Our Dream House Tampines 5a

[matpower 0]

6:30pm Meeting with electrician.

Finally got to meet up with my electrician. He's my friend long time contractor. Gives me a rather good rate for my double plugs.

Gave him the floor plan go through with him my requirements. He makes some markings on the wall. Explained to me opennet and starhub....but I blur blur only understand a little.

He gave me a suggestion to create false ceiling on the dining area, put cove light and down light. No need for dining light. With this can shift our table any position we like.

Can PM me u electrician contact? I am looking for an electrician for my coming reno @March.

A million thanks

[mistgun 0]

6:30pm Meeting with electrician.

Finally got to meet up with my electrician. He's my friend long time contractor. Gives me a rather good rate for my double plugs.

Gave him the floor plan go through with him my requirements. He makes some markings on the wall. Explained to me opennet and starhub....but I blur blur only understand a little.

What did the electrician said? What are the things that need to take note when preparing for the opennet points in the future?

[kelsyll 0]

6:30pm Meeting with electrician.

Finally got to meet up with my electrician. He's my friend long time contractor. Gives me a rather good rate for my double plugs.

Gave him the floor plan go through with him my requirements. He makes some markings on the wall. Explained to me opennet and starhub....but I blur blur only understand a little.

What did the electrician said? What are the things that need to take note when preparing for the opennet points in the future?

I have installed data outlet in 3 rooms. Will be placing my Starhub router in the MBR. Rationale is if we are not at home, the MBR will be locked. No one would be able to power off the internet router and CCTV recording device. So there has to be a additional data point from Opennet to my MBR .....then don't understand already. He drew a diagram uploaded it, maybe you would understand better?

[kelsyll 0]

Can PM me u electrician contact? I am looking for an electrician for my coming reno @March.

A million thanks

PMed you already. Hope you get to save $$$ too.

[kelsyll 0]

Day 16 28/12/2010

Last day of plastering. Hubby's not working today, decided to go to job site. Poor workers, he discovered a flaw that he will not compromise. The beam at the balcony was not make level. So my main contractor has to rectify this problem before hand-over.

Very glad that we decided not to remove plastering from her contract. Else the tilers and the plasterer would start blaming each other.

Now although they are blaming each other inside their heart but they can't openly express it as they are both subcon from the same contractor.

The fault is not noticable for layman, but for professionals, it is very obvious. Just wondering why the plasterers never notice it. They have to apply 3 layers on that same beam. 3 times and no one noticed or no one wants to take the initiative?

12+ noon Hacking of addtiontal toilet entrance from music studio. Hubby witnessed the hacking. Was very fast, done in 1/2 hours time.

Visited the site in the evening. MBR toilet wall tiles are done. Tilers has levelled the floor for both toilets and kitchen area.

Was dark by this time, used my iPhone torchlight application to shine the MBR toilet tiles, loves the feature tile that we have selected.

Can't wait to see my completed project.

[kelsyll 0]

Day 16 29/12/2010

Can't stand the idea of spend $2K on curtains. Decided to visit IKEA since it's only close to 8pm after visiting job site.

What a fruitfull trip.

Will be using this blue curtains for MBR and sons bedroom (Has to be blue partly due to fengshui) Anyway I like the bright blue better compared to the black. Pink and purple to girlish for my man and boys.

Blue curtains $12.90 for a pair

Curtain rod $1.90

Has to visit site again to measure the windows length. Hopes it fits.

Total cost $29.60.....

Decided not to put any curtains in living room and other rooms. May put in roller blinds later on when our budget allows.

Very cheap shelvings....considering to put them near my bedside instead of using a bedside table.

May purchase the oval shape mirror for the toilet cost only $25 per piece.

I simply love IKEA things. Cheap but looks good if you match them correctly.

[neubie 2]

Choosing my wall colour.

Finally sit down and plan the colours to paint. Decided not to do it with my husband. He's fantastic at changing his mind, challenging my 'bold' colour choices.

