3Dyms

Tomorrow is my 1st Appointment. Can't wait.... Ssooo excited. Hope everything goes off smoothly and the seller signs the indemnity form as promised. Else I will also 'Chu' pattern liaoz. Meanwhile.... Hv been busy over the weekend looking for reno stuffs and need some advises: 1) Gas hob versus Induction hob - Which better? I'm looking at getting the Taiyo TH-IB229 2 hob induction cooker. I'm not a heavy cooker, usually only stir fry some simple vegs, meat and cook soups for dinner only. For deep fry stuffs, I'll use my air fryer. I'm using gas stove now, but thinking induction will be better for safety with 3 kids about. 2) Downlights - LED or normal PLC? Hub feels that LED is more expensive. In addition, the driver are usually the ones that spoil first and will need electrician to come & change it. Means more $$$ outgoing again cos - driver $30 plus electrician fee = more then $50 per visit. So if the LED driver spoil 1-by-1, simply not economical to keep calling electrician. If not, hv to wait for a few more drivers to spoil also, then call electrician. On other hand, PLC lights r cheaper, the ballast last longer about 5-yrs but hassle to change light bulbs. 3) LED TV - Samsung or LG? Smart tv or normal? Now for TV's. We are quite sure we want to get LED. But which brand is better? Samsung or LG? Then hor.... If I no need to use Internet for the TV, then should just get normal LED TV right? But yesterday, I went to Best Denki, the sales guy recommend us to get a 46" Samsung Full HD Smart TV (UA46ES7500) cos it's on offer now at $2,388 instead of RRP of $4,999. Is this model worth it? Good price? Or just stick to normal LED? All advises appreciated.

Me too... Me too.. Tiffany Blue kitchen -- LIKE. enjoy your candle light dinner.

Oh. I tot is white cos it looks like white from the pics. Heheh. But silver will be even more chio. Wah... You even use the box & ribbon to colour match. So rare to see a guy so into details. Many guys I know can't be bothered with such small details.

Hhmm... I managed to contact my lawyer today and he advised that the seller has a right to complete the sale up to a max of 8-weeks under the stupid HDB rulings. Nothing much we can do here. But... if the seller drag till after 8-weeks, then we will hv a legal right to charge them interests on our loan plus other costs for everyday that is extended. So right now, I'm just waiting to see how things pan out. Starting with the 1st appointment next week. Hopefully no more monkey business cos I'll no longer play nice after this. Have already been a real understanding buyer thus far. So they better not push my buttons further. My lawyer said he is on standby if the need arises. Good idea. The first main essential will be the kitchen, then wardrobes, followed by the rest like bookshelves and study tables. Need to make sure the carpenter is aware of this.

Wow!! What a fantastic idea! Yes. I'll definitely ask my contractor if this is possible. Will be great if I can do this & save $$$ on storage. Thanks for all the great advise.

Love love love your Tiffany blue & white kitchen. So sleek and chic. Also like your idea of having a sliding door for the small level 1 bathroom. Set me thinking if I should do the same. Anyway, congrats on the completion & handover of your new home! Must be ssoo happy & excited. Hope your ID resolve the defects like scratches on the laminate fast & smooth.

Oh... That's a good idea. Thank you for advising this. Yes. I'd better tell my contractor they only hv 7-weeks to complete and hv 1-week buffer just in case, Really pray hard the Reno will go smooth smooth. Don't want anymore delays. My pocket can't afford to burn more hole liaoz.

I'm taking bank loan. When i called HDB, they said completion is 6-8 weeks. But cos I've already sold my current property, and funds will be back in CPF before the 2nd Appt, then HDB would prefer 6-weeks completion. But the catch - if either party not willing to settle for 6-weeks, they can stretch the completion to max of 8-weeks. Too bad I don't hv agent to fight my cause for me cos I buy without using agent. Then again, even if I have agent, doubt the agent can push much lor. The other side reason that they don't hv place to stay cos the rental unit not avail. So I can't possibly throw them out onto the streets. To prevent anymore delays, I agreed to 8-weeks completion based on the seller signing the Reno indemnity form on the 1st appointment. This way, my Reno can start immediately upon handover.. If I insists on 6-weeks completion, then I hv to arrange Reno permit after handover. So will kena delay on starting Reno. Real crappy situation to be caught in. Anyway, I believe in karma. What goes around comes around. They will get their own retribution some day.

Thanks for all the advise. The seller said if I agree to 8-weeks completion, then they will help me to sign the indemnity form first so that my renovation can start immediately upon handover. They will also allow my contractor & carpenter to go over for the measurements first. Guess I'm stuck lor. Cos if I insist on 6-weeks completion, I can only apply for the permit after the handover which means delay in starting Reno. **** catch 22 situation!! I've now informed the seller agent that they will need to sign the indemnity form for me on the 1st appointment. No sign = no 8-weeks completion. I dun want them to start other nonsense & delay tactics later. Then my contractor & carpenter will go down for measurements in last week of April. Hopefully I'm able to sort out majority of the Reno & carpentry stuffs and iron out any kinks in advance. Both my contractor & carpenter assured that they should be done within 8-weeks (baring unforeseen circumstances). Well.... can only cross my fingers & hope for the best.

