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asoon88

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Posts posted by asoon88


  1. Dear Mr Chong,

    I engaged a FS master to audit for my new house last year, after staying for a year...things don't seem to be good for me & my family :(

    I lost my job in 8 months since I moved in & still jobless now. Hubby's income not very good, met 3 minor car accidents that he had to compensate

    to the other drivers though he was not at fault in 2 cases. Children studies are quite good but son has attitude problem (teens growing stage???) :dunno:

    I really, really need your proffessional advise desperately to help me.

    As I am an IT idiot, I have difficulty in posting my floor plan & upload pix to show you in the forum.

    Is there any other alternatives where I could forward you with all the detailed info you require to audit? Like email?

    Kindly reply as soon as you could cause I really hope to improve my condition very badly.

    Many, many thanks to you in advance.

    There is nothing wrong with your house. Job losses was a norm in Singapore since late 2007 and it affected some people working for an MNC or SME. What you need to do is to forget about the past and look forward to the future. There are jobs in Singapore....plenty if you ask me. However, remuneration is something that you will need to adjust yourself to. Walk-in interviews stand a better chance than sending in resumes. Go to Gumtree.sg and look for opportunities there.

    The fact that your children's studies are good shows that the house is very conducive for them. Boys will always be rebellious during the growing up stage (some girls are also the same) . Be concerned about your son and his well-being. He will outgrow his attitude problem soon enough. However, you must be mindful of your nagging since you spend most of your time at home. Give him space.

    As for your husband, he is not alone in his problems. Encourage him to do an honest day's work and take life as it comes along. The fact that he was involved in 3 accidents show that his mind was worrying instead of concentrating on driving. Accidents don't happen just like that. Be the one to give way, follow speed limits and don't tail-gate, and he will find driving leisurely even if caught in a jam. When both of you bring up your financial and work problems infront of your children, be mindful that it will affect them. Let them know your problems so that they learn to share your pains. However, do not point fingers at your hubby or vice-versa. Your children will resent you for doing that.

    I reiterate again, there is nothing wrong with your house.

    Go and do what you need to do now....which is to look for a good job that you think you are up to the challenge. Engaging a FSM will not only set you back financially, what if things get worse ? Is he giving you a money-back guarantee ?


  2. No offense to avid FS believers but with the exception of very old HDB flats, most MBRs have built-in toilets. Isn't that a water-feature ?

    When you flush the toilet, isn't it the same as water trickling down some motor-operated fountain that people spend a fortune on ? I find it ludicrous that many forumers despite their tertiary education both local and overseas still buy-in to these concepts.

    It is common sense that installing a water-feature in the bedroom will disturb your sleep. How I know ? Just allow your bath-tap to drip water at night and try to sleep. You will be irritated by the constant "tat-tat-tat" or "tink-tink-tink" sound of dripping water hitting the floor. Even if the FS master say it will bring "CAI" to you is all psychological. It defies logic because health problems arising from poor sleep will make you lose your "CAI" faster than the once in a blue moon 4-D windfall.

    For those who insist on installing a water-feature because of "body heat',etc, I suggest you buy yourselves an air mister. The air in your air-conditioned bedroom is probably too dry. Or you are the type that take too much herbal soups,etc...resulting in feeling unwell instead of feeling better.

    FS to me is common sense. Not elephants, donkeys, toads and statuettes. A FS master recommended my mum-in-law to place a water-feature in my dementia afflicted father-in-law's bedroom to "cool" the effects of dementia. She just bought a picture of a waterfall. I see no consolation in my father-in-law's condition. Before picture on the wall and after picture hung on the wall made no difference.

    The sad truth about FS is that people prefer to believe in illogical & money-draining concepts than to pay 50-cents for a parking coupon to park legally. They are willing to splurge hundreds if not thousands to have their houses audited by FSMs but baulk at the ideal of paying a few dollars more for medical insurance for themselves and their loved ones. Such is the foolishness of people affected by materialism that the line between "must-have" and "nice-to-have" are blurred beyond recognition.