After flipping through Dulux colour catalogue, decided on the following :-

Ceiling :- Light & Space White

All walls :- Light & Space Frosted Dawn

Dining and TV Console Wall : Choco Pie

Music Studio : Light & Space Sunny Lime

Children's bedroom : ? ? shold I stick to white or paint another colour?

Take note dulux L&S is rather thin n may require more coats (more $) to cover if painting a dark surface with lighter ones.

Edited December 29, 2010 by neubie

[neubie 2]

I have installed data outlet in 3 rooms. Will be placing my Starhub router in the MBR. Rationale is if we are not at home, the MBR will be locked. No one would be able to power off the internet router and CCTV recording device. So there has to be a additional data point from Opennet to my MBR .....then don't understand already. He drew a diagram uploaded it, maybe you would understand better?

Unless u really need that kind of security monitoring with power backup, no point since any potential thief would just cut the incoming power and gain entry to the flat.

[kelsyll 0]

Unless u really need that kind of security monitoring with power backup, no point since any potential thief would just cut the incoming power and gain entry to the flat.

I am not monitoring against thief...more so to prevent new dosmetic helper or maybe when my children from switching off the power switch. Sometimes when I'm out for a long day, would really want to see what's happening at home. The previous experience with a very bad Philipino maid has prompted me to think of this.

[kelsyll 0]

Day 17 29/12/2010

Will be using the little time I have in the morning to purchase my fans. Sanitary fittings. lights maybe not possible.

Has already locked in 2 models.

We do not intend to do any vanity top so this model is perfect to place our neccesities

Wash basin

Kitchen Sink - big enough to hold my 40 cm wok.

Cooker hob

Cooker hood

[kelsyll 0]

Day 18 30/12/2010

8am Received a call from my electrician. My peaceful sleep interrupted Had I called him last night and inform him that I had pasted the wiring plan on the war, my sleep would go undisturbed.

My 4 year old boy asked me about my schedule today. Told him I'm meeting the electrician, carpenter, air-con ppl and need to purchase lightings and sanitary fittings. Upon hearing our schedule for today, he was totally upset. He's getting really bored at home. Asked to me if he's going to school. Counted for him 9 more days before his school start. Even more upset. He made me feel that I have really neglected him these few weeks. Both my boys must have felt like they are in .

Left for site at 10am. Confirmed some details with the electrician. Air-con man was here already too.

Requested for some changes on the positioning of the fan-coil. Insisted on certain things. Air-con man was so pissed off with me. He walked off, light up a cigarette before coming back to complete the discussion. Electrican was also kind enough to explain some technical details to us.

The whole place was dusty, noisy, chaotic with 3 groups of ppl working. 1) 3 tilers - 1 in MBR toilet, 1 in common toilet, 1 in kitchen. 2) 2 aircon ppl 3) 3 electricians.

Sometimes you hear sounds from cutting of tiles, plenty of drilling, hammering sound by the air-con and electricians.

Carpenter didn't appear at 11:30am. When I called him, he realised he had forgotten the appointment. He promised to rush down.

Plumber didn't appear too. While waiting for them, we went for lunch to save time.

After lunch, plumber appeared. Discussed the routing of the water pipe with him.

Carpenter finally appeared! He discussed with the tiler some technical details.....jargon that I don't understand. Conclusion, after completion, my doorway will be 1metre. Took some final site measurements for the kitchen, mbr wardrobe.

Went to the void deck to discuss the details. Told him my requirements. Showed him a ikea kitchen cabinet concept.

He sketched for us the proposal on the spot.

Asked for a cupboard with lock. This is useful for me to stock up(hide) tidbits, snacks, biscuits, sweets under lock and key. Both my sons are very 'independent'. When they know where my helper keeps food they like, they will bring their stool, open the cupboard and self-service . It's a dilemma for me. If I don't stock up, I worry they don't have enough food. But when I stock up, they finish the food/snack they like almost immediately. Even when their tummy's bursting, they still say they are hungry.

Negotiated with carpenter to help us dismantle our existing alumix system and help us fix up in our son's bedroom.

He discouraged me from using the wire basket for kitchen cabinet. His rationale was it is a waste of space and $$$.

