zirhk3355

You got a PM.

Did not went thru the long posts so not sure if my points are repeated. Anyway, I had my wedding banquet on Monday, but the tea ceremony was on Sunday. There was no problems at all, in fact alot of people liked it. You see, after the tea ceremony and all the photo-taking on sunday, everyone can go home and have a good rest. Wifey & me check-in at about 3pm then went relaxing at spa; even had a drink at the bar with some friends. On monday morning, it was late breakfast and more relaxing at the spa and gym. We started to prepare for the dinner at about 4pm, taking our own sweet time. Compared that to the usual 'one-whole-day' event, where the couple rush thru everything, this was certainly better. Attendance for the banquet was good, we even had to open our two reserve tables.

For me, it is my business lor. Delay and delay and delay - already affecting my move-in date and I probably have to delay until after 7th month liao. In the end if really late, can I really cut their payment?? But I am not the sort who do that leh. I will only cut someone's payment if they screwed up, eg incur extra costs to me or the end-product not up to standard; but if the person just delay but still do swee swee for me in the end, I duno how to justify to cut payment...

Huh, sorry don't get what you talking about?? Share share leh...what xia suay trap? You mean I trap someone ah?

OIC - thanks alot! Will be consulting my FSM on Monday for the dates liao...appreciated your help!

Hey glad to see you again after so long! Just finished another 'screwing' session with the ID; all my energy spent on pushing him. Don't push, just sit there. Try to push abit, all the excuses come out and make me d*mn pek-chek. Sometimes just hate all these argumentative people; why can't they just do it?? So many excuses for what... Think must keep my weight in check - if I am 10 yrs older maybe will kana heart attack already...

Thanks for your prompt reply! For your place, how did you move in when the carpenters are still working?? Isn't it very dusty? Or do you mean you did the "move-in" procedures but did not stay there until later? If this is the case I would carry on to xie-tu on 10th Aug'07 and move-in on 12th Aug'07 liao, then continue to do the works after that. What do you mean by AN the stove? My granite top is not done yet, they already "place" the stove over the hole, but not seal yet and gas pipe also not connected. Does AN the stove means to seal and connect it properly? If so, any good dates to do that for next week?

Not sure for now, but last time there wasn't any valuation after the flat is announced as SERS. To be precise, the flat got no value anymore because its slated to be demolished mah, so the only 'value' is the compensation amount and other benefits you inherit from the original owner.

Oh ya, putty also can...hehe. What about grout ah? Can use grout or not, since its white solid surface?

You mean the top was hit by some hard object and chipped off with a hole there? For me I will just buy some white silicon and fill up the hole. But if its chipped at the corner or edge, then it would be difficult. If you really want to give a shot at DIY, try visiting those DIY shops and see if they have anything for you.

Wah fast one!! Haha...was worried that I cannot sleep liao got to wait until tomorrow then got people reply. Erm for stove I believe it will be installed before xie-tu. Will take note on the connecting of gas pipe, because I remember move-in got to switch on the stove right? Main door is from HDB, already installed, and I won't be changing it. So you mean if these two are done, I can xie-tu and move-in, even though some carpentry, cleaning up and some furniture are not done yet? Anything else ah? For hammering, what about those minor hammering and drilling when fixing the carpentry? You know the woodworks are all done, just need to assemble and put up; are such hammering and drilling also bad? From your last few sentences, I assume that you mean I can continue unfinished reno, but I should not xie-tu or move in until the 7th month is over, right? Thanks!

Why didn't you question your ID about it, since written on the contract? Or are you saying that you do not need the corrugated papers and plastic sheets, but because its stated in the contract, so you want to get a rebate for it? Well, I would say its quite difficult lor, since it usually comes free. This is just like, you go hawker centre to eat and the hawker provides chopsticks and spoon, but you don't need it; would the hawker give you a rebate on your food??

There are alot of delays in my renovation (those who are following my blog will know why) and it seemed very likely that I cannot complete by 12th Aug'07 (last day of Lunar 6th month). The plan was to xie-tu on 10th Aug'07 and move-in on 12th Aug'07. The remaining works that might be done in 7th month are actually not much: 1. Staining/laquer of the timber flooring, 2. Some carpentry, 3. Cleaning up, and 4. Delivery of furniture and electrical appliances. Qn 1: So if I really really really want to move in before 7th month, can I continue to xie-tu on the 10th Aug'07 (even though works not done) and move-in on 12th? Qn 2: What are the reno works that strictly CANNOT BE DONE after xie-tu? Eg cannot drill, cannot use sandpaper, etc? What about installation of TV on the feature wall, can it be done after xie-tu? Connection of gas pipes to the stove, before or after xie-tu?? Abit confused about this... Qn 3: If all above really cannot, then can I continue works during 7th month, then xie-tu and move-in after the 7th month is over? Got mixed answers when I ask around; I know FS do not really consider 7th month as anything bad, but what about Chinese customs? Any restrictions on renovation continuing (not starting) in 7th month? I know there are alot of threads on 7th month, but after reading them, does not really answer my questions or my situation leh - sorry if got repeated questions here. Thanks for bearing with me!!

I am more concerned about Thaj and Homeway, since hdbfan said they are linked. Homeway was suspended on 30 Jul 2007, Thaj was registered in 2007 also - SO COINCIDENCE??? Alot of companies actually registered a "sister company" when their company are suspended, so that they can continue to work. And thanks for saying that I am sweet... However, beyond being sweet, I am posting the websites where ALL of us can do investigations ourselves on our ID. Do remember, I am really not a private investigator or anything like that; I am your average joe who just bought a HDB flat also. The point is, it only took me 10 minutes to find out all the info above - Everyone who got internet can do it; just whether you want to do or not.

