gadgetgal

Holy... the living room is superb. love it !. must be very expensive with the feature wall, etc. Is it your house design?. if yes, how come the color of the windows is white? can change one ar? Thanks for the sharing!!

Binzz... mind if you upload it somewhere? you can remove those personal info like flat unit-number etc. Thanks.. I think it's more efficient that way rather than PM-ing here and there, causing mailbox to be full. Anyway, it is about information sharing and looking for the cheapest, good and value for money deals!. thanxxx..... ps: anyone else think otherwise?. All, just feel that for the quote, as long as you remove some other things personal, and left only the price it should be fine quar.

Thanks Bee Joy...! Called Henry, and will inform him that my kitchen tiles was miscalculated. By right, it should be 2.60, and he calculated based on 3.30!. Need to tonight,.. since he is not having the quote with him.

Yeap, I think it is not so correct, as the wording they use is pretty vague (on the 'life time warranty'), like kronotex, they warranty 10-15yrs for their laminated flooring ONLY for a non-fading color warranty (say color fade cause too much exposed under the sun, etc), they don't provide warranty if you soak it in the water, or it got chipped because some hard object hit it, etc. Definitely there is a catch, and there are lots of it from what I see. Warranty only this but not this, not that, and not other things.. *sigh.. consumers like us are going to be fooled like.... idiot I think they will definitely not warranty any wear and tear,.. need to dig and dig for the details then only they will open up bit by bit.

By any chance, anyone have Havary, LSH and SBH telephone/contact number?. Appreciate the help very much..!.

nope. for those matt finish, it will definitely not anti-stain due to its rough surface. Instead, it will 'absorb' stain and pretty hard to remove. Varnishing is to help the wood to have an extra layer of certain chemical/substance, so as it won't cut your wood/parquet that deep, any scratch will somewhat scratch that varnish. varnishing also help to 'restore' the color. just like a paint on your car, .. varnishing also help to protect the wood from water. (direct soaking from water, esp toilet door,as what onepostwonder mentioned)

Hehe.. Binzz... for super glossy, I agree with you but for the anti-stain one..I have to disagree with you. Well, at first that is what I thought also, they have this anti-stain type (they purposely put a label there "NEW! Anti-stain" kind of labels). well, apparently, it is a hoax, well at least for me. I tried to use marker (permanent marker which I usually write on the surface of DVDs), and wrote on them. It appears all of them are anti-stain, as long as they are glossy! Some of them without the mark of 'anti-stain' can even be cleaned/erased after a few days, which those "anti-stain" one can't (well not exactly can't, but more difficult). You can try and see.. we tried and played around with it last week after we've got some sample from the shops.

Yeap, me also go shopping tiles with Henry (he gotta leave early, as we really spend some time enjoying all the colors and shapes of the tiles there). Well, as long as I haven't sign my chequebook, I am okay. so far, I can see that Henry really put that matter to the last and never really push us on it. Well, to be fair, I also have to convince him that I am going with him (which most likely I will). My 2 cents.. not sure if anyone has better experience or suggest what loophole or things to look out for. Word of caution, I think you should check with other supplier/vendor/contractor/id. if needed, try to ask someone (say your hubby to give a call), and said you willing to give high price if they can find you that haha.. Yeah lor, my sis keep on insisting, that the area of the floor (living room) is not so big, at most will be 20 pieces of those blah..blah... *faint.... Binzz,.. yours 4-rm or 5-rm?. if 5-rm, which kitchen floor tiles are you going for?. Quite difficult to select and imagine now, cause I feel it will really depends on the colour of your cabinet and a little factor of your existing HDB wall tiles. *sigh... it shouldn't deviate too much from two colors wall tiles and kitchen cabinet. Somemore, we haven't decided on what color to have for the kitchen cabinet and our granite table top (black/white). Can share what you are having in mind for yours?.

couldn't recall the price, it's either 3.60 or 3.80 (for sure is even number). will check it once I reached home. Binzz, I was thinking to nego that with my ID, since the shop owner said if get all from them, it will be cheaper, and since kitchen tile is cheaper, I think the average price should come to around $3 quar. Mine too,.. but I think it's okay with the price even after nego they are not allowing to reduce further, and if it doesn't differ that much (as it is really the material that is costly). For tiles, I think the area that is going to be covered may not be that big, for me around $3 should be quite okay as long not over $4. My sis even suggested the super white at havary costing 10+ psf, she said it's worth the investment as it is very white and cooling.. *she is crazy... and not her pocket that will have big hole....!

