2Roomer

mmoh - Thanks for pointing out about the structural beam & water pipes. Stream - Yes, 0.66m is very narrow. Hopefully, when I get my keys in 1.5 years, the actual area will be wider. Otherwise I will have to use the shower area assigned by HDB which is the area opposite the toilet.

mmoh - Looking at what you and andotang did with their bathrooms has inspired me to do something similar. At the blue & green lines, there will be kerbs. At the blue line, there will be a tempered frosted glass screen. Preferably, the shower head can located at the red dot (left side) and the door opens to the right. If the shower head can only be located at the yellow dot (right side), the door opens to the left. Not sure if this shower layout is practical as it measures only 0.66m by 1.66m.

mmoh - Good progress you're making! I have seen pictures & videos of tiles in the household shelter & always thought it was accidentally leftover by HDB or the reno contractor. Didn't realise it was meant for the kitchen cabinet till your post. These tiles can also be used as the base for the refrigerator and washing machine. Hope you don't mind answering some questions: Are your built-in carpentry made up of plywood? So you are re-locating your toilet basin opposite the WC, below the window?

mmoh - I don't suppose mopping along the grains of the vinyl tiles will help much? The advantages of these tiles far outweigh its disadvantages. They make the flat look warmer, more luxurious. The anti-slip properties will be important in my "old age". Looking forward to more postings from you

mmoh - Your description of your vinyl tiles experience pointed out issues I never considered. Thanks! The tiles look so good! Did you do the skirting together with the tiling? I can't see from the pics. Or is the skirting painted?

Hi Andotang - How's the search for a ceiling fan going?

Hi Stream - I uploaded an image file of the floor plan to SketchUp, re-scaled it and then added the measurements.

Hi Stream - The measurements in HDB's floor plans is a nice start but I have to add my own (approximate) measurements to do any detailed space-planning. My floor plan is similar but not quite the same as yours but I hope the measurements help. You can always go to the HDB My Nice Home Gallery to take your own measurements.

There is a private mixed residential / commercial development in the works for Bukit Batok. I think it will be surrounded by West Plains, West Rock, West Ridges and West Edge. http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/property-management-news/2016/3/121099/ura-launches-tender-for-mixed-use-site-at-bukit-batok

For those of you who are collecting their keys soon, you may be interested in this Skills Future approved 1 day course: https://www.ite.edu.sg/wps/wcm/connect/0920e700497808008344936a9d797092/Home+Renovation+-+Preparation+%26+Ideas.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

Thanks for the video too.

I have my eyes set on the KDK RGB ceiling fan after the advertisement on Friday. We think alike! Personally, I prefer the 3-blade black 48-inch version. KDK is supposed to be the most reliable ceiling fan maker in Singapore right? This model is supposed to be suitable for HDB flats which usually have low ceilings. I was thinking of using a ceiling fan with lights as the main light source for my living room and bedroom so I actually like a choice of 3 light tones. However, from the pics I don't see much difference between the tones. I hope the lights can be kept on while the fan is switched off. If you are visiting the KDK showroom, maybe you should ask about ease of bulb replacement too.

The earliest date I can get my flat is 1st quarter of 2018, still more than 2 years away. Currently, I am just compiling a wishlist for my flat. My floor plan is virtually the same as the 45sqm flat at HDB Hub. Yes, I have the same headache as rainbow1979 with the shower in the middle of the toilet. I am seriously considering your suggestion about building a ledge and re-positioning the shower. Or maybe just construct a shower kerb or install a shower tray right there in the middle. The WiFi signals in my current flat is pretty strong too. With the bedroom door and windows closed for air con, I can still receive the signals from my living room.

Thanks for the series of before & after photos! They have given me plenty of ideas on what to do with the small & awkward space. I see from the photos that your wifi router is still housed above your DB box. How is it working out?

Details of the Nov 2015 sale of balance flats are listed here: http://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BP13AWFlatAvail/BP13EBSFlatSearch?Town=ANG%20MO%20KIO&Flat_Type=SBF&DesType=A&ethnic=Y&Flat=SA&ViewOption=A&dteBallot=201511&projName=A&brochure=true

mmoh - I can see the beauty of random grains on the vinyl planks too. - I understand what you mean about the "click" planks. They will definitely be kinder to my underlying ceramic tiles than vinyl tiles that use glue. The arrows serves as guides for installation which is supposed to be so easy that we can do it overselves.

mmoh - Good to get a progress update from you. I thought we wouldn't get any updates till after Chinese New Year as all IDs and craftsmen are winding down their projects for the holidays. - Although I opted for HDB's ceramic tiles, I don't want to deal with dirty gout lines & will probably do a overlay with these high-end vinyl planks. Do you know if these planks can be laid out such that the "wood grains" runs continuously? Or are the planks laid out in a random matter?

Thanks for the info Andotang. Some of the IDs I have talked to mentioned about using their own padlock. It didn't occur to me that the main gate is locked and the main door isn't. This arrangement is okay as long as there isn't any major appliances in the house. I have heard that some house owners give the main door keys to the ID who will let their workers in & out. The house owner then changes the main door lock at the end of the renovation.

A belated congratulations on your new house, hope you have settled in well. My kitchen has a similar configuration to yours. I definitely have to remove the indoor laundry system as it makes the tiny narrow kitchen feel even smaller. Thanks for the tip on not installing a cupboard below the toilet sink. The toilet was designed as a "wet room" so it is sensible to limit storage only to the walls. You had a post in mid-December about changing your door locks. I am wondering what was the arrangement with your ID regarding access to your house during the renovation process? For instance, did you give her the keys to your main door or did she install an additional padlock to the front gate?

My Nice Home Gallery, HDB's showflats at Toa Payoh, is undergoing a renovation refresh & will reopen on 1 Feb 2016. That's something to look forward to. The 3 sets of space-saving beds previously on display there are on sale (http://www.spaceman.com/collections/sale#axzz3woXDocnK).

Hi waitingforhome It's a good time to consider buying a 2-room flat with the recent increases in housing grants and better design layout (especially to the bathroom). Plus you don't need to pay property tax. The HDB website has a "eligibility check for purchase of new or resale flats" e-Service.

The dining table can also serve as a standing workstation.

Looks like HDB got rid of the bathroom 2-door layout for the 2-room flexi flats in the latest BTO. The bathroom door now opens up to the living/dining room and there's a corner for a shower.

Ks Toh - Will need to factor in the cost of regular filter replacement to determine if it is worthwhile to get the dispenser. I am neutral on filtered water but just want the dispenser to spare myself the hussle of boiling water multiple times daily. Andotang - You must be into fitness, the chin up bar looks sturdy enough to strap on a TRX. Did you install it yourself?

Andotang - Thanks for the infor. Hoping the price comes down when I finally get my flat.