annpaul

Hi all…I’ve survived at our place for 2 years without air-con in the living room. We inherited the old system from the previous owner coz still look quite new. They have units in all three rooms but no unit in the living room. We were perfectly fine since it’s only two of us most of the time and we don’t really need the aircon in our living room. But lately coz of the heat, I’ve been thinking of installing a unit in the living room. Also good when entertaining. It’s just freaking hot! But I’m really puzzled how I can get a unit fixed up in the living room? What are the options? Replace all existing units? Then what system should I be getting? Can I just install another single unit without touching the old one? My living room and dining room is a T-shaped one. One long living room and to one side it’s the dining room. Do you think it’s too xiong to put a unit in the living room? If I’m gonna install the unit, what would it take? They’ll have to do trunking along the wall is it? Gees I’m also concerned about ugly cabling. Whats the best possible way with least damage?

Hi all...need your advise regarding aircon issue... we bought a resale and it's got a system 3 in all 3 rooms. we kept it coz still good condition. the living room doesnt have aircon unit. at first we thought we dont wan anyway. coz waste a lot of money. now the reno is completed. but i'm contemplating to install a unit in the living room. i've read a bit about a spilt unit or sorts. its just one unit right? just for living room? how much would such system cost on average? is it high maintainence? i dont intend to on it on daily basis. only when there're visitors. we're staying close to 30th floor so quite windy. i took down the grills in the living coz i love the view outside. then erected a platform. but now when guests come, they find it scary to stand at the window. but have to leave the windows open for ventilation. now i'm thinking if i have a/c in living, then i can close the windows when there are visitors. so not so scary. but scared the reno will be affected leh... can i install after the reno done wan? whats the implications? need to truck it to somewhere? then the truck will be very visible right? need your advise! thanks!!

oh woah...soooo surprised to read that Jonathan is leaving EI. but glad that its for a good cause. Glad and happy for him to have found his purpose. i'm a more than satisfied client of Jonathan...we started reno in march this year. and needed it to be done in a short period of time, in time for our weddin in end april. indeed Jon never fails us and manage to deliver quality stuff with the tight time. he was the one chasing after us for decisions most of time actually. after handing over, its only few days to our wedding. we didnt get a chance to check the house. then after wedding, we rushed off for our honeymoon. only just returned last week. so we've been away for 3 weeks after handing over of keys. we haven got time to check the condition of house and haven pay him fully yet up till now, tho the contract is valid for 14 days only...but hes so trusting and patient man. aiyah we just felt real blessed to have found a good ID! i hope you guys have an easy time too... will post pics of completed reno soon... Hey dreamer... can show show pics of your house? the masterpiece?? curious curious... =)

aiyah! that time our ID only passed us nippon book. say if cannot find another color we like then can check out ICI oso. but we just sui bian choose from nippon only. forgot about ICI totally. arghh regret now esp knowing ici got more color. now have to live with my cocoa walls. haha

Hey air!! Me again...from our IDs thread...nice to see pics of your new home. so funky wan!! not like mine so down to earth and boring! but FH likes...haha i oso got nippon galaxy for my master bedroom! i lovvvvveeeeee the color!! but not so happy with the colors of living and rooms tho. wanted your living room color oso wan. saw something like that in mags before and i really like it...very sand and khaki like. but i couldnt find it in the nippon paint book leh. in the end, FH chose mocha! i almost fainted! gonna take me quite a while to get used to it man. really regret lah. wanted to ask ID to repaint but think my FH will faint. hiys...no choice lah... then the yellow that i wanted in one of the room oso not the yellow i wanT! but i got tell my FH about this cos smaller area lah. good thing our ID agreed to repaint without charge. haha still playing with idea of telling FH i dont like the mocha...but unlikely lah! arghhhh i want sand color!!!!

