summersann

Oh! I didn't know the 2nd appointment date was "flexible"! I shall remember to ask the seller when I next meet them to get a rough estimate of how long they would need to move out. We didn't hire a lawyer though. There's an option to let HDB do that for us right?

Not forgetting, Artist Room does the 3D perspective by hand. Hand-sketching. Now that's impressive. Can't wait to get the quotation from them, and also ask for another quotation (after deciding on quite a few changes) from Three-D Conceptwerke. Then, the real headache begins

Met up with Artist Room today. Have to say, it was a very pleasant meeting. Mark was sincere and very willing to listen. It's just... a good feeling The discussion was very different from the other IDs we've met. He started off by asking us questions that were more about our lifestyle than our interior style preference. As much as it was unsettling (didn't feel quite right that we didn't talk about what styles we liked!), it was really refreshing. Could sense that they were more about designing a space that suited the home owner's lifestyle, with the styles, textures and colors coming in later after the space planning. This was something that didn't occur to us, not after meeting IDs who talked about interior styles upfront, less about lifestyles (the only other one who briefly asked about our lifestyle was Three-D Conceptwerke). After he showed us their past projects and asked for our opinion about the styles, we talked in brief about the style we're going for and showed him some pictures I've compiled. He patiently looked through the pictures, so that was nice Now it's waiting for the quote (which is going to take a while). He was honest and told us that they needed more time to do a detailed sketch, considering the size of our place and the current projects they have on hand (they're a really small firm, with only 4 people). We really liked that their quote would be inclusive of electrical rewiring and plumbing. They believe in including all these in their works, so they have a resident electric&plumbing guy who will work with them to get it included in our quote. I'm impressed

We managed to get an appointment the first week of November! We're quite close to each other in terms of key collection date then Can only hope that HDB doesn't drag and that the 2nd appointment is 6 weeks later instead of the maximum 8 weeks Was kinda hoping we could renovate and move in before CNY 2013. But we knew it was a stretch. Met a few IDs so far, and most say it's impossible to complete by Feb 2013, considering we're getting our keys late this year or early next year. Oh well! Hope you have more luck! Planning to move in before CNY 2013?

A new week! 1 more month for us to meet IDs and decide on who to engage. We're meeting Artist Room today. Quite excited about that. I think we've been going about this ID search in a slightly wrong way. The range is so diverse that comparing quotations doesn't seem to quite make sense. Some seem to understand what concept we're going for, and are able to further suggest ideas that enhance our style. Others seem to vaguely get it, but simply take down notes or sketch as we talk, not contributing much. The rest... I somehow sense a when we mention our concept and start off with a few specifications. Decided that perhaps we need to arrange meetings with IDs who are kind of in the same league so that comparison of their quotations would be fair. At least then we know they all understand what look we're going for. Or are we wrong? Hmm...

Thanks for the link! I guess that's the kind of tile we're now looking at. The ID we quite liked did suggest using tiles that could sort of blend with cement screed for our kitchen because she didn't recommend using screeding for the kitchen floor. I guess now we just have to ask her to use that tile for the entire first floor instead. Goodbye cement screed dream And good tips! Most of the IDs we've contacted reverted pretty quickly, except for 1 who took a week or so before we heard anything from them. You're right about the short reno period thing! We're quite wary of that because our key collection is probably going to be late this year or early next year, so whoever promises us that they can get it done before CNY 2013... hmm... Interesting point about IDs who look very rich! Did not think of that at all. Shall start noticing, hahaha! Haven't gotten any 3Ds from the IDs we've met, except for one 3D that the ID we liked did up. It was a small area, just to show us the kitchen, and she only did it for the 2nd meeting when she gave us the quotation. I hope that wasn't her showing us an existing project!

You must have viewed a lot of places! We did it on our own without an agent. Boy was that difficult. A lot of selling agents weren't even eager to meet up with us Congrats on your key collection soon! We still have to wait for the first appointment in November. So far away Have fun with the ID search! We're totally getting a headache deciding on who to engage.

We were looking at the Yishun Khatib area too! Might have viewed the unit you bought maybe! The COVs for EMs are getting rather high. We looked at so many places, all asking for 80-100k, some even over 100k. Thought we were running out of luck and started looking at EAs too. But still as expensive. So when we got to Yishun, the prices seemed so much better We got one closer to Yishun in the end. About 10mins walk away! Not very near, but a leisurely walk/a quick bus to Yishun MRT I guess!

so super lucky! congrats!

Hi adidaem! I followed your t-blog when researching for IDs for our EM So nice to see you here! Thanks for the links! We were okay with the hairline cracks. In fact, we quite liked the idea. The deal breaker is pretty much the damage done to the floor if anything substantial is dropped. One ID we visited had cement screeding done for the studio's floor. She showed us the possible problems, including a dent on the floor. If we ever drop anything and create a dent, I think my dog/cat will scratch the dent even further and create a trench And totally agreed on the reliability and quality part! Deciding on who to engage is so exhausting though. Must be because we're such noobs

Yeah, we're going to wait for the quotations to come back from those IDs who told us 30-40k is possible when most tell us 80-90k. As for the cement, we've pretty much decided it's a no-go. We love the look, but can't take the maintenance Thanks for your advice!

If it helps, you can check out the recent Sale of Balance exercise. I think I saw a few EMs and EAs put up for balloting. They list the prices there. Not sure about the levy though.