After much persuasion from him and hubby, dropped the idea.

Gave him all the dimensions of cooker hood, hob, built in oven. Need to give him the dimensions of wire basket to fix in the wardrobe. Has to purchase it from IKEA.

To cut down on the timing, decided to forgo solid surface. Between postform and laminate surface, choosed laminate surface to have lesser joint. With that, carpenter is able to hand over on 7/1/2011. No dependancy on the solid surface ppl for the completion.

If we put glass surface on the laminate surface, it would look as good too. Hope the design would turn out fine and beautiful.

Meeting finally ended at 3 pm. Went upstairs to take a look before leaving to purchase lightings and sanitary fittings.

Was like War zone with the dust and noise. My poor neighbours.

Edited December 30, 2010 by kelsyll

[kelsyll 0]

Day 18 'cont

5pm +

Went back to Jln Besar, stopped by Adamas, they didn't have the wash basin that we have zoomed in. Though their price for the cooker hood and hob is $790. Good price. Will come back and get this.

Decided to go back to the same shop we enquired yesterday. Browse around while waiting for hubby to park. Amazingly, another lady who came to this shop also returned today. Coincidence or affinity? Or maybe she has done comparisions and this is the cheapest shop.

Reconfirmed my selection with the boss. Asked for some discount. Owner claims that Jln Besar has the cheapest deal compared to Geylang, and Balestier. How true is it? I have no idea, 'cos we are not so hardworking to scout/comb so many shops. More concerned with the design. Trusted our instinct that the boss will give us quality products although we hope to pay peanuts.

Paid $1360

7pm +

Went back to Vertex building - The lightsculture. We were there on 2 Sundays ago. Met up neighbour. And the boss happens to be our neighbours brother in law. So he had promised a good rate. Concluded our light orders.

1) 3 3M track lights

2) 6 2M track lights

3) 1 light for play area.

4) 3 light holder with simple light (don't know what is it call but cost only $10... )

5) 30 lights for the track lights.

Pending is the dining light and entrance light. Just can't decide. can wait.

Price - dunno....

Only felt secure that we won't be short-changed for quality. By now, can't think clear anymore, just trust our instinct.

9pm+

Went to ikea to get the wire basket. not very cheap afterall. $19 per basket. but better than having trouble getting our folded clothes.

Resisted the tempation to eat the $1 hotdog, 'cos I needed somthing with hot boiling soup. Age must be catching up 'cos I used to survive very well my McDonalds $2 Mac-chicken burger. Or maybe my helper has pampered us too much with home cook food.

Long day finally ended. Very tired but I need to blog down before I forget everything.

Edited December 30, 2010 by kelsyll

[kelsyll 0]

Got the quote from the sanitary fitting. Exceeded budget.

Needed time to think properly. Hubby diverted again, attracted by Elmark's fan sleek design.

We need 7 fans. How can we afford to blow our budget with Elmark's price.

Pulled him off to the fan shop opposite the road. After enquring, the salesman quoted us Reglite petite $100. With such attractive price, we made a fast decision to purchase all reglite petite and forsake the KDK with remote control. Purchased the Elmark instant heater $135 each. Wanted sliver for both toilets but only left 1 piece. Compromised on the black for the common toilet. Anyway, our feature is black, so it matches.

Late for work. Rushed home to work.

[kelsyll 0]

Take note dulux L&S is rather thin n may require more coats (more $) to cover if painting a dark surface with lighter ones.

I'm not aware of that. But my painter didn't say anything when he saw my request. He quoted me $1800. Initially, he didn't include the main door or any doors. But after he painted the sealer, he told me he will paint the door for me too. Was it out of good will or because we didn't have a lot of colours? So not being very calculative to negotiate the price helps after all.

[kelsyll 0]

kelsyll,

the $170 kdk fan is A11YS???

Yes it's the A11YS. But a shop along Jln Besar is even cheaper, it sells at $160. If u need can pm you.

In the end we bought reglite petite at $100 each. As we need 7 pieces, we decided to save. Many ppl has advised against remote controlled fan due to the complication should the fan is faulty.