euph0bear

Are you using the mirror for decorative purposes or for viewing yourself? If it's for decorative purpose, I would recommend you to IKEA as they got quite a few nice designs for wall mirrors. Blk 79 don't have balcony so you can ignore that part.

Hi, glenn. For defects, you can check the followings: Living & Dining Room Does the balcony door panel on the left hand side screech when sliding to open or close? Does the balcony door have rusty screws on the frame, hinges and lock? Does the balcony door panel have any dents or scratches in the frame? Are the main door and gate lock and knob old and rusty looking? Is the main door is aligned properly? Is there difficulty is locking and unlocking main door? Does the main door and gate has mouldy hinges Is the main gate is overall rusty? Is the main gate easy to close in order to lock? Are the doorbell switch screws rusty? Is the main door see thru hole rusty? When looking thru, can you see clearly? Are there cracks near the balcony frame? Are there cracks on the wall along the passage way towards the room Is SCV point outlet is old and mouldy? Are the screws on the telephone point is old and rusty? Are the switches near the entrance to the balcony and bedroom is difficult to on or off? Are the screws on the power sockets rusty? Does the power box, behind the door, has a cover that is difficult to open or close? House Hold Shelter Is the door handle is rusty? Can the door close smoothly? Is the door seal is old and flaking? Is the SCV point outlet is old and mouldy? Is the power box cover is broken? Kitchen Are the screws on the window frame are mouldy or rusty? Are there any missing screw on the hinges ? Are there any hollow tiles on all walls of kitchen? Are the switches are difficult to on or off? Main and Common Toilet Is the louver window is difficult to open or close? Is the window handle bent? Are there any hollow tiles on all walls of bathroom? Are there any leaks at the joints of toilet bowl? (indicate with masking tape) Are there masking tape marks on toilet bowl seat cannot be removed? Are the magnetic hinges on the top of the toilet door rusty? Main Bedroom/Common Bedrooms/Study Are the louvers of window difficult to open and close? Are there any missing screws on the windows? Any screws not secured? Are there any rusty or mouldy screws on window hinges and frame? Is the door magnet is old and rusty? Are there any cracks and hairline cracks on walls? Does the ceiling have water mark, indicating seepage? Is the SCV point outlet is old and mouldy Are the switches are difficult to on or off I found the list here, a blog created by one of the forumers giving great tips and stuff. I would say LOOK, FEEL and TOUCH. If one of the above isn't right for you, sound it out to your contractor. Don't worry about any backlash as long as you have not made the full payment.

Package deals are indeed very tempting. There's one ID company with a package of S$11900 but they give free aircon 3 system, fridge, s/s sink with tap, hob and hood. The only downside is that their package does basic stuff and you will need to top up for more renovations requirements.

You can see my blog regarding the choice of my ID. If you need recommendation for my ID, feel free to PM me.

Hi, jaCKY777. I'm changing both my toilet doors to PD doors which uses back the existing door frame. Panel got different types therefore different prices. Basic one is around S$280+. Colours and design can view at here.

Hi, Allinthehead! I'm from the 9th floor.

This week not much update as my ID is liasing with HDB PE regading the shifting of my MBR door. Apparently, the PE is taking his own sweet time to plan a time to come down to my flat to supervise. Maybe should complain to HDB liao. So a portion of my tiling works has been halted as well as the ceiling works. This short week only see the piping for the gas done in the kitchen. Will update upon more progress.

Yes, a couple of forumers used ***. *** (AKA *spam*) was initally one of my shortlisted ID. You can do a search for it. Confirm plus chop got.

Yes, interest wise RHB is better. But to me, DBS can be found almost everywhere and I myself am a DBS account holder so I prefer DBS as there's no need to open another bank account with another bank just to facilitate the loan. Ultimately, it would be good for you to talk to both banks to know more about their loan.

For RHB @ 6.25% Interest = (10k x 6.25%) x 5 years = $3125 Installment = (10k + 3125) / 60 months = $218.75 Things to note: - The monthly installment will decrease gradually as interest is calculated on monthly rest basis - 1% of approved loan quantum payable in cash upon signing of LO - 1% cancellation fee on loan amount cancelled if loan is cancelled after acceptance of LOF, capped at $200. - Prepayment fee of 2% of the prepaid amount in the event of partial / full redemption during the loan tenure. The minimum prepayment sum is S$5,000 and thereafter in multiples of S$1,000 For DBS @ 7.8% Interest = (10k x 7.8%) x 5 years = $3900 Installment = (10k + 3900) / 60 months = $231.67 Things to note: - The monthly installment will decrease gradually as interest is calculated on monthly rest basis - Handling fee at 1% of the approved loan amount. This will be deducted upfront from the approved loan amount upon disbursement. - You can redeem your loan upon payment of a prepayment charge at 1% of the outstanding loan amount (principal and interest accrued). - A cancellation fee of 1% of the approved loan amount, or any part thereof, is payable if there is a cancellation upon approval of the application. - The insurance coverage is a feature of our Renovation loan. The premium payable is at 1% of the approved loan amount. This will be deducted upfront from the approved loan amount upon disbursement. For more info, visit the bank's respective website or better still call or go straight to the bank and ask in depth.

how many years to pay?