    For those die-hard "CAI" location people, please PM your bank a/c no. so that I can transfer $10 on every 4-D or TOTO day to tap on your "CAI" winning formula. You can pay me 80% of the winnings. I also need "CAI" so maybe you can do a good deed by spreading some wealth to me !


  3. I don't know because the ID quoted me a whole package. He said he is giving me 20 ft. Does it help?

    In my honest opinion, I think you will be overpaying if you engage them.

    For both toilets, typical rates including tempered shower screen door is between $2,900~$3,500 per toilet.

    Your contractor is fleecing you in the kitchen area.

    If you are doing masonry work for 2 toilets & kitchen, it should cost no more than $10~$12K depending on tiles used. Therefore, I leave you to guess how much you will be fleeced.

    PS. Buy a $5K IKEA kitchen system with solid top will still leave you with some cash remaining :)


  4. Realise this :

    1) Getting married while still working in a MNC has its perks. You get the extended marriage leave entitlements, compassionate leave to attend to your future wife and children along the way, and colleagues support and understanding when family troubles happen.

    ==> Quite truth but not 100%. Technically , most MNC perks is better. But I come across a MNC which follow Singapore Labour law /employment Act strictly. Mean those not come under by Law/ACT. They will ignore.

    Eg.

    1. when childcare leave is not compulsory by law. They refused to give. Reason: our salary above 1.6k. Not under employment Act.

    2. Annual Leave fix at 15 days. No +1 day every yr. B'coz no law say must increase every yr

    3. NO Bonus. As they treat AWS is bonus

    3) If your MNC folds, you get to enjoy retrenchment benefits. SMEs may not pay you a cent !

    ==> Not truth, I come across fews MNC.

    1 fold .. only give 1 mth notice pay. No retrenchment benefits

    Another one, friend working there for 8-9 yrs. The company only give 2 mth.

    Another one, working there for 8 yrs, the company give 1 service yr = 2 wk pay.

    If happen your appointment letter has a clause of Termination with notice from employer side.

    The company can use this clause, terminate your employment service only pay you the mth-in-lieu.

    The advice given to sunny03 is to make him look again into his existing company's benefits before he decides to jump ship.

    In Singapore, unless you are a civil servant, nothing is guaranteed even if it is written in your letter of employment.

    I used to work for a British company. I was never paid AWS despite it being written in my letter of employment. The company's situation was dire then but I lived thru' it for 8 years before the company folded last year. Many of my ex-colleagues were given 2 wks pay per 1 yr served as retrenchment benefit. The Employment Act serves as a guideline for employers. It has no power to enforce all recommendations on employers to follow the guidelines. That is why employees deprived of additional childcare leave or AWS are left to fend for themselves even if they report the company to MOM. Only the CPF Act has power to rein errant employers.

    My ex-CEO once asked me, why do you (Singapore) have a 13th month pay (AWS) ? There are only 12 months in a year !

    AWS is NOT bonus. Many Singaporeans treat the 13th mth pay as bonus and a given. It is not. In most other countries, a bonus is given provided the company has done exceeding well. The bonus is meant to entice employees to keep up productivity and minimise wastage. That is why Taiwanese & HK people are so "bonus" driven in their work. Singaporeans and our "government-invited foreign talent" are the complete opposite. Thanks to the 13mth AWS. Whether you perform or not, you will still get a minimum of the AWS.

    Singapore should do away with the 13mth pay system. The civil service will be more responsive thereafter.


  5. My family recently moved to Choa Chu Kang St. 62 ( near Yew Tee MRT) and I plan to relocate my kids as well to a primary school nearby. Anyone could recommend me a good primary school :dunno: ? Unity Primary School :unsure: ? Yew Tee Primary School :dunno: ? De La Salle :good: ( heard this is a good school but so hard to get a place) or kranji primary school? Thanks in advance :)

    My 3 children studied in De La Salle. I was an old boy there and enrolment was easy. Heard that it has moved or will be moving to Teck Whye temporarily for the next 2 ~ 3 years because of major renovations. My 4th child will not be enrolling there next year eventhough I get priority because it is all the same....teachers are so-so.

