Temporary Notice of Renovation Works pasted on the glass window. The renovation can officially begin from 14th April to 16th April (3 days). We will start on 15th Tuesday and have a move-in ceremony (动土仪式) before that.
Showing posts with label Renovation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Renovation. Show all posts
X-Building in Bahagia #12 - Hacking to start
Temporary Notice of Renovation Works pasted on the glass window. The renovation can officially begin from 14th April to 16th April (3 days). We will start on 15th Tuesday and have a move-in ceremony (动土仪式) before that.
X-Building in Bahagia #11 - Peek at Bathroom Stuff
The selection of bathroom sanitary wares and fixtures are supposed to be done at a later stage. But we're deciding on the layout of both of the bathrooms now so we thought of visiting 1 distributor (contact again given by Christina) last Sunday at 50 Kallang Pudding Road.
Not a wide selection here but the guy who served us was super friendly after we told him we're introduced by Christina. He even offered us drinks and told us if we're looking for any fixtures that aren't displayed we could ask them to get it for us. Have surveyed around also, that a similar Hansgrohe shower head here cost lesser than another established bathroom ware distributor. Will look more into the prices soon.
They have package sets, all fixtures & accessories included in. About $1600+.
Not a wide selection here but the guy who served us was super friendly after we told him we're introduced by Christina. He even offered us drinks and told us if we're looking for any fixtures that aren't displayed we could ask them to get it for us. Have surveyed around also, that a similar Hansgrohe shower head here cost lesser than another established bathroom ware distributor. Will look more into the prices soon.
They have package sets, all fixtures & accessories included in. About $1600+.
X-Building in Bahagia #10 - Selection of Tiles for Level 1 and Both Bathrooms
Christina has given us some tile shops contacts along Balestier Road. Last Sunday, we went to LSH and Hafary (2 shops at the extreme ends of 1 block). The first shop we went to, we were super inexperienced but the lady was nice and patient enough to attend to us (even though the afternoon looks really hectic).
We've decided to replace our expensive chengai wood deck (we were quoted 3k+!) at the patio with these wood-looking tiles. But the tiles at LSH are 15 x 60, which make it a bit short to replicate the strips.
They're cheap though, $3.30 psf. And the walnut oak grains are beautiful.
We've decided to replace our expensive chengai wood deck (we were quoted 3k+!) at the patio with these wood-looking tiles. But the tiles at LSH are 15 x 60, which make it a bit short to replicate the strips.
They're cheap though, $3.30 psf. And the walnut oak grains are beautiful.
X-Building in Bahagia #9 - Let there be Light! ... and Water?
Last week we walked over to the Singapore Power building during lunch time and opened an account!
On Tuesday, we waited at the new place for the Singapore Power guy to come turn on our lights and water (well, renovation for sure
On Tuesday, we waited at the new place for the Singapore Power guy to come turn on our lights and water (well, renovation for sure
X-Building in Bahagia #8 - Decided on Christina, why?
We've been busy with ding-donging with quotes from the Interior Designers and contractor... till I've lost track of the progress. Debated on the pricing, learnt some new contractor terms, read a lot of Renotalk - and finally decided on Christina.
Christina's pricing - as compared to the other 2 shortlisted ones where I've posted up their layouts in my previous post - is much lower. Of course we understand this point that - Interior Designers mark up their prices and spread over the items in the quotation. It is really a big range and we need to compare apple to apple to see which quotation gives the best value.
Other than pricing comparison, Christina is very much familiar with the area and the handling of submissions. *similar to what Johnny mentioned* She would spend 20 minutes explaining to us the whole process of plumbing - the digging and layout of the main underground pipes and the common mistakes other contractors do.
The downside is, we're not very ID-savvy people - we're afraid the design of the house might turn out wrong! But I think it should be alright, just have to equip ourselves with more ID knowledge and fit those requirements into our own lifestyles. *keeping fingers cross*
Since we've already decided to go with Christina, we shall be starting the renovations soon. However I foresee that the house won't be completed in time for our ROM (Christina claims that she could but I would feel safer if there's a buffer time for the completion date). Hence this is the reason for changing the venue of ROM from the new house to ROM ROM. There might be changes to doing it in a hotel - let's see.
Christina's pricing - as compared to the other 2 shortlisted ones where I've posted up their layouts in my previous post - is much lower. Of course we understand this point that - Interior Designers mark up their prices and spread over the items in the quotation. It is really a big range and we need to compare apple to apple to see which quotation gives the best value.
Let's say for a very simple example, to build a washing machine base with cement - Ms I quoted $100, Ms D quoted $90 while Christina quoted $60~.
Other than pricing comparison, Christina is very much familiar with the area and the handling of submissions. *similar to what Johnny mentioned* She would spend 20 minutes explaining to us the whole process of plumbing - the digging and layout of the main underground pipes and the common mistakes other contractors do.