Thanks Air... Aiyah my FH gets very panicky when i ask ID questions or for ideas! haha coz everytime i ask its kaching kaching...haha say i want this want that and i keep changing my mind...so FH very stressed loh... but pay so much already of coz must make nice nice hor?! reno is very stressful for us coz we got very different taste man...(wonder how we got together right!) haha he likes very very extremely resort style...but i hate having too much wood around...all the teak furniture! ohmigoodness! haha then i like colors and modern and funky stuff but he dont like...hiys...turn out now our house neither here or there....haha

Hi all... I'm in midst of my reno and i need some advise here!! We've got very tight timing so very stressed out having to make major decisions in such short time! Here's a perspective of our feature wall, hiding our bomb shelter and have a sliding door to conceal the kitchen. Feature Wall My FH likes it simple like that. Basically its just one kind of laminate with 2 niches and the metal lines. But i find it toooooooooo simple leh...Somemore that dining area is very small. Feels that using so woody stuff makes the feel there very heavy. Any one of you has got good suggestions how to spice up this area? I'm toying with ideas like incorporating black glass or white glossy for some portions of the wall, say top & bottom row, or middle row... what do you think? i'm also toying with idea of using wallpaper instead of laminate...but we'll still be constructing the false wall. anyone done that before? construct false wall, then wallpaper instead of laminate? how much would it cost? would it be substantially more ex than using laminates? if more ex, then i can forget about asking... my FH gets very panicky when i ask our ID questions or even ask him...haha coz everytime i ask/ wana modify ideas....its kaching kaching...haha so thought i better find out more first then ask him...keke please help, anybody???! thank you thank you... hiys...mei shi jian ah...mei shi jian! *stressed*

oops...thot you're e 'husband'..keke... oops...thot you're e 'husband'..keke... sorry sorry... Hmm...i oso like wallpaper...but we still wanna construct the false wall coz wanna have a sliding door to conceal the kitchen (since we're not doing anything to the kitchen)...and we like to have one whole look instead of a stand alone door... i've heard of people doing the false wall and then wall paper it instead of laminating also. anyone knows how much would this cost? would it be more ex than using laminates? or same cost?? we've got a divider at the foyer quite near to this wall. it's supposed to use the same laminate. if opt for wallpaper for bomb shelter, then the divider should also use wall paper right?

haha isit a man's thing!! hmm...how much was your wallpapering of the bomb shelter area?

hi all...can the motion sensor be added after the electrical works are done and lights are already up? how can it be fixed up? can DIY or need electrician leh? thinking of doing it but my electrical works are done liaoz...

Ahhh....need help! our reno is moving very very fast (we needed it to be fast lah) but theres very little time for me to make decisions! darm stress man! and i'm that kind who'll take forever to think wan! hiyz... this is the perspective for the bomb shelter and sliding door to kitchen. that is a very small area. my FH likes it simple like that...but i think its tooooooooo simple! arghh....but duno how to spice it up? any suggestions how to make this look nicer?? i think the niche can use black glass...whatcha think? my FH thinks it'll look ugly but i don think so leh. my FH don like me asking ID so many questions! hmmp! thinks i'm too fickle minded...but must really like the stuff we're paying for right! arghh...anyway...got suggestion how to spice this area up? thinking alternatively can have top row and bottom row using black glass?? haha or middle panel? hiyah....just think that using whole wall one laminate like very boring leh... is wallpaper substantially more ex than laminate? hmmm or just use wallpaper? hiyah...no time liaoz...pissed... aiyah forgot the attachment...here's it! Feature wall

Quite true lah. Read in their website...'Today' actually had an article on them and EI pride themselves to get their customers by word of mouth recommendation. It struck me then when i read that. They dont believe in advertising. i think its a really good way. not afraid no business if they're really good. and the savings from advertising can benefit customers directly oso. thats why i chose EI oso. good business ethics! =P

my id is jonathan...can reach him at jonathan@earnest-interiors.com. he's not bad. we like talking to him. very easy going and sincere. hes also a very practical man with a teeny weeny bit of adventurous spirit. haha i wanted yellow walls he find it cool and daring...then i said why not red, then hes not that supportive already. haha i wanted full height mirror and he said it'll be quite 'ghostly' at night! arghh but hes got his practical point of view lah. my FH's concern is to cut cut cut cost and jon is so super supportive...keep helping him cut cost...all my ideas got thrown out of window! haha what we wanted to do in the house are actually mostly our own ideas. but jon would advise how to modify it to cut cost or advise whether feasible. design wise...not those really designer showflat kind but its very practical and homely. so i duno whether you'll consider them good and new ideas...haha anyway hes real nice to talk to even tho you eventually decide not to use him. good luck... =P

hey newkid...so poor thing nobody responded to you. haha my id is jon not benedict. dont have his direct mobile but have their office number. can call and ask for his hp. 64451683. i guess his email is benedict@earnest-interiors.com coz jon's is just his name jonathan. keke all the best.