I am so upset now. My 1st Appt is next Tuesday. Just got a call from the seller agent that they will need 8-weeks completion for 2nd appt. Previously when we signed the OTP, it was agreed that the sale will be completed ASAP as we need to shift in before August (Chinese 7lunar month). Seller was agreeable. Some more at that time, we were supposed to have 1st appointment on 2nd April. But cos the seller (so coincidence) is away on business trip. The 1st appointment was pushed back till 16Apr (2-weeks delay). We already so understanding at this point. Now, they want 8-weeks completion! That means 2nd appointment which was planned to be on 28 May (6-weeks completion), is now delayed till 10-Jun. Including the delay for the 1st appointment, that's a total of 4-weeks delay in total. They are not keeping to their word to allow us to complete the sale ASAP! Their reason for not being able to have 6-weeks completion is that their rental unit which they are shifting into, will not be avail till 09 Jun. I'm ssoo angry now. Cos my things in storage will incur more rental due to these delays. In addition, my Reno now only have about 8-weeks to complete if I want to shift in before 7 lunar month. Dunno if my contractor can do it. I scared if contractor side kena delays, then I'm stucked and cannot shift in till after lunar 7 month. Which means more storage rental costs again!!

Yes. Think the Victorian style may be better. But baroque is not really for us as its much darker with its somber & dark moody shades. Both hub and me prefer light, pastel colors better cos we love bright & cosy houses. Crossing my fingers that the whioe Reno process will be smooth and wrinkle free.

Me too. Totally agree that those thick trunkings really spoil the aesthetics of a beautiful home. Therefore I am super anal about being able to conceal as much of the trunkings as possible. Same goes for those ugly fat pipes in the bath & kitchen too. Ererks! After reading your blog on your experience with Aircon Designs, I felt they were best suited for the job . I need a aircon specialist who is able to advise on aircon suited for my requirements, and also willing to discuss with my contractor & carpenter on best way to conceal and yet allow access for maintenance if required. Then later on for installation and follow-ups. In addition, I've had bad experience with Gain City & All Best before. Long story and it all happened quite awhile back, so won't go into details here. Briefly, with All Best, my trunkings starting sweating & moulding within a year of use. With Gain City, the installers had bad attitude and wanted to charge us extra for certain things that were already paid for and/or provided by the salesman upon our purchase of the aircon. With the previous bad experiences, I would rather pay more to ensure good installation not just at the beginning but thru out my stay in my new place. I need to be assured of quality & assurances by the company.

Hhaa.... You went to their HQ at kaki bukit? Hhmm,,,, maybe I should consider going there too. Only thing is that they are closed there on Sundays. So will need to take leave. I'll see how to work out my schedule. I'm feeling more assured now with your feedback that they r knowledgeable re layout. Cos I'll need 2 sets of system 3 - 1 system 3 set for downstairs (study, living, dining) and another system 3 set for upstairs (3 bedrooms). So total of 6 aircon units for my place. Fortunately my block has higher loading. So no issues with having 2 compressors.

Thanks for the feedback Adidaem. Wah... They even call you quarterly to remind on servicing. Good service. I'll be popping by their shop soon. The last time I went all the way to IMM, only to find out that they had moved. And now their shop is at Tampines only. Sigh. That's really far for me, but I'll take the chance to pop by kaki bukit to browse at furnitures then,

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Hi Adidaem, Thanks for popping by my t-blog. I've been to your blog several times and always find your EM blog an inspiration. Lots of ideas and input into EM designing. How is your aircon now? Any issues with the pipes or installation so far? If i remember correctly, you used Aircon Designs right? Cos after reading your blog, I'm thinking of using them too instead of the other installers.

Hi Kalidor. Nope. My ID is not Helen leh.

I don't like bathtub. Especially my condo now has it. But I always stand in it for shower. I am super anal & paranoid about bacteria. So kept thinking that I step in and out for shower is sssoo dirty. If I want to soak in the bathtub, will hv to scrub the whole thing & disinfect. So 5-yrs already and not once hv I ever soaked in the bathtub. Another con, it's **** difficult to climb in & out for showers especially when I was preggy or not feeling well. A few times almost tripped & fell on my preggie tummy. So dangerous.

Yah yah, I love seeing pics of the European houses too. Always look so 'atas' and cosy at the same time. Those r my inspirations. Heheh. I hope my wall trimmings look good as the they form the backbone of a neo classical style home, in addition to cornice on the ceiling. *cross fingers*

Hahah... I'm also thinking of ordering the Grohe bath accessories from Amazon. Cos it seems much cheaper via amazon for the set. Unless there is Grohe sales coming up. As for ordering from taobao, I dunno how to do it, especially I cannot read & write in mandarin. I failed Chinese miserably -F9 student.

Your Reno progress is looking good. Love all the storage you are doing. For the errors by your carpenter, he should rectify it since it is his mistakes wor. I wonder how he could make such mistakes. Did you show him any pics before he did the drawers? If you did, and he still got it wrong, then I also shake head liaoz.

Yah lor... Yah lor. Totally agree. Like I wanted Miele dishwasher. But after budgeting, think I can only afford Bosch. Also got other things either hv to give up totally, or else, need to settle for 2nd choice. Boh pianz. I trying very hard to be good & not exceed by too much. But it's getting hard man.

Eerr.... I think she would earn a comm from the carpentry work, but how much, I dunno. I don't pay her any ID fees directly. But after comparing her quote with others doing country style carpentry, her pricing is quite reasonable. Considering as this style of carpentry is more expensive because of the carvings, detailing & trimmings.

A home no need to be Wow! effect lah. So long as you happy with the design can liaoz. After all, you put in effort & time to source for ideas and do up the place till swee swee. That's what makes a house become a home. . As for furnitures, no need to rush into buying. I feel it's always best to take your time & slowly acquire nice pieces. Shop around, compare prices & quality, then decide. Rather then rush out & buy just for the sake of wanna faster finish. Have fun furniture shopping. That's always the best part. Heheh.

Congrats on moving in Spikedoll. Yah.... Not easy to clean & unpack. But yet so exciting & satisfying to finally shift in & stay in 'new new' house. Yes... Remember to post up more pics once you've unpacked. Can't wait to see the final product. Must be really Mei Mei.