I went to Hafary and LSH only as SBH shop close last last weekend. For me LSH has nice variety and negotiable price (if you choose kitchen and living room). As for variety Hafary does not have much color to choose from. Agreed with Hafary's high price, but doesn't have much practical tiles to choose from. (well, maybe it's just my taste). My living room selection LSH, YK6020 (super white - no markings/patterns), and kitchen tiles LSH ZF6312. Anyone selecting the same as mine?

Hi Lil n Mit, I've posted it on the web due to overwhelming requests, you can find it in renotalk this forum somewhere in the page here around page 50+. Otherwise, I will pm you again in the next 1-2 days.

yupe. for that kind of thing, it is not a choice they can made. cause I believe they have time limit to move in to new house and to surrender the old house.

erm.. let me try if my assumption is correct. I think what binzz want is to get higher maximum loan amount and longer period (or at the loan terms s/he comfortable with). And since he just got pay increment, he can request for higher maximum loan amount, therefore no need to fork out $$$/cash, as *probably* his/her maximum loan amount may not be as much as what s/he wanted. Otherwise, to achieve that maximum loan amount and with that loan terms s/he may need to fork out cash. Dunno that kind of logic correct bo... !!

Not sure how this HLE issues got into some of your. From my experience, between "option to purchase to key collection is within 3 months", and during option to purchase the officer will ask whether you want to get HDB Loan (therefore to apply for HLE). Therefore, when I apply HLE they processed it within 1-1.5 month, and then after you got a reply (of which the HLE has a validity of 3 months), a few weeks to 1.5 month later, you were asked to collect the key. So, in my case, it is impossible to have HLE expired since option to purchase (when you pay 2k) till key collection itself is 3 months, and the HLE just happened and get approved in between "option to purchase" and "key collection" (pay minimum amount of 10% from the flat purchased ) date. Which I think that the above is and should be the right procedure, and also I think is the best solution, as you don't have to visit them so often. However, I get to know some of your actually have two processes separated, "signing lease agreement" and "key collection" (each of the process have to pay 5%). Dunno why the ask to sign lease agreement so early, maybe to get the fund early and to pay the developer bah. But the pro is that, you guys were given assurance that the house is officially yours during the "signing lease agreement" and the cons is... of course building up expectation from the home owners for keep on guessing when to collect the keys! A fun guessing game I suppose.. Yupe.. totally agreed. Better still, if you can have a black and white email to show in case something goes out of hand

err.. some of your said lay pipes?. I think no need quar, I thot gas heater use the existing yellow pipe running along the wall (not concealed, due to the fact of hazard and danger if gas pipe leaked inside the wall or accident drilling). Currently only cold and hot water pipe is marked with blue and red color and both are concealed. One only need to lay a pipe say not more than 2 meters down to the area (beside the toilet) and above the two pipes protruding out (you can see that beside your common toilet above power point) for water heater. and a bit of extension for Gas pipe if your hob and sink located further/somewhere else. Well it is small gas heater, and I think it is quite okay. From my experience for the electric tank heater, for me it need to be heated up for a while before it is being used/you can feel the heat, and remember, this electrical heater have to heat the whole tank regardless you use all of the water in the tank or not (it will get cold after an hour or two if not used I believe). The cons are, it will heat the tank regardless the tank is already hot or not (never check-assumption), and it will continue to consume your electricity if the switch is always on. (in case you forgot to switch it off, the electricity bill will go pretty high for that month, and for my case, there is once where the tank blow up due to the fact for few nights it was continuously switched on, guess the rubber or mechanical parts within the tank is spoiled, and water from the tank simply overflow to the floor). Pros of electric water heater is that, even though you have switched it off after 30mins to sometimes 1 hr the water is still warm and u can still use warm water till the water within the tank is used up. cleared! sorry... the inbox in this forum is pretty limited. I guess they should provide a minimum 200 messages. Well, it's free.. can't complain much Otherwise, anyone can email me to gadgetgalsg@gmail.com (do not check that often, once a week mostly)

