OnTheRoad

Focusing on happier things, have been to JB twice for lights shopping... I must say it feels very shiok to purchase items at a significantly cheaper price... I get a kick from finding good buys.. A snapshot of 1 of the good buys: track lights. I bought a 1m track + 3 leds (MR16-3 watts) for RM156, at Starworld, which is beside Tampoi Lighting (frequented by many renotalkers). I needed something of higher wattage so bought the white tracklight (12 watts) at Yako, which is not far from Tampoi. Also bought a house-full of LED downlights (12 watts) for RM95 each. That's about S$39. We were initially going for PLCs for half of the house, but seeing that the additional from PLCs to LEDs is less than S$400, my hub says this will easily be covered by utilities savings within a year & made the decision to buy LEDs for all the downlights. The only exception is ground floor toilet because we will be switching on/off very often (this is said to be unadvisable for LEDs) so the shop owner gave us 2 large PLCs FOC. The LEDs come with 1 year warranty. Bought other ceiling, outdoor & wall lights as well but they're in boxes & not assembled. Will take pics of all the lights once installed, around next week. Been to 4 lighting shops in all + 2 furniture shops + 1 sanitary wares shop. Bought more stuff at M One (LEDs) & Starworld (pendant & tracklights). Came back SG a happy gal because despite the splurge on LEDs, we are still within our lighting budget. I'm sure it'll have burst if we bought all the lights in SG. Furthermore Msia's quality is generally not inferior to those I've seen in SG. Of course, the bak kut teh, bittergourd juice, wanton mee & penang fried kuay teow makes the whole experience even sweeter.

Tiling's more or less all done... the last place the tilers worked on was the backyard with the wet kitchen countertop... Wet kitchen taking shape.. Over the past few days, I have been at odds with my IDs over the budget & the VOs... I can't quite figure out the value of tiling labour. For eg, this wash kerb costs me 180.. this ledge for toiletries in the toilet is 300++ & I didnt take the picture, but for the tiling of the side of the drain so my swimming pool drain covers can fit, I'm charged 600++!!

U can use the extra stairs as bookshelves...or to place some paintings on the stairs itself.

Oh ya, that'll be similar to the awnings I'm going to install. But ur reno seems to have started wks ago? Wld be nice if can show some pictures of ur wood tiles...

Last night, we popped by Scanteak's sale... Shortlisted this $499... ...& bought this! about $539 My parents have 2 chests of drawers bought from Scanteak...they've lasted for > 10 years & still looking good. Altho Scanteak's is likely plantation teak, it should still be a very lasting table made of solid teak: durable, insect + rot + water resistant. Happy! Bought another study table made of solid plywood for $199. Was initially going to buy from Ikea, but I consider this good value.

Oh, you removed the parquet? Will be replacing with tiles or new parquet?

Hey I've pm-ed u liao, for windows & wood. For canopy, I'm not sure what is that? Isit sails? I'm installing awnings but have not installed yet, just got 2 quotes so far, so can't really recommend. So you're also the practical sort? But wood for decking is very nice leh...haha..

Hi jumbopanther, oh, we're district neighbours! Hmm... am curious to know where u're at, since is a 30 yr old house... If you need alternative quotes for decking, windows & electrical, let me know... I'm so envious of your exposed trusses!!! That's one of my "if onlys"...I imagine I can do loft style, etc... aiya so envious!!... I will have to bu yao lian invite myself to your reno site once u start. Hahaha...

I think it looks weird...

The tiling of the ground floor's living spaces are almost done. The entire space is 60x60 homogenous gloss tiles, but for the dry kitchen, we made the decision to use the 15x60 wood plank homogenous tiles as we expect to be preparing food there & need less slippery tiles. Safety before aesthetics. Tilers at work on the dry kitchen...my IDs were kind enough to not charge me for the extra labour for this area & for the subway tiles backsplash, as areas are not big... Kitchen backsplash - subway tiles with white grouting... hope it wont be hard to maintain! Prefer to make these shelves instead of using stainless steel toiletries rack... reluctant to drill holes & risk metal rusting... MBRM toilet 2nd Floor toilet Ah Soon's people are also finishing up the rewiring... the electrical is also quite eye-opening for a reno-suaku like me, never knew that hardcore drilling, laying of metal pipes on the ground & covering it with cement & tiles, & routing through pvc pipes in the ceilings are what concealed wirings require... Conceal wiring looking good...

