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Air con Plan (Part 3 - Last Part) This is how it looks before and after it is boxed up with plasterboard in area outside master bathroom. We ran all the trunking along the corridor so that we only need to conceal them altogether with false ceiling at the corridor. So there is no air con trunking in the bedrooms For the unit at the living room, there was a minor surprise. The air con foreman told us that the Daikin 18k btu unit we ordered is larger than the space available and will require the some bricks to be removed. Luckily, our contractor , Jake, managed to help us negotiate with our air con specialist to change all to Mitsubishi Electric since its 18k btu dimension will fit just nice. The trunking for the aircon in the study is hidden by the partition box and full height carpentry So the only air con trunking that is exposed is the one from living to study area which will be this.... Because it is awkward to box up and we cannot drill a hole in the home shelter to hide it. Yay we are happy with our air con trunking. Thanks to Jake, the air-con specialists and the partition specialists. Actually, I have no idea if going into all these details is helpful to the Renotalk community at all. We just thought this is what we hoped we had access to during our reno planning stage. If all these details is helpful or boring you guys, do let us know .

Air con Plan (Part 2) In pictures... Let's start from the master bathroom, where the trunking enters the house from the air con latch. At first we wanted to keep the box mesh in the master bathroom and achieve this effect. (Photos from our neighbours...) But with the amount of trunking and pipes for 5 aircons, the air con specialist said that it is was impossible to squeeze them into the box mesh that HDB provided. There will be a need to punch a huge hole in the box and the mesh cover, so sadly we decided to remove the box mesh and box it up later wih false ceiling. With the box being removed on the other end of the toilet, it also means that we will be able to route it out at the position where it was originally blocked by the box structure. Trunking and partition is up in master bath... As for the discharge pipe, we had it run along the edges to be hidden by our carpentry down to the drainage below the vanity. If we didn't remove the box, the trunking will have to run below the box mesh. And when it exits, the trunking will fall below the door frame in the master bedroom. Then it will have to be exposed as we can't box it up. Right now, it exits nicely above the door frame for us to box it up.

Air con Plan (Part 1) Just went on-site recce yesterday, air con trunking and partition is up!! So happy with the results.What we started with... Our Requirements 5 air cons for 3 bedrooms + study + living room (9 BTU for all rooms and 18 BTU for living)neat, minimal air con trunking that can be hidden nicely by carpentry or plaster partition/false ceiling if neededOur contractor recommended us to go with one of his contacts so that he is able to coordinate with them effectively in terms of schedule, layout of trunking route and the order of works. And we are glad we did. We got quotations via him from his contacts and the prices more or less matched those that we got from gain city and best tech. Choosing between System 2+3 or System 5There are not many system 5 on the market. Only seen Toshiba system 5 and the recent new Daikin system 5For system 2+3 means we will need to spend more money on an extra set of high capacity power socket and brackets for the additional compressorBut with additional compressor, means if one system goes down, we can take refuge in other rooms during maintenance.For brands, we are more inclined to choosing Mitsubishi Electric and Daikin because...We had good experience with Daikin, has been using them at current place for more than 7 years.Ease of getting support for maintenance since these 2 brands are popularHear relatively better reviews from friends and online.Price differential between System 2+3 and System 5 is minimalSo in the end we chose Daikin 2+3 .We wanted to avoid ugly air con trunking as much as possible so we worked super closely with our contractor and air con specialist. It was also super helpful that many of our neighbors shared their trunking solutions on the Facebook group. Thank you Ancillians! This is the summary of the aircon plan and how the trunking will look like after discussion.

