macuser77

And we engaged Mr.K In a nutshell, after months of tiring "ID" / contractor hunting, we have decided to engage the reputable Mr K. His quote was definitely on the high side, but we believe cheap and good don't co-exist. Hacking works : Pics: It will be a major overhaul, where even the toilet windows will be replaced. Hacking works were surprisingly fast, and everyone who worked with Mr K can attest to his efficiency. He is a no nonsense guy and a man of few words. Although he's not obliged to give any ideas (he's a contractor), he will still provide practical solutions. The only thing he joked about was the ease of removing the tiles due to the crappy work done by our previous ID firm, which has since been featured in lots of magazines, tv shows blah blah blah. Ok thts all for now now. Will update the pics if there's progress.

Hi, can you please share with us the name of the departmental store? thank you

Hi Retch, Nice &tradition light. Do you mind telling me if it is purchased from Foundry or online ? And did the electrician install a dimmer for the lamp ? Thanks !

Hi all. I am contemplating on whether to use wood tiles, as they have grains and not so smooth surface. Hence, will there be a dirty feel to the touch and dirt trapped in the grains ? (p.s sorry if this question sounds weird, as my wife and I are clean freaks ) Thanks in advance !!

Hi. Please post the name of this unscrupulous firm. I think it's fair as it lets these idiots know that we consumers are not suckers, and also to prevent forum users from getting fleeced.

Love love love your red tv conso!

Congrats!

very very beautiful house!

Ours' at street 13

I feel you! Btw mine is a 5i flat in pasir ris too but corridor flat. And i absolutely love your layout!

ID hunting: The 5 months of ID hunting was fun, but mentally exhausting. Like what some forum members said, it can be addictive initially. However, in the long run, it'll just wear you out and thereafter losing interest in the reno. We will actually eliminate those who don't initiate a site visit. This is a fundamental error for reno of resale flat as the ID/contractor will never get a feel of how the flat looks like, its present condition, and how the design will blend. Furthermore, the quote will never be accurate. Anyway, to say the least, our field report (in sequential order): 1) D*** Design (approached in expo): As we stay near expo, we decided to make a trip down to some reno fair. Though we've heard (and even experienced) some horrific stories on some IDs exhibitors, we thought it was no harm giving it a try since we have gained some experience from our last reno. Design: We were turned off by the space planning and design as it was not practical, and the "ID" actually said "Actually nice designs are never practical." Hello....I thought IDs are trained to make nice designs practical ???? And no site visit. Price: After eliminating redundant items, price is acceptable. There was no GST as they claimed that it will be absorbed by the company. hmm...some gimmick ? Anyway we've eliminated them based on the bad space and design layout. 2) I*ag* (approached in expo) : Design : Didn't get to see it as the "ID" kept changing the appointment date (not in advance, but changed on the date itself !). Well, she was only wasting her own time as she made a trip to our flat to take measurements, pictures etc. Price : As above 3) **zt & *e*ax : Our first reno was done by them. We were greenhorns then, thus easily convinced to sign. Carpentry was so so, only after numerous lashings on the "ID". As for loose items such as taps, sinks etc, they became loose within 1 month. Leakages in the MBR sink also started within a month. We called the "ID" and plumbers. They came, turned on the tap, and observed for about 20 seconds. No leakages spotted (hello...the leak is slow and gradual..cannot be seen within 20s), and left. Anyway we have decided to take another shot, as we are familiar with their "way of doing business", and also hoping to get a good discount on the basis that we are recurring customers. Design : Team of 3 came over to take pics and measurements, was kind of impressed then. However, design was very amateur, typical cut and paste, terrible space planning. To say the least, you see a R&R home, you see all.(Their design was much better when they were in Joo Chiat with their ex chief designer) ID wasn't familiar with HDB's regulation : Me: Can we install 2 aircon compressors ? (our flat doesn't come with the new aircon ledges) "ID": Gotta check. Do the flats in your vicinity have 2 compressors ? Me: Have, but only a small handful "ID": Means can lor. Enough said. I realised they can only impress by telling customers they use high tech system e.g Blum (even Mr. K uses Blum lor). No substance in my opinion. Price : Ok after removing redundant items. 4) F*** *p*** I**ent : "ID" is a nice chap, very meticulous. Design: Space planning was ok. Wanted to engage his services. Unfortunately, he took the initiative to show us the 3D design of a small part, and we ran off immediately as it wasn't to our liking. Price : Very expensive. ID not willing to give discounts as he assumed there will be variation works. There were a few others, but we're too lazy to comment on them.

FLOOR PLAN Hi all, after 5 grueling months of ID hunting, we have more or less concluded that we'd rather get a contractor as most IDs we have met are more like sales man rather than the real McCoy true blue ID. Furthermore, the supposedly "IDs" generally charge 30% more than contractors. (this doesn't apply to the legitimate IDs we've met, and we'll elaborate below). So we thought why pay a premium for cut and paste designs, when we can do it ourselves ? First and foremost, let us present our floor plan : The master bedroom and kitchen will be hacked. (sorry as we're lazy to use the floor planner) We'll briefly cover our ID/contractor hunt in our next post.

Hi, thanks for your reply. Will go and check it out

Hi RetchLow I have been follwong your t-blog, and noted that Prozfile was not in your list of shortlisted ID. We have also approached Prozfile, and we are very keen in signing up with them. Any reason why they were not shortlisted ? Thanks !

Agree that it is very addictive to speak to diff designers to get new ideas! But it can be a frustrating process too! We have met 10 n still can't find the one.. Btw can you share who you will be signing with?

Hi ms chocobananas can I have your hubby's contact pls? Tia!

Anyone ? Please help ?

Hi, anyone engaged Prozfile ? Need some feedbacks. Thanks

Thanks for the reply. You've made the right choice !

Hi Miss Itsybits, are the wooden floor tiles actually normal ceramic tiles that look like wood? Does it trap dirt easily and do they have a smooth texture ? Thanks in advance !!

Thank you both It is indeed a very frustrating journey....we have met possibly 8 and unfortunately have not met "the one". If this continues, we may just go down the contractor route...Doesnt make sense to pay a premium for "designs" when we have a pretty clear idea of what we want. SIGH!!

Hi, we're planning to do a renovation for our Pasir Ris 5I flat. My wife and I had been told that contractors quote approximately 30% lower than those cut-and-paste "IDs" (not the professional IDs though). After browsing through the T-blog, we realised that it is pointless paying a premium for most IDs for their typical kind of design, when contractors (especially Mr.K) can do a much better job. Our search for the ideal ID / contractor is frustrating, and we have even approached a professional ID who quoted us $20k for design fee. Anyway, is the 30% price difference true ? Thanks in advance.

Hi theitsybits Have been a silent reader all these while and i must say, i really love your house! I am currently searching for a contractor/ ID and would appreciate if you could provide me with Mr K's contacts. Thank you v much!