RyanYTH

Blog Entry Date: 9th May 2017 Tuesday Click Here to go back to Page 1 - Table of Contents HDB Floorplan and My 3D Design made with Planner 5D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= To start things off, here is my floorplan as provided by HDB: Here is the Proposed Layout as provided by HDB: As you can see, this is a very small area and I need to focus my design on maximizing the space. The theme I have chosen is Modern / Zen Minimalist. Main Colours will be Black and White. Here are some preliminary elements that I have in mind: 1) Instead of having the Dining Table as shown by HDB's proposed design, I intend to have an integrated dining table in the kitchen instead. And where the Dining Table area used to be, would be a small office / computer corner. 2) I like the idea of Cove Lighting and would have a cove light in my Living Room. 3) Due to the lack of space, I would convert the Existing HDB Bomb Shelter and turn it into a "Walk-In Wardrobe" using modular pole systems. 4) I intend to go for an unconventional Dark Kitchen and Dark Bathroom to complement my style. 5) The sliding door between my Living Room and Bedroom will be removed to allow me to have a more open space. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before going for ID selection, i figured i would want to do my homework first and sketch out a general look so IDs would be clear on what I would want to do instead of having no idea at all when visiting them. I highly recommend this Home Design application called "Planner 5D" as it is free to use. (Sorry, Android Version. Not sure if there is an Apple Store version of this.) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.planner5d.planner5d&hl=en You only need to pay if you want to add more furnitures to your design. I paid around $30 to unlock all furnitures. I like it that you can run the program on either your computer or smartphone, and if you need to show someone your 3D design, you can just give them a link and they can immediately open it up on their web browser or phone without the need to install any additional plug-ins or software. It takes abit of practice to do it, but once you've done it, it makes it very easy to do space planning and furniture positioning. Here is the link i've sketched out. With the help of many forum members contributions and advices, the design is tweaked and re-tweaked. 3D Sketch (ALL Furniture and Appliances) https://planner5d.com/editor/?key=25773b3b5fe8c94a52ab6074a9c7d80b 3D Sketch (Furniture and Appliances REMOVED) https://planner5d.com/editor/?key=2afff664ccd4039229be51b566bcc22a I've tried my best to follow as closely as possible to the exact measurements given in my HDB floor plan, so the scale is probably 90%++ accurate as far as I know. Please use either Firefox or Chrome for Optimal Experience.(Once the page loads, it will be a 2D drawing as shown in the below image. You will need to click on the "3D" button on the right toolbar to load the 3D Virtual View. Use WASD keys to move around, scroll wheel to zoom in/out and hold left mouse button to look around.) Click Here for the Next Blog Entry: The Search for an Interior Designer for my Project begins... Click Here to go back to Page 1 - Table of Contents