    All schools now have the same type of NIE teachers. Teach for a few months and then 'disappear' for upgrading. Relief teachers become the norm.

    Unity & Kranji are good schools too.


  6. I think the other end of the pipe which is inside the wall may be like what u say connected to the bath tap in the MBR bah.. but how to find out? :P

    So u are recommending to install instant heaters for both toilets instead of a storage one to share between the 2 toilets? Is it more energy efficient that way?

    If you have a Rainbow vacuum cleaner, you can blow air into the pipe and see whether air is coming out from MBR tap (which is unlikely since you say got water already) ! The plumber should know what to do if he installs the water heater for you.

    Instant water heaters don't use more electricity than storage type heaters. The water tank in an instant water heater is probably the same size as your coffee cup. The heating element can be rated between 1000W ~ 3000W depending on brand but this doesn't mean that it will suck up that much energy. The internal thermostat regulates it quite well since a small volume of water heats up faster than a large volume of water (storage water heater). If you still intend to use the storage type, think of the energy that is used to heat up the volume of water inside the tank and go unused because you don't need that much water for a bath.

    I recommend you to use Panasonic brand for instant water heater because they look good esthetically & efficient...not the cheapest though !


  7. I went Choo Chiang Marketing outlet before

    They want me to buy 300 meters of ethernet cable and bundles of normal wire and 300m phone cable..

    they don't sell the crimping tools too..

    I don't need that much and certainly don't have such a large budget.

    If that's the case, Sim Lim Twr will be the most ideal choice to buy cables based on length. Crimping tools have cheap type too ! I bought one cheap one and regretted. Had to pay for an expensive one after that.


  8. Hello I am doing the trunking and wiring for my room.

    I need about 30m ethernet cable, 30 meter phone cable & 10m normal wires.

    I also need the crimping tools for their connectors. May I know where I can get them cheap and urgent.

    please help me!

    Thanks

    You can buy them direct from any Choo Chiang Marketing outlet in Singapore. Many electricians go there to buy stuff for installations. I bought mine from Pioneer North and Rowell Rd outlets. Same price but much cheaper than Sim Lim Twr.


  9. Eh the copper pipe is not capped leh.... It's a like a "S" shape.. one end from the wall and the other end is exposed....

    So meaning I can install a storage water heater in the common toilet and use this pipe to supply hot water to the shower mixer taps in my MBR toilet..? :unsure:

    Hon's posting is the reason why I discourage home owners from installing a storage type water heater. It is even more so for your type of concealed piping toilet because HDB has guidelines on where you can drill and where you cannot. If the plumbers are unfamiliar and use screws that are not thick and long enough, crashes like this can happen. Storage water heaters are designed for use in countries with cold winters. Instant heaters don't deliver heated water instantly in cold weather.

    Back to your question, where does the S shape pipe lead to in your MBR ? I understand that one end is opened in your common toilet but the other end must be connected to either your wash basin tap or bath tap in your MBR . If it is neither, is there a gas pipe leading to your toilet ?


  10. Nope mine is a first hand new flat... I saw this pipe there so dun know what it is for.. WEnt to ask the HDB property officer in charge of our area and he also dun know wor... :angry:

    Ya there is water flowing to my MBR toilet.... That's why I asked how to post a pic in this forum so that it is easier for me to explain lor...

    Just went in the HDB website and saw the sketches for flats with concealed piping. The copper pipe should be capped right ? This is for the plumber to tap water and extend the piping to your water heater or additional bath tap.


  11. Does anyone has contact to adjust door closer? My main door is installed with door closer and slam so loudly when closing.

    There are two screws on the side of the rectangular body to adjust on the door closer. I don't have a picture to show you therefore you got to go by trial and error. Use a "minus" sign screw driver and turn one of the screws till you get a SLOW CLOSING action. Once you get the door to swing slower when closing, turn the other screw to achieve complete door close.

