doremon2009

Hi Rasp, Oops u've mistaken! It's the saga with agent n buyer of our old house.. Thus need to get the new house done asap so that we can release the old house. Renovation of new house have not start yet..

Wow! Rasp very sharp leh. ; ) Impress : )

Hi Pinklady, I don't have enough $ to buy resale..it's purchase direct from HDB via balloting mode. This house I bought was built >10yrs ago and unsold, then release to market to us. So HDB needs to rectify those defects in the unit. Therefore, not sure what method to use to chase HDB to pace up..

Hi, I receive conflicting information and really need advises here.. If I chose to have homogenous tiles for dining/living flooring and wooden flooring(be it laminate or parquet) for the bedrooms:- The renovator told me that 1) Cement screed can only do after all the homogenous tiles and chemical wash are done. 2) Cement screed then can level to near certain height of homogenous tiles flooring and it takes long time to dry up. 3) After Cement screed dry up then can lay the wooden flooring to level the height of homogenous tiles . The renovator emphasis that HDB will not allow the Cement screed to carry out if homogenous tiles have not done.(hmm sound strange for this line) 4) Even if cement screed done before homogenous tiles also no use, renovator has to hack it and redo as it'll not match the height and do level for the rest of homogenous tiles flooring.. So the renovator cautious me that I need to wait very long to queue for HDB Cement screed.So impossible to finish in time to meet my dateline. Thus, I may need to do the whole house homogenous tiles to rush for dateline. Or I pay renovator to do the Cement Screed. Today I went to HDB officer and check, the reply is 1) I just need to inform HDB which area to do Cement screed. 2) HDB don't need to wait till my other part of house for all the homogenous tiles and chemical wash are done. 3) HDB shared renovator can only come in after HDB rectification and Cement Screed done up..otherwise anything wrong on the work done by HDB worker will not be warrant/guarantee..ie HDB will not rectify further if the rectification is not to the satisfactory. So kind of confuse which is correct way/sequence leh? Seems to me HDB sound more correct. Can share and advise ?

Dear Rasp, Thanks for your sharings ; ) Seems long list to do and take note.. Negotiate?? Original plan suppose to have enough time to do reno properly and nicely..even have it to cater for after reno rectification. Haiz! What to do when bump into irresponsible/crafty ppl where at first impression is good but then discover that it's just fake at the later stage when it's too late to turn back? Don't wish to talk about it as still quite mad about the whole saga.. quite drama like the HK series.. that's is very tiring and frustrating to fight about it..rather prefer to channel the energy to do constructive things now. Know it's abit mission impossible but will do my best first to achieve and make the impossible to possible.. If really really still cannot then think I will take the option to go to court to settle the matter and let the judge decide. For the reno matters, may need to ping you for more advise in time of need ; ) Regards, Doremon2009

Hi firehorse, I also not sure if the ID/contractor allows that or not.. the pointers I put there is for my reference as it's to consolidate and summarise some pointers after reading tons others Renotalk Tblog. By the way, Renotalk is really having the wealth of info, .. really times need to dig n read alot inorder to digest,gather the relevant info..sometimes the info also quite conflicting.. so fearing that I may forget or confuse or lost after reading so many, I think I should put up here as pointers summary form to remind myself or for others. To have place to read to get the pointers a quick.. but it's very subjective to whether if circumstances allow and relevance to the specific requirement .. : ) It's also a platform to facilitate bouncing/exchange of ideas, discussion and sharings ; ) Regards. Doremon2009

A bit surprise to find "The Baking Clubby" in Reno t-Blog ; ) Love to start homemade baking for family once new house done up. Dream about it now.. By the way, care to share what oven you use ? Have never buy any oven before? Will love to know what model and brand you using. Thanks! Doremon trufaole@gmail.com