Blog Entry Date: 9th May 2017 Tuesday An Introduction. First of all, thank you very much for taking the time to check out my humble little blog, and i'd like to take this opportunity to share my renovation journey with you. I hope the information I put here may be useful to anyone (especially fellow 2 roomers) who is also starting on their renovation soon! As of the time of writing, I have not yet gotten my keys and according to HDB it'll be around Q3 2017. As time goes by, I will post whenever possible right from Concept 3D Design to ID selection up to Completion of Renovation. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly. This is also my first time writing a blog so please be gentle with me! Please note: I've also made a backup of this blog on Wordpress incase this post is taken down by Renotalk for any reason in the future. Other than a few slight formatting changes, the contents will be identical. (This is also a preferred link if you prefer reading the blog from beginning to end with no interruptions.) The Website is: https://hdb2roomrenovation.wordpress.com/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= How to Use this Blog: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to use the Table of Contents to navigate because it shows the correct sequence of events, without needing to go thru pages of comments to look for each Blog Entry. It is also easier for folks who want to instantly jump to which section they are more interested in. Whenever you need to jump back to the Table of Contents, simply click on this link: Click Here to go back to Page 1 - Table of Contents to instantly jump back to Page 1 of this Blog. This link will be available at the Top and Bottom of every Blog Entry that I add. Additional Addendum: I have now added direct links to the next blog entry at the end of every post. They look like this: (Click Here for the Next Blog Entry:) Found it abit silly and unfair to request for readers to always go back to Table of Contents just to go to the next entry. So sorry for the inconvenience, this blog should hopefully be less confusing and flow more smoothly. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Table of Contents: 01) HDB Floorplan and My 3D Design made with Planner 5D 02) The Search for an Interior Designer for my Project begins... 03) Tile Selection at Soon Bee Huat 04) Selection of Laminates 05) An RC Event I attended which showed for the first time how my apartment would look like! 06) My First Obstacle...one of my ID left without informing me! Oh Dear... 07) First look at the 3D Drawings from my ID! (Living Room excluded) 08) Voicing out my Concerns to ID, Schedule Check and some photos of selected Laminates and Quartztop 09) Revised 3D Drawings from ID (Living Room Included this time) 10) Pre-Key Collection Day!! What to prepare for Key Collection. 11) Key Collection Day!! Defect Checks and Buying all my Lightings! 12) Close Up Views of Bedroom Sliding Door and Living Room DB Box. 13) 1 week after Key Collection. BSC Defect Rectification in progress, Laying of Aircon Piping 14) 2nd week after Key Collection. BSC Defect Repair done. Hacking away False Wall and Bathroom Door, Electrical Wiring and a BIG BILL SHOCK. 15) 3rd week after Key Collection. Electrical Wiring in Progress, Ceiling L-Box and Aircon Trunking Box-Up done. Tiling starts for the Bathroom and Kitchen. 16) The Hunt for a Modular Pole Wardrobe system and something to keep the Main Door from closing 17) A quick update of Tiling done at the end of the 3rd Week. 18) 4th week after Key Collection. Tiling completed, Important Milestone reached. A Prepping Week for the next Milestone. 19) My Mid-Renovation Review of my Interior Designer 20) Kitchen / Bathroom Fittings Shopping at SaniQUO 21) Meeting with my Carpenter for Discussions 22) 5th week after Key Collection. Painting, Delivery of Lightings, Bathroom and Kitchen Fittings 23) Shopping for Furnitures and Electrical Appliances 24) 6th week after Key Collection. My Lightings are a Mess!! 25) A little Curtain Experiment - Part 1 / 3 26) A little Curtain Experiment - Part 2 / 3 27) End of 6th week after Key Collection. Lightings still being worked on, Bathroom Door is Replaced. 28) End of 7th week after Key Collection. Carpentry Works - Part 1 / 3 29) End of 7th week after Key Collection. Carpentry Works - Part 2 / 3 30) End of 7th week after Key Collection. Carpentry Works - Part 3 / 3 31) 8th Week after Key Collection - My_Quartz_Counter Tops are Up. Also Updated Schedule till End of Renovation 32) End of 8th Week after Key Collection – Glass Measurement, Plumbers installed Sanitary Fittings and More 33) End of 8th Week after Key Collection – Installed shelves for DB-Box, Solving Electrical Issues and a Special Look at the Completed Works so far!! 34) 9th Week after Key Collection - Ceiling Fan is Up 35) 9th Week after Key Collection - Electrical Issues are ALL FINALLY RESOLVED 36) 9th Week after Key Collection – Chemical Washing Done. Everything is SO CLEAN!! 37) End of 9th Week after Key Collection - Final Tasks: Aircon, Glass and Painting 38) Renovations Completed! – A Final Look just before Handover 39) Post Renovation – Furnitures and Appliances (Kitchen) 40) Post Renovation – Furnitures and Appliances (Living Room) 41) Post Renovation – Slidearm and HDB Bomb Shelter Walk-In Wardrobe 42) A little Curtain Experiment - Part 3 / 3 43) One Year Retrospective 1/5 - Walk-In Wardrobe 44) One Year Retrospective 2/5 - Kitchen 45) One Year Retrospective 3/5 - Bathroom 46) One Year Retrospective 4/5 - Living Room 47) One Year Retrospective 5/5 - Bedroom 48) Epilogue

If anyone is interested, I just found a cheap, simple and nice looking clothing pole system that is perfect for my "Walk-In Wardrobe" in the Home Shelter sold on Qoo10. 401 Customer Reviews with a 93% approval rate, so it looks very good! http://list.qoo10.sg/item/2017-NEW-LOCAL-SELLER-KOREAN-STANDING-POLE-CLOTHES-HANGER-RACK/491083566 I'm eyeing the 3 pole system. Because its adjustable, and even got space for baskets and stuffs, it should fit very nicely in my home shelter size of (1900 x 1700) Pricewise is very affordable at only S$60.59

So nice to see a fellow neighbour! Have pmed u my email. Thanks!

