blueriverview

Just to drop a note of thanks to Tim and his team. Got a Panasonic system 4 from them and the whole experience went on very smoothly. Responsible and upfront about what can or cannot be done. Highly recommended and I will gladly vouch for their good service standard.

its a crap and totally crap industry...we just need to watch our own backs....

so have you managed to settle the handover date with them yet?

anyone knows where I can buy decorative window films off the shelf? Looking for more then frosted. It has to be totally opaque to block out incoming light. Appreciate any recommendations.

Hi, anyone who can do spray painting on existing window frames? I have got ugly blue windows and blue window frames (as part of the building identity). HBD not allow to change the color from the outside. So I am thinking of spray paint white on the interior part. The outside part to leave it as blue. Anyone done this before or know someone who provide such service? thanks!!

not really. He quoted me even higher then my ID quote. While i'm sure his quality is good after so many people vouch for him on this forum, still i advise everyone to do your price comparison and homework before committing to any prices even when recommended as best price by fellow forumers.

are you not doing your toilets also? what does the electrical includes? (how many single/double points, downlights etc) at your quoted carpentry work price, it better be a good quality type that should allow you to opt for sliding doors, larder units, soft closing, good grade laminates etc also $3 tiles....ask them which tile shop/branch exactly...same tile can cost different prices even at different branches of the same company.

at least the salesperson at Hoe Kee was upfront and told me all their stainless steel will eventually rust and there are over 1000 over different grades of stainless steel.....so....i still bought their items and prepare myself mentally...

generally...I can't accept such difference. Its gonna be quote costly for your contractor to replace...assuming its the carpentry or base not measured and done up properly. The counter top thickness sure is same. Also...if u have paid the contractor a good price, you should expect good quality.

anyone engaged o.r.a.n.g.e c.u.b.e recently?

pls sack your ID immediately. He's not respecting you as a customer. I cannot imagine what other things he is quoting you other then the electrical works.

rule of the thumb when visiting such expo shows....never sign anything on the spot no matter how tempted you are. Always take a step back, cool down, think before coming back again to commit. There are no such things as 1 time promotion...promotions are always there. I got alot of friends only intend to go to gather info...end up kanna ambushed, sign contract, pay deposit....and get stuck.

how about your kitchen cabinets, kitchen worktop, kitchen sink and tap? no re-piping of water/gas pipes? hacking wall cost? no floor/wall tiles? all lightings re-use? any relocation of electrical/tv points? room doors re-use? no need to paint the house? installation cost of your sanitary wares? installation cost of your lightings/ceiling fans? contractors come in, there will be removal/haulage fees...

there is at least a 40-50% markup by your ID. A few I have indicated in brackets

once bad press...don't take the risk. We only do reno once or twice in our lives...and once done..it stays with us for 5-10yrs. My only advise is go with the company reputation...not follow the ID....big companies don't mean they are expensive. Small companies are also not cheap. Test your ID....being punctual in meetings...they call you to explain when they are late etc...all these small things will mean alot when you start the actual reno with them.

your quote looks quote expensive. At this price, this better be a quote from a reputable ID firm and not from those 1-2 man show ID type. are you doing a complete re-wiring of the whole house? $4500 seem expensive although its only any estimation. somemore no false ceiling/downlights..electricals can't be so ex.

ID will tell you all sorts of story to discourage you from going to your own subcontractors. I got the following **** from my ID: 1) my own window grilles supplier...ID say if my installer remove existing windows and damage the wall/tiles etc...ID will not cover 2) my own electrician...ID say if my electrician pull the wires along the false ceiling done by ID....anything damage..ID will charge me to repair back false ceiling 3) my own aircon man...ID say aircon piping run behind ID's cabinets..ID dun guarantee his cabinets will cover the pipes completely. 4) if I buy my own tiles and my own price from the same tileshop as my ID, ID's tiler will not want to do my job as they will blame my tile quality not good (even from same shop) the list can go on and on....its all about the money!

We just need to really do our homework before committing to anything with the ID. A few important lessons learnt 1) cheap may not be good. There are intangible things like workmanship of tilings, carpentry (bad, normal, excellent?). Usually if a few ID quote about the same prices and suddenly 1 is much cheaper, we just got to beware. You pay peanuts, will get monkeys. 2) If you go for smaller ID firms, make sure you know who is the boss and actually meet him. In case of disputes later, only the boss will be responsible to make rectifications. Avoid ID firms with 'no bosses' or bosses never show face before. big ID firms, sure you can find someone there to escalate issues if your ID play punk. Afterall, big ID firms treasure their reputation if you do complain about them. 3) beware of fineprints, ask them to indicate clearly what is the value of the floor/wall tiles given in the package. Go see for yourself first if that range is acceptable to you. Otherwise, during actual selection, you will be asked to top up here and there. 4) beware if your ID ask you to go to ulu ulu tile shops. These are usually offshoots (same company but under different shop name) of the main big players. Tiles in these ulu places are marked up further. Exactly the same tiles, same name, same part number even, but prices are another 20% higher. There, your ID will ask you to top up. Make sure you go to the big and famous tile shops to compare and don't get cheated! Don't say small ID firms, even big established ones are using this tactic to make their customers top up on the tiles. 5) end of the day, reno is a plus/minus things. You may pay more for some things, but IDs will also help you cover for some additional work that you may add in later. 6) don't follow your ID recommendations to their lighting shops, sanitary shops, curtain shops. Prices are never cheaper then if you find them yourself. 7) prepare your electrician and aircon man to come and compare quote with the ones recommended by your ID. 8) the 'everything can' before signing changing to 'everything cannot' after signing is true. Please make sure all items agreed is written down on the contract. for those in the process of looking for IDs or contractors, do enjoy the process.

anyone with recent work with homestory to share?

if you are internet saavy enough to come to renotalk forum, I'm sure you will be able to get the instructions from HDB website for DIY transactions. But when u intend to DIY, you may not have access to some good units that are kept within 'agents circle'.

if you had an agent, then your agent screwed up big time. You should get your agent to settle this for you or not pay him the commission. Else...write in nicely and politely again to HDB, cc to KBW, LHL and your MP. Ask them nicely for help as you have been misinformed by their letter. Sure someone will get back to you within 1 day. a complain letter shooting them will not help.

anyone engaged Chapter.One - John? any reviews?