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Bethel

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Posts posted by Bethel

  3. Posted

    Me too.

    I think alot pple miss also.

    I pester starhub to activate for free.

    After activation, pictures are clearer and no more ghost images.

    Recommend to use the RG6B cables FOC from HDB - :good:

    Hi,

    Can I just clarify...the activation from starhub is only for ppl watching cable tv? If I didn't sign up for SCV and only watch local channels (Ch5,8,U,CNA) do i need to get them to come? Will it make my local channels clearer?

    How much they charge for that?

  4. Posted

    Thanks for all the replies on the book lice.....

    realised i'm the only one who has it.... :deal:

    It's quite hard to spot...at first glance it looks like a speck of dust, then when that speck starts moving..then i realised it's book lice...

    i dun hv many books in the house...farny thing is they dun appear near my few books...

    They can appear on my toilet vanity top, on the toilet floor, on my desk, on the wall, in the wardrobe....

    And it's not a big group crawling together, it's usually 1 or 2 here and there...

    From Alister's info, looks like they also can be found in "newly-constructed dwellings containing uncured green lumber or plastered walls". You guys should start looking out for them...they are small but irritating :dunno:

    Heard that u need to use a dehumidifier to get rid of them, as they "feed on microscopic mold and mildew associated with high-humidity conditions". :dribble:

  5. Posted

    Hi neighbours..

    For those who have moved in, do you'll see book lice around the house?

    Esp on carpentry or floor...

    realised that my house is quite humid so such book lice start coming... !!

    Wonder if any of u experience this problem or is it just my carpentry.

  6. Posted

    hi bethel,

    when did u get ur tv? $2,099 include extension of 2yr wty?

    we purchased ours last mth @ $2,199 also from Best Denki.

    chrispy, u might want to take note on a point which i overlooked. Courts may be offering their tv prices slightly more expensive ($100-$200 more) than Best Denki, they cover DEAD PIXELS issue which Samsung's warranty & Best Denki's extended wty doesn't. now i'm praying our tv comes in a complete, no defects package... *cross fingers* Dead pixels can drive you up the wall...to me or rather... :good:

    I got my tv from Best Denki (Ngee Ann City) last monday (5 Nov). Yup $2,099 including 5 yr warranty. I remember seeing it at $2,199 last month too. So it pays to wait.

    They were having a weekend (3rd-4th Nov) promotion and even though i missed it they still offered the same price to me. :unsure:

    They always have promotions so if the rest of u can wait, pls wait and keep a look out.

    Try to go to Best Denki at Ngee Ann City, i feel that they're more up to date.

    I went to Best Denki at Bishan and they were telling me abt the free gifts from samsung were either the HTS or the Tv+DVD player. but over at Ngee Ann City, they said still got the option of washing machine or robinsons voucher. And this is the updated list of free gifts.

  7. Posted

    Hi Gad man,

    Is this a good deal?

    Samsung LA-40R81BX 40" LCD TV

    Now $3,599 (U.P: $3,799)

    FREE!

    • Philips 32" LCD TV (worth $1,199)

    • Samsung free gift (worth $599) -> duno what this is...

    Hi tension_z,

    I just saw the 40" R81 at Best Denki (Ngee Ann City) selling at $2,999 last week. :bleah:

    The free gifts are the same anywhere u buy the tv coz u need to redeem the gifts from Samsung urself.

    Best Denki was also throwing in an additional 2 yr warranty on top of the 3 yrs Samsung provides. So 5 yrs warranty! :)

    I got the 37" R81 from there at $2,099. Neighbourhood shops like Everjoint sells it at $2,018.

    Decided to get it from Best Denki instead of Everjoint coz of the 5 yr warranty. :notti:

    The price is always dropping so if u can wait, wait till they have promotion. Best Denki always have promotion price which is not the price they label there. Have to approach the salesman to ask for promotion price.

  8. Posted

    Opps. My honest view turns into something against good. Btw do you agree in the point, grill do block the nice view and from a certain angle the tap do looks like a knife? This is good will from me but articulate it in a wrong manner, if possible change it. :rofl:

    Oh dear...just a tap only leh..also can look like knife... :(

    I feel that her tap looks quite ok and i would hv bought the same tap also if i couldn't find my dream tap...

