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WC RESEARCH REPORT: Since there is not much information available in Renotalk blog and forums on the choice of sanitary products - WCs and Toilets, available in the market, I decided to do a research. After spending few days of my time in going around and visiting various shops, I have compiled below some of my research in WC and toilet products (1 piece models only): Jalan Besar area: I started visiting the shops in traffic direction from Lavender Street. 1. Poh Joo Hardware, 389 Jalan Besar (opp. Lavender Square): My first stop. Brands they carry & promote are mostly Clayton only. Clayton prices seem to be on the cheaper side. But models don't inspire much. Also they carry other brands like Arino but very limited choice and price seems to be more expensive than others for such brands. 2. Hupfarri Bathroom, 255, Jalan Besar. My second stop. Nice, big showroom carrying primarily OTTO products. The staff are knowledgeable and able to explain the products in detail. But pricing is at a premium. For eg., a model like 7030 WC, the price quoted is $599 inclusive of a $300 FREE basin. Mind you - some decent basins cost $350 here; so you need to top-up another $50. Man, use this showroom to learn about the products and buy somewhere! Warning: Be careful - as some models are P-trap only with exposed back; not be suitable for HDB's, unless you use a converter. You will still have to live with the exposed back. 3. Fullsun Marketing, 146, Jalan Besar 3rd stop after third time! Don't get it right? They are like an Corporate office. Work only on weekdays. No weekend service. So I had to come here 3rd time. Please ensure you visit them only on weekdays and office hours only. Premium products right - you have to bear it! They market TOTO products. Well need not say much. Basic models start at $850 and move upwards of $1100 for decent ones. Ofcourse they claim to give you 20% discount on the list prices mentioned above. Also bear in mind, most of their models only cater to P-trap WC's; so not really suitable for poor HDB cousin's (like me!) unless you opt for converter to fit in the existing floor type S-trap's in HDB's. With being not comfortable with this converter stuff, I decided to walk out of the showroom. With my dreams of doing my stuff on a luxurious TOTO smashed, I decided to take a break and have a humble Nasi Briyani and Teh Halia to refreshen in Little India. 4. GR Link Marketing, 155 Jalan Besar (just opp Fullsun) I have read enough about them from Renotalk especially the very sweet lady and Uncle Ben, the owner. Brightly lit showroom, although much smaller than Hupfarri and Fullsun; products are neatly arranged. Friendly service and lots of advice. Models that impressed me here are: 1. Baron WC 888 (1 piece) with Geberit flush - 10 years warranty $389 2. Inspire 6081 (1 piece) with Geberit flush - 10 years warranty $399 3. OTTO Mercury (1 piece) - 10 years warranty $350 Add $68 and get a wash basin from the available choices. As usual, available choices don't impress me and I then see something that needs top up of $120. 5. Eng Soon Huat Hardware Merchant Pte Ltd 140 Jalan Besar, Next to Fullsun Not friendly service; not so much variety. Carry few Otto, Inspire, baron & one more chines brand (Caroma or Carona). I took note of the models and moved on quickly. 6. Poh Seng Hardware Enterprise, 153, Jln Besar (just next to GR Link Marketing) ALL prices here are inclusive of GST. Very experienced Uncle – Mr. Seah Boon Seng. Prices seem to be cheaper than GR Link Marketing. Models suggested by him: 1. Arino Caprio WC with Geberit (1 piece) new model where the top flushing system cover is invisible) with heavy duty seat cover $320 2. Treo T200 WC with Geberit (1 piece) - with a nice oblong shape; looks really nice. But more expensive than Arino Caprio. $380 7. Royal Fanco, 135 Jalan Besar Highly recommended by many people in Renotalk; Small showroom; cramped; not much on display; price seems to be cheapest especially if you go for package deal ie., WC+Basin. Models suggested: Baron (830x370x700) SINGLE PIECE $399 with basin With slim seat cover add $30 Magnum (640x360X780) Single Piece with new slim seat cover – same price. The slim seat cover was very impressive. No other shop seems to have that. 8. Ideal Merchandise, Block 808, French Road, #02-21 Had a big difficulty to locate this shop. It is above NTUC. Specialize in Bidet primarily for Toto, Bravat and other high end models. Approx cost $350 for a bidet. Not much focus on selling WC's. More interested in pricing a bundle offering of Bidet+WC. Geylang/Tanjong Katong: 9. Hoe Kee, Tanjong Katong Plaza Carry mainly their inhouse brand Roz. Didn't see the designs to be modern and contemporary. So left the shop quickly and headed to Geyland Road. 10. Wasserbath, Geylang Road WC’s : only deal with IXIS brand; supplied to many private condo project; Offer for GSS period $599 with Basin. WC's look decent and nice. Not heard of this brand much. 11. Heritage Bathroom, Geylang Road Carry Toto Brand. Prices are very competitive for Toto. (seems better than Fullsun); but no display. Suggested models: Inspire 6081 WC (1 piece) with Geberit ($320). Most competitive price. Baron 888 WC (similar to Inspire 6081) was $290. Again most competitive price. 12. Universal Union: not so impressive. not much knowledge from staff to explain. 13. Bath.z.o.n.e (don't why I can't use the original shop name; it says as spam!): I give it a miss. - too tired leh! Not visited from original list: 14. Bathroom Warehouse, Changi Guess, this gives you an idea of where/what to shop.. Happy shopping! Some picture links: http://renotalk.com/forum/uploads/gallery_62270_450_257645.jpg http://renotalk.com/forum/uploads/gallery_62270_450_223490.jpg http://renotalk.com/forum/uploads/gallery_62270_450_174823.jpg http://renotalk.com/forum/uploads/gallery_62270_450_194220.jpg