Lol you're welcome Rufus. Actually mmoh is the person you should approach because she had actual practical experience about what goes on in an actual renovation unlike me. So she will know what are the problems or pitfalls that can occur. I'm just throwing ideas out for how I'd like mine to be, so while they may look nice on paper, they may be completely impractical in reality. Once ive done up my renovation, I'll be posting on how my renovation process went all the way from finding ID till completion. One thing tho, why are u guys so keen on a super single bed? Isnt it a tad small? I mean the whole house is yours, why not a bigger queen bed to pamper yourself? I'm sure our rooms are not that small until queen bed cannot put right? I personally love the idea of the whole bed is mine and i can open arms and leg big big roll around and around on a queen bed lol. But that's just me lol

Hi Dien, Sorry to necro your post lol, Hope you're still around in Renotalk. Its been a couple of years since you've engaged them, how is the quality? I've been talking with Jason Tan and he seems very knowledgeable. So far he is the only ID i see that loves to do manual sketching. Is he responsive? Responsible and a good and comfortable ID to work with? Good with solving problems? Thanks!

First of all, wow due to your name, i didn't realize you were female, so when you say Vanity Dresser, i was abit stun. Actually, for small 35sqm apartments like us, one can either see it as "Glass Half Full, or Glass Half Empty". House that some interpret as small, others can interpret as cosy. Problems that bigger apartments have, may be easier to solve with a smaller apartment (Eg: Aircon will be much easier to cool a smaller rather then larger space.) Lets go thru your concerns you have here: 1) You want 55 inch TV, for me i want 65 inch TV Distance wise, don't be afraid to go down Courts or Harvey Norman, find an actual 55 inch then measure distance where you might sit. Our living room may be small, but its not as small as you think. After going to several IDs, the general consensus is 50-55 inch is ideal, 65 inch still can do, but very subjective. So yours should be ok. 2) If really must wardrobe in bedroom, instead of the typical boxy wardrobe look, why not think out of the box abit, and have a hanging style like this picture below? Certainly looks super unique and can give a WOW factor when visitors visit your house. Depending how you design, it can even act as a partition. 3) Vanity Dresser again need not be the stereotypical boxy type with mirror. Something like this would look unique and cool. Can be vanity dresser, can also be study table. 4) Toilet put bathtub is something I also want, but I need to be realistic also due to our small space. Will also need to consider the increased price if put bathtub. This is unfortunately a hard fact that sometimes sacrifice may be needed. Vanity mirror in the toilet is not unheard of, but is whether you feel comfortable or not. (Some people may die die not want because they think toilet is super dirty) Who knows maybe you put vanity dresser in toilet, sekali you like leh? 5) Kitchen wise, yes its small, but you need to see how often you cook, also what type of cooking you do. Are you a frequent cook? Do you cook western style? Chinese style? Is induction cooker modern look nice? Or do you like to have gas cooker with big fire for chinese wok cooking? Counter space is another factor need to consider. Place is very small, then why not make your OWN counter space. For me, my solution for more counter-space is for a dining cart (which dual function as storage, and i love that its portable so i can move it anywhere) You might want to have slide-in slide out to create more counter space like the one below. (Of course it will cost more) End of the day, this is your apartment, YOU decide what you want. Cannot draw, nevermind. Go internet or magazines save photos of designs and decors that particularly catch your eye. Compile a list of designs or colour style decor you like and save them. One fine day go thru all of them and slowly have a mental picture of what you want. That way, when you go ID, you know what you want instead of the ID guessing what you want. Then again ID job is to help u design even if u completely no idea. It helps expedite the process of course if u have at least a vague idea instead of everything let ID decide. Sorry for typing so much lol! Hope it helps. Please feel free to discuss, thats what the forum is for also

Ya removal of sliding door is considered hacking. But this sort of hacking no need to apply permit it seems.

I agree. Never thought Fridge itself could have a nice covering. Really useful if you really like the functions of a fridge but it doesn't come with the colour or texture you want.

Hmm...last post is on May 2016. Since then no one engage NID Design anymore? Anymore reviews please? *Edit* Sent email to NID directly on 14 April Good Friday, and till end of Monday still got no one reply. Oh well.

Sorry for the late reply. That is actually quite insightful. Thanks.