We were previously looking at the Hougang area as well. But you're totally right, the sellers there are all looking for COVs around that price. One even told us 100k COV, no less. The unit wasn't even near the MRT, and was ground floor So we eventually gave up and turned to another area. At least now we have $$ left to renovate the house

Your friend's lucky to get a good ballot number! I find the Sale of Balance exercises to be completely impossible! So many people vying for a chance to select the unit

I'm exhausted. And confused. Met 4 IDs today. Started the morning with Ideal House. Met Danny and talked about our ideas and concept. The moment came when we asked him what we should expect for the quotation. "Should be about 30-40k". That's easily half of what we've been told to expect, going by forums and other IDs/people we've talked to. After the afternoon's activities, we headed down to Ubi Avenue to meet the other IDs. 1. Intra Design - Dave Talked about our concept. We got the usual reaction when we mentioned cement screeding for the first floor - "hard to maintain", "cracks", "powdery". The only good (?) thing was, his rough estimate of the cost was similar to 2 of the other places we've been to so far. 2. 3D Innovations - Jason Benny contacted us, and was the person we were liaising with for a good few days. But when it came to the meeting, Jason called instead and said he was "assigned" the project. Right. Not that we have anything against Jason, of course. Just didn't understand why he wasn't the one who replied our enquiry in the first place. Had a good chat and he showed us plenty of materials (tiles, flooring, laminates, vinyl, etc.). When it came to a rough estimate of what our renovation would cost, "About 50k". Hmmmmmm It's been an interesting day. Did not expect to receive 2 out-of-the-ordinary rough estimates. Especially since we're talking about the same concepts, even down to the finishing details. We're suspecting that some of the IDs we met don't really understand our concept. But even then, we were quite specific during the meetings. So how can the difference be so huge? The truly confusing part came to the discussion of the toilets. As the toilets would be upgraded by the time we move in (HDB upgrading), we're not allowed to hack the tiles. Some say it's okay to change the location of the door, while some insisted that changing any location of anything in the toilet would "void the HDB warranty". Again, exact concepts, different sayings. Shouldn't they know what exactly can and can't be done, since they're all HDB licensed firms? Our cement screed floor idea also took a beating today. No one thinks it's a good idea. Is it an attempt to get us to use tiles (so they can charge us more)? Or is it true?

We recently exercised the OTP and submitted the resale application for our first home in Yishun. It's a 2nd gen EM (if I'm not mistaken). Our COV was $39k, which seemed quite reasonable compared to the usual $80-100k that we came across while house-hunting. That said, we did contact quite a number of agents though. And you're right, some of them were pretty stuck up about it. At some point, we thought our EM dream wasn't possible too. But there's still hope (as long as you're not too picky about the location)! Good luck on finding your dream home!

Met Three-D Conceptwerke for our first quotation today! Was so excited about it, to be honest The quotation turns out to be what we kinda expected, after reading other t-blogs that mentioned the firm. Am tempted to just sign on the line, but must. fight. temptation. Shall hold onto the quotation and arrange for viewing of the unit she's currently working on. Not forgetting to let her do some on-site checking at our unit. Getting more quotations on Saturday! And meeting with Artist Room on Monday This shall help pass the time before the first appointment!

Hope you manage to secure an early first appointment! The dates are so packed, it's insane. I can't wait for the first appointment! I'm still trying to figure out what to do exactly! Can't wait to sign with an ID and begin share more renovation ideas!

A copy of our floorplan!

Thank you! You're totally right about the "luck". We're just waiting to meet more before we decide, though we obviously have our preferences Just trying not to rush into it

I love the scandinavian/swedish design concept too! You can check out my t-blog if you want more IDs to visit! My first appointment is also in November! Was hoping to move in before CNY next year, but you're right, it's highly unlikely. Congrats on your home and post more pics of the process

Who are you finalizing with? Congrats on making your choice!

Congrats on yours too! Wow, you really have stamina! 15 firms! Any of your IDs coincide with mine? I only visited 2 so far out of my shortlisted and I already am restless. So many things to consider good luck with your decision!

Definitely! Can't wait to start the renovation

Resale application submitted, now eagerly awaiting the confirmation of our first appointment. The weeks feel like forever! Meanwhile, we've started our visits to the interior designing firms we'd shortlisted about a week ago. Submitted a request for quotes on Renotalk's website, but ended up not shortlisting most of the firms that replied us. We went about scouring for well-reviewed firms instead 1. Ideal House - we're waiting to meet Danny this Saturday (if the boy doesn't get activated for the weekend ). Read quite a fair bit of good reviews about Ideal House. We'll see how it goes! 2. 3D Innovations - seems to be well-reviewed on renotalk. Arranged to meet Benny this Saturday. 4. Three-D Conceptwerke - met Meiyi last Saturday. Was quite excited to visit three-d conceptwerke as the firm has an impressive portfolio on their website. The studio was gorgeous! She impressed us with her "homework". She'd already sketched her ideas on the floorplan and even provided us with 2 versions in case we didn't quite like 1. We could click with the designer (which is a very important thing for us!), and we fed off each other's ideas. Most reviews on renotalk mentioned that their prices are pretty high. Meeting her tomorrow to get the quotation. Fingers crossed! 5. Intra Design - meeting Dave this Saturday. 6. Project File - meeting Lili next Saturday. Was quite impressed with the company's portfolio. 7. The Carpenter's Workshop Pte Ltd - emailed a week ago. No reply. Guess our project's too small for them to bother 8. Artist Room - recommended by colleague. Her friend had engaged Artist Room for her 4-room unit. Their portfolio is rather impressive too! Meeting up with Mark this Monday. 9. Plush Living - meeting William next Saturday. 10. ** - one of the firms who messaged us after we submitted the request for renovation quotes. Decided to meet them since they seem to have some good reviews. Meeting Carven next Saturday. This meeting-and-discussing-then-waiting-for-quotation process is exhausting. Can't wait to sign with one of them and begin the planning proper! But keeping to the budget is important