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bikermeow

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Posts posted by bikermeow

  1. Posted

    Hi,

    Thought I share with all my renovation experience. It can be a dream or nightmare.

    The most important thing in getting a contractor is a proven track record. I had a builder who I knew from previously, and hence that was not a problem. I also had a designer who came with a carpenter. They were new to me and unfortunately that did not turn out so well.

    It is important to take an interest in your renovations. While this may seem obvious, what I meant is that the onus is on you to do your own independent research. Invariably, contractors and designers will likely give you the options that are easier for them, with less work and maximising of profits. It is up to you to educate yourself on the options available by reading up.

    I was fortunate in that I have a friend who was a contractor that gave me advice. Forums like Renotalk also help. I will share my tips as and when I can compose and post.

    All in all, the process can be enjoyable or horrible. Here's pictures of the before and after of my living room.

    2014-07-12104354_zps188ce5b4.jpg

    2014-12-07093906_zpscc7b3299.jpg

  2. Posted

    I am seriously considering Taobao.

    I bought LEDs from a local company, no shopfront but with an office in industrial complex. Support the local company.

    Of the 12 LEDs in my 3 rooms, only 3 is working 18 months later, and 6 out of the 7 in my living room.

    The LED lights are great; it is the LED drivers that have issue. Might as well buy cheap at TaoBao if eventually have to change. Might as well change cheap.

  5. Posted · Edited by bikermeow

    I also wanted Haiku fans, then I realised that these guys do not negotiate. It is $1,399, and some with take out the GST. Nothing less.

    Internet searches will show that the price use to be in $600s, then it got marked up and controlled.

    Buying from States will cost in shipping and warranty issues.

    Try SPIN fans for a great alternative, but wooden look, not bamboo. $988 if install direct, without false ceiling. $150 with false ceiling.

    3.jpg

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    Do you need a builder or a builder with an ID? No point increasing your cost with an ID if you know what you want and a builder can deliver.

    For a builder, call my contractor Peter 96647808 of Yang Seng Construction. He is now working on my home.

    For a design and renovate package, try Shawn (90269119 - strong in design, now working on my home) or Kandy (84840040 - one of my shortlisted ID firms which I liked, very responsive)

    You must know what you want, and do not hesitate to shop around, it is exhausting but is also satisfying too.

  7. Posted · Edited by bikermeow

    My experience with my recent home renovations.

    I bought a condo and decided to hunt for a contractor. My last renovation was in 1990s when I got married and I found that things have changed. Back then, having a designer was a WOW factor, only the rich can afford. Now, the deal is that the ID is the main guy, and the rest of the sub-contractors are actually ancillary to the ID.

    Fortunately for me, I have a friend who had an ID business which unfortunately went south. Being a close friend, he shared with me some knowledge of the ID industry. For example, some IDs associated with the bigger renovation business works on a percentage commission. They get a cut for their work from the owner of the business. Thus even if they are the ID for the project, they are not the contracting party with the owner. There is a pitfall in this, because the person that the owner liaise with is not the ultimate person responsible.

    Back to my story ....

    So I decide to call for like a tender. I drew up a list of the renovations that I wanted, and then gave the list to 3 parties. They are, (1) a friend of mine who is a builder, (2) an ID firm which cold called me after I posted something on the net and (3) another one which was a carpentry business which also claimed that it can do all-in-one renovations.

    The method is not fool-proofed; 3 quotes came back with varying differences and some variations in descriptions. The differences for the items were like say $50 to $over $1,000 for the same items. I then learnt that while one may quote for a vanity top, then what top are we talking about? Marble? Granite? Caesarstone? Hard surface? There are many pitfalls and ways that the renovator can adjust to suit your budget; conversely, to enhance his margins.

    I narrowed down to my builder friend P, and the ID firm's ID (let's call her K). They are different. P is more of an old school contractor, no fancy ID design etc. K is much younger and is full of ideas. Pros and Cons in both. I had frequent meetings with both and frankly it was a close call choosing either. I could have gone with either one, frankly. I chose P because he is a friend and I know him to be meticulous. He also does not cut corners. The downside is that he tend to be rather stubborn about his building methods and not so innovative as a designer.

    Then a spanner in the works. I came to know another designer (S) who had been featured in a few Home & Decor articles through my work. We spoke and my commanding officer like his ideas. But I wanted P to carry out the work because I had some experience with him (he installed some false ceiling for me) and plus there was a friend factor. So we decided to engage S as designer and P as the builder. The idea is that we get good work and good design. Incidentally, P's carpentry works were on the high side and I decided to sub that out to S too, so that there will be supervision by S.

    The downside is that I had to turn down K, which I felt quite bad because she had invested in much time sitting down and going through designs etc. Another downside is that S and P have to work together for the first time, which means much communication involving me as well.

    The work is in progress now, and while I must say that I have to provide input, the experience of both P and S help a long way. We set up a Whatsapp chat and kept everyone in the loop. All in all, I am quite satisfied with the work and feedback, but do appreciate that builders and IDs are human after all and they have their own quirks and mannerisms.

    Fingers crossed, another month to go and hopefully can share some nice pictures of my new place here.

    My advice is to try and see works already completed by the IDs / builders if possible. There is also another advantage in this; if they had a fall-out with the owners, then this would not be possible. You can also get feedback from these owners.

    Cheers

  14. Posted

    What are the views on MIJ fridges? My own experience is:

    1. Sanyo fridge - 1980s till now - never changed anything.

    2. Panasonic fridge with ice making function - works great as a fridge goes when I bought it 4 years ago till now; but metal surface on the door started corrosion after a year or so. Disappointing.

    I am likely to buy a new fridge soon. Torn between cheap fridge confirm MIC or a MIJ for double the price.

    Any views? Anyone has a MIC fridge is problem free? I reckon not that bad, right?

    Cheers

  20. Posted

    Hiya,

    I will start my renovation of my old condo soon. Taking in quotations from my friends, I find that renovation cost for condos seems to be much higher than HDB. For example, a friend of mine was quoted $50+K for her 1,400 sq ft HDB while I was quoted $130K+. Granted that the big differences are that I have a patio and carpentry works, but the difference seems unjustified.

    Am I the only one feeling this disparity? Any one can shed light?

    Cheers

    • Like 2

  23. Posted

    My contractor quoted me $10.5 psf to do the parket for 3 bedrooms. Reading these posts it seems to be too expensive.

    Should I ask him to keep the parket and then redo the parket with a cheaper contractor after he had carried out all renovations? Or I ask him to not do the parket and I get a parket guy that I contract directly to work with him to lay as he renovate?

    Thanks.

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