    Your existing door closer may have leaked hydraulic oil causing the fast closing slamming action OR the screw setting has run out of calibration.


  12. Recently I chose a pure white tile , and was told that it was made of compressed marble @ $7 psf.

    Basically this tile is made of 2 layers, 1/4 of the tile surface is the so called compressed marble, the remaining 3/4 is homogenous material.

    What i would like to know is , are all compressed marble tiles made this way?

    What sort of problems would I be facing if I were to use this tile?

    Should this tile be laid like homogenous/ceramic tiles, or like marble with nearly no gap?

    What about discolouration, yellowing and cracks?

    dsc03291v.jpg

    dsc03289x.jpg

    Really hope some experienced forumer can enlighten me on the above issues.

    TIA

    Louis

    Do not be worried about its construction. That's how manufacturers make money by giving you 1/3 orginal material and the remaining 2/3 using composite !

    These tiles will be laid like standard homogenous ceramic tiles. The gap width depends on the "kang-hu" of the tile layer. Usually for these sort of marble tiles, the gaps are very small..sometimes unseen because the final waxing/polishing will make it almost invisible.

    Marble being a porous material will stain if strong liquids with colour are left unremoved. It will 'yellow' eventually but it won't be noticeable unless you buy virgin tiles and place it beside it in 20 years' time ! Cracks can appear if you drop something heavy and with force, otherwise it will take most everyday shocks.


  13. Hi, I got this copper pipe protruding out from the wall in my common toilet. I was wondering what is it for... Could it be for connecting the storage water heater to supply hot water to the master room's toilet... All the water pipes are concealed in my new house so I don't know what this pipe is for. How can i attach the photo which I took to show u all for better clarity? Thanks!

    Is your home a resale flat ? There is no reason for a copper pipe to stick out unless someone removed something,eg. storage water heater.

    Is there water flowing into your MBR toilet at the moment ? Usually the water mains flow from kitchen to common toilet and then to MBR toilet. If there is water flowing already, then this pipe could be for the air-con drainage.


  14. Come to think of it, I still don't find the above comment logical??? You mean all developers that have been using reflective films are NOT RESPONSIBLE for other buildings or people's welfare???

    The buddhist and taoist temples sending incense smoke to other peoples' houses not responsible??? The MRT sending noise and disturbing sleep of other people not responsible??? Famous fsms teaching people how to sent up casino and counter casino not responsible???? I need not go on......I wonder you know your statement can offend how many people and organisation??? (Also 2 cent worth)

    Everything a man does has a cause and effect.

    Developers using reflective films are not wrong in helping residents to get a cooler temperature within their homes. However, if you ever travel on the roads, you will notice some buildings reflect sunlight rather strongly when compared with others. This can cause temporary blindness if you happen to look spot-on when driving.

    Similarly, noise and smoke from places of worship are also well intended. They symbolise offerings & prayers to their dieties. However, if you stay next to such places and have a low tolerance for noise and smell, a war will erupt. Same for MRT trains, bus-interchanges, Malay boys on their motor-bikes on the way to weddings and so forth..... Everything that you can think of that generates pollution, the BCA, HDB, LTA, JTC and other government agencies have already a set of guidelines and limits to address complaints.

    What is comfortable and money-making for one party may be bringing discomfort and financial anxiety to another as in the case of casinos in Singapore. FSMs are paid to do a job just like our traffic wardens. Both bring order to their respective fields, both generate controversy when you are a victim !


  15. Hey, long time no hear from you....haven't visited Renotalk for a long time.

    Er, what is water hammering? You going to break down a wall or something?

    Water hammering is the noise generated within a water pipe due to a sudden shutting-off of a water tap. This is caused by the air-trapped upon closure and the water pressure surging forward within the pipe. This is very prevalent in copper and stainless steel pipes because they have narrower diameters as compared with PVC pipes.