Mostly it will be cheaper than electric gas, however, personally I think the price will be more or less the same. One bad thing is that it is automatically switched on whenever you turn on your hot water tap (upon detecting that it will turn on the flames and start burning). Just be conscious whenever you turn the tap to the hot direction even for your sink tap, as it will switch the flames on and waste your gas (unlike electric one where you need to manually switch it on). The free gas heater from city gas may have minor disadvantage if two people take shower at the same time, as it may not be so hot (5 Litre/minute). But it's free, cheaper, environmentally cleaner and not affected by rising oil price. I go for gas heater from city gas and the heater is free!. saved $200+ for this.

downpayment must be 10%, am not from SERS. if u hv 10% from CPF, then will use all from CPF. otherwise if CPF not enough need to top up.

for me all in one shot (only two phase). 1. pay option fee - 2k 2. sign lease agreement and sign a bunch of papers and collect key - pay 10% for those who separated the process into sign lease agreement and collect keys may also divide the payment into two phase, 5% during sign lease of agreement and 5% during key collection yeah, guess one month is for something like 'deposit' quar. (in case you late for payment, they can use that deposit to give u a bit leeway - of course with some late payment fee) I second his choice on that. the start of lease is next year (if not mistaken). unless you are renting current apartment, and rush to move in, otherwise, just enjoy the time that you have. And some more it's confirmed you already have the house (you paid for the option fee), if you take it later, you have the edge of comparing others' designs and see see look look IDs/contractors. But becareful of the date and double check it how long you can hold it, cause they have the limit on when you die die must collect, otherwise you will lost the ownership of the house.

You can always send her an email, as well as sending a strong email to the public relation. of course side citing the inefficiency of the process taken and uncontactable customer officer in charge which you may take it to the attention to the newspaper like today or mypaper. I confirm within 2.5 weeks you will get your key and within the next day you will receive reply either by call or by mail. as some mentioned 'no kick, no move'

Not yet until now, will be paying my monthly installment probably on November (2 months after key collection) Key collection mid of august around end of september (26th) - CPF deducted for full amount (leaving around 1k+ in the account) first week of october (7th) - monthly deduction kicks in

Correct for the miscalculation of $10k plus, (for my 5 room) you need to pay conveyancing fee around 7k, Tg Pagar town council (around 2 months in advance around S$120), and also, monthly loan installment for two months in advance. (depending on your request for how long you gonna take loan). Well, I don't have any miscalculation though (mis-expectation only) as we top up a bit of cash. our expectation of monthly installment goes up due to the above.

Yeap and no for complete wipe out, option to purchase - somewhere in June Collect keys - mid of August Start of CPF being wiped out - 1st Sept (early sept) at this point, around 1k excess of CPF was found in both my account and my hubby's acccount. I thot wipe out means.. wipe till zero.