    Anyway, it's strawberry_pear's tap, and what is most impt is how she views it and what she choose to believe in... !!

    I'm quite sure she's not superstitious...

    You are what you think, negative thoughts won't do us any good so choose to think on the bright side and cut off all negative thoughts! :notti:

  9. Posted · Edited by Bethel

    mine doesn't have any black lines and its total stainless steel so its heavier and more resistant to scratches. will check the brand of the mixer and let u know.

    It's ok..don't hv to chk brand for me...

    I went down to Lookz & *** on Saturday.

    Realised that the one u got is different from the one i wanted. I wanted one with a larger handle.

    Couldn't find it at both shops.

    End up buying this one at Genova for $145!! But i sure am happy abt this mixer!!

    Took a long time to find this design!!

    T_8218.jpg

  10. Posted

    alister..i'll be there at abt 12pm tomorrow..

    from Hoe Kee @ IMM, Ariston 25litre (drum) @ $254

    from Sim Siang Choon, Ariston 30litre $264.95, 40litre $295.52

    have u heard of rheem?

    Ariston 30 litre (squarish design) should only be $220 at those neighbourhood hardware stores.

    Please don't pay more than $230 for that.

  11. Posted · Edited by Bethel

    hihi bethel, i bought my mixer from *** and it was at a discounted price of 80.00 and yes it will be mounted onto solid top. i'm not sure if they have a shorter one but do check it out at lookz

    Oh *** and lookz are 2 different stores ah?

    So i guess i have to go to both and check.

    Btw what brand is this mixer? Do they carry their own in-house brand?

    Coz i saw the 'krisroz' brand mixer that looks exactly the same as yours but it has black lines on the handle. Can't see from the pic if yours has the black stripes.

    But the Krisroz one is selling at $150 at Hoe Kee!!

  12. Posted

    Hi ms white thks for the explaination..... make me feel more assured :)

    yingsan, I also thinking of doing black surface top but I think shd be easier to maintain than white

    Feeling so excited for those reno going to complete :dancingqueen:

    Btw I think BlkC 5room high floor someone have shifted in cos I saw the whole hse is lighted :dunno:

    One piece of advise for those who wanna make black solid top...scratches will be very obvious.

    White is harder to maintain if u cook everyday but scratches will not be seen.

    Maybe can choose those off white colours... :)

  15. Posted

    Here are some things that I WOULD HAVE done, if I have another go at a renovation project. You may like to consider them as well....(at your own risk!)

    :notti: Invest in some recent renovation magazines to take note of the ideas you like to incorportate

    :notti: Talk to some IDs and renovators to get an idea of how much basic renovation of a reasonable quality will cost. These will include, Flooring, Ceiling, Electrical, Plumbing, Kitchen Cabinets and Toilets. As these areas are all standard items, price comparison will be easy across different IDs

    :notti: On top of these items, add those items in your wish-list to see how much more they will add to your budget. These are the items that will detemine the final cost of your renovation, so even if the ID can give a very good quote for basic reno, it adds up to nothing if they start to chop you here!! Be ready to drop and modify ideas that may not fit into your budget.

    :notti: Rule-of-Thumb - Buying ready-made furnitures will be cheaper than to custom built. Therefore, unless you have good reason to have built-in (space constraints, design considerations etc), try not to have too much built-in. Check out Furniture Mall, Ikea, V-Hive, Barang Barang and even places like I waana go Home to see the range of ready-made furnitues that can potentially fit your place. Remember to invest in a good measuring tape so that you can be sure that what you have in mind will fit into the room!

    :notti: Remember - Built-in items are not necesary nicer or more practical! Do not fall into the trap of feeling obligated to have customised items to give your house an unique look. These will definitely add in to your cost, but may not necessary make your house look better!

    :notti: Allow some buffer in your budget for some luxury items. There will be beautiful lights and toilet accessories that will be very tempting later on - make sure you have enough budget to cover these as well

    :notti: Make sure you list down all the extra costs so that you can know exactly how much the total cost will be. these include: Haulage, PE fees, provisions for electircal appliances and furntures etc. Your budget will easily spiral out of control if you do not make early provisions for these necessary items.