How much are you trying to loan? So I can roughly calculate for you.

I think RHB and OCBC offers the lowest rate of 6.25% at the moment. But you got to double check as different income may get different interest rate. I tried getting a full loan from OCBC but rejected. Now I trying to get DBS at a lower of 60% of my renovation. Although DBS's interest is 7.8%, I prefer them as I already have a POSB account and they can debit straight from there. Hopefully can get. If you intend to get a new toilet bowl, the fees incurred will be dismantling of old toilet bowl, buying of new toilet bowl and installing of new toilet bowl. Maybe dismantling and installing together at most $300. Price of toilet bowl of course differs by brand and design.

No problem, glenn. Derek told me about you too. Actually, if you're really interested in getting him as your ID, you can actually ask him to start work 1st (after checking the defects of course) instead of waiting. Already 2nd week into my renovations and I haven't pay him yet. I told him I'm waiting for my pay+bonus and renovation loan and he said no problem. Really a friendly guy. Oh yah... Did I mentioned that the stuff that I bought so far from Luxury Bath Studio, the discounts were due to him too.

Congratulations, tris28. I think the Interbank Giro form should be incorrect. I don't think that the banking details for Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council is the same as Toa Payoh-Bishan Town Council. Better to call them up to doublecheck. Actually on the day of collection of keys, you don't have to bring any minor documents. Just your own NRIC is enough. Hi, alvin. Getting a flat in an hot area all depends on luck actually. Some never get it while others one time ballot will get it one. And if you're a big fan of Toa Payoh, I don't think the block and floor number should be of any concern at all.

Where's the shop?

Yes, mine is the 90m² flat. My polished homogenous tiles (600mm x 600mm) cost S$2.90.

Day 5 Progress Took the photos yesterday before going to Jeff Chang's concert. The flooring for the living room is done up. Sadly I can't show them to you because of the protective papers laid on the floor. I believe next week the tiling works should be done and next up would be the ceiling works. View from main entrance. Main entrance kerb done. Kitchen cabinet kerb done. Washing machine kerb done at the L-shape intersection. Household shelter all done up.

Ah... Then why only me have the toilet in the kitchen...

Hmm... You mean 75m² flats only have 1 toilet? Anyone care to enlighten us? !!

Thanks for your advise, sushibabe. I believe all kitchen has a toilet for Blk 79, so Ptro should be eating beside the toilet. I don't mind eating beside the toilet, somemore my back will be facing the toilet when eating so no issue. For the stools, I will get those non slippery seats one. Everytime my GF and I go to Fiesta and eat, she always have the phobia of slipping down the seats due to it surface. When there are guests, I will get a table and put it in the living room as a makeshift dining table. That is what I can do for the moment.

Like that good wat, save money on fans and aircon. I 9th floor only, once open main door, the wind blows also very cold one.

Thanks, jaCKY777. Wah... You half a year ago already go ID hunting liao. And our flata are at the opposite far end. Lately raining a lot so didn't visit my flat under renovation as much as I wanted to. Tomorrow will go up again and see the progress of the tiling and take some photos back too. One very power thing is that I haven't even pay my ID a single cent yet and he started work liao. My renovation loan, submitted 2 weeks ago with OCBC, is still in progress. Hope that my ID don't mind.

I always had the trouble of thinking where to place my dining table in the already so small living area. Until I saw Ptro's post of his kitchen layout in the Blk 79 thread yesterday. By the way, my original kitchen cabinet was straight all the way, not L-shaped like the picture posted earlier. Ptro's Kitchen Layout I immediately called up my Derek and asked whether has his workers done up the kitchen cabinet kerbs yet. Sadly he said yes but I decided to discuss with him regarding this issue. Met him up yesterday at my flat and told him I wanted to have my dining table in the kitchen. He said that if I wanted to do something like Ptro's, he would have to hack the already done kerb (thus spend more money). So I brainstormed a few ideas with him on the spot. Finally, a brilliant idea struck me. I decided to use half of my bottom kitchen cabinet as my dining table, meaning a bar top type table (think along the line of a sushi bar where the customer sits beside the conveyor belt, not the table one) between the fridge and the bottom kitchen cabinet. I will keep the adjustable chairs under the bar top type table when not needed. I would have to do an L-shaped bottom kitchen cabint in order to compromise the space used for the dining top. Derek said that it might work and he would draw out the kitchen plan and discussed with me at a later date. Will post the drawings from Derek once I get my hands on them too. Finally another thing off my mind.

I did change both the toilet doors to PD doors. With the current door, opening it leaves very little space inside. And also imagine if you have a tempered glass shower screen there, I think the glass will crack if slam the door a few times. I'm only having a shower curtain by the way. !! Day 3 Progress - Kitchen Mmm... Nice kitchen toilet... Kitchen cabinet kerbs. Fridge kerb.