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A big hello to all fellow EM owners! I hope this thread is still active... If you're all still reading this, could you let me know if any one has constructured a roof at your balcony area? Am unsure of HDB regulations on this even though I have seen some EMs in my vicinity with tiled roofs. My fiance and I would like to extend our living area and construct a polycarbonate roof at the balcony for an al fresco dining area. Your invaluable advice would be very much appreciated!

Can go where to purchase? I looking for colours glasse, like tea color, black rather than those transparent clear glass.

Met up with our ID to discuss some details. The cabinets are coming along nicely. Cutting the hole for the kitchen sink. An ID firm told me that they couldn't do solid veneer doors, only semi-core doors. We were fortunate that ours was able to do it for us. It cost an additional $130 per door but I really liked the solid feel. How do we verify it's indeed solid? I tried to lift it up and I could barely do it! I could lift the semi-core veneer door we did for the common bathroom with ease!

Don't fret. It is a good model you bought. If I remember right, I think it is the only model that got self cleaning mechanism below $1000. I too contemplating to buy Ariston because it is made in Italy. I checked out a few models of Ariston, 52IX ($599), 53X??($750) and your model. The model you bought was expensive so I decided to give it a miss due to budget constraints and also that we won't be using it so extensively. Then I settled for Bosch HBN331E2J which was $630 only.

I tried to engage an ID but my interactions with several IDs from different company was bad. They push for what looks nice than what it practical. I don't blame them for using such image cause at the end of the day, they are still selling an image of themselves; corporate branding and product packaging. Its' a similar concept to looking at a burger on advertisement compared to the real burger.. At the end, my friend refer a renovation company to me. Couldn't be happier. I also realized the stark difference. IDs would be unwilling to share ideas because they have gotten used by different people to get ideas whereas contracting company are more willing to share ideas. The whole interaction to me is very different. Sorry IDs but I was really disappointed with the way you guys interacted with me. At the end of the day, you guys take 15% to 30% of the contract fee, and call another contracting company to do the work; you offer 'free' consultation if we take your build service but I know that you are taking your cut from the build fee by zhenging the price. We consumers at the end of the day suffer. I have seen too many of your template design to know that it is not worthwhile to take up your service. Okay I'm ranting now, I think I have something personal against IDs. hahaha.

this is my own thoughts 1. perspective images will provide the 'wow' factor, especially when comparing the before/after. owners see it will sure go 'wooowww! look at that! and it draws potential clients in'. 2. same reason as 1. main thing is, since they cannot talk to clients, they will use very nice pictures to 'talk' to clients/potential clients. 3. actually with or without facebook/blogs/website is really not a big issue. if they are good, word of mouth is enough. (same as if lavendar food court wanton noodle very nice always long queue, they dont need any facebook for people to follow) I rather the ids put in effort in renovation works then to keep updating their facebook, blogs etc.

I budget lah. Only ask for a trip. Another half trip will cost $200. My main concerned was those huge furnitures of mine, so I throw all of them to the movers. Consists of fridge, front load washing machine, dryer, cheat freezer, IKEA shelves, ikea desk, shoe cabinet, teak sofa, queen mattress and custom queen bed frame, daughter single bed, side table and some landscape rocks. Also another about 10 boxes. I let the movers moved those super heavy boxes (ceramic wares, books, files, hardware items,etc) - $400 I have a total of about 50+ flat boxes. I managed to transport over to my new place with the help of my father-in-law trusty old van. Made a total about 10+ trips. The boxes were packed flat so it was easier to move with trolley. We also engaged the movers for a 2nd trip to move a full set of rosewood sofa (yes, I have 2 sofas at home!) and a exam piano from my MIL house. - $250 For those who worry about boxes, fear not. U can 'lend' boxes from these movers. They charge $2/box for deposit. Upon 30 days return, they will refund the money. If u decide to keep or damage the box, they will charge the $2. Really different to move a room (1st time when I moved out after marriage to my 1st house) as compared to move a house! (Didn't know my daughter has 'collected' SO much toys! Her toys already took up about 5-6 boxes. I skipped my wife amount of boxes just in case she is reading this post...keke Hope this info helps.

