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I find things really going illogical. Why should a reliable company need to open so many "sister" and associate company? Is the a need to increase unnecessary company expenses when they can concentrate on 1 company and develop it well? Smell fishy........

hooray...I'm fully convince by zirhk3355. The price between contractor is nearly negligible. I think we pay the difference for workmanship, services and attitude. Especially now with so many webbie, we can easily check the rate. So workmanship, services and attitude is the value added thing that we must consider seriously. Id/contractor can quote you very cheap, but to earn they living, so if price is far too low, they will probably be cutting corners somewhere. Like the saying....you pay peanuts you get monkey, you suck their blood, you get vampire later. If the contractor will to ask me to show others quotation and match the price, I'll probably tell him I'll get his quote and show to others to squeeze price and get others to do the job. Ask him if he is agreeable. I think this is very unprofessional. You can seriously drop him out of your list.

All hacking work can be done provided a permit is submitted to HDB and approval is granted. I believe the ex-owner's contractor will apply the same. So it is perfectly ok and legal. There's no right to request previous owner to restore it. Furthermore, all properties are sell "as-it-is" condition unless stipulated otherwise in the sales agreement. You have no further right to demand after the sales completed.

Yes, it is adviseable to replace the piping. There are 2 way of doing it. 1 Terminate the existing pipe and hack new conceal pipe to new location you want it to be. Just ignore the existing pipe as the pipe maybe done during construction period which may be going through beam or pillar. Don't take the risk to tamper with these structure. Even not, it may be running through the wardrobe or other installation, then it will cost more to remove and make good later. Why take the hassle. 2. Terminate the existing pipe and lay on surface if you don't mind the casing. This method cost cheaper than the conceal 1. Also you can easily rectify and see any problem if occur. The best part is that you can save the hassle from prolong time and messy hacking work.

Why should it suit the designer house only? It is mend for convenience, security, and power saving. It can be done for all kind of residential. Even incorporate with solar panel with autoswap to PUB supply. Some heater in detach houses already been using it many years back. Since Singapore got plenty of free sunlight, we should all the more making use of it. Like rain water can be store and use for Toilet flushing system with integrated auto pump and detector. It seems that most of ppl here only think of Power Supply only. Automation can practically control everything in the house. If the cost of installation can be less than $2K, the mass will be interested. Why everyone is rushing for Air Con invertor unit than the conventional type which cost couple of hundreds more? In long run, it worth the cents. Saving Energy and resources is part of environmental green program. We should not segmentise to HDB or designer house. Its every people effort to make things happy. Certainly, we must agree that it should be made afforable. If anyone out there had invented the system, I think Singapore Government is most glad to subsidise in the production to bring down the cost, because it help nation wide and improve the environment.

My friend whom recommended his contractor to me few months back also bought a resale in AMK. Nothing free but with 20K, they included 1 to 3 Air con, 20ft kitchen cabinet, 2 Wardrobe, tiling, painting electrical and plumbing. So at 23K to give either free air con or kitchen cabinet is not surprising as they have already computed in the costing.

Depending on what you need to automate. If only electrical supply, then you need to compare the normal installation cost against the additional. Usual HDB electrical installation is below $2K and to spend 3K for automating strictly electrical, is it worth? Home automatic does not strictly on electrical, can also link to security system, water, air con, etc. There are some system that can use mobile phone to control appliance at home when nobody is around. Imagine you can start your air con half an hour before you reach home, or heating up your food with micro wave oven and ready when you reach? CCTV to see your home at all time even oversea, Lock up rooms or even entire house door when necessary, lock up electrical supply to zone, turn on your washing machine even when you oversea, top up your water flask and boil it, etc. See how efficient and productive it can be. Automation is to ease your usage when necessary, even you are not around, so that you can cut down the unnecessary.

I agree that this is a very common problem. Whether is it a put up show between ID/contractor, at the end owner suffer. Hence, I've make it a point to ensure the capability of the company I engage, be very sure of what trade they are specialize in and make sure they are not so "busy". At least for the part of work, I'll have not so much of worry. At least, my contractor does all the work in-house and all the more they can hand over the work earlier than expected. I believe ID/Contractor that are too "busy" will always run into problem, either they forget this and that as too many things to remember, or remember thing for house A and wrongly install for house B, or when house A runs into problem, house B to Z will be force delayed due to delay of house A - like a train effect.