Hi Everyone, Kinda new to this forum, so not too sure if this is the right sub-section to post or not. But anyway, I need some mattress recommendation. In summary, I am a huge guy, 182cm and 120kg, so I was wondering what mattresses would give me a good night's sleep. Budget is $3000 or so. Some history, previously been sleeping on cheap mattress which are common in SG and my first real bed was a cheap spring bed from Ikea which didn't last long and gave me backaches because the bed became too soft coz the springs lost its tension due to wear and tear i suppose. Second bed was a queen sized Visco-Elastic Memory Foam mattress (Maxcoil) as recommend by a particular shop at furniture mall. Initially was fine, but after a 2 or 3 months, the backaches came back again. A talk with my friend (who is quite big as well) said this kind of mattress is not suitable for us fat people because it can't take out weight and we will literally 'sink' into the mattress. True enough, after almost 2 years of sleeping, i wake up everyday with backaches and shoulder aches. The shoulder aches are really terrible and sometimes i can't even move my neck. Not to mention that the stupid cheapo frame makes a terrible squeek or creeking sound every time i toss or turn. Anyway, I decided to make another change and hope I can get some advise from anyone here. Esp. those who are big built (or fat) like me. What kind of mattress do you guys use? Sealy? Simmons? or? Thanks everyone for reading.

Good idea butterfly, I will put you all under the pioneer groups.

Hi , Will it be cheaper to buy the WMF cutlery set from USA and shipped to SG compare buying from local stores like Tangs? Also thought to buy the Corelle dinningset 16pcs from Walmart around USD30.00-USD69.90 and ship to Singapore . Anyone have buying the dinningset from USA and ship to Singapore before? Or anyone want to share to buy together please feel free PM me..

Hi guys, your help will be greatly appreciated. I'm in my early 20s & this is the first time i am doing up the place nicely after living here for 10yrs as it is my mum's wish to have a nice and cosy home. As my mum has sacrificed alot for me & my sibling for the past 20plus years, I just want to do something for her to let her enjoy her days since she worked hard for the family. Due to circumstances, we only have 1.5 source of income and savings for family of 3adults, really hope to be able to stretch our dollar and spending. Currently is simple n well maintained but floors cracked & hollow, 3BR doors warp (as we din changed when moved in 10years ago) + kitchen cabinets warping. Toilet will be done by HDB HIP Below is a quote from an ID im very keen on after getting 6-8 quotes from friend's recommendation n renotalk enquiry. Is this quote reasonable? Anywhere can i cut down on? Budget: $25k incl miscellaneous like Laying of protection sheet, general cleaning, power-points. Lights and fixtures + additional $5k Overall Hacking of all Cornice, Lbox, Kitchen cabinets, 3br floors & cabinets Supply & overlay homogenus floor tiles w skirting to 3br Painting Nippon Emulsion (1 +2, white & 2 other colours in every room) Supply & install 3 veneer doors to bedroomsInstall 18nos of light fittings to whole house Sub Total: $8,531Living 3ft full height shoe cabinet: 6.5ft suspended TV console w drawers/glass doors in laminate finish 6.5ft full height TV feature wall w laminate finish 3.5ft full height display cabinet in laminate finish Install Lbox c/w light pelmet Install 11nos of lighting point for Lbox Sub Total: $5,513 Kitchen 24ft top & bottom kitchen cabinet w ABS trimming in laminate finish *all kitchen cabinet c/w excel soft closing hinges for doors Supply and install 14ft top solid surface 2ft full height display cabinet in laminate finish Labour to install kitchen sink & tap Sub Total: $4,680BR1 6ft full height sliding wardrobe in laminate finish3.5ft full height tv feature wall in laminate finish BR26ft full height sliding wardrobe in laminate finish BR36ft full height sliding wardrobe in laminate finishSub Total: $5,260 Total: $23,984

