Rosicky

Need advise on lighting... Did a draft estimate, and realize that that I will need around 39 LED down-lights! As I intend to buy from Taobao, the material course is not too high. But the installation and wiring could kill me? If per point cost me $25, then I will need to cater for around $1k just for lights! Anyone can advise if the plan below is overkill? Can reduce?

As I am not engaging an ID, will not be having any 3D concept diagrams. I had done up my concept in 2D using floorplanner, quite easy to use. http://www.floorplanner.com/

Thanks for the great work in making the forum a success.

I have been a follower of this wonderful forum for a long time, a quick check on my profile shows that I am a member since 2004! That was when I am renovating the current place that I am staying. Time flies and it has been 10 years, and it’s time for a mid-life upgrade. There are several challenges, thus I named the blog “Hopefully” as I am not sure if I will succeed. I will be hiring a contractor, thus I will be the “designer”. Challenges: Budget. After long discussion with CFO, the budget was set at $20k. With an upgrade to a system 4 air-con a cardinal requirement, effective balance is only 16k. Coordination. As we will be staying in for the renovation, extra effort will be required for the coordination to minimize disruption and stress to the residents (wife, 3 schooling kids, helper) Theme. After browsing through the tons of information in the t-blogs, I must say that I like the “Scandinavian” look. The challenge for me is how I can achieve this without making major changes to existing infra and within budget.Scope of Work L-Box & Plastering for 3 bedrooms Vanishing of Parquet for 3 Bedrooms Glass Partition to create new study room Laminate floor for Study Sliding door for Balcony Lay wood decking for Balcony (6m x 1.5m) Brick tile for TV wall Shoe Cabinet Cabinet for Master Toilet New System 4 Aircon Retrofit Oven and additional Kitchen Cabinets New WardrobeThe following is my floor plan just to get the ball rolling. It’s a 5A unit @ 136sqm. I had made some changes to the layout during the last reno by hacking away half the store room to create a new entrance to the kitchen.

Good units still command a premium. I was slow in my decision and the EM i looking at was snapped up at 0 COV.

Wanted to upgrade to an EM, but has been sidelined by the high CoV for the past 2 years. Viewed an unit asking for 0k COV recently, seems like the market is cooling indeed!

I need to do the following mid life reno for my hdb flat - Plastering of wall + False ceiling for 3 bedrooms - replace parquet with laminated flooring - Wardrobe, study tables, cabinets and other carpentry works for 3 bedrooms - TV console/Feature wall - Shoe Rack - Decking for Balcony Should I approach a contractor or a carpenter will settle most of this? Thinking of getting someone from Malaysia, need permit? Not sure if replace parquet with laminate, plastering and false ceiling are wet works?

just to illustrate what i mean

Hi Mansionette owners, I just went to view a 5A mansionette with a pointed roof as seen in the picture below. Due the the pointed roof, the ceiling of the bedrooms are very high on one end, sloping down towards