Never hear before. Have you got a quote from them? How's their quote? care to share?

You can always email your requirement and floorplan to them first. Once they can get back to you and meet your requirement, then you make an appointment to discuss further. Else don't waste time. I did the same for my ID and get the quote in a day's time with propose layout. Then I meet up and discuss further to ensure everything quoted is what I want, discuss terms and condition including reno time, material, design. I compare everything apple to apple with other shortlisted and confirmed in second meeting up. This really save me lotsa time.

Your situation is quite similar to my friend but seems that the contractor did not stop work at all. In fact my friend's contractor had help him to bug HDB contractor to do the work immediately when the worker is around. The explanation from the contractor is that when he's workers were around, they will know exactly whether the HDB contractor did a proper work. So by doing this extra mile, he manage to complete the work before the due date. Personally, "They suggested this cos they dun "feel" secured enough to leave their barangs in my house cos there are other contractors around" is an excuse to "stop/delay work". They might be too busy with too many project and had to find time to push the work. Don't you contractor have other things to continue while the HDB contractor rectifying the work? Things like plumbing, painting undercoat, electrical or likewise that do not disturb the rectification work? Or is it my guess is correct? Would it cause any delay to your completion date? This is merely my opinion and hope you don't feel offended

Home automation is possible but not popular in Singapore as it is still very expensive. Not even the detach owner is willing to spend for such cost. But talking about Green program, we should seriously consider about some kind of automation to improve the environment. I knew of people who can do sub automation. Its a interesting Subject. Maybe forumers here should give some idea of what to be authomated in their house so that the renovator here can take note and be innovative in their work

This is invented by a Singapore and has patent rights internationally. That's why the price is extremely high and only the company is selling it, they have monopolise the market as it has patent rights. Wait for 5 years la till the patent right is out of date......hehehe, than I'll mass produce it and sell to the mass. For information, labour and material to lay a 5 room whole house can easily cost more than 10K but this invention is extremely safe and is approved by PUB and PSB. Even kids put their finger in between the track (which is near impossible) they will touch the earth bar first instead of the live track. A smart innovation

Applefreak is right to this point. This is a very common problem not only with Mayer. To add on to Applefreak's point, it may not be only cause from careless or negligence usage, but also the production of the tempered glass. Many now are produced either in Taiwan or China. I'm not saying they are no good but during the production, some air bubbles might be trapped within but itis too tiny to see with nake eye. When time ripe it just shattered, remember many case of shattered shower screen when no one is using? The reason is the same. However, I'm not stopping forumers from buying tempered glass hob as it looks nice and easy to clean. If ever, forumer wants to buy tempered glass hob, go for brand with life time warranty. I can't remember what is the brand now but will check and post here once I find out.

Not possible. Firstly, the tiles are too smooth for the glue to stick on for long, Secondly, the tile joint will be surface out as it is uneven

1. Check the company if they are licence HDB 2. If no, ask them who is submitting the permit for you and you need the particular 3. With the particular check the background of the submitting company if they have any adverse record. 4. Ask forumer here for opinion on the submitting company. This is because there are too many "sister" company in the market. Many would want to camouflag their past records and adverse portfolio. So normally is to start a "sister" company lor. You may face problems in such cases. As I believe, a good company would always want to keep up their reputation and there is no need to create another "sister" company. You may want to read the thread on "Thaj Design" as an example. Sometime, too nice the rate is not trustworthy, The reason is the company would want to maintain some profit. If they can make more profit at an reasonable price range, why should they lower themselves to unbelieveable price? They will have no margin to negotiate liao. Just be double sure what they quote is reasonable and within market rate. Also, read carefully their terms and conditions before signing contract. Not sure, ask for explanation. Also that when you negotiate, leave some profit margin for them, they deserve some apprecaition and compensation for the work done for you. You pay peanut you get monkeys.... you sucks their blood like vampire, you get vampire later.

Firstly, I don't think he is out to cheat your time. Think about it that there are so many owner looking for more than 10 contractors before confirming and dropping others, so should we say they are "cheating the "ID/contractors time? No, its a fair market. Now its your duty to source for the right person to manage your work. If not realiable, price not right, just drop them that's all. Doing such things need time to decode and make decision. There are many ID/contractor out there, find one that suit nearest to your requirement. Certainly, I agree that if you don't feel secure with him, drop him and goes on. Indeed, you realise that you have also gain learning something new. As to your question, you should be given either a soft or hard copy for consideration. I think this company is doing hard selling, and you are right that there might be some hidden clause that you are not aware of. My suggestion is drop them and move on.