    You can minimise or eliminate the noise by :-

    1 ) Reducing your main inlet pressure (lower down water flow-rate)

    2) Add a flexi hose or regulator between water faucet and main pipe at your basin.

    Hope this helps !


  16. You mean to say your whole life, you did everything with every move into consideration of all the people beside you and your neighbors and your colleagues etc???

    You mean to say that many famous and reputable fsms who have done 'that' are not "responsible" at all???

    You mean to say you are more than qualified to criticize others???

    ?????????

    bepgof never criticise anyone. He was just stating a fact that some FSMs do not do comprehensive audits for their clients thus creating unnecessary issues with neighbours or within the family itself.

    Some forumers jump the gun without reading the intentions of contributors properly and start shooting from the hips. This is exactly what begof is trying to advise people to look at things in totality rather than getting FSMs to generate 'good qi' for themselves only.


  17. Hi there,

    I've recently sold my flat on my own and in the initial process of all documentations & procedures now.

    At the same time, I've also aqquired a new flat thus will be requiring CASH for the down payment since insufficient CPF fund.

    (i) So when will you receive COV?

    Through HDB or from Buyer directly?

    (ii) As for Cash Proceed, I understood that HDB will payout upon completion of 2nd appt?

    Appreciate all your kind advices.

    Thank you! :P

    There are many threads with answers to your question.

    1) You will receive your COV cheque from HDB upon completion of the 2nd appt. Cheque needs to be cleared. So, you need to wait for at least 1.5 to 2 days before physical money can be drawn from your kitty.

    2) You better seek a financial bridge for your new flat. The cash proceeds from your existing flat will not come in time since both transactions are done almost at the same period.


  18. Hi

    need to seek some your advise...

    I had been working in a MNC for 6 yrs... since i ORD, recently got a job offer from a SME but it required me to handle a bunch of old birds and at least 2 of them are problematic. Should i take this offer ??? benefit not as gd as present and i am getting married at end of this year..

    I would like to take a look at the outside world after having being "lock up" for so long ... what should i do ...

    If you weren't getting married, I would encourage you to change your work environment to gain more work experience beyond working for a MNC. However, since you are and the SME doesn't sound like a strong company, you better stay put in the MNC.

    Realise this :

    1) Getting married while still working in a MNC has its perks. You get the extended marriage leave entitlements, compassionate leave to attend to your future wife and children along the way, and colleagues support and understanding when family troubles happen.

    2) You have worked for 6 years already. Yes, your pay may be incrementing slower than our GST or Stamp Duty but be thankful that it is at least increasing.

    3) If your MNC folds, you get to enjoy retrenchment benefits. SMEs may not pay you a cent !

    4) Look beyond your current job's monotony by learning from other depts' task and responsibility. You will be surprised by how much knowledge you still lack. If your superior has an opportunity for you to move sideways, do it. It is better than leaving the company and into the 'fire'.


  19. It is interesting to read about bk888's & umaisarah's experiences. Perhaps to help those who fear the unknown, let's list down some locations for would-be buyers to consider before they buy their resale property. Maybe they can ask the sellers for lower COVs in the process !

    I will contribute by listing the following actual cases :-

    Early 1970s - Blk 102, 30-G, Henderson Crescent - Black Crawling Being seen by my elder brother

    March 1992 - Blk 260, Jurong East St 24 - 9th Flr - Brother-in-law committed suicide jumping off from common corridor

    Around 1996 - Blk 815, Jurong West St 81 - Between 10th~12th Flr - Schoolboy committed suicide jumping off from staircase landing

    Late 2009 - Blk 817, Jurong West St 81 - From 7th Flr home - JC girl jump off from room...still alive when I saw her...reported dead the next day

    Another case between Blks 720~729 in early 2000 - Indian man threw a child out of flat ....

    Spirits don't create problems...people do. Therefore , don't be too worried about past events in a house. Practise your religion fervently, do works of charity, keep a positive and open mind. If you believe FSMs can ward off 'evil', then pay them to do it. Best is to get your own religious teachers to do the job. Some people have good antennas to sense and feel such spirits. They need to be guided back to their own world not feared.


