nerrad

i don't think it'll make too much of a difference for future buyer. It only makes sense if the additional 10%, say an additional small bedroom or something, is of importance to you after your A&A.

There is a reason why suppliers gave treated wood a fancy brand name and never dare to reveal exactly what wood they are giving you. Many use very inexpensive wood, such as pine, treat them and then sell them as a product to all over the world. How well treated pine reacts to a tropical climate is a big big question mark. I would suggest going got real wood that have been tried and tested for decades. Yes changal's quality is getting bad. Ironwood is another very durable option but expensive. Stained yellow balau can also be considered.

It is way too early to ask for quotations now. Do homework on your own... Sure.

Track lighting is a good idea. Otherwise, just exposed the lighting conduit and paint them black like many projects featured in Home&Decor.

While the kitchen looks cute and contemporary, I urge you to consider very carefully about using small-sized wall tiles near your cook top, especially white. The joints in between the tiles will turn black in no time and extremely hard to be cleaned.

Well you really cannot just compare the price like that. For windows, there are many different types of aluminium sliding window system out there. Some are more superior than the others. You need to find out a lot more from your contractor about the details and the look of your window system. Get detail drawings from them if they have. Ask them to show you working samples. Sample drawings are also fine. In general, European profiles are typically more expensive, but certainly more durable and looks a whole lot prettier than their cheaper counterparts. Be fully aware of where your windows are manufactured. Aluminium grilles come in many different look. They can be painted (worst), natural adonised, powder coated (quite common), or fluocarbon coated (most expensive). Again it is really not about the price because typically the more expensive coating looks better. So please take all these into considerations.

You should not expect your contractor to give you a discount just because the feature wall is now shorter by 200mm. Plywood typically comes in the size of 1.22m x 2.44m. So he is most likely going to use exactly the same amount of material and effort to cut these plywood panels into the feature wall size you have, regardless whether it is 1.8m or 1.6m.

Yes skylights are risky, especially if you are not appointing any consultant to detail the skylight and going to a contractor directly. If the contractor has advised you not doing a skylight, it means he is not very good in this field. Either find someone else or not do a skylight.

Hi. You may PM me for more details. : )