Glass Wall! how could i forget this...this is one of the most important and fun part of the house. Asked Nicholas to install this for me. great for writing...drawing...doodling... my daughter loves it! everyday after work, i went home to a different drawing...i think this is useful as it provides the freedom to scribble on the wall without guilt or scolding..haha. Thank you, Nicholas!

The Transformation

Another milestone Bought our first items online from Ebay and Qoo10. Digital locks for our main door and gate. This will save the hassle of carrying keys and having holes in the pockets or having to serach for them thru the bag. This is the Samsung lock for the main door. Bought from ebay. Almost 4 times cheaper if you are to buy it locally. This is the Gateman lock for the iron door. Also almost 3 times cheaper. All we need is to find someone to install it for us. Something good about digital lock, 1 keycard can open all locks. Or if you don't want the keycard, then just use the PIN and remember it. You can also install pre-program PIN if you have your parents or in-laws visiting and the PIN will be erased after the visit. Good and convenient. And once the door is closed, the locks will auto locked and we don't have to worry if we had locked the door or not. Total damage, $580 for both locks. Now have to see how long delivery takes.

More photos on the shopping adventure at Hafary. Check out the hallways of tiles

Oh ok I see, thanks LHWH!

Sharing my experience. I engaged a contractor too, after sourcing through many IDs. Contractor cheaper than IDs for same work done. Reno has started, hope it completes well too. So far so good. Good workmanship and very responsive. Got pics in my t-blog. pm me if you want his contact number.

A picture of our kitchen: First thing we insisted on is that the cabinets are all flushed, with no protruding handles or knobs. Secondly, we insisted on soft closing cabinet doors and drawers. I was glad that our contractor and his carpenter managed to achieve both our demands! Selecting the worktop material for your kitchen is another chore, just like selecting your flooring. There are many choices in the market but the three most popular choices are: - solid surface Generally cheapest but need to take care while cooking. Recommended for light/non-kitchen users. - granite Tougher than solid surface. Limited colors. If you like the natural look of stone, use granite. - quartz Generally most expensive. Seems highly recommended and all those who have used it have no complaints about it. and other less popular ones including marble, glass, concrete etc. After deciding on the material you want to use, you still need to choose which company's product to use. For example, for solid surfaces, you have LG Hi-Macs, Corian, just to name a few. For quartz, you have Caesarstone, Zodiaq, iQuartz etc. Or you can just go with your contractor's choice of supplier. The worktop we selected was a Corian solid surface which was a little more expensive than budgeted, but so far we have no issues with it. The installation was smooth and was coordinated between the Corian in-house installer and our contractor. To be frank, I feel that no matter which material you use for your worktop, if you take care of it (by wiping stains off diligently and not put hot stuff on it), it will last. If you abuse it daily, it will not last. Simple as that. Our fridge: Initially, we ordered our fridge from Mega Discount Store, based on measurements from our floor plan. However, the reality is - your flat will be smaller than it is supposed to be in the floorplan ! We wanted our fridge to flush with the side of the entrance so that it will not protrude out. Our selected fridge has to be thinner than 650mm, which pretty much eliminates 95% of the models in the market! When selecting a fridge model, other than the volume (personal choice) and tick rating system (choose those with 4 ticks), you should look at the energy consumption too. A 4-tick model from Hitachi and a 4-tick model from Panasonic may differ greatly in energy consumption. I have observed that Hitachi models tend to have one of the lowest energy consumption in the market. Also, in general, the more drawers a fridge has, the more energy you will save. But of course, you will observe that the price goes up along with more drawers . Happy fridge hunting!

TiriciaTan makes a great points... choose an ID that has been established for many years, and no hard pushing. I visited many may IDs and you can really 'feel' the difference after your see so many. Get someone you can trust 100% and is on the ball. Try to negotiate hard on terms, get a deadline for completion as part of the contract, and good warranty. If you can, try to see an example of their workmanship from a past or current project. Then, once it starts, visit the project often, and speak up if things are different from your expectation so that things can be rectified fast and that the the subcontractors know that you are not a pushover. Good luck! I have had a really enjoyable renovation experience with my chosen ID. PM me if you want the details. I've made an open-concept kitchen, redone living/dining space, new built in wardrobes in each bedroom, and new bathroom cabinets. Really happy with outcome