Rosicky

Lights from Taobao arrived this afternoon, everything intact despite apparent rough handling by the forwarders.

Yes indeed, wasting quite a bit of money! Plus renovation cost have gone up so much, I did a lot with 30k 10 years ago.

Parquet re-varnished, looks as good as new.

Some inconsiderate people dumped their debris below my block near my lift lobby. Town council called up my contractor to complain.... I din even do any floor hacking, can't be mine. Waiting for clarification with town council on monday.

Malaysia Boleh!

Electrician ShunXing at work. A thoughtful gesture by him to install some temporary lights.

Workers dismantling existing sliding door at balcony.

Have been running around for the past 2 weeks like a mad man, thus no time to update the t-blog... Work started on 13-Oct, target to move back in on 25-Oct, so it will be fast and furious. Some challenges: 1. Taobao Lights I ordered my lights quite late around 30-Sep, and also din took notice of the October China holidays. I had to wait until around 10 Oct when the shipment was finally out, estimate arrival on the 24-Oct. Fingers crossed that it will arrive on time. As I am moving back in on 25-Oct, will be expecting a few days of stay without complete lights as the electrician do the installation. 2. Vinyl Flooring I was quite convinced to go for Vinyl flooring for my study room after I saw some nice ones from Evorich and Wood Culture. I assume all Vinyl are similar and thus did not specifically ask for brands when my ID quoted me. However, I was very disappointed when I receive the sample of an unknown brand, texture and prints dun look like wood at all. I requested for Wood Culture, so far the best vinyl i have seen... but was rejected as the minimum cost is $1000, while ID only quoted me $580. ID offered me another option, Supreme flooring. I must say the quality was much better, but I still find it short of what I saw from Wood Culture. Cut the story short, I end up taking the SC4 range laminates from Supreme, feels much closer to real wood than the Vinyl offerings. Hope the results will come out good after installation.

After weeks of deliberation, finally signed on the dotted line last night with the selected contractor, Impress21. Since it’s a home improvement project, I did not cast my net very wide in shortlisting ID/Contractors. I go for convenience and all 4 operate in the Hougang area where I stay. Impress21 (Henry) Walking distance from my house. Prices are reasonable, not necessary every item cheapest but overall quite transparent. Boss Henry is patient and frank, and flexible in working with other sub-cons. Contractor (Uncle Bok) A distant relative recommended by relatives, done up many of their houses. Old school contractor that communicates only verbally. No written quotes was given throughout the engagement. Willing to do the renovation room by room so that I do not need to move out. Did not engage him in the end as he is not able to give a written quote with any details at all, and the lump sum given is on the high side with no guarantees of hidden or creeping costs. RenoGuyz (Nic) Nic is easy going and we do strike a good conversation. However, he is too busy and unable to take up my project. End up asking his staff to follow up. His price is quite OK, but one thing I do not like is that he asks for a budget. I guess there are 2 ways to look at this. The first is to tailor and do the necessary items based on your budget. The reverse is true that they may “work” according to your budget. ­ AN-D The only so call ID among the ones I met, so as expected the pricing is the highest as well. Thus it was never in the running. ­ Myself Besides talking to these contractors, I was considering to project management myself. Thus I had approached a myriad of contractors from plastering, carpentry, windows, painting, aircon and electrical. I scrap the idea in the end as most of the time, the quotes might not always be cheaper than going to a main con, plus the amount of time required to coordinate, just not worth the while and my own salary! Nonetheless, I did engage some of these contractors with Henry’s blessings. I will be getting my own contractors for carpentry, electrical and balcony decking. Starting work in 2 weeks time.

nice!

Hi kissgurami, I like the design our you cabinet very much. Is the groove line of the cabinets custom made or the laminate comes with such patterns?

Tampoi Lighting do not carry Deka. They selling many brands like Alpha, KDK and Fanco etc. KDK must pay cash. You can get deka from Starworld. It is on the same building with Tampoi, left hand corner unit. The fan display is on level 2, not very obvious so you must ask the person to bring you up. Hope this helps.

Hi boombox, my ID is Henry from Impress21, He is the boss there. PMed you the contact.

Finally placed my order for lights from taobao via oops.sg, hope everything will turn up fine.

Hi,I need a tiler service for a craft brick wall, about 9.5ft x 8.5ft. I will provide own bricks. Please PM me.

Selling 3 units of Deka Baby G @ $75 each. Brand new, black. Selling as there are changes in plan for reno. Deka is Malaysia Super Brand 2013. PM me to arrange.