froggy

Yup, some quote in feet, some cm, and each one has different proposal, so not really fair to compare quotation amongst IDs. But anyway, it's not just the $$, also depends on how trustworthy and "clickable" I feel they are. No one gave 3D yet as I have not firmed up with anyone, not even layout plan (except for one). They still treat like some copyright even though I ask for them for easy reference against their quotation! A bit hard to describe here, and haven't figure out how to upload attachments, but the L shape at mbr will be against the "exterior" wall and aircon ledge wall, bed next to wardrobe, ie windows at the side. kwim?? We did think about making the chest of drawers (infront of airocn ledge) movable, but was afraid that might damage the parquet? kitchen - I have full height cabinets against the bomb shelter wall, worktop infront of window, sink in the wall next to pipe, hob on the other side of the L, followed by top bottom cabinets and the fridge near the kitchen entrance. Hope you are not scratching your head already? LOL Basically will be hacking off kitchen wall at entrace and extending kitchen out by a rectangular space till near main door. anyway did you visit many houses before deciding on your ID?

Hmm .. I also want to join in to compare quotation. My quote for the extended kitchen is $7020! That's with 95cm full height, 153cm low cabinet, 39cm top hung, all in laminate. plus worktop in indian granite. So looks like either mine is too high or 15May's is reasonable? Actually, can anyone tell me how cabinet cost is calculated? Is the full height 3 times the price of a bottom cabinet? For places with a L shape, do they count the overlap portion double? 15May, I also opt for no door! Regret lah! My quote for 5 pc nytoh veneer ply timber door is $2750! Looks like this ID is really trying to chop me to pieces. Anyway, is this door the solid or timber type? I was told that this is the better quality one, true? As for mbr, after going through the many options, we have now more or less decided to do the L shape wardrobe. One ID suggest a chest of low drawers just outside the aircon ledge, but I worry that it may be difficult when aircon needs to be serviced.

Hi Professor Do you mind if I ask your reno cost? And scope of work? and who is your ID/contractor? I was quoted between 37k to 45k (former being contractor, and later IDs) for:- * hacking kitchen wall and extending kitchen into foyer, hence a little more cabinets *overlay kitchen with homogeneous tiles * glass door *granite work top * mbr wardrobe (only 7ft), parquet floor * other 2 rooms only parquet floor, nothing else to be done * toilets vanity top and cabinet and mirror cabinet *shower screen *overlay homogeneous tiles *hall feature wall and tv console *shoe cabinet *marble flooring in hall and parquet in rooms *ceiling and cove light in hall What do you think? Good price or got chop?

Ya, better be careful - I realise that some ID do measure "wrongly". I highlighted the tight space to one ID, but he insisted can be done and kept saying "don't worry", but I'm not sure la. Just look at the measurement - our mbr width is 290cm a bed (whether king or queen) without frame is 200cm (but even without frame, still need space for headboard right? so let's say minimum 10cm) wardrobe depth 60cm so that leaves 20cm walking space?? So small space not only difficult to walk, but also difficult to open wardrobe door. So what about sliding door then? But if doing sliding door, then need more depth for wardrobe so that the track can run, so need to eat even more into the walking space! But got to clarify I am talking about bed head against the structural wall. If you plaot ce bed to face window or toilet side, then sure lots of space. Have you considered extending kitchen to service yard? I think if remove the retractable clothes hanger, can do another low cabinet and worktop there, maybe about one meter - but alot but still better than nothng.

Hi sunny3 Have posted this in other threads but did not get any feedback. when i read your comment, I thought we might be referring to the same person? may i ask why you say not to sign with this contractor at the void deck? I asked because I was approached by one - so am wonderiing if they are good? Do you have any personal experience with him or know someone who does? please share - thanks!

Hi Professor I am from Blk B too! I like your idea of a WIW, unfortunately will not be able to do it as we have 2 kids and can't afford to hack any rooms. I still have not collected the keys, so shall be drooling over all the nice layout and 3D from the blogs here! btw, where did you get the sink from, and how much was it? I saw it at a shop in jalan besar too but it was out of stock. also, I forgot to check if it is a single piece type when at the shop - did you happen to check that? thanks, and looking forward to reading on your progress!

