Tsubame

applefreak power! I reno my current 4 rm 6 yrs ago already 18k, although I did hack a wall. So now floor space not doubled, but reno cost doubled... But as hubby kept telling me, this flat is for good, so also cannot too stingy...

Hi resilient, if you still need, I came across a ID who do only design and carpentry, so you can use your own contractors for the rest. PM me for the contact if interested.

At first like applefreak I also wanna minimise reno so didn't budget a lot. But after repeated visit to the flat, realised that most things quite "almost there" already. Afterall 1st owner stayed over 10 yrs, so even if good maintenance still... Even my father is in favour of hacking everything. Only thing no need to replace is the wiring. My hubby best, if can all do he happy. I said if you paying than I nevermind. Now gotta ask the IDs give me new quotations again. Thing is might need to get loan for reno lor.

Hi Pinky X, welcome! Think applefreak is around there, cos my seller also spent around $60k for their reno, but that is 10 yrs ago... Think ever read in the forum someone spent $100k for EA reno. Think depends on what materials and fittings you want. If you going for full marble floors, and all italian furnitures... We budgeted for reno, then realised gotta take into account cost of sanitary fittings, kitchen appliances, furniture, mattresses, and lights, etc., so actually reno budget is less than expected... Gotta see what we can live without, or postpone for future works.

Hi, anyone have experience with Lynn from Ideal House? She was the one responded to my online enquiry. Can pm me. Thanks.

Hi, just like to thank the forumers for recommending S&C. Ordered a coffee table I've been eyeing from them, and the price is like almost half of those in showrooms. A note though, don't go expecting to see actual pieces there, they are just a HDB furniture shop. You'd've to find the things you want from their catalogs. If you haven't seen the piece b4 in some showrooms, the pictures in the catalogs might not look attractive to you, or you'd have doubts as to the quality. For those who've been there and/or bought from them, they can tell you it is the same thing as seen in the showroom. Also they can't have everything yah, so go with reasonable expectations. Only regret is we already ordered a bedframe from showroom, then found they have the same thing cheaper . Didn't expect it to be available there. Lady boss said Boss going to trade show soon, so they might have new catalogs in March.

Make an appointment and speak with them. It'll help clarify what you need, and what is optional. At least that's how we felt after speaking with 1 of them, and it was a good experience and impression. The MIA one got back with quotation. And 1 sotong one gave me someone else's quotation. Expecting a quotation tomorrow from another one. Quotations rolling in. Arranging to meet up with 2 more, so now seriously getting to work. Want to confirm by this month, and hopefully start hacking next.

Hi Evergreen, we just met up with Frankie today. Found him very easy to talk with. You may like to ask your wife to keep an open mind and meet up with him first. One thing I like, they really work to work within your budget. Now waiting for his quotation.

Joho, you can check out their t-blogs in the signature part under their posts. Very useful references, although looks like not so many EAs around... Still looking around for contractor. Contacted 5, of which met 2 to date, 2 more to meet up, 1 MIA after contact... You shortlisted already or not?

Hi, I second fifteenmay's question. Is it better to contact the ID we're interested in directly, or can we send an enquiry thru' their website and later request for a particular ID? Might be not so good to the person who make the effort to contact us if we don't want him...

Hi Joho, my 1st appt 17th Feb, a week earlier than yours only. Our timeline likely similar. Ohhhh, marble floor, so nice. Mine living and dining tiles, bedrooms laminate. The laminates gotta redo cos got water damage. The 2 toilets in original HDB condition, so definitely gotta do. Gotta get contractors to check the pipings, wirings, false ceiling and cornices see can continue using or not. Same for MBR wardrobe and Kitchen cabinets, dunno can makeover or must all hack and redo. So until contractors inspect the house, dunno how much damage need to spend on reno yet. But today just made 1st purchase for new house: MBR mattress.

Hi Haven, your house looks great! Can kindly pm my your contractor? Thank you.

Hi Joho, it's more like icky's thread. Welcome to the EA Group too. Yah the contractors at IMM changes quite frequently, although some say is just change company name... Do share your comments about contractors you have met. How much work needs to be done on your EA? Mine, I'm waiting to get my hands on the key, although the agent said can ask her to open the door if bringing contractors in for quotation. The owners already moved out so my unit is vacant now.

Haha, then he must put quantifier, "nearest EA block to MRT in Toh Guan...". Visited the EA in 201 b4, a relative used to live there, then dunno why moved to 285. Toh Guan there is "youngest" flats around JE MRT already. Was previously looking at 5-rms in 103, 106 which is 26 yrs old already, and not every floor have lift, plus the lift very slow, but was right across my MIL place. In the end we want a flat with 4 bedrooms (or 3+1) and no stairs (107 have EM), so only Toh Guan can consider. Not to say the valuation for the 5-rms still quite high in spite of the flat's age. Most units gotta basically all hack and redo. The renovation cost likely to end up higher than doing up a relatively new EA.

Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone! Like to check with those who are renovating, or just finished renovation last year on your EA how much you spent on reno and what was the scope of works involved? Scouting around for contractors now, so like to compare quotes on work if possible. Recommendations welcomed! Mine is resale. While we'd like to minimised the works, the flat is after all 10 years lived-in already. Would appreciate your sharing. Thanks!

Mine 287. "Nearest" EA block to MRT. At least that's how 1 agent tried to sell one of the units there. Cos nearest block is 287D, which is all EM. We got at reasonable price, cos seller is first owner, so he can sell lower than if is 2nd owner. The other units we saw all "hang up to sell", not much room for negotiation.

Hi icky, Toh Guan, although my address is on JE St. 21. Are you nearby?

Hi all, EA at Jurong East, 1st appt Feb.