    :notti: Last but not least, go with an ID that you are comfortable with. I went with mine because he sounded knowledgeable and confident and he has an easy-going style. It is important to work with someone whom you can trust and whom you believe can understand your vision and needs clearly.

    :notti: One final word: Expect plenty of hickups and problem-solving even with all the above in place! There is no such thing as a perfect renovation project. There will be plenty of occasions for you to change your designs and ideas mid-way. But stay true to your vision of your future home and try to work towards that as much as you can. I have already had my share of problems and some of the U-turns are quite costly. It will be very easy to say "you should have thought of that earlier" now, but this is real-life and trust-me, problems do happen even with the best 3-D drawings and planning! But that's also the fun and challenging part of the renovation project! Enjoy! :yamseng:

    Wah what a detailed write-up! :D

    I have something to add as well...

    After you shortlist the IDs that you are comfortable with, go and view houses they have done or are doing now to see the workmanship of the laying of tiles and the carpentry. I have seen IDs with horrible carpentry. :no:

    Another reason we should view those houses is also to see if u like the design style of that house which the ID has designed. Becoz quite likely IDs tend towards a certain kind of design and all houses they do will have that similar 'feel'. For eg, an ID might like woodgrain laminates alot..so he will always suggest owners to use that. But not all owners like woodgrain.

    But of coz, ultimately, u are the owner and can always choose whatever u like for ur house regardless of what the ID suggests. :paint:

  16. Posted

    hi alister

    i not retiling the bathroom

    what defects we should be checking har? anyone knows?

    i am not overlaying toilet

    18.5k

    Checking defects is very subjective leh..depends on how yim jim u are...

    For me i checked for things like:

    - cracked tiles/walls

    - wooden doors scratched/chipped

    - all windows can close and open fully

    - window sill/grills not damaged

    - All keys can work

    - Brought a small night light to test all the electrical sockets

    - Turn on water to check taps and toilet flush

    - leaking shower hose

    - toilet fittings fitted properly/ sink stopper working

    - bomb shelter door can close n lock

    - rubber along bomb shelter door in good condition

    - all doors can close properly/alignment of doors

    Didn't really check on alignment of walls etc...coz i tot new HDB flats are pre-fab so didn't bother. Also din want them to create more defects while rectifying defects.

    I reported the following:

    - Leaking shower head

    - sink tap stopper stuck

    - loose shower tap fitting

    - chipped main master bedroom door

    - holes in floor tiles gaps

    - chipped/dented main door

    Another thing to look out for will be like what M&M said - hollow tiles....

    bring a chair to check tiles on top and torch to shine for cracks

  17. Posted

    The hollow tiles mostly found at the top..we had to stand on a chair to check those tiles at the top..

    For those neighbours who have just collected their keys, do keep a look out for hollow tiles.

    We also report holes in the gaps between tiles. Did they rectify those for you?

    Wah hollow tiles at the top ah...oh dear...i didn't bring a chair...oh well...hopefully nothing will happen to it.

    Yup they fill up the holes.... :thumbs up:

    But i suppose ur ID can also 'sun bian' fill up the holes when they do the tiling works.

  18. Posted

    jazreel - recommended by my hotel co-ord. they have nice gown but photo not nice

    Sophia - my colleague's using them. gowns so-so, not bad, but i like their photos and their make-up

    bridal concept - many good feedback in singapore brides forum

    flamingo - my colleague's using them, i find both gowns n photo so-so... but their gowns are for thinny people like me

    margaret brides - see magazines... like their gowns

    divine c - the actress who got married recently, her gowns are from divine... hehe...

    sigh... see first lor... now concentrate on my exam first... will start intense sourcing again in dec aft exam...

    anyone's hm is under renovation tmr?? can i go see?? i'm on leave tmr to study, but may be dropping by abt 4pm to @@... hmmm... hope i can get my keys in nov so that i can also start the reno... so busy n stress but yet very excited... wuhaha... :P

    For bridal package, think abt where most of your money will go to.. :bleah:

    i feel that most of our $ goes to the photos so our focus when we hunted for bridal package was their photography skills.

    I've seen my friend's album by jazreel...negative negative.... !!