Sometimes these Bots auto-generate replies are just so amusing.

Hey folks, You know some of the 2room flats got this Sliding Door between Bedroom and Living Room. Is it considered Hacking Job if I wanna remove this Sliding Door? *Edit* nevermind, got my answer from IDs.

As topic. I refer to this official HDB link where they list out the list of companies and any demerit points they may have. Page that describes this: http://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/living-in-an-hdb-flat/renovation/looking-for-renovation-contractors Actual Search Page: https://www20.hdb.gov.sg/bn25/isos118p.nsf/List+by+Company?OpenView&Count=15&Start=1&RestrictToCategory=A# Here is the exact clause as given by HDB: "These contractors are registered under the HDB Registered Renovation Contractors' Scheme (RRCS) to ensure that they are aware of the HDB’s requirements when they carry out renovation works and to protect the structural integrity of the building. HDB does not endorse nor guarantee the quality of their works." Would it be considered a RED FLAG WARNING if a company is not even listed in it? What are your opinions on it?

I'd like to share my experience too with Fifth Avenue. Actually I haven't even do any renovation, just sent out my request to quote to Renotalk. An ID from Fifth Avenue emailed me. (Name shall be withheld. Not sure if the forum allows to give name or not) This email was received on 1314hrs. In his email, he listed down his mobile number. So, I whatsapp him directly said i received his email and i would like to engage for a meetup. This Whatsapp was sent SAME DAY on 1331hrs (That means it was 17 mins between his email and my whatsapp to him) And he replied me roughly 2.5 hours later at 1544hrs. Guess what he replied in my Whatsapp? "Hello. Sorry you are?" Hmm...he sent email to me merely 17mins ago, and he doesn't know who I was. Needless to say, i never replied him back. Haven't even meet up, can forget who he emailed to 17 mins ago. Honestly doesn't give me any confidence as to how he will manage the project if I hand over to him. In his defence tho, he probably very very busy with alot of emails lol. Since he is very busy, i shall take my business elsewhere then Attached are the proof of correspondences I mentioned. (His name and contacts are blanked out as i'm not sure if the forum allow me to call out his name.)

Yea I first got his pm when I made a post and thought it was legit. Even had a little back and forth pm convo going. Couple of months later when I submitted for quote to Renotalk, lo and behold I received a brand new pm with the same template as if he has never spoken to me before lol!! I wonder if there is a block function available. Just in case people think I slandering, check out the below PMs he sent: Really a clown. (Name of his famous contractor removed in case people really go and engage him.) ========================================================= This was the original PM sent to me on Jan 20: TangYM 4 Started conversation: January 20 · Report I can give you my contact Mr XXX tel:XXXXXXXX who is a reliable contractor with ID background and who has been recommended to my friends with good feedback. Pricing is competitive after comparing with others and he often provide extra services at no additional costs and there is no hidden added when the quotation contract has been signed. Responsibility is Excellent. For me, I spent 20k plus for the renovation. There is little monitoring for me to follow-up with him as he often on-site supervising. Please let him know that Mr Tang had recommended him to you as he mainly does referral business. I would love to share with you some of my home pics if I can have your email address. ========================================================= This was a PM sent to me recently (Notice theres a template going on? :D) TangYM 4 Started conversation: Wednesday at 03:53 PM · Report Hi there, Happen to see your post and would like to share my contact Mr XXX XXXXXXXX. He is a reliable contractor with ID background and who has been recommended to my friends with good feedback. Pricewise is competitive and was 10% cheaper for my Reno with no GST after comparing with others. He often provide extra services at no additional costs and there is no hidden costs added when the quotation contract has been signed. Unlike others, he only charges 10% for deposits instead of the standard 20% which means less upfront payment and less risk. Reliabilty & Responsibility is Excellent. I spent 20k plus for the renovation. There is little monitoring for me to follow-up with him as he often on-site supervising the reno project.This was good as I was on honeymoon then and everything was completed when I was back with no rectification required. Lifetime warranty for carpentry just in case if there are any issues but of course unrequired because I did not have any issues after 3 years after renovation works. Please let him know that Mr Tang had recommended him to you as he does referral business. I would love to share with you some of my home pics if I can have your email address.