Finally have some time to spare to read on Renotalk fellows input and good advises.. However, was quite tired.. feeling abit headache now.. Before I log off, would like to put here the summary of some key points/tips for those who are newbie like myself, also to remind myself to take note in my reno process :- Kitchen top, Solid Surface 1)solid surface, it's better to get light colours so that the scratches cannot be easily seen 'cos solid surface scratches easily. 2) maybe can try to scratch it,if the ID allows it... to see how obvious the black against the white.. some did that for selection of the solid top.. scratch all to see how much difference it look and took the least obvious one.. Carpentry 3) tip if you really want "white carpentry": choose off-white e.g. cream so that if it turns yellow, it's not so obvious. light 4) never let your ID bring u buy light. they get fees for it and it comes from the higher price you pay m'sia lights are bettar, but a bit more expensive than china/taiwan lights. got for a good reasonable price and is cheaper than those in Geylang lights. Not sure where is this shop in m'sia though.. wonder who can share.. 5) Per lighting point is about 35 6) now all osram tubes come from china...no longer from Germany...even though the box stated the office location is Germany Piping Test 7) Need to do piping test -gas and water. How ?Suppose to be done by who? ie HDB, renovator, etc To be con't...need some rest first..

Hi johnson28, Hope you can still read my msg : ) Possible to PM me where is the exact place you buy the light? Can recommend me the light you purchased? ie model, picture, etc.. Thanks! Doremon trufaole@gmail.com

After cooling down... I ask myself what can I do now in the weekend where no office are in operation :- I need to get the full grasp of the Renovation cycle/process, hope that can help to expedite the process.. How much further can it be streamline? After HDB rectification, my reno must complete within 3weeks.. maximum 4 weeks without anymore delay. Which can do in parallel and which can only do sequential, which to do first, which to do next, which to do last? In the background in parallel has to start the procress of packing from old house already, 1) hacking 2) laying tiles hopefully can do within 1st week 3) laying aircon gas and water pipe, 3a) can do wiring in parallel at this time ? 4) laminate flooring installation hopefully can do within 2nd week 5) do custom built in cabinet, mirror, installation of accessories, what else? 6) installation of aircon, light 7) plastering then painting of walls 8) chemical clean by reno 9) cleaning whole house by me 10) mover to move in hopefully can do within 3rd week Handover house to buyer. Care to advise anything I miss out? or have to take note ? Any detail I miss out? Super time tight.. Just need a baseline to be a guideline to discuss with reno ; ) As I only have maximum 4 weeks timeframe to do reno, thus time for completion is crucial.. Any helpful feedback and advise is highly appreciated : ) Thanks! Doremon trufaole@gmail.com

Gosh! Am really at STRESS.. time is so pressing.. and yet HDB 'mang mang lai 慢吞吞".. Here's the update.. 1) Once got the key, we quickly go to the unit and check the new house, within 3 days we submit to HDB for the process of rectify the house. 2) HDB does call up within 3 days after I submit the form. But shared that need time to coordinate. 3) I pester them to have a joint inspection thinking of cutting short of their so call checking, coordinate or processing time.. 4) 1 week later got the joint inspection date.. scheduling the following week. 5) After joint inspection, shared that they need 4 weeks to finish the rectification work.. almost fainted.. I pester the officer sharing we really need to do it asap any earlier date to complete.. he shared it's 10yrs house so much to rectify.. want to do the job properly does need so much of work effort n duration.. for rush work may not provide quality delivery.. Then next I ask when can start work? Was told worker on leave wait for next week.. I ask can do my reno in parallel? HDB officer said 'No, better not.Anything wrong, no guarantee..' 6) manage to talk to worker on following week Tue, was told need 3 to 4 days to hack the wall and floor tiles.. and also give me an impression that they start work on Wed .. On Fri, then I realised worker havent even start work!! Time is clicking loud.. What am I suppose to do ?!???

Hi Thanks, Pinklady ; ) Wonder if in the end if I chose Parquet whether such also applicable or not.. By the way, do you have the stages or rather plan that you can share or PM me? which is sequential, which can be on parallel, and when to pay the reno? eg. 1) hacking 2) laying tiles 3) laying aircon gas and water pipe 4) laminate flooring installation 5) Do up cabinet etc.. Thanks! Doremon

Hi newnyew, Really thanks for your sharing.. kind of impress with the overwhelm of choice :- Burma Teak Parquet Burma 12mm x 1-1/2" x 10-1/2" Burma 12mm x 2'' x 8'' Burma 12mm x 2'' x 10'' Burma 18mm x 2'' x 8'' Burma 18mm x 2'' x 10'' Indonesia Teak Parquet Indonesia 12mm x 2'' x 8'' Indonesia 12mm x 2'' x 10'' Indonesia 12mm x 2'' x 12'' Indonesia 12mm x 46mm x 230'' Indonesia 18mm x 2'' x 8'' Indonesia 18mm x 2'' x 10'' Indonesia 18mm x 2'' x 12'' Err.. me first time doing so not sure how to chose.. may I know what did you chose for your house ? Just need a baseline as an example the look and feel on the effect when the whole house is done up. Looking by 1 piece don't seem to be able to visualise whether it;s going to look good. Really not easy. Thanks! Doremon

HI vodkazhong, So you got your key to your new house already? Where is your location? Mine is near Jurong Point : )

Hi Ripples, Your place is big.. looks like private landed property..