oh dear...your ID sounds terrible man...6000 for that is really ex man! i'm not doing kitchen so cant advise leh...but i know thats way too ex lah! gees... mind sharing whos your ID? so unlike what we've heard of EI so far...hmmmm...

hey morning... i agree that the shops in geylang has very good pricing too. we've been to a few shops and found that the prices and quality of stuff in geylang is most value for money leh. i dont think your ID purposely bring you there cos its near his office lah. EI has built rapport there already mah. our ID would explain to us why he brought us to certain shop. like the lightings, he brought us to chelsea. he explained he found that the stuff are value for money and they've got the best service. would gladly change if theres any problem when delivering. as for the WC in geylang, the staff will also change any WC with cracks even after installation. some shops wont do that as they'll assume the contractors broke it so the shops wont compensate. actually you can ask your ID to bring you to his contact, just one place first. look at the products over there, ask him whats recommended for your vanity. what will go with it and what wont. so you roughly get an idea what will work and what not. then you can go recce on your own without ID...see for that certain style, got other patterns you like better or more competitive pricing loh. then you don hafta take his time to go different shops to see roughly the same stuff mah. after you've been to 2 or 3 shops, you'll realised all the same lah. haha only price differs most! then you'll realise his contact still got quite competitive pricing. haha we also lidda wan...like that don hafta waste our ID's time and we can shop at ease at our own sweet time. as for your ID giving you such short notice to buy the basin...very bad leh...our ID gave us a schedule when they'll do what and when we'll need to purchase what. so its all very clear with all the deadlines. do you have such schedule oso? better ask leh...then can also track their work progress. hope this helps...lastly...relax relax relax...

Hi...most people would want their reno to be finished as soon as possible wan leh...only heard of people complaining of delay...first time hear people say the workers are too fast! haha if you're not rushing for time then can let your ID know loh. but i think they wont compromise quality even though they're working very fast lah. That's what EI pride themselves for mah. if they had compromise the quality, then i'm sure there wont be so many satisfied clients here. who is your ID huh? we had gotten our perspectives even before we signed up with EI leh. now work has started liaoz. our ID is working on the 3D perspectives more on the details of capentry. should be seeing it on this weekend. we had chosen our colors and laminates last weekend. our ID gave us the laminate book for capentry and color book one week before for us to go back and slowly choose. he said for us to choose first then he'll commend on our choices. coz he don wanna affect our choices mah. when we told him our choices and where to paint what color, he did advise if the colors match or if its suitable at that spot we chose. as for tiles...quite disappointed coz the tiles i've chosen all no stock liaoz...have to wait 2 weeks for stock but we cant wait liaoz...so have to choose another wan. but my FH likes it so okay loh. our ID is bringing us to shop for bathroom stuff and later lighting stuff oso leh. nvm complain leh. but we're only going to one place each. his contact for WC stuff and lighting stuff. we didnt like shortlist some shops ourselves and then ask him to go with us. is that why your ID's grumbling?

hiyoh i saw tazzie's posting and thot bubblepearl u using his ID then my heart almost stopped lah...haha coz i'm also doing 5 rm resale and using same ID as tazzie and how come yours sooooo much cheaper! almost fainted....good thing i manage to finish reading the thread first! hahah out of curiousity only, can share your ID with me? just curious who...hees thanks!

Great. glad its useful! all the best in your selection...keep us updated if you've eventually chosen EI yeah =)