Imagine you ordered a wanton noodles, can you return the soup for a rebate? That is not a way to your negotiation. Every contractor quote their price differently. The basic factor is their cost of supplier, cost of labour, office expenses, and the profit margin the contractor willing to go. Everything comes with a price. Every contractor have their way to present their quotation. Certain item which they are specialize in could command a better margin than others. However, they have to balance the market price. That's why most of them will present their costing near to market rate but the margin may not be consistence as per each items. Giving free items do have a cost, and usually, the cost is hidden in some items. I won't call it a gimmick but more of business strategy to attract customer. When stated in the contract as FOC, I don't think you can get a rebate because, on paper they already state the cost as FOC, so your rebate will be zero dollar value. However, the strategy is to separate the FOC items from item that quoted with a cost. Tell your contractor to reduce the overall price to your comfortable level when you can trade off with the FOC item that you don't required. This will bring your contractor's cost down and mostly he is more willing to forgo certain sum to your total. This will sound more reasonable than asking a rebate.

Please check on the specification on the paint chart - Each litre of paint can only cover $8 sq m. Base on the smallest room area of 3m X 3m X 2.7m, you maybe right that 1 can is just nice theorically. But not forgetting the wastage, and any uneven coating which most painter will paint 2 coat of finishing to be proper. That's why I say expected to be 2 can or at least 7 litres, but most finishing paint come in 5 litre. Painter maybe getting slightly cheaper price but only by couple of dollars, unless they mixed with more water to dilute it or use and cheaper range like (self mixed paint). Nothing come cheap nowadays. For your info, Nippon is our company's client. They don't do painting themselves, but if any project work, they only supply paint and work with their sub contractor back to back(Which mean they'll not be liable for any illegal workers). So for that, I could say for sure if there is any illegal worker as it is their sub contractor's responsibility to ensure that. Using 0% credit can be done with most company exp a job of $1500 only, no big deal. For a price of $1500 for EA is quite reasonably quote with some profit. Please do your homework before you quote here. All proper painting and responsible painter will know that they need to expose lighting and plaster all uneven surface, crack and holes. This is call wall treatment. Thanks for bringing this up. This is quite some work to do. Unless you tell me they have no labour and material cost to do this part of work. So if I'm adding the cost of this part of work, do you think what your contractor quoted is realistic. I'm not saying that it is impossible but some contractor swift their pricing or rather profit here and there so as to make their quotation attractive. Like painting work, which some owner prefer to do themselves, so contractor will bring the cost down and hide some cost to other items. When owner look at the item, it will give a perception that they are cheap. This is a common strategy they use. Nothing come free esp in Singapore. We should look at overall and face reality. A reasonable profit for reasonable contractor is appreciation, If You sucks their blood like vampire, then you will have to face a vampire later....hahahah

Even at the rate that you quote the material price still come up to $600+++. What about the profit margin and labour cost? I think something fishy right? Or did you have engage a charity organisation to work for you, or could you be using illegal worker for the work? We have to face the reality, which sometime as a owner, we should do our homework to est the cost for the contractor so as to ensure that they make some reasonable profit. Else, keep squeezing them, meaning to take away their rise bowl, guess what will you get in return.

No. Grout won't do the trick as it is cement based. Grout will not bond with solid surface material as it is acrylic like material. Only epoxy putty can bond to it

Too soon to mention that my friend. There are very patient and talented contractor in the market like mine. Don't have to praise him so high because we don't use candle now, please use energy saving bulb...hehehe environment friendly and green

If it chip at the corner and not too bad, use sand paper to sand down till not observe. If it is bad, then you need professional help to cut further to regular shape and patch back with similar. If on the surface, you can buy epoxy putty from some hardware shop to patch it up using a good scrapper till not obvious.

Ya better "SIAM FAR FAR" and they will register another company call "SIAM88" specially for you ppl. But hehehe. But looking at the situation, it seems quite truly that "Thaj home" and "Thaj Interior" are linked and high possibility same owner but using "Tua Pei Kong" to register other company. Sound sneaky. Better beware Kramotak, consider yourself lucky that zirhk3355 is so sweet to check the info specially for you.