligned with the wall. 

Really wasn't expecting such workmanship from such a reputable ID company. 

Edited September 21, 2020 by StaceySJ
Incomplete reply

[StaceySJ 0]

1 hour ago, harky said:

outside i dont care (outside hard to make it nice nice as they are doing from inside) .. but inside had to be flash level haha 

Hahaha... I don't know if the interior are considered flash level now but definitely doesn't look like it is to me. Or maybe it is just me being too picky?? ? 

[snoozee 98]

it the flat is an old flat where the walls are not plastered smooth, I guess this standard is "acceptable". but your flat seems to have the walls all plastered nice and smooth so this finishing around the windows doesn't look too good.

personally, looking at the jagged edged outside, it kind of shows that either the contractor is rushing to complete or simply can't be bothered.

[GarryGrey 0]

Maximize the detail of your home's windows. By the time I got to the end of the post, I had already forgotten what you were talking about or asking about. Since I'm not a window expert, your windows seem pretty cool to me, so I don't know what else to say.

[GianCann 0]

Since I'm not an expert either, I can't tell if your windows have a problem or if everything is fine. In my opinion, everything looks good too. You might want to consult some other experts. If your windows are standard size, read more here https://thwindowsdoors.com/brief-look-standard-window-sizes-door-sizes/. I was lucky enough to have standard door size and I contacted this company to install new and quality doors in my house, and the work is excellent in my opinion.

[Judii 0]

I had the same problem with the walls, I don't know what to do, the walls started cracking just like in your picture, who knows how to help it?

[Jimmy Sky 0]

I see that the walls around your windows are cracked and to be honest it may not be just the windows that are the problem, try replacing the windows and do something about the walls, you could also try installing roof lights for additional lighting in your home as this will not only help your design but will also help light up your home and make it incredibly stylish, hope I helped you, have a great day!