fencer

Pics of the white stain.. not clear though.. This one previously was more white.. now changed color abot oledi.. Looks at the 2 brownish stain, 1 below the triangle, 1 on the right side. This is the mirror wic tha painter used terapin or something, which is used to remove paint, to clean the whole mirror. Any1 got suggestions on removing these?

Sorry about your 1.5 hrs of reading. And thanks for your comments.. 1) There is never mention of handover time nor is there a firm 1. I set 7 May myself coz my furniture is coming oledi and reno is already 2++ months. And last 3 weeks, dispite saying that my furniture is coming, things are done like 1 or 2 things in my hse. 2) He walk me through? I had done more checking then him and visit more often. And pls, is not he came over so many times. I already said i had a hard time meeting him up. 3) He answers my calls. Yes. BUt does mean things are being solved without constain reminder and my insistings. And if you notice my blog was started during my reno and not after handover. So from good situation to bad .. isit hard to imagine? or isit impossible to happen? And what is the defination of high standards? I merely want things fixed propoerly, not dragged on and telling me all sorts of excuses. Even my gf is grumbling about it. Some i already told her just to accept it. And fyi. my initial quotation was only $30k. And we added on more and more coz we have confident in him. And yes, i had read about ppl who got it worse from other contractors. Does it mean i shld just accept the condition of what my hse is now coz is better then other ppl? And fyi, i did keep calling him to meet up. He is not free sometimes so i abid to his timing. And when meet up, he writes down the problems. Overtm, i had to remind him again and again for some unsolved problem. Some got solved, some don't. Not to mention my window which leaked for 4-5 days which no one tried to stop water from leaking to my cupboard at all. All Henry said is got warranty, no worry. Even for the crooked piping. It was solved by putting silicon on the rivet. I meet him on tue and he said rain then know would leak. What kind of explaination is that? And i'm not getting a latest technology wic no one used before. Is a rivet water tight? Need to rain then know? Yes, i can say he can be alot better then other contractors out there which i was fortunate have not encountered. Some things were solved very very fast. Some dragged a while. Some never got to be solved. And i did say good things about Henry when he is good. But i would comment on bad things also since it is a forum for sharing good and bad. Don't tell me i can only comment bad things only if 50% of the ppl kana bad stuff.. Portion of the unsatisfactory work differs from different ppl. I feedback what i think needs to be solved. But not with those lamn excuses and dragging over time until there is no more time for rectification. And fyi. I did DIY alot coz things are not moving at all and i DIY coz i can, so why keep waiting when it is not going to be done. Even my gf scold me why i shld be doing it. HOw do i DIY the windows, the pipes and the cracked tiles?

It is an end of the reno not because things are finished and rectified. It's coz my furniture is coming oledi and i dun have time to drag on any longer. The cost of reno is also at the foot note. And additional cost for fixtures for lights, taps, sinks, heaters etc is abt $10k++. If you read through the whole blog, you would get a pretty good idea on my situation and my personal comments about Henry and his quality of work. But then at the moment, i only know me and another guy kana the bad part. The rest is still ok.. so this you have to judge yourself bah... Personally, he's professional in the beginning loh.. that's all. 1st haf of the reno at least.. 2nd haf is start of my nightmare..

Is behind the sewage pipe loh.. yah loh.. if remove, nd to remove more tiles then 1.. and nd re-do piping also.. so all cost money.. But huh.. is his workers who crack it, why should i be the 1 who have to live with it? Hmm...

Pic of cracked tile Is behind this pipe loh Henery said no pl to put the cutting tool (presuming to remove only 1 tile). I asked him if can just crack the 1 tile so can take out. He said would crack other tiles also and of coz nd to redo piping. And also may damage other things like basin.

Advice: Watch the toilet bowls and sinks. Once they are up, workers would wash whatever they need to wash in it, paint brush, equipment for plastering etc. No need dirty the floor and no need to wash mah.. Plaster, cements etc would be log in it. Esp the toilet bowl. Feedback to Henry and initially said he would ask cleaners to clean and make it brand new.. now stil dun look brand new to me.. Note: Cleaners only come 2 times. 1) acid wash. 2) final wash (w plain water). So any other cleaning, you do it yourself. My gf's sister had cement stuck in the toilet bowl. Can't be removed.

Like to clarify though. 1) Henry did not admit is his guys fault at any point of time. 2) He wrote it down on his list to do when I 1st told him abt it, abt 3 weeks back. 3) At beginning, he surveyed and said that is hard to change coz nd to piping everything again. And also would damage the mirrors and sink while doing so. 4) Since meeting him last week and this week, he said cannot be changed coz cutting tool no pl to cut. Even though i insist it to be changed. 5) On monday, while calling me to arrange for tuesday meeting, i insist again and he said "if wan like that just deduct from the payment loh". To me, your workers cracked it, replace it. Even if is to hack out the side tiles as well and redo a few tiles. And i certainly would have accepted the crack tile nicely if he had not used so much excuses and time to drag this matter on.

