Decided to start a blog to keep as reminder for future. Basically this is a story of a reno that has not started due to procrastination. We took the keys on 27th May. Did only like research on reno because initially, was under impression that we will be using the contacts of FIL (ex-contractor) for reno. (But till date still no contact). Meanwhile I have been lurking in renotalk looking around for the different IDs. In June, met up a few contractors/IDs. But didn't feel comfortable with the way they offered their packages. its either yes yes yes to everything you request, then give a very big quote. Or better to do this, dun do this. dun need this (for e.g. a contractor said not practical to install soft-closing hinge. because u wun slam ur own furniture anyway...or keep saying the common toilet very small....no point to fit in shower screen + vanity etc etc.) Anyway during viewing with contractors, discover cracks in walls (all rooms + living room). Toilet tile cracked too (all 4 corners around the window). So handed keys back to BCA while they repair. 1week plus later BCA said flat repaired. So took back keys. Went to check flat. To horror, toilet tile cracked again. the tiles around the 4 corners of the window were replaced already but 1 corner still got cracks :/ Then closer inspection of the walls.....hairline cracks found at main door area + service yard area. so call BCA again, send key get them to repair. but in july, dunno why procrastinate again. nothing moved. around end of first week, took back keys. but didn't inspect cause was busy that day. said will inspect soon. the soon very fast become 3 weeks past. end july liao. (partly due to an exam I was taking plus SO was traveling I guess) National day week nothing done again. holiday mood. So come to last saturday, i buay tahan the inactivity, just took up an appointment with "tian" creation and went to Ubi showroom. Quite impressed with their certification. But in mind also start to think must be a bomb on the wallet to do reno with them. (I tried to start thread to get feedback on them in the reno firm forum, but the thread till now not approved. I dunno why.) Sat down and discussed with their designer. A rough quote for the following : kitchen cabinets service yard windows grills + curtains for all windows doors for all rooms and toilets and kitchen Living room (false ceiling + shoe cabinet + tv feature wall + light deco for kitchen wall) MBR ( wardrobe + false ceiling + tv console) wardrobe for 2 other rooms mirror, vanity and shower screen for both toilets the estimated is between 30-40k Much higher than our budget but in mind, I was thinking they probably have one of the fastest completion period. and we really dun have time to coordinate too much anyway. might as well past to such IDs to settle better than all talk no action. But dunno the reliability of this ID. so still waiting to get feedback on them. I very scared ID before sign contract promise the sky, but sign contract liao dump client to dunnowhere kind of scenario. Anyway, they will revise and give a complete quote, and suppose to meet on Wednesday. And meanwhile my SO see the price, start to sweat, pressure FIL for contacts. suppose to give today. We're still waiting :/ On my own, I also look at alternatives. Read about Ah Wei the carpentor on facebook. plus a few other t-blogs. Another ID I must commend is Alvin from Pavillion Creation. Since may till now....he has really been following up, checking if my house start reno, request me to meet up to discuss on the reno and whether he can propose something for me. I've invited him to meet this Saturday as well. For those wondering which floorplan this is the one. standard pigeon hole Sigh, dunno when reno will start :/