    The rest i haven't seen before. so can't comment. :)

    Actually the gown don't need to be so nice/exp...coz one yr later nobody will remember what gown u wear...and even in photos, ppl won't focus on gown...the focus is more on ur appearance (makeup, angles, pose,etc.) So the photographer is impt.

    My bridal shop was Golden Horse Awards @ Yishun. Photographer was Steven. :P

  19. Posted

    Hi Bethel,

    Thanks for the update.

    They took quite fast to rectify the defects for you. We reported defects for hallow tiles at the bathrooms and kitchens. Is that considered major or minor? :sport-smiley-004:

    Our officer is also Barry Lee. Think I will give him a call to check.

    Hollow tiles should be considered major rite..coz they would need to hack the tile out to replace ya?

    I ah gar ah gar check my tiles so didn't really notice any hollow tiles. I also didn't want them to hack everything out and later result in more defects.

    BUt i reported the holes in the gaps between tiles in the Kitchen & bathrooms.

    Oh btw..u can go to the office at the void deck of 79C to check. Coz i collected back my keys from there.

    Has anyone used Turbo or Fujioh Hob and Hood before? Any comments?

    There are so many brands out there...not sure which is better.....

  20. Posted

    Hi almonddust,

    We got Simmons Classic from Akerman too. Didnt get it at the expo exhibition though. They were having 3rd anniversay sale last sat and sun then. Bought a queen-sized mattress cos our room too small :(

    Dear neighbours,

    Just want to check what is the estimated time for HDB to rectify the defects. We have submitted the defects list on 4 Oct but the defects are still not rectified yet.

    Also, does anyone know the number to call for cement sreeding.

    Thanks in advance

    Cheers

    My defects took 1 week..submitted form on 26 Sept & completed on 3 Oct. But when we went to check, they didn't rectify one item properly...so when i feedback to them, they immediately got the maintenance guy to come up to check n rectify. So on 6 Oct it was completed. But mine is very minor defects...i'm not that particular... :(

    If i'm not wrong the rectification is done by Chip Eng Seng..so u can check with the office at the void deck of Blk 79C. For me, town council also gave me the contact no. of the officer-in-charge (Barry Lee) if i need to check on status of defects.

    As for screeding, they took 2 weeks to complete. I only requested for screeding of the 3 bedrooms floor. Screeding is done by another contractor...not Chip Eng Seng.

    :(

  21. Posted

    Alamak! I am not in Singapore in the next 2 weeks.

    And no loan letter yet, chrispy.

    Btw, I am still collecting pictures and any information on Blk 79. Pls pass them to me if you have any to share.

    I can't join you guys for the 1st gathering also...

    Remember to bring camera and take photos for the Blk 79 record!

    Anyway, i've collected keys (blk 79C) on 26th Sept (after postponing) and HDB has rectified the defects already. Just that the screeding is not completed yet.

  22. Posted

    Bethel,

    ^^...tik u shd b collecting ur keys very soon too. sekali, we same day?? anyway, u 4rm or 5rm? mine is 4rm. hehe...we same blk oh~ thks for ur tips on the ID, i will try to b careful and will definitely ask u all for advice if got any doubts. :)

    dear neigbours,

    today we maybe meeting the sales designer from unimax for their quotations. no visual is done yet or mayb no visual at all till confirmation is received. anyway, will update u all when i got the quote. :)

    Doremi,

    Wah u very zhun leh..my appmt really same day as u - 20 Sept. Unfortunately, i'll be away so hv to postpone it. 8| So much for the excitement...

    Mine is 4rm also.

  23. Posted

    droplets/M&M,

    thks for ur replies...i finally got the collection date from the website after several checking online for the status...:) we will be collecting our keys on 20 sept 07, really looking forward to it... :)

    M&M,

    thks for ur pixs..ur unit look very spacious..wat is your floor area hor? :)

    dear neighbours,

    i've just emailed my floorplan to unimax creative. hopefully, i can share my quotation with you all soon. meanwhile i will keep a lookout for more IDs...thks u all for the helpful tips and quotes...:)

    I've also been checking online everyday for the status..still no update! I submitted loan application on 23 Aug...that's 2 days after u..i can hope to expect to collect keys 2 days after u also.. :deal:

    Yah meet more IDs and talk to them thoroughly...it's impt to be able to communicate with ur ID before u decide on signing the contract with them. :yeah: Nowadays, hard to trust these IDs, so it's better to get ppl who have used them before to recommend. This way, at least u can trust them to complete ur job according to plans. :yeah:

  24. Posted

    Hi Bethel,

    My flat is 90sqm. Finally decided to hack the wall between the MBR and the adjacent room after much consideration...wanted to preserve the adjacent room actually but then I cant have my WIW...and I really need one cos I got alot of clothes! :notti: Haha...we were planning to keep the room for a kid in future but then again, we'll not have a kid so soon and even so there's another spare room to use.

    So looks like many ppl are hacking the wall..... :notti:

    Like what Tension_Z said, becoz of the resale value, i'm not hacking walls. So it's a trade off lor...Either hack now and get a comfortable sized room and may be hard to sell or don't hack and easier to sell next time. It really depends on the target market next time. The next buyer may also hack the wall even if you don't hack it now. So it's a dillemma...

    But i did get an idea from a ID firm to hack just part of the wall to make a entrance to the WIW n study in the adjacent room. But i decided not to do that coz i prefer a larger study room.

    So i'm sort of decided on putting my wardrobe in the adjacent room. i also got alot of clothes!! Need a huge wardrobe..at least 6-8 doors for both my hubby n i.

  25. Posted

    Dear Neighbours,

    Been some time since I've posted something..been really bz with work. Anyway, I've gotten my loan letter! Yippie...gonna send the things required soon and pray we get the keys soon..hehe. Have been on the lookout for IDs and met up with about 3..really spent my whole Saturdays meeting them and viewing their completed projects :bangwall: So far I've gotten about 5 quotations from A & D, Plush Living, Earnest Interior, Image Cre*tive, Baroque Design. The quotations all hover ard 30K…trying to cut down the costs to about 26K (inclusive of aircon system 3, non-inverter)

    Here were my requirements to the IDs:

    1. Hack wall between Master bedrm and adjacent room

    2. Build a Walk in wardrobe in master bedroom

    3. Build platform with storage in adjacent room

    4. Overlay tiles for MBR bathroom and kitchen

    5. Laminate flooring for the 3 bedrooms

    6. Feature wall and TV console

    7. Shoe cabinet and feature wall to cover up bomb shelter

    8. Tall cabinet in kitchen for my oven

    My advice to all who are looking for IDs is to meet up with them first to discuss your requirements. Give the same set of requirements to the IDs and then compare apple for apple. Also ask to see their completed or work-in-progress projects..look at the workmanship for the carpentry, laying of tiles and floor laminates. When you read more and know more, you tend to ask the right questions and therefore chances are, the ID will know not to mess ard with you..hahaha!! There’s a reno fair coming up soon at Expo…big scale one. Not sure who will be there though but think sign up there can get free gifts :bangwall: Read more Home and Décor magazines to get inspiration & ideas (actually, our draft sketch was very similar to the IDs proposals…haha…but we are too lazy to get a contractor cos got to monitor a lot of things ourselves so getting ID instead).

    Since many of us getting our keys soon and looking ard for IDs, shall we compile the list of IDs that we have visited to compare quotes to make sure that we are not being quoted differently? I’ll start the ball rolling first !!

    ID Firms

    1. A & D (ID: Alvin)

    2. Plush Living (ID: Avee)

    3. Image Creat*vE (ID: Jeffrey)

    4. Baroque (ID: Mike)

    5. Earnest Interior (ID: Zann)

    Your place is 75sqm or 90sqm?

    You decided on hacking wall between Master bedrm & adjacent rm?

    Mine is 90sqm and while doing space planning...realise that i can't fit a proper wardrobe into the master bedrm. And we also don't wanna hack wall otherwise will end up with only 2 bedrms.

    The master bedrm really very small!! !!

    Anyway the quotes i got are ranging from $16K to $26K. That is for not overlaying toilet tiles and not hacking walls. I doing only the basic things.

    Pictures of the kitchen:

    Kitchen1.jpg

    Kitchen4.jpg

    Don't think I will be overlaying kitchen tiles.

    What are those metal bars up on the wall for?

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