1 Small thing to share. The kitchen windows, which i had newly replaced, came with a loose handle. Have told Henry abt it immed abt 3 weeks into reno. Henry had said he would ask ppl to get it fixed. After reminders and reminders, end up stil no fix until abt 2 weeks back when i reminded him again. By then, Henry told me is very simple to fix and proceed to explain to me how to take out and tighten it. So end up, buy i bought my own screwdriver and fixed it myself in 3 mins time. Anyone to know how to fix your windows handle, let me know and i'll PM you..

Mistakes are bound to happen. What's important to consumers is that it is rectified asap once it is made known, not dragged until no time to rectify. Hmm... to me as the hse owner, crack tile is not whether it can be rectified or not. Is a simple case: your workers crack it, you replace it. Esp if I had told Henry at least 2 weeks back about the cracked tile.

Thanks hcbing.. But luck is not going to make the things fixed leh.. Haa.. Well... If you were to ask Henry, he would sure defend his doings.. since when would any contractor says his in the wrong for not getting things fixed? The most clear thing ppl can ask without the need for both party to be around, is why he decide not to change the cracked tile which his piping guys broke? Which i had told him some time back liao. I notice kiven's was not complete also.. should be issues which can be solved bah.. Sorry to ask.. what's imho? See how in the future bah.. at least i know how to deal with such contractors now.. Ha.. Samgalz, i don't find any of your postings offending.. excuse me if i had replied too harsh.. Anyone would wan the hse to be sui sui and trouble free after reno.. after all, we are using our hard earn money to pay for it. Thanks gimz63251073. Ha. At least kiven has resolved his issues. But mine, i dun have time anymore to make major rectifications. My 1st set of item is coming this sat loh.. I certainly need. Anyone who needs to know in detail what to look out for before, during and after reno, let me know.. good to share experience w everyone in need..

Ha.. tot all stain would eat into any solid top.. didn't know 100% acrylic is so resistance.. thanks for the info.. yup.. agree.. didn't really research properly what color is better... coz just go with the theme.. You mean if the fingerprints had to be removed? Well, i buy mirrors is to see myself mah, not other ppl's fingerprint though. Ha.. looks white so think is those white powder bah.. not sure if camera can capture the prints is not like black against white. i'll try take pics during weekends. Cheers to you jaskel!! At least you bothered to try to help... Well. It maybe the worker's fault, but now is the case of Henry saying everything is as it was to be. Or in the case of broken tile, bo bian. Yup. There are ppl who are worse off then me and there are ppl who are better off. I have been trying to be patient and let Henry arrange his resoources but things had been dragging for weeks. Basically, he is solving small things like paint jobs but not those crack tiles, crooked pipes (solved for the moment coz his workers pushed the pipe all the way up to ceiling, and let me emphersis this.. is at the pipe joint, until it stays there) and my possible leaking window. The way he is solving things, i see it as either delaying til i have to take over the flat coz i no time to wait liao so he won't incurring additional cost. No offence to everyone but mind i ask why should i spend so much $$ to reno a hse after which, it has cracked tile, window that may leak coz a rivet is in it and is patched with silicion and pipes done this way? and look at the reasons he gave.. Last to check is the solid top. 2morow is going to be buffered 3rd tm. And i really hope it turns out well.

Well. For record purpose, I did try to remove the stains on the mirrors. What I cannot remove is fingerprints on the frosted part of the mirror, dispite using Jiff, mama lemon, sponge from daiso for removing stains. And I dun think I nd to explain how strong Jiff is. And the painter did try wipe the mirror, using cloth and tarapin or something wic is used to remove paint. Do any1 use thus on your mirror? Besides using it to remove paint? And I certainly hv been more then patient for things to be rectified. But dispite waiting for few weeks, things are not. And it is not me dragging things on until is too late to be rectified. Also giving reasons for it.

Ha.. i dun mind what he wants to say as long he gets things rectified.. But now is he says what he wants and major things like broken tiles and possible leaking windows is not going to be fixed at all and things are dragging for the last 3 weeks until now is too late for any major rectifications liao. So of coz i have no mood to hear his remarks which is not useful at all..