Hmm...Read through the thread, getting very inconsistent reviews. IDs that are highly praised by some yet are highly condemned by others and vice versa. Very strange. Sent out my request to quote to Renotalk and Urban Design is the first to get in touch with me. Plus point to that. Got a chap by the name of Ronny. Anyone have any experience with him before? Thanks.

Hey rufus thanks for your reply to the thread. It's all good just discussing about ideas and throwing it around. Nice to see a cat lover too Indeed due to small size need to sacrifice alot. Queen bed I think still can tho. Do try out this planner 5d software and please feel free to use my floor plan as template and modify to anything you like if you want. I really dun mind. I was like u also clueless other then a vague idea and using this software really let me see my idea appear and more ideas happen with valuable inputs from everyone in this thread as to what is practical. Looking forward to your design!

Sure thing. Actually whenever I visit Courts or other electrical appliances shop, I've not seen a Gas Clothes Dryer like what you mentioned. I reckon its not very widely used and if it were to one day spoil, it will be quite mafan to replace it maybe? Alternatively, instead of a separate Gas Clothes Dryer, most modern washing machines now also probably come with in-built dryer functions no? If that's the case, you don't even need to get a separate dryer anymore. Just spend abit more get a more functions washing machine. No issue if kitchen cabinets cannot be constructed there. I just needed a place to put my washing detergent and accessories that's all. A simple shelf will also do if I cannot put a cabinet. Personally, I've been air drying clothes in a indoor drying rack for years already. I've always been using clothes hangers to hang the clothes on the indoor rack after washing, and when its dry after 2-3days, immediately can take them down and hang them in my wardrobe. As for the laundry rack outside the kitchen window, I only use it for bigger items like towels or bedsheets.

Technology is such a cool thing. In the future, when prices go down, we might be buying this futuristic thing in our kitchen.

Hey 2 Roomer. Electrical outage in Singapore is really a very rare case tbh. In my whole 39 years, I've only witnessed less then 5 incidents at home. Choosing a gas cooker instead of induction because of electrical outages is like saying "I'd rather stay low-floor because I scared elevator may breakdown." If in the rare case electrical outage does occur, very simple just go downstairs kopi-tiam dabao nasi lemak makan lor I'm fortunate that a kopi-tiam is located mere 5 mins away from my block. Induction cookers cook faster and are just safer IMO, I've never heard of anyone die from Induction Cooker electric shock or something. Also, after cooking, the induction cooker remains cool to the touch and won't scald. One of my design, the induction cooker quite near the person sitting so the chance of accidentally scalding is lower. (or even non-existent) This video may convince you of the safety of Induction Cooking. I also never did like the idea of having Gas because you never know when it may leak 10 or 20 years down the road, and you won't even know because Gas is odourless. I'm keeping the indoor drying rack. If you say it takes up too much space, wouldn't a gas clothes dryer take up space too? At least the drying rack is hung up in the ceiling.

Inside space wasted? But the area already covered by mattress, would be kindda funny to try to put openings in it machiam like secret compartments lol. Personally I think drawers should be sufficient. Another way is I position my sleeping so that I face the window instead of the living room. Yea i'll probably draw the curtain to shield fridge from sunlight or something.

Yea just drawers. The side facing the living room will be drawers. And seeing how the bookshelf will potentially block off a small part, probably 2 drawers max. Thinking of using glossy laminate for the platform. LOL its ok, if can hack then I hack lor. If cannot hack then overlay lor. This kind of thing I leave to ID see how ba. See which one cheaper lol One thing i'd like to seek ya'll opinion tho. Does it look wierd to have the Refridgerator right next to Kitchen Window?

Okay made a couple of changes and I've come out with what could possibly be the final design versions of my apartment. btw, ignore that strange blue box in the living room lol. I intend to put something nice there. 2 versions with different style of kitchen in either black or white version lol. Which one is more appealing? I personally prefer 2nd Design (Black Kitchen Version) but thats just me. 1st Design (White Kitchen Version)https://planner5d.com/editor/?key=a76382dc36da75584d0ec21f06aaa7421st Design (Black Kitchen Version)https://planner5d.com/view/?key=d06bf2ce222b98261e39d2749623e484 ------------------------------------------------------ 2nd Design (White Kitchen Version)https://planner5d.com/view/?key=1b6ef6056aaa1f365a1ea1d21dc427632nd Design (Black Kitchen Version)https://planner5d.com/view/?key=66ca3b2a4acb230de795a0de44f2cb12