Hi all, below is a quote from an ID for carpentry and some works. Kindly advice if the prices are reasonable, doing quite abit of custom furniture.. Still contacting a few other contractors and IDs before deciding. Thank you in advance! 1 Design and fabricate Tv feature wall in laminate finish c/w display/ storage compartment ( 2100mmL/ 7ftL x full ht ) $1,400.00 2 Design and fabricate suspended/ low ht Tv console in laminate finish c/w 2 side round design and alum glass door with drawers ( 2100mmL/ 7ftL ) $1,120.00 3 Design and fabricate shoe cabinet in laminate finish c/w internal ajustable shelving and drawers ( 900mmL/ 3ftL x full ht ) $780.00 4 Design and fabricate settee in laminate finish c/w drawers to attached the shoe cabinet ( 500mmL/ 1.5ftL ) ( 1unit ) $280.00 5 Design and fabricate L-shape low beach with cusion backing in laminate finish c/w conceal settee at below beach ( 3150mmL/ 10.5ftL ) $1,920.00 6 Design and fabricate storage dining table in laminte finish c/w conceal settee at below the dining table ( 800mmW x 1200mmL ) $1,450.00 7 Design and fabricate Top & Bottom kitchen cabinet and above fridge cabinet in laminate finish c/w ABS Trimming solid ply doors ( 6400mmL / 21.5ftL ) ( Additional 400mmL/ 1.5ftL required ) $180.00 8 Custom made solid surface top for kitchen worktop c/w 3" thk front profile and backsplash ( 3200mmL/ 10.5ftL ) $840.00 9 Supply and install 10mmthk clear tempered glass swing door c/w handle to kitchen entrance $680.00 10 Supply and install glass backing c/w wooden backing to in between kitchen cabinet ( 3100mmL/ 10.5ftL ) $630.00 11 Design and fabricate L-shape casement/ sliding wardrobe with tv compartment in laminate finish c/w all custom fitting and drawers ( 5700mmL/ 19ftL ) ( Additional 3900mmL/ 13ftL required ) 3,640.00 12 Design and fabricate 12" HT platfrom in laminate finish c/w storage compartment ( 2700mmW x 2400L ) $2,450.00 13 Design and fabricate side table in laminate finish c/w drawers x02 unit $560.00 14 Design and fabricate storage cabinet with surface full mirror in laminate finish c/w cove light ( 1500mmL/ 5ftL ) $550.00 15 Design and fabricate 800mmL/ 2.5ftL suspended vanity cabinet in laminate finish $350.00 16 Supply labour and materials to do shower curb for shower area $100.00 17 Supply and install 10mm THK clear tempered glass shower screen c/w 1fixed, 1 swing panel ( 1900mm ht ) $450.00 18 Supply and install 3 track sliding window c/w tinted glass at service yard ( follow HDB colour ) $550.00 19 Upgrade package 3 bedrooms laminate flooring to 60cmx60cm matt homogenous tiles c/w skirting $1,500.00

Thanks Songz! I'm also looking into air curtains. These are the thoughts so far, Make the room larger Don't build a ceiling to floor closet.and leave the wall open at the top Aircon will be shared between both spaces in the night and there'll also be a fan to circulate the cool air If I use the air curtain, I can leave a bedroom door open at night when the a/c is on and the air curtain can help prevent hot air from coming in.

I felt that you don't really need to care about the theme as long as you renovate/decorate the house according to your likes!

Hi, Thinking of getting roller blinds to block of sunlight. Any recommendations? Main priority 1. Block sunlight 2. Easy to clean (wipe with cloth good enough) Thanks!

Hello everyone! Here at Slingshot, we are elated to be able to unveil some of our latest modular wall mounted shelves to everyone here at Renotalk! Keep it fresh and exciting with our new product lineup! So what are you waiting for? Those shelves aren't going to beautify themselves! Heres a brief look at the new products: DAVID: A firm and resolute character that is encompassed in this metal wall-mount shelf itself SAMUEL: A king , and prophet and a judge. Samuel is a simple T Shaped shelf is constructed out of South East Asian timber. A lightweight bookshelf that will match the Scandinavian themed home JONATHAN: Of royal lineage, Jonathan was an adviser to David. The two forged a close friendship which is represented in the choice of common material for this modular shelf – mild steel. 18: An auspicious number in Chinese culture due to similarity of it sounding like ” to surely prosper” in various South Chinese dialects. Website: http://myslingshot.com.sg Contact number: + 65 8125 6920 Email: sales@myslingshot.com

Hi Greg, could you pm me your contractor contact and your quotation? Thanks!

In your situation, my suggestion would be to prioritise. 1. First, to get the job completed as soon as possible. If there are parts of the work that can be excluded from your contractor/ID (most likely dry works such as wardrobe), exclude and do later. 2. For those works that need to be done now (most likely wet works such as tiling, plumbing, electrical etc), make sure they are done properly. Ask around if you are not sure. It is difficult to redo such works. 3. Try not to worry about the addtional costs that you have incurred. For example, Sim Siang Choon is not too bad a store. Of course, you can always get things at a cheaper price if you really hunt around, but generally their items are not too bad and price is not too expensive.