Well.. diff ppl have diff opinions. Right or Wrong, i am the one who have to live with all the problems (Possible leaking windows, pipes). I know cleaning is inevitable. And i did help out when i could so things could be go smoothly. But not the excuses given for every single things that went wrong with his workers. Like i said, Paying close to $40k for reno, i would expect some level of standards. Give an example. Henry is the 1 who said the protective cover is easy to remove so i left it there until reno in kicthen had finished. When i cannot remove it "easily", i told henry and he tried. He give up after trying abit and said he would call his ppl to remove and clean it. He writes it down. During next meet up, i remind him again. He write it down again. This had gone on for 3 weeks. End up yest then ask the painter guy to help remove. Can ask why i can't remove it myself? I can but if is a bit is ok.. is covering the whole front of the dustbin.. So i dun tink i'm at fault to assume Henry should ask some1 to help since he assume is easy to remove.

I hope there is no one else.. HA.. but then it could also happen to other contractors or IDs you may work with.. Suggest adding in a clause in before you sign on the dotted line, if not to my satisfaction, would delay payment until things are rectified.

my colleague also told me not to pay the remaining sum.. Ha.. about 10% left for last payment.. the amount for electrical rewiring i paid directly to Ah Liang coz i deal with him directly.

Thanks joseeng. I setting this Friday as the last day for any rectification to be done. I'll deduct what i think is not to my standard from the last payment. I did help alot in cleaning up the mess so i deserve to be paid also right? HA..

Henry did say i'm the only 1 who had bad feedback for him.. So made me thinking, was i really too particular on the details coz of the $38k i paid? I can say the 1st painter did clean up majority that can be "seen" easily.. Can say he's not good w details.. Thanks samgalz.. that's why i was so pissed off these 2 weeks. esp when i Already said my furniture is coming soon. and things are not rectified..

The Bad And the Ugly. Part 2. Guys who Paintings - Talked to 4 painters over 1 month period. - Henry repeated remind me to be careful coz if dirty 1 part of the wall, need to repaint whole wall coz color wld be uneven. BUT painters would paint small parts only if needed. - Painted whole house + wastage pipes. - Some parts can see dried paint "ripples" effect (was told is old paints). Some kana the grills. Some kana the window frame (guest room2 , he painted the whole left side window frame (aluminium part), was nt removed at all (feedback but was ignored, DIY of coz). Some places next to windows not painted properly at all (can see the previous paints). Ceiling painting kana tiles. Some kana newly changed window. Paint kana my stainless steel bamboo holder (was not removed until 2 weeks later). - Small groove in wall not patched before painting. - Removed 90% of the stains. Some stains on tiles, windows, grills, on skirting which is under the aircon piping etc not removed. - Asked to change painter. - Touched up. Groove still not filled in dispite reminder again. - Groove filled finally and painted over but stil can see the patch. Feedback. New guy painted over the groove, only. - I asked for white shiny paint so i can touch up myself. Henry volunteered to paint, no prob.. End up, small section of wastage pipe in common toilet not painted. Wastage pipe at kitchen not painted all the way up and painting dripped down on the black tiles, creating a puddle. Master bedrm toilet not painted so color is different. - Yest 4th painter came to help touch up. Repainted entrance to master bedrm coz paint cracked on 1 side from top to bottom. Going to repaint all pipes and doors so hv even color. - Asked to help take out the sticky protective cover for dustbin. Done in 30 mins when i reminded Henry to settle over 3 weeks period. The rest can be found in Some Useful Points or all over my blog. My thoughts, - Dun be so naive in believing all feedbacks wld be taken care of. - What is promised is verbal only. It can be forgotten or too late to do anyting oledi. (even though is written down by contractor) - Contractor may not know what is going to be done by workers/other contractors like window installers, although claim would be done this way, that way. - Once you decid to reno, you are at the losing end already. Time and money. And at mercy of contractor. - Volunteering your own time to assist or/and watch does not help if contractor does not admit is a fault and do not rectify the fault. May end up "now canot do anything liao" situation. What i heard and don't like (and likely some of u may hear also), - Is like that 1 - All household is the same, u go see loh - Is very good already, don't know what else to fix liao - My house also like that - Bo bian, now cannot do anything liao - You ask your friends to come and see, they sure say is very nice - People won't notice 1 lah. - Put curtains loh, ppl won't see one.. - I can't tell the difference also leh.. - Arrange for meeting to discuss what needs to be rectified, last min call and say cannot meet. Just email him what needs to be fixed or talk to his guy. (i tried before and things dragged for 2 weeks wo 100% fix)

Yup.. White top has it's disadvantage also.. Anyway all tops need to be careful loh..

LG aryclic solid top.. i topup to change to this coz the design for the default is 90% not nice. I mentioned the buffering is done by the workers. not me. There's some reference online on how to maintain solid top. You need to remove the stain asap or else it would "eat" into the top.