I checked on ACRA @ https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TMFServle...IZFILE-BIZCODIR and there are two interior design companies with the name "THAJ": 1. 200706161D - THAJ HOMES AND INTERIORS PTE. LTD. 2. 200612918C - THAJ INTERIOR DESIGN PTE. LTD. (NB: The first four digits represent the year of company registration, ie Thaj Homes and Interiors was only registered this year) To get further details on the company, you need to pay $5, where it will reveal the exact registration date, paid-up capital, directors' and shareholders' names. As for HDB licence, you can check @ http://www.hdb.gov.sg/bn25/isos118p.nsf. Lo and behold, both the ID with the name "Thaj" is not in the list; I even tried to check using their company's registration no. Also checked on "Homeway", and their HDB licence was suspended VERY RECENTLY on 30 Jul'07 for "Failed to rectify leakage resulting from the renovation works". This is their second offence, by the way; the first time was 15 Dec'06 where they were penalised for "Hacked the structural members". This is the same company in Queensway Shopping Centre as mentioned by hdbfan. Hmmz, based on the brief analysis by Investigator Zirhk (hehe!), you should pay the $5 to check on Thaj if you still want to continue using them. Don't be surprised if "Thaj Homes and Interior Pte Ltd" was registered a few days ago, so as to act as the sister company for "Homeway Design" because the latter is now suspended. If not, better SIAM FAR FAR AWAY FROM THEM! Don't take my word for it; use the two websites to investigate yourself.

Dun worry lah, when come to the contract terms and representations, there's a whole list of arguments to be put forth. IMO, for your case, the strongest argument would be that you had signed on the pretext that the contractor got HDB licence. As as per HDB's reply, the contractor cannot continue doing your flat, and its not allowed to use "sister company" to sub-contract the works to this contractor, so how could they even fulfill the contract now? Based on that, I would think the judge would not force you to pay the penalty and declare the contract to be null and void.

3-days cooling period, you can DIY mah - take the quotation and whatever perspectives, go home and think for 3 days lor. In fact you want to think how long also can. Why must sign first? I think alot depends on the consumer themselves; if they believe all the sales talk like "oh this offer for today only, you come back tomorrow then dun hab liao", then they only have themselves to blame lor. In the reno industry, they should know that its very competitive and the price cannot vary alot. IMO, we should only shield consumers IF they do not have control and the merchants misrepresented themselves and CHEAT the consumers. But for pressure-pushing, there is nothing we can do; in fact, there is nothing we SHOULD do because how do you expect the company to make sales if they do not give some pressure? Those with a "weak will", heck I would even suggest for them to get conned one time then they will learn their lesson. I was a 'guo-lai-ren', last time kana conned upside down by MLM and timeshare, now I learn my lesson liao, matured liao, I will only laugh at those salesman who give me the silly tactics like "special offer for today only".

Can try to see if the package is transferable lor - for me I won't go on with the holiday especially if my wife is in the first trimester. Too dangerous... Hmmz, so you are suspecting that you are preggie ah?? Go test leh, remember to tell us the results then we can be happy for you too...

Compensation always lie on the damages - if the ID suddenly decides not to do your renovation (when no work is done yet), do you suffer any damages? I believe the clause to say pay 30% or whatever, is to cover any materials that had been ordered, and the opportunity costs the ID may incur. And this reminds me; its actually an uphill task for the ID to sue our friend here for 30% because he got to prove his damages. Not everything signed in a contract is valid; it must also be fair. As for pressure-pushing into signing, well, that's actually the consumer's fault for not being able to control and make a stand, right? Sorry to say but I think its weak for people to sign on something willingly and knowingly, then later go complain to CASE that they had been pressurised.

Then it really boils down the mentality of Singaporeans - yes most of us are unethical lor. How many times do you see someone say, "No, cannot do that because its not right"? More often we will say, "This one must be right because govt never catch!" Thus, where comes self-regulation? Worse, on the pretext of improving their service standards, the property agents bring in the "exclusive agency"; but alas, 8 out of 10 agents abused it and soon we realised that the scheme is for to protect themselves from being undercut! As for the taxi issue you mentioned, I believe the companies are probably just trying give the driver a chance. But if s/he's driving licence or vocational licence is suspended, no chance can be given mah. Hence the govt still holds power in regulating it. Now along the same line in real estate agencies, it all boils down to their attitude; for now, is the more agents, the better. Instead of trying to improve the service standards, they just employ more and more tom, dick and harry. Free one, no salary anyway; in fact the tom, dick and harry will PAY them to join the course. Why would I want to self-regulate and give trouble to myself?? There is no incentive in that. At least not for now...

But you signed a contract, surely there is always a clause for breaking it, right? Same everywhere mah...

Stupid agent, clever lawyer. Just saw somewhere in another thread, someone said better to be lawyer than agent?? Hehe... Anyway, isn't cashback scams involving the owners too?? How come only the agent kana jailed...

Ya lor, I also agree that HDB will probably bo chap one lah. BTW if you want to check on registered contractors, you can check online at HDB website. As for the contract, yes and no. Yes, you need to compensate 30% of contract sum if cancelled, but no if the contract was not valid in the first place. The contractor had misrepresented that he was a licenced contractor, that's why you signed mah. So since he is not, you have the right to declare the contract null and void.

Come to think about it: Why doesn't the industry want to uphold high standards? Are Singaporeans so unethical??

You can just pick up the phone and call CASE to enquire about such cases, and what are your rights.