Soichiro

Mine is actually 5M, not EM, behind Paya Lebar Singpost. Also feeling poor after the COV... heh heh. Hacking done, just got to figure out this silly toilet issue before they start plumbing and tiling. Your contractor will need to submit the details of the changes to HDB. It is permissable but still need to notify HDB. You also need to pay $2.80 more per month for having another WC. (see your SP Services bill... under Sanitary Appliance Fee) Thanks for the pic RimBlock! My contractor didn't mention about raising the platform. I thought about it initially, maybe its got to do with the toilet bowl design?

Try taking photos of the floor and ceiling of the wash area, as well as the toilet directly above. From there, you can see where and how the waste pipes are routed. Most likely that there is no bottom discharge for the waste pipe. If you do the P-trap type of pedestal toilet bowl, hopefully it is just beside your main waste pipe. Otherwise, piping it around will be an ugly scene coz it is quite a fat pipe -- ought to box up. Also not sure if there are other potential issues, and what they can do to ensure no clogging, etc. If you do boxup, make sure it does not cover the floor trap. Since your neighbours supposed to have done it, thick skin abit ask them la~~ shun bian intro yourself to their new friendly neighbour. btw, my final quote is $800 to route the pipe to the other end of the wash area and boxup the pipes. Still feel it is expensive but too tired to keep haggling already...

For those who want to do the same... the waste pipe will have to be above ground, so the toilet bowl must be a side-discharge, not bottom discharge. I've gotten very random quotes... $350, $850, $1400. Anyone else did this before?

After sanding and polishing, your contractor should cleanup for u also. Follow his proposed sequence, at least u won't end up with problems and the contractor can't help u coz u changed the sequence.

Better not announce the company names up like that if you are just guessing that they used newspapers in place of proper insulation. Maybe there was proper insulation but it was further wrapped with newspaper? Or the newspaper stain was there before they even did the pipes? If you want to confirm, just check with the guys who removed the old trunking.

Oh, for bedroom then it's a different story, thought u're using for bathroom. Each fan has it's functional volume that it can cater to. Can do a quick check. I went for KDK window mount 20WUD in the end actually, at $58. The Mistral one is for wall mount, might not be approved by HDB. Looks like used for industrial areas. The ventilation fan is to expel moist air or unpleasant smells, don't think its for cooling. Most bathrooms are small, so the small window mount fan is sufficient. It is usually installed on a fixed acrylic or glass pane with a cutout for the fan.

I made a call today. $235.40 coz previous owner did not opt for it. Estimated appointment date is March 2011. By then reno already completed..!

Actually, how big is your shower room? Do you really need 16" fan? I'm getting a 12" Mistral exhaust fan, costs $52.

For anyone else seeking to clarify the quotes u received... try measuring the windows yourself, at least make sure the area is close to what you were quoted with. Some IDs just estimate the area without measuring, usually higher than actual. PSF won't deviate that much, but a wrong area estimation can affect the quote by a lot.

Anyone converted their EM or 5M level 1 wash area to WC before? Can advise on the cost? I got quoted a very high amount, thought it'd just be routing the pipes (common toilet directly above the wash area). Thanks in advance~

Thanks for the detailed response! Checking with my contractor now.

I would like to have a lighter shade for my existing parquet flooring when doing my reno, was told by some that can only stain darker, not lighter, but some said can bleach. Confused.. anyone done that before, and any estimated cost? I'm doing it for 3 rooms, walkway and stairs. Thanks in advance

I've gotten quotes for change of railings recently. $1400 for a wrought iron design and wooden handrail. Make sure it meets the minimum height, your contractor or ID will know.

Thanks for the PMs! Attached the floorplan here as advised by some forumers.

Hi all, First time getting a resale unit renovated, and just got my first quotation from a contractor. It appears higher than expected, hope some forummers may have some insightful comments. The unit is a HDB 2-storey units at 140sqm, parquet flooring from stairs to 2nd floor, typical mansionette but smaller. Carpentry is by another party so its not included in the quote. Really appreciate any responses, thanks in advance!

I checked with contractor before, he said that those double glaze windows are not allowed in HDB units and only done in private property/condos so far.