Hmm.. ok lah.. not exactly polish, buffering? What can happen right? Thinking worse case is after round 2 of buffering, the line is gone but a lighter tone black that is 1cm think.. Ha.. and of coz standard answer.. every solid top is like that mah...

Well.. like u said, we're always at the losing end, time and money wise. I can say the last 3 weeks had dragged while things could had been done in a week or so.. Once handover, i will post the good and bad pics of the complete hse.. or what's leftover.. Thanks gimz63251073. No prob though.. thanks for the effort.. Ha..

The Bad And the Ugly. Part 1. Guys who does hacking - Almost hacked through master bedrm toilet walls when suppose to remove only the toilet frame. - Hacking finished in 2 days + remove debris. Guys who did Piping/Sink/Taps/Heaters/Towel bar/Toilet bowl/Bamboo holder in kitchen - Rush job - 2 set of toiletries seperated into 2 piles at 2 different location and still manage to fix wrongly (Coz they lump the remainer toiletries together after day 1). i asked specifically if the "toilet roll" holder's holes is the same and can be changed, end up they re-drill holes to put and patch the old ones. - Misaligned mirror and sink for both toilet. Fixed after 3-4 wks of complain to Henry + help from Simon. Overheard remark after the fix. Fingerprints found on the frosted part of the mirror, cannot be removed. - Crooked piping in kitchen to toilet. Used "force" to push it up at the joint area (wonder y is this joint in plain sight??). Guranteed to hv no leak by workers and contractors. - Pipes not seating on the catch properly at various places - Bamboo holder in kitchen moved 3 times dispite giving exact measurements. Initially Henry said 1001 reasons not to move it coz his hse also the same. The side to the wall is so close to the wall that if i hang clothes, it would be touching the wall, trunking and switch. Henry said no 1 would use the last section 1. after 2nd move, 1 holder is not straight. After 3rd move, Sui Sui. - Piping guys twist my aircon drainage pipe for my aircon in master bedrm toilet out of the way to install the pipings. End up cracked the filling on the wall for the drainage pipe. Piping guys no patch when finish job. Patched only after i feedback+reminder and is fixed 2-3 weeks later. - Good part is nothing collapsed or dropped. Guys who replaced The windows - No see but looks good immed after replacement. - Master bedrm windows are tilted to the centre and to the back abit. Water would accumulate at centre. Feedbacked and reply is like that 1. Cannot see different mah.. my hse also like that. sure won't flood the room. The patched rivet now no leak liao mah. Quoted: is like car, car breakdown, pay for the broken part. Now if spoil anything, we pay loh. - All "push"windows are no longer "smooth" after reno coz no care is taken when doing things on or near it. Feedback and reply is cleaners wld clean it (with blower and brush, can clean dried cement and pieces of dirt logged under?) Spend 3-4 hrs cleaning out all the pieces of dirts. All "push"windows are no longer "smooth" even after cleaning + add oil. - Comes with a loose handle. Feedback but no fix so end up i bought screwdriver and DIY myself. Guys who replaced The window Grills - Done in 3 hrs. - Aluminium have some marks on them oledi. Cannot be removed. Don't even wan to feedback on this. - Guy put rivets into master bedrm windows to hold the grills in pl. Caused 5 days of leak which no effort is made to stop water from spreading on the floor. Rectified by putting silicion on the rivets. Reply is bo bian. No "Place" to hold the grill. and dun know would leak until it rains.. Now no leak so ok. - When opening/closing, some of the window panel's handles are scratching on the grill. Probably placed too close.. Don't even wan to bother to feedback. Guys who replaced The Doors (not door frames) - Fast and furious - Up in 3 hrs Main Door - Defects at 3 spots. Feedback to door guys, says wld be patched before protection coat. End up no patch. Feedback to henry, is like that 1. Cannot see mah. All doors sure got some defects. - Viewer placed near to windows side. Coz centre got "bone". Feedback to henry, is like that 1. Can see all the corridor mah.. - Top and bottom of door is "unprotected". Asked before if it was covered coz wld kana when raining. Reply is yes. Later found it was not, reply is bo bian.. is like that 1. Room/storerm doors - Top and bottom of door is "unprotected". And would not be painted at all. - 1 or 2 places, the "cut" for the hinges is bigger then the hingers. no filling done. Don't even wan to feedback. DIY. - Standard door knobs looks like got small bits of rust. End of Part 1 of the bad and the Ugly. Stay Tune for Part 2.

Nope. He was nicer when meeting but alot prob cannot be "solved" coz bo bian, is like that 1. All hsehold is the same..