She said the front patio and backyard tiling would not need to be waterproofed but Ms I quoted that all outdoor areas need to be waterproofed. About who is right, I'm not very sure but I would trust Christina more as she has done up a lot of units in the area. Being a resident here herself, it gives her the extra advantage.
The downside is, we're not very ID-savvy people - we're afraid the design of the house might turn out wrong! But I think it should be alright, just have to equip ourselves with more ID knowledge and fit those requirements into our own lifestyles. *keeping fingers cross*
Since we've already decided to go with Christina, we shall be starting the renovations soon. However I foresee that the house won't be completed in time for our ROM (Christina claims that she could but I would feel safer if there's a buffer time for the completion date). Hence this is the reason for changing the venue of ROM from the new house to ROM ROM. There might be changes to doing it in a hotel - let's see.
X-Building in Bahagia #7 - Some Proposed Interior Layouts
Finally. We’ve given 5 briefs away, 1 gave up, we’re left with 4! I wonder how some people in the forums can go up to asking for 10 quotes! Chuck is already so tired coordinating and repeating the things we wanna do. I’m very tired opening the windows and doors and locking them up a while later. All in all, we done this 7 times within 2 weeks! To the 5 different IDs, another repeat session today to one of them, and one session with our friend. It is indeed a tiresome job to build this home.
Anyway, we also went to check out the Modern Living Home Fair at Expo, and we realized we’ve only covered 100m in an hour before we got to rush off to another place. Our last stop at the Expo was at Supreme Flooring - a super laminate flooring which I was rather impressed with. Anyway I might check it out again this week. On the other hand, I have no idea what to expect from the IDs while waiting for all the quotes to come in.
Image from Chweech's reno thread at myhometown.sg
I mentioned about thisuseless original floor plan
Anyway, we also went to check out the Modern Living Home Fair at Expo, and we realized we’ve only covered 100m in an hour before we got to rush off to another place. Our last stop at the Expo was at Supreme Flooring - a super laminate flooring which I was rather impressed with. Anyway I might check it out again this week. On the other hand, I have no idea what to expect from the IDs while waiting for all the quotes to come in.
Image from Chweech's reno thread at myhometown.sg
I mentioned about this
X-Building in Bahagia #6 - Engaging the Interior Designers
*Warning - long post ahead*
We're in the midst of arranging to see IDs / contractors. We have been really busy going to the house during lunch time. SOmetimes we skip lunch and bought a fillet to munch and a can of coke to share in the car. Sometimes we pop by the Whampoa market for a quick bite. Luckily the office is just 10 minutes drive away, which makes all the ID meetings worthwhile.
VERY BUSY!
#1 - The first contractor Christina is a female contractor, who came after a site meeting at the corner unit of next block last week. She's someone of very small build and rather soft spoken. Though she didn't come with any namecards or didn't have a notebook to jot things down, she IS very familiar with the structure of the house. Afterall,
We're in the midst of arranging to see IDs / contractors. We have been really busy going to the house during lunch time. SOmetimes we skip lunch and bought a fillet to munch and a can of coke to share in the car. Sometimes we pop by the Whampoa market for a quick bite. Luckily the office is just 10 minutes drive away, which makes all the ID meetings worthwhile.
VERY BUSY!
#1 - The first contractor Christina is a female contractor, who came after a site meeting at the corner unit of next block last week. She's someone of very small build and rather soft spoken. Though she didn't come with any namecards or didn't have a notebook to jot things down, she IS very familiar with the structure of the house. Afterall,
X-Building in Bahagia #5 - The Uncluttered House. A Comparison.
Let us take a look at the empty house and gauge the space for ourselves.
The patio area where it used to be cluttered with boxes (of course the previous owner was in the midst of moving away). They left us with a very old shoe cupboard with an attached seat.
The mini garden area didn't change much - but the christmas tree was removed (thanks) and some cracked pots stayed put (thanks again).
Patio
The patio area where it used to be cluttered with boxes (of course the previous owner was in the midst of moving away). They left us with a very old shoe cupboard with an attached seat.
The mini garden area didn't change much - but the christmas tree was removed (thanks) and some cracked pots stayed put (thanks again).
X-Building in Bahagia #4 - Keys collected. What to Hack?
Good news, we got the keys! Tomorrow will also be the first time we're meeting an ID. We found her contact when we were doing our rounds some time back around the area. The contractor Christina told us she designed some homes in the same area so we reckon she should be experienced to offer some good ideas and solutions to very problematic space planning issues.
I'm pretty excited about it and have been thinking about what changes we want to do to our new home. I would like to bring our concerns up to the ID and listen out to sound advice. That of course, includes staying within budget. We need a major revamp here!
I'm pretty excited about it and have been thinking about what changes we want to do to our new home. I would like to bring our concerns up to the ID and listen out to sound advice. That of course, includes staying within budget. We need a major revamp here!
X-Building in Bahagia #1 - Ideas from other Terrace Houses under Renovation
Let's do some fun things today and look at some of the units under renovation. We're also going to compare a layout with a centre vs a side staircase.