Hi, I am looking for some recommendation for a good and reliable contractor to renovate my 3 rm flat. Any good ones to recommend? Cheap n reliable.

very nice bricks... how much approximate for this kinda area w installation? thanks

Hi EQ2008! Yes, will PM you.

What brand are you using?

Anyone can recommend a contractorto quote a price for the work below? Rewire for 3 Room HDB 55 sqm/592 sqft 2 bed room 1 living room 1 kitchen 1 toilet Require the following 1 MCB 1 Telephone point 1 SCV Point 6 Lighting Point 1 Water Heater Point 12 Double (3 in 1 Room, 4 in 1 Room, 2 in Kitchen, 2 in Living Room) 1 Air-Con Point

I think 15 to 20 years is long enough to justify a renovation, especially for the kitchen. Kitchen cabinets are normally wood and with moisture (especially near/below the sink), they would have deteriorate. At the stove and with overhand cabinets over it, the heat would also have cause the wood/formica to deteriorate too. Toilets too. This is a wet area. I think waterproofing have limited lifespan and will need to replace. Other areas in the house, I think it is not necessary if carefully maintain. My opinion only.

Hi titank, Generally, the payment term is spread into 4-5 parts. You can try negotiating the payment terms to your likings with the renovator accordingly by the way. For 3D Drawings, it depends on the price per piece the ID quote you, the charges can range from $50-xxxx. Heck that, i think most ID will usually waive the 3d drawings in good will if you sign with them so virtually the 3D drawings can be considered free. This is just a general guideline, different renovating film have different collection phase. Usually upon confirmation of contract (10-20%). Commencement of Work (20-30%) Start of Wetwork/Carpentry(20-30%) Touch up (5-15%)

Totally agree. Try to imagine and you're the lucky one who strike the TOTO. Should just list out the company name of the ID/Contractor here.

mess starting to form in the living room. Opted out of tiles and doors for the BTO. Picked out floor tiles from Soon Bee Huat (on the right) Overall, it will be white and wood theme for the house - skewed towards the scandinavian theme. While people engaged ID and followed their advice wholeheartedly, we followed our feng shui master's advice wholeheartedly haha.... We need a lot of wood element for our home so it really fits in well with what we have in mind. Some examples like we asked if we could do cement screed but were STRONGLY discouraged, so we left that option out. We needed kitchen walls to be in green, so we are also overlaying the entire kitchen wall tiles with a green-blue shade tiles when we initially wanted to leave it white. Hope it turns out okay!