ohh...i dont have the final copy now coz with my FH leh... this is the original list of things in the first quotation... i've added the amendments in RED for as much as i can rem... PROFESSIONAL SERVICE A To provide Interior design services with proposed layout plan B To provide Perspective drawings on carpentry works upon confirmation C Material & colour scheme proposals D Arrangement for PUB gas pipe installation and connection E 2 year Warranty for workmanship F Submission to HDB for approval G Final inspection on site DEMOLITION A To demolish existing floor finishes Master bedroom - skirting only 2 bathrooms B To demolish existing wall finishes 2 bathrooms C To remove existing Sanitary plumbing and piping 2 bathrooms D To demolish existing door and frames 2 bathrooms E To demolish existing doors only 3 bedrooms F To demolish built in wardrobe in MBR G To remove window grills in living room H Hack a wall in bedroom 2 for walk in wardrobe WET WORK A To supply and lay water proofing membrane c/w 2 yr warranty 2 bathrooms B To construct tiled Shower kerb 2 bathrooms FLOOR A To supply and lay Matt / textured homogeneous tiles 2 bathrooms Size: 300 x 300mm Cost of tiles: $2.50 / sqft B To supply and lay Laminated floor with skirting Master bedroom Brand: Supreme E26 series C To construct Platform with laminated floor finish Part Living Brand: Supreme E26 series WALL A To supply and lay Selected Ceramic wall tiles 2 bathrooms Size: 300 x 400mm Cost of tiles: $1.70 / sqft B To construct plasterboard partition for walk in wardrobe No doors Master bedroom CEILING- exclusive of lights and electrical works A To supply and install L-box Light holder Living -Remove quote as there is an existing L-box B To supply and install False ceiling Entrance Dining - remove quote DOOR A To supply and install Tempered glass door with side hinge Bath 1 B To supply and install Aluminium bifold doors Bath 2 - FOC C To supply and install Tempered glass shower screen 2 bathrooms - remove one quote. find it not so practical in common bathroom D To supply and install Casement Timber doors 3 bedrooms WINDOW No quote PLUMBING A To replace part existing pipe with Stainless steel cold pipes 2 bathrooms B To install Water Closet 2 bathrooms C To install Instant water heater 2 bathrooms D To install Basin and tap 2 bathrooms Note: All fittings, eg. Heater, water closet, washing basin, mixers and accessories are exclusive ELECTRICAL WORKS To be advised A To supply electrician to supply and install the followings:- 1) Lighting / Switch point - new 0 $33.00 2) Lighting / Switch point - relocate 0 $20.00 3) 2 way switch 0 $33.00 4) Dimmer switch 0 $30.00 5) Install Fan 0 $38.00 6) Install Doorbell 0 $10.00 7) Install Light Fixture 0 $10.00 8) Single powerpoint - new 0 $52.00 9) Single powerpoint - relocate 0 $25.00 10) Dual powerpoint - new 0 $60.00 11) Dual powerpoint - relocate 0 $30.00 12) Additional MCB 0 $22.00 13) Distribution Board - new 0 $380.00 14) Distribution Board - relocate 0 $150.00 15) Telephone point - new 0 $40.00 16) Telephone point - relocate 0 $20.00 17) Singapore Cable Vision 0 $95.00 18) Speaker point 0 $20.00 19) Water Heater / Hood , Hob or Oven point ( using heater switch ) 0 $90.00 20) Air- con point 0 $90.00 21) 3 core wire for Hood & Hob ( using 3 pin plug ) 0 $20.00 22) To replace:- ( only switch cover ) ( exclusive of designer switch ) 0 23) 1 gang switch 0 $15.00 24) 2 gang switch 0 $18.00 25) 3 gang switch 0 $20.00 26) 4 gang switch 0 $25.00 27) 5 gang switch 0 $30.00 28) Heater switch 0 $30.00 29) Bell push switch 0 $35.00 30) Dual powerpoint 0 $35.00 31) Single powerpoint 0 $30.00 32) PUB Testing 0 $350.00 33) Single Line Diagram 0 - 34) Earth Boarding 0 $30.00 35) Tidy up of Kitchen & 2 Bathroom wiring exclude points 0 $100.00 NB : Additional charges will be incurred for part-concealing of cabling & make good for Condo or Landed Property ( Subject to site ) AIR-CON By Others PAINTING WORK A To furnish wall with Nippon 3-in-1 soft matt for the whole house 6 colours inclusive of white B To paint pipings, door & door frame C To vanish main door Additional cost will incur for weatherbond paint CARPENTRY All works are in laminated finish on solid plywood unless otherwise stated All cabinet c/w internal white polycam finish unless otherwise stated Exclusive of all electrical and lighting works A MASTER BEDROOM a Design and install Pole system Wardrobe No doors Timber polykem interior Stainless steel hanging rods loose adjustable shelving Sliding Mirror Size: 4000L + 900L x 600D x 2600Ht - have changed to built in wardrobe system...wood kind...not using pole anymore B BATH 1 a Design and install Vanity cabinet Casement door suspended cabinet Granite top Full mirror with pelmet Exclusive of basin and Tap Size:1500L x 600D x 2600Ht - changed concept at vanity...not using pelmet. C LIVING a Design and install Pole Partitions Size: 100 x 100 x 2600Ht b Design and install TV cabinet Suspended TV console for Flat TV drawers and sliding trays Display Niches and cabinet Size: 4500L x 450D x 1500/2600Ht - remove from quote c Design and install Partition / shoe rack Lump sum L-shape Shoe rack cabinet with seater Partition strips Size: 1500L x 500D x 2600Ht d Design and install Bomb shelter box-up with door Concealed sliding door Display niches magnetic push doors Size: 4000L x 200D x 2600Ht e Construct sliding door for walk in wardrobe MISCELLANEOUS A Acid washing for new ceramic flooring B General cleaning for whole house C Clearing of debris/rubbish during renovation D Protection to existing flooring using rolled cardboard E Installation of Bathroom accessories only D Installation of Curtain track and other accessories TOTAL AMOUNT: $24,200.00 GRAND TOTAL: $24,200.00 Final quote is 16k+ hees hope not too confusing....or you send me your quote then i see if anything missing lah?