When Reno finished may I visit your house Look like ur ID know how to make full use of your space

Oh dear God. Reading this thread from beginning to end is sending shivers over me as I am actively surveying for contractor. I'm truly sorry for you guys. Hope justice or karma will be served.

finally managed to get a drawing of the proposed kitchen cabinets and shoe cabinet at store room entrance. above my sink, i will have the dishrack and a rectangular cabinet above that. cover for dishrack i've asked my carpenter to look for white mesh. the chosen laminate is a whitish white wood whose name misses me right now. see pic below, that seems to be the only shot i have of it. my bottom cabinets are all drawers and you can also see what i've scribbled to keep inside them. the tall cabinets on the right are my microwave and oven tall boy with 2 storage drawers for baking items, fridge then 2 larders for pantry items. we've dropped the idea of the corner unit and keep it open for now.

There are a couple of lessons I learnt from my experience. 1. Monitor, monitor, monitor - No matter how renowed or expensive your ID or subcontractor, the level of competency and common sense is at the level of their lowest sub-contractor. We engaged a reputable ID company. But of course, you deal with the young designer who gives instructions to some supervisor, who in turn instructs a foreman, but finally the worker who does the job is a guy who turns up on a Malaysian motorbike. Don't get me wrong. Many malaysian workers in this trade are very skilled. But due to many reasons including different expectations or ideas, changes in the message after being passed through too many people, the final product may not be what you envisaged. You have got to be there to monitor, monitor, monitor. 2. Trust your instinct & do not follow blindly - Often, we think something should be done in a certain way, but the ID or contractor tells us that is not the way things are done. Don't just accept it. Your instinct is already trying to tell you something. Check with others. Ask. Maybe you are right. There were many such instances in my case. LIke when I wanted to put a spare power point in the false ceiling and both my ID and contractor thought I was mad. At that time, I had no idea of the potential use but now that I am thinking of mounting an IP camera on the ceiling, where to get the power source? Like what Steve Jobs said, you cannot connect dots moving forwards, but often you can connect them backwards. 3. Lay network points from your OpenNet TP to every room - This is important. In the near future, many services (internet, TV etc) will be delivered via this network. WiFi does not work for everything. 4. Protection, protection, protection - This is very important yet many IDs and contractors do not seem to understand. So, in my case (as in many cases), they just put a simple cardboard. What a joke! With hacking, sand, tiles, marble etc etc passing though, what do they expect but to spoil the marble and wooden floor? Then they have to rectify. But it is never the same. 5. Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Don't sign a contract with your ID or contractor for everything in one lump sum. Breakdown into different parts of the work e.g. hacking, flooring, painting, kitchen etc. Have a clause that allows you to omit any part of the work. This was how my wife engaged specialist subcontractors directly for parts of the work. 6. When buying expensive equipment (refrigerator, TV, washing machine, dryer etc), buy 5 year extended warranty if possible. In the past, such equipment lasts a long time (more than 10 years). But if you noticed, most of these companies have gone out of business as the consumers do not need to buy replacements. These days, most consumer items are build to last only just past the standard 1 or 2 year warranty period, so that they can sell you another replacement. Assume a fridge sells at $1,399 at Best Denki but $200 cheaper at the neighbourhood shop, I will still buy from Best Denki because for another $97.93, I can extend the warranty from 1 to 5 years. For just under $1,500 (or $299 per year), I get to use the fridge for a minimum of 5 years. Without the extended warranty, for $1,199 I get to use the fridge for a minimum of only 1 to 2 years. Based on my claims experience (fridge, washing machine, dryer, TV, oven), I can confirm that extended warranty is definitely worth buying. Some machines do come with 3 or 5 years warranty on certain parts but these are normally not the parts that will fail.

Hi bros, if you guys already know what you want and dont need designers to design your whole house. Do ctc me and give me a chance to quote you to your reno. Thanks.. Jason