Yup, most people in Blk B would have started reno already, but since we are not eligible for HDB loan and do not want to take a bank loan, we had to complete our resale transaction before collecting keys, so long wait, so sian ... so far, the IDs I met up treat their layout plan like copyright, die die also cannot give us, so only with quotation, sometimes i forget what they propose. and I am not talking about the 3D, only the space planning thing. Anyway, I have adopted many of their ideas and came up with my own ideal planning oh, who is this ID who did 3D before you made any payment? So far, after the first 2 to 3 meetups discussing layout and changes, the IDs ask for a design fee before they do 3D! And I am not ready to pay that kind of fee, not when I have not firm up who to assign the job to! So still no 3D yet ... Aiyo, wardrobe - big big headache. Because of the aircon ledge, we can only do a very miserable L-shape. So one suggestion is to do a WIW next to bed, but very cramp. What we really hope to do is to have a whole row of wardrobe across the wall, opposite the bed, but that gives only 20cm of walking space in between. so we are still thiinkng if we can accept the idea of walking like a crab to cross to the other side of the bed! As for kitchen, another big big headache. our first thought was to extend to service yard - not alot - but certainly better than the given space. I am still toying with the idea of placing my oven and a small worktop there. We also thought of hacking the kitchen wall at entrance, then build cabinets along the stretch of bomb shelter wall, but one ID said cannot drill in bomb shelter wall. Read in HDB site that can drill up to 50cm, so now a bit confused. What stage of "recee" are you in now?

Hello I am new and sorry to intrude, but this topic is interesting so I couldn't help. Was at Jalan Besar to do my recee last week, and the salesman told me that water pressure largely depends on which floor you live in. The lower floor, the stronger pressure, given two houses using the same tap/wc etc. Don't know whether to believe him or not? Went to different shops to enquire about rain shower, and again got different comments. One said "HDB cannot use rain shower because of height and so no pressure". Another said ok but just need to use Citigas heater or storage heater. Anyone used rain shower, and comments?

Hi 15May wah, you mean your ID gave you the layout plan even before you commit? Those I approach will not let me have a copy, only willing to give quotation. I am also in Blk B, but not gotten the keys yet. Have met several IDs, though must admit that the proposals are more or less similar. For us, the hardest is also the MBR and kitchen. We have two children, so unlikely that we can hack any wall between the rooms, so have to make do with the miserable MBR size and design! For the kitchen,as I bake and cook alot, we will likely extend the kitchen into the foyer area, so have a smaller dining hall.

Hello fellow Fernvale Vistans I am also awaiting my keys in that area (not likely till around july). Did go to recee the area, and met a contractor by the name of Mr Toh and Gary. They claimed that they are doing several units in that area. Wonder if anyone had used them? How is the workmanship and service, professionalism etc?

Hi Ngunadi Can you post pic of your kitchen cabinet with T5? I am also thinking of the feasibility of that but the only down side is that that will eat into the top cabinet storage space, right? Already kitchen is so small ... Is your light the kind that is covered with acrylic or exposed?

Dear all after reading through all the posts on the thread, I must admit that I am all confused. Can I ask a very basic question - what to do for when selecting a fan? Asthetics aside, how to tell if it will have wind? * number of blade? * length of blade? * make of blade? * motor? or what? Was at a shop at imm, and caught sight of a fan that can close and open when activated, but forgot to ask what brand. does anyone know it it is good? Also another question - is those fan with light type generally less strong than those without light? thanks!

Hi wonder if any of you who are with united can give feedback on their reno work? workmanship etc? We are in discussion with united and 2 other firms, and we are now nearing decision time. Do they bring you to see their some of their completed work? otherwise how to inspect workmanship? also for those whose job has been completed by united, are they prompt with after-handover service? I have heard from friends that some ID will say bye and keep pushing responsibility after job done, and takes forever to rectify the flaws that has surfaced. On the other hand, I have also heard of contractors who will help with issues that sometimes may be out of their job scope!

Hi Jaskel thanks! also checking- has anyone used "surface image" for the toilet or kitchen? www. surfaceimage.com.sg wonder if maintenance is really as easy as they presented? But it really does look cool!

Hi am going to collect keys to my new standard flat soon and have been ID visiting. Flat comes with kitchen floor tiles done, but we plan to change. But I get differing views from different IDs - some say ok to hack and relay, but others say that we are not allowed to hack kitchen files for first 3 years. who is correct?

Sorry, I do not have a pix. Was recommended this by an ID - that it will go very well with teh black granite top that i wanted., plus easy to clean.

Hi has anyone used crystal door finishing for the kitchen cabinets? Was told that this is easier to maintain (clean) than laminate. Any truth in this?

This is very very strange. this is the third time I am posting this same message - hope it will appear this time! To put everything in a nutshell, I am looking for a ID for my new 4room flat, and have narrowed down to ****, Lourve and United Team Lifestyle. Have read comments on **** and United, but not much about Lourve. wonder if there is any fresh inputs from anyone with experience with them? also comments on their workmanship, please Secondly, can anyone advice if a fujitsu or mitsubishi heavy industries is better? i am looking for a system 3 inverter, and was recommended these two by the salesman. Also on aircon, is it true that for single unit, there is no difference in power consumption in an inverter and non-inverter? Again, I was advised that there is no necessity to get a single unit with inverter. Last, has anyone used an ariston built in catalytic oven? Is it good? thanks!

Hi Madfish sorry this is a dated post, but just wondering if you did engage Lourve in the end? Any comments? I am now in the midst of choosing an ID, and Lourve is one of them. thanks