no lah...the first quotation was sent via email coz we couldnt meet up. subsequently...each revision was modified on his comp and printed out for us black and white. thats why i only got hard copy and no soft copy. the final hard copy is with my FH and i'm too lazy to type everything out lah. haha of coz cant be just telling us verbally... the initial quotation is 24k plus and our final quotation is 16k+. we've budgetted in a buffer for misc cost... we've got a tight budget so right from start, took out things that can wait till later stage then do or not so important so that we got a buffer budget. if later on, still got budget then do loh. spend too much on buying the house already man... electrical is not counted into the quotation but he did reflect the pricing on the quotation. usually have to set aside 1.5k for electrical. whats the sink support for? vanity? nv heard of so dunno leh? but our vanity top is a granite top. we're getting the bowl kind to put on top. you mentioned in your email to me about the water closet...i oso dunno?? hees

Hees...yeah i actually reacted too fast liaoz lah...feel so paiseh... i can send you my quotation but its the first one that jon has given me. we've had several revisions since then but i dont have the soft copy of that leh. but can roughly rem the changes. will email you.

hey guys...thanks for commenting... we've just went to our house to see see...and spoken to our ID again. we believed he had sincerely overlooked the matter lah. we still think he had told us the wrong thing in the beginning but its all settled now. hes still gonna give us the common bathroom door only. but we're ok liaoz lah... the doors had been taken down and thrown away. so cant take back. even if take back also cannot use so different thickness of tiles. cant sew the door either. so no matter wat, have to replace doors lah. so by right we should have paid for the doors in the beginning also. but coz of his blunder, now we get a door free...so not that bad afterall. hees yap our reno firm is the one in Eunos...must say that we still trust and like our ID a lot. hes really a nice chap! despite a small hiccup (and i think i reacted too fast...), we still enjoyed working with him and having him as our ID. he offered a lot beyond our expectations really. thumbs up! =)

hey all again...we've just went to our house and spoken to Jon again. also spoken to other contractor friends. we both believed now that Jon had sincerely overlooked the door situation lah. its true that the doors cannot be used again. and we still believed he told us wrongly. but we think he just overlooked it lah. at least hes sincere and helpful enough to offer some options. SO...we still maintain our good impression and working relation with earnest! hees sorry to cause alarm! he's still a good good chap! =)

Here's the photos of my toilet doors....still look very good right! arghhh so angry with our ID now. Can anyone advise what material is this door? I'm not good with this. is it aluminium or acrylic? our ID said only can give us one aluminium door for the common bathroom but not the MBR. piangs! not our fault how can we have to pay for what we didnt incur?!??! its his mistake loh! should compensate both doors to be as good as the ones we have right? should we be fighting for this? i don wan r/s to sour also leh...or just accept and pay for the MBR's door! hiyz...upset upset... can anyone please advise the material of the doors we HAD...thanks!