from what I know, you can request to delay collection key (by the stipulated date/not more than the stipulated date). But I think for that, you may need to give/make up some reason. (not sure if you need to provide some documents or not). For those who is doing their calculation, it is only a rough estimate, cause HDB will suck up your $$ and get that money to pay 2-months upfront of your monthly installment. (the same goes for your PUB if not mistaken, they will charge you two months in advance for monthly subscription before you even start using the service). Concept similar to when you rent a house, you need to pay a deposit+the rent itself. Btw, for some reason, my OA is not completely cleared, dunno why.. left around 1k plus (the same goes to my hubby's. dunno what is the reason). Btw, do make sure you have some extra for your renov charges. Once you pay-up that's it, you can't take it back. After renov, if you have excess, you are always welcome to put that money back to your house (to shorten loan), minimum payment $500. Economy is quite good now, I think it's still okay to use one's cash to shorten loan, you can use up all your cash and use your spouse's cash as a backup in case one is not working. (It is pretty rare if two people goes out of job at the same time...*touchwood*). Investment?. unless you are pretty good and well verse with it, otherwise,.. shortening loan is a good investment too!. some calculated for maximum loan, you can buy another house of equal value as of now, if you pay cash now!. Imagine if the 3.5% over your 20,000 OA kicks in (as per PM's speech), it'll be pretty good deal as well! I understand one can't buy condo/private apartment within two years after you get your new house, is it so?.

Hi redbottle, btw, who do the marking of how high is the cement screeding?. as I understand this need to be done by the ID/Contractor who do the laminate flooring for you. Mind to share your experience? and how height was recommended? and what kind of laminate flooring you are doing? hehe.. saw you guys pretty excited to collect keys. I even wish I could collect keys much later... so I can save up more for renovation and to lower the loan amount. anyway, the house is confirmed yours, and it won't run, so long as you have paid your option fees.

85-95% I will be engaging him (may not be engaging him for my mbr wardrobe - still considering). My quotation as below: Sure, sharing is what the forum is meant to be, even for quotation and information! smile.gif Living/Dining Halls and household shelter (tiles <$3psf) 1. supply/lay homo tiles 600x600 with skirting for living/dining hall - $1690 2. supply/lay homo for household shelter with skirting - $280 3. supply/construct l-box for living and dining halls -$620 for cornices - $320 4. supply/construct false ceiling for passageway - $120 5. supply/lay 14nos lighting points and labour to install 14 plc light - $532 6. supply/install mirror at dining hall as proposed (5x5.5) - $550 Bedrooms and suggested study 1. supply/install laminated flooring with skirting for 1/2 living and 4 bedrooms (supreme -$2350), kronotex $2580 2. master room: supply/install full height laminated wardrobe c/w sliding doors - 7 fts (added $190 for 1 mirror at 1 panel) - $1625 3. Suggested study: gypsum partition with timber door frame (inc. sound proof) 550) 4. suggested study 1 no. timber door c/w lock - $250 Kitchen 1.supply homo/ceramic tiles for kitchen <$3psf - $780 2. water proofing kitchen - $250 3. supply/install 1 top hung aluminium /glass bi-fold door at kitchen entrance $480 4(add $280 if c/w floor spring, add $300 if top track for sliding ) - add on to frameless swing note: sliding silver aluminium glass=$380, sliding laminate/glass=$580, tempered swing frameless - $490 5. Relocation of inlet/outlet piping for Sink and washing machine - $220 6. supply/install solid laminated kitchen cabinet (top bottom - 31 fts) include stainless steel dishrack, 2glass panel c/w laminated frame, abs trim, designer handles and cultury tray - $2852 7. supply/install granite top c/w backsplash for kitchen cabinet (16fts) - $1507 8. supply labor to isntall cooker hood, hob oven sink and tap - foc 9. supply homo tiles for sink (4fts) and stove (5 fts) - hollow block - 1180 10. supply/install 5 nos laminated doors below stink/stove supports - include timber shelves - 400 toilets: 1. construct entrance kerbs for both toilets - $240 2. master toilet: supply/install frameless shower screen (10mm thickness) - $450 3. common toilet: supply/install aluminium/tempered sliding shower scree - $490 4. supply labor to install toilet accessories purchased by owner - foc whole house and general: 1. supply grilles for whole house - $790 2. painting whole house with ici pentalite or nippon 5000 (5+1 white for ceiling) include paintin of door frames, pipings, and gate if any : $1180 3. Haulage of sand and debris removal service - $590 4.supply/lay currogated board to protect existing new floor (include disposal) -foc 5. whole house chemical wash and clean - foc no gst: 19776 discount - 316 total:19460