Whew, been busy few days juggling between son's holiday activities (his school holiday is not our holiday), visiting reno site & keeping my gym regime... wanna lose the pregnancy weight before I return to work! Finally got to check out the website that Adidaem posted on a beautiful inter terrace reno: http://emrenoblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/inspirations-the-cambridge-road-inter-terrace/ The colour scheme is pleasing to my eye... Uploaded with ImageShack.us My hub is not into industrial theme though I'm trying to slowly convert him...hehe...What I like most about this house - besides the colour scheme - is the ample bookshelves... So, decided that besides the shelves at my living room, I will build more at the stairwell...maybe part 2. Also digging the chair & the black fan...

Hi jumbopanther, looking fwd to ur updates...my terrace is in the midst of reno too, t-blog's name 1 roof 3 generations.. Remember to check your ceilings for signs of leakage bef they tear down the false ceilings! I learnt my lesson...

Ohhh k...which shop did u buy from? If not I dunno where to start.

Oki...ur kitchen charges are not unreasonable anw so not overpaying him.. But now u might wanna get that contract signed lor. Jia you! Ur beautiful house lies ahead...

I believe many of the contractors/ID firms wld know how to install Blum...u can ask ur wetworks contractor to quote for carpentry as well & compare his with other carpenter's quotes. Btw classic kitchen is not cheap & theirs is mainly hettich system.

Hmm, some agents might have some lobangs but I think generally when u advertise ur own, u will receive calls from agents who want to represent u also, besides those helping their buyers to find flats. Yup, for agents is a hit & miss kind..mine's private ppty, so can't intro...if u wan, I can pm u the agent I used for my hdb sale some yrs back? U see if u're comfortable with her lor...

Hi there, is yours a HDB? You can post classi ads on your own, but documentation for HDB is a maze to tread through, so having a property agent would help you manage all the enquiries, negotiate prices, market property & deal with documentation. Of course, you would have to give a commission cut to them. When I was selling my property, I engaged the agent whom I met while looking for a property to buy. Through the way he marketed the property to me, I felt he's good so I gave him exclusive. Dont just go for any agents who send you flyers. Get recommendations & find an agent who will really try for the best price for you, not just bring in any offer below your asking & persuading you to accept it.

Actually if no paper was signed, you can walk away also & find another person to take over. Ur payment is progressive rite? Even if the carpentry subcon increase price, the contractor shld bear much of the brunt also & offset by charging cheaper for his own costs...its his mistake, not urs. Do u know what's the pfr of ur kitchen cabinets & solid top?

I think generally kitchen cabinets are 120pfr, & solid top 80 pfr. I've come across 60pfr solid top by Seng Kwong at Defu Lane, but I'm not sure if they're good so staying neutral. You might want to visit them to have a look? Wardrobes with sliding door at 290pfr is considered good price leh. If you want cheaper, can consider casement or closet (ie pole system). Casement would be about 30-40pfr cheaper, & closet in Seng Kwong is cheaper so I assume it would be so elsewhere as well.

Hi ahlipz, i like your black ceiling fan. May I know what brand & model & price? Tks in advance.

Why don't u let the 1st contractor do the carpentry also? Is price difference alot?

Hi there, I've pm-ed u.

Log on to BCA's website & apply first. It'll take a week for them to retrieve the film & ctc u to go down.

Ah yes! I'm only starting confirming kitchen carpentry in 2 wks, do share ur reviews on the countertop? Especially must not be porous & easily stained (like solid top).

Can share the name & price pfr? I remember discussing abt this under a different thread but just can't recall the name!