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As a means to cut cost, my renovator suggested that I do not hack the existing bathroom wall tiles. Instead he will apply a layer of special compound on the tile then plaster it. To keep it clean and water proof, he proposed painting with glossy (enamel) paint. Anyone used this method before? What's your experience/comments? Will it last? Any mildew problems, harder to clean than tiles? Need urgent advice as I need to finalise the renovation soon. Thanks.

My renovator just proposed the above method this evening. Seriously considering it as a means to keep my basic renovation within budget. Anyone used the above method? Is the layer of "compound" on the wall tile they are going to use strong enough to hold the wall plaster for at least a few years?

Thanks

This is interesting. Thanks for the suggestion. The problem is that the unit I bought has very old, stained and oily kitchen tiles. It just doesn't feel as "clean" if I don't hack it away completely.

Anyone else used this contractor? Any comments?

Read the items very carefully in any renovation "package". Don't mistake the term "supply labour to do xxxx..." to mean supplying that item as well. Such package often omit the basic items such as toilet bowl, basin, kitchen sink and taps. Be prepared to add about $1K more for these items.

I have got a few quotes from different contractor with and without wall tiles in kitchen. Surprisingly, the price saving of not laying wall tiles is not very significant, maybe about 20% less only. The argument is that once the old wall tiles are hacked off, they need to prepare the wall for plaster and painting. The work scope is different but almost as tedious as laying tiles. I haven't started my renovation but I am most probably going for no tiles except for just 2' above and along my kitchen cabinets. The walls will be painted with some warm earthly colour to give a traditonal country kitchen look.

Hi Moving Statue, did you go with Ideal Reno and Interior Design? I have got a tentative quote so far. Meeting them again next week for formal quote but price seems to be rather reasonable among my list of 4 quotes so far. Did not go for the package but quotation based on a list of items I wanted.

Used both. From experience, if you want to go for ceiling fan for optimum cooling effect, go for the metal blade ones. If you want to combine looks and can overlook cooling, then the multi blade platic/wood is fine. For spot blowing directly to you, assuming your room is warm in the afternoon, table/stand fan is best. Of course the ultimate is air-con but with the price of electricity, it is a bad word these days.

What size is the apartment/HDB?

How long has your ceiling been painted with Matex paint? Previoulsy, my renovation contract is to paint whole house with ICI. They used white Matex for the ceiling. Technically, I can't sue them because Matex is by ICI but a cheaper range. Within a few weeks, fungus spots shows up all over the ceiling, whole house. I am still living with the stains today one year later. Avoid Matex paint like a plague if you think your wall could be damp due to lack of sun light or you do not use aircon.

I am starting renovation on my HDB shortly and are planning to install laminates over the existing ceramic floor tiles. Do you have to clean the floor very thoroughly just before installing laminates or will the installer take care of the cleaniness? I have spent a whole day washing and scrubing the ceramic tile flooring but it may get dirty again once the renovation starts. Do I ask the contractor to lay cardboard on the floor during the renovation to ensure the floor is still in good condition for the installation of the lamination?

I think there are a few manufactures that allow you to buy an optional head suited for both parquet and marble. Such head design has soft rubber rollers and lots of soft bristle. They are made of soft plastics in general and this plastic body will not come in contact with the floor. As they are relatively fragile, it is not suited for other surfaces, e.g. rough ceramics, slate, etc. The head itself is not very efficient as the bristles are very soft but just have to roll over one spot more than once. I bought a normal Miele model but spent $70 extra for the optional parquet head. The Miele vacuum cleaner itself claim that the rollers on the vacuum cleaner (not the head) is made softer to avoid scratching any floors. As Miele is quite ex, try to ask about other brands which have an optional add-on cleaning head. I nearly bought a special Philips optional head suited for parquet/marble (I already have a Philips vacuum all the while) but it was out of stock for a long time. I then decided to go for the Miele. My Philips is now exclusively used for the car interior only. Don’t have to worry about placing the vacuum cleaner in a dirty car park.

Agree. I had a partime maid for a year. Happy with her work but suddenly she stopped coming. when asked she said, she kena warning from the authorities. She is already a full time maid of another family. I got this maid from a registered agency. It looks like the agency don't really bother if they are "legal" or not legal working as a part time maid. Later got another PT maid who is a S'pore PR. I suppose no more issue.

I have succesfully removed black mold deep inside the silicon/sealants by leaving a few drops of bleach (normal NTUC brand) sitting on the spot. The bleach takes a few hours to penetrate and remove the black colour. For vertical surface may be a little tricky, haven't tried it but I would probably use a small cotton pad soaked in bleach then taped over the stain.

It may not work for all, but how about requesting that they allow some workers to come in to do minor reno work. The dust and noise will surely put them off and they will want to leave amicably. !! !!

Just wondering why you have to mention the race and not just 10 kids playing basketball !!

From my personal experience on ceiling fan (I have one installed in my study room), those nice looking fans with thick wooden blade and bulbs below is not every windy unless you are directly under it. My study room is not very big but yet not much wind is felt outside of the fan diameter. If going for optimum cooling instead of aesthetics, I think getting a metal fan from well known traditional fan brand may be better.

I don't own this vacuum cleaner therefore cannot comment on it specifically but just wanted to inform all that it is also important to consider the head design. Some head design is not suited for fragile flooring like marble or parquet, it will scratch badly and makes it look blur very quickly. Best is to get a vacuum cleaner dedicated for parquet or marble floor. Ceramic or porcelain floors are more robust therefore are more tolerant of badly designed vacuum head.

Hi keltong, did you buy Kronotex direct of thru some renovation contractor? Who did the actual installation? Kronotex or contractor. Thanks

oh....i see

Maybe slightly off topic...has anyone considered Vinyl sheets/tile on the floor as a low cost alternative to bare floor? I just did a Google image search for "Vinyl Floor". The images would surprise you. There are so many variety of design and it is almost hard to tell apart from a real ceramic/porcelain/stone floor. I understand that they are very cheap and durable as well. Somehow it hasn't quite caught on in Singapore?? Just some examples here: http://www.ldgeneralconstruction.com/IMAGE...Vinyl%201-1.jpg http://www.thefloorauthority.com/vinyl-room1.jpg http://www.floorcoverings-intl.com/images/...oor_bedroom.jpg

Thanks both for the cost info.

Hi all, can anyone please give me an indicative cost (per room, per living room, etc) to do the floor laminate? Thanks

The following was extracted (partial) from the HDB FAQ: Flat owners who are ineligible to buy flats from HDB if not for SERS will be offered up to a new 4-room replacement flat or the equivalent of their existing flat type, whichever is bigger, at a designated site, at HDB's subsidised price. However, if these flat owners can meet the following conditions specified in Table 2 before collection of keys to their selected replacement flats, they will be offered the same SERS rehousing benefits as the flat owners who are eligible to buy flats from HDB. Table 2: Conditions to qualify for a new 5-room replacement flat at HDB's subsidised price, with a further 20% price discount of up to $30,000 Table 2: Sold a private property within 30 months before SERS announcement • Take up the replacement flat themselves instead of selling the existing flat In short, I think you are not elligible for 5 room as you still own a private property during SERS announcement. You may want to check with HDB as well to be very sure.