iceage

We went with our first home visit with our contractor. The sellers are very nice to allow us to visit to take measurements as we mentioned we are very tight on schedule and needed to move in asap when we receive the keys. The kitchen cannot overlay with tiles as the current owner has already overlaid the kitchen with his tiles. More money to be spent! Thankfully the toilets can be overlaid so some costs to be saved there I made a decision there and then to put laminated flooring for my living as well.. MORE $$ but the current tiles are the small tiles and doesn't go with my theme. I thought the tiles were big homogenous tiles but must have gotten old already....hahaha

We have sourced for a few IDs and contractors prior to our first appointment and these are our journey in narrowing down to our final selection 1) ID firm #1. Forgotten the name. Was browsing through the internet and chanced upon this ID firm. Saw their designs and loved it. Hubby and I decided to drop by to see their company and when we arrived, we were greeted by a guy who just handed us a brochure with the reno package when he heard we are only renovating the kitchen and toilets. Very lukewarm response. Decided to drop them off 2) ID firm # 2. Was introduced to this ID firm by my agent. Met up with the ID to discuss on what I will like to do. Emailed her my floor plan prior to meeting up and was pleasantly surprised that she did a rough sketch on my floor plan on what she planned to do for my home. Promised to keep to my budget. Shortlisted 3) ID firm # 3. Was browsing through the internet and again saw their designs. Love what they did for one of their customer as the kitchen layout was very similar to mine, although mirror image. Met up and went through my requirements and promised to come back with a quotation to meet my budget. Shortlisted 4) Contractor #1. Was introduced to this contractor by my colleague who has seen their work. The boss is his friend hence he always have a chance to see their work. Have been cautioned though that their prices are not the cheapest but can have a good night's sleep over their workmanship and services. Gave my number to my colleague to be passed to the contractor. The contractor called that night. Was very patient and we chatted over the phone for over half an hour with me giving a rough idea of what I will like to do for my home. The contractor was very open and gave honest (i think ) opinions about what I will like to do for my home. Shortlisted At this point in time, i was very tired to continue sourcing for IDers and contractors as I am busy with my work and hubby was constantly on business trips. Hence, decided to wait for the quotations from the 2 shortlisted firms Results 1) ID firm #2. Was very prompt in her quotation and met my budget. However, her quotation was very rough and not detailed. Called to meet up to discuss further on quote and on the day of appointment, i messaged her before leaving my home to remind her on our meeting. No reply When we reached the place, i messaged her again to informed her we have reached the place. No reply again. Hubby said to give her more time as she may be driving and it is dangerous to text and drive. (Did i mentioned that my hubby is a nag?? ) Half an hour went by and still no reply from her so I called her. To my utmost surprise, she said i did not confirmed my timing with her !!! Can you imagine my anger?????? i held it in and told her it is fine, will call her if we EVA decide her services Decided to drop her there and then 2) ID Firm #3. quotation came back and the price is twice of what our budget and did not include some of the things that i said i "die-die" must have. Dropped 3) Our last hope. The contractor introduced by my colleague. Quotation came back and was slightly more than our budget. To be fair, I requested for more things to be added to my To-Do list. Gotten greedier as I saw how beautiful the homes of all the forum-ers here are A few things that lead us to decide on this contractor. a) i knew exactly what I wanted for our home. Hubby usually does not give much comments about the ideas. Only whether he likes it or not . So I think it is cheaper to go for a contractor. Can save on ID costs b) This contractor seemed sincere as he met up with us at least 3 times before we told him we have decided on him (I think more than 3 times but could not remember). Also, I usually made the appointments to meet him quite last minutes and he could meet us and at odd times and places too. Hubby and I felt comfortable with him so we decided to engage him

Hi all, Have been a silent reader for a few months since we put down our deposit for a place in the North. Decided to give back to the community as a way to say a big big thank you to all the seniors here Before i start, really wana say BIG thanks to eekenji, vanessa, drunkenchivas, makanology and many more (have read so many blogs till I forgotten the names liao ) My inspiration for my home mainly comes from eekenji's and vanessa's home. Love love love their homes.. Anyway, am truly a newbie as i have never started my blog before. To start off, this is my floor plan! Will be receiving my keys in mid December and die die must move in before CNY coz returning my current flat to the owner by then..

Hi Drunkenchivas, Your place is nicely done up. Can you please share with me your granite top supplier contacts and windows contacts? thinking whether to change my windows for my place coz it is a resale Thanks and have a nice day!