Yo Pinklady, I like light light colour too.. looks brighter, spacious and easier to match.. But concern about maintenance leh.. so far any issue on that for you? You very brave leh even use in living and dining area.. you really confident on the quality wo. I went to shopping took extra notice on the laminate flooring.. don't know why I keep seeing the mark, scratches, stain etc..kind of worn out/faded laminate flooring esp the light color one more obvious.. Kind of shaken whether still want to stick to my choice of having wooden flooring for the rooms.. Then I begin to have some concern about what happen when I shift my standard buy in furnitures in etc.. will it affect my wooden flooring? say scratch, or And if does then what, can laminate flooring to be replace FOC by the reno firm/Prego directly? (take example if I chose prego) Love to hear from you how when you move in your sofa, dining table esp those very heavy items? No problem with your prego flooring?

Hi Pinklady, In the end, I also got no time to go Expo.. Now try to squeeze time to check out of renotalk also a challenge with my tight schedule haha.. How I wish I'm a Tai Tai. ; )

Hi newnyew, Parquet at $2.10psf!! You must have got a great deal ; ) So when you got the material direct from Hauhau Parquet .. a company? where is this place.. would want to go there and have a look.. How do you find the quality so far? Is this recommended by your contractor or you found it yourself? By the way, need to get screeding for the floor first before the Parquet? Wow! Is it cheaper than laminate? If I'm not wrong the lowest quote I heard from laminate is $3.50psf.. unless I've mistaken.. You bought the Oven at half price? Gosh! You really know where to get good lobang leh. Must follow your Tblog closely for good deal haha.. But you done with your reno wo..otherwise can buy together with you for even better discount as quantity of purchase increase haha.. Thanks! trufaole@gmail.com

Hi, Congrat! Indeed, it's a very tiring process to find,qualify and select the ID. It's a great blessing to find a good one like your friend : ) Me sourcing for one too. You have got the quote and sign the dotted line already? When will your reno start? trufaole@gmail.com

Hi chipydale, Possible to PM me on the experience you have for your contractor/ID? Can pass me the contact? As for price wise it's really a good deal ; ) Thanks! trufaole@gmail.com

Hi, Which area is your new house?

HI adrian_john, Really in joy to see your prompt reply. ; ) Wow! Renotalk T blog really live and kicking haha.. So bless to have your sharing here : ) Ya, actually it's first time in my life so far.. kind of sensing the stress/pressure. So have to plan ahead. Actually not much time left for me either.. By looking at the load of things we have in our current home .. it's like mission impossible for me to do it alone.. but I have to face the fact indeed I have to do it myself. .almost fainted .. as those family members who can of help are station in oversea. haha. Now my message to my search of to be potential renovator is how to have sufficient storage and maximise the space of new house without offset too much on the asthetic.. Mmm.. well just have to take deep breath, be calm and plan step by step. Renotalk become my frequent hang out whenever I can have the time to do so : ) Really thanks to goodmates whom willing to share here haha Doremon

Oops! Forgot to reply here.. My new place is in Jurong West near Jurong Point. Any kakis here can share more about Jurong West area? Thanks!

Hi Reinshagen, Really love your design, kind to share this uses of "some glass finish".. is it tempered glass material? Is it expensive? Ok to share the quote in this aspect? Provide from which source or ID/contractor? Can PM me if you don't mind ; ) Thanks! trufaole@gmail.com

Hi Reinshagen, Possible to share your dimension of the big feature wall you use for storage? As from the photo you posted it looks sleek and not too bulky. Is there a so call standard measurement the carpentry industry needs to follow? Anything bigger than that dimension will be ugly? And how is your this feature wall "storage" ie the partitions/shelves being designed? Look forward for your soonest sharing ; ) Thanks! Doremon trufaole@gmail.com