  20. each individual gt their own blief & some do hv their own encounter...thus, u gt no right and r not in a position to say superstitious blah blah blah....

    some of them reali blief in it coz they do encounter or experience b4...however, there r some whom r ignorant coz they hv nt encounter b4 nor experience it themslves b4...

    so come on...each individual hv their own blief & doings...so pls stop crticising others..if u blief in ur own doings..let it be..need not go into an extent..criticising others saying superstitious blah blah blah...then u can juz avoid tis thread..

    Friend,

    Check the dictionary for the meaning of the word " superstition" before your confuse other innocent forumers. This forum is to help give sound advise to people who are ignorant of matters relating to their homes. If is up to them to use the advice.


  21. Hi does anyone know of any master who is able to see whether a house is haunted or unlucky or not ? Cos thinking of buying a resale flat but very worried will ended buying a haunted flat which one of my friend had encountered.

    Stop being superstitious ! Every resale flat / condo in Singapore will eventually be a 'haunted' house judging by the no. of deaths occuring every day in our own homes.

    Most FSMs will tell people to avoid buying a house if the seller is a Hindu. The belief is that the Hindus bring their deities/spirits into the house. Somehow, FSMs lack the 'power' to get rid of the deities' spirits if they choose to remain in the house ! I have viewed houses with altars built into the storerooms....yes it is a bit eerie.

    Similarly, for Muslim families, when their love one dies, they do the washing & rites inside the house. Again, FSMs will typically do a 'prayer' to guide the soul of the decease to leave the house. Nothing evil or scary about that. Just a peace of mind ritual. The same thing is done for Christian, Buddhist or Taoist resale homes.

    When your friend encounters a 'haunted' house, it is his ability to see & feel the 4th dimension. This is a gift or a curse depending on how you see it. It can also be psychological rather than real. FSMs can't do anything about it. Depending on your religious upbringing, it is advisable for you to get your own religious priest or tang-kee to do the house cleansing. FSMs may do more damage to your psychological well-being than good. Think carefully !


  22. Hi all. We just bought a new EA in Anchorvale. The kitchen is kinda small and so we thought of hacking the service yard to have a bigger kitchen. However we also think the service yard is useful to separate the laundry from the cooking. So we are torn on the issue. Any recommendations/opinions/sharing of experience on this pl? Thanks.

    Most EAs / EMs are designed with small kitchens. The laundry area is always separated by a door. For EAs, the laundry area is not the most ideal to manipulate the bamboo or aluminium poles for your clothes. You need sometime to get accustomed to the space before it becomes second nature. It is not adviseable to hack the wall. You need to consider the toilet position as well. Get used to the cooking in a small kitchen, have your makan in the dinning and doing your laundry in the laundry area.


  23. thanks asoon88, i do not know if 40k is too high or not, i see this forum where others are saying they are getting COV requests for 30k & above for 3, 4 room flats for areas in bukit batok & jurong. its hard to do a litmus test...

    If I am selling an EA in Bishan, I will be asking for as much as $100K COV. It really boils down to how much you are willing to part with cold hard cash.

    If you had struck last Monday's TOTO, $100K COV would be chicken-feet. However, if you are earning a decent salary and making ends meet, a $10K COV is already considered too high. What you must decide for yourself is not to overpay for something that the market is not ready to offer. If the Bishan EA is in a good spot, well kept, $100K COV may be justified.


  24. Hi all,

    I'm looking for a place for an upgrade, how much COV is considered acceptable? Can someone advise?

    You can log into HDB's website to check on the last two quarter's COV around the Bishan area to get a feel of how much you will have to fork out. Typically , multiply the HDB statistics by 2. Actual COV will depend on seller and how much money you have to 'throw' away. EAs are premium flats now because their floor area is big as compared with big condos but cost less than half in terms of price.

    Unless the seller is a desparate seller, be prepared to fork out in excess of $40K for COV.

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