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 #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
First Fish Head Steamboat - The Corner Stall
Chuck and I got a chance to check out the newly renovated Whampoa Food Centre. On Friday we had the Hoover Rojak (heard it's famous but it was my first time hence I'm not sure if that's the actual stall anyway) and Duck Rice for lunch. On Saturday we had a very nice Fish Head Steamboat (鱼头炉) dinner!
Method: Portable Gas Cooker (It's either the soup is really really nice or I'm too hungry. *thumbs up*)
It's the stall from the corner of Blk 90 Whampoa Drive. Have seen some other stalls with fish head steamboat too but we have yet to try everything, so this is the first. No wonder they say Balestier is the land of fish head steamboat!
I also realized the hawker centre has 2 sections. While the one I was at (Blk 90) seems vibrant for a Saturday night, the other one looks empty as most of the stalls were not opened (Blk 91).
*shrugs* Good thing is - it's about 10 minutes walk away from my place! :)
Method: Portable Gas Cooker (It's either the soup is really really nice or I'm too hungry. *thumbs up*)
It's the stall from the corner of Blk 90 Whampoa Drive. Have seen some other stalls with fish head steamboat too but we have yet to try everything, so this is the first. No wonder they say Balestier is the land of fish head steamboat!
I also realized the hawker centre has 2 sections. While the one I was at (Blk 90) seems vibrant for a Saturday night, the other one looks empty as most of the stalls were not opened (Blk 91).
*shrugs* Good thing is - it's about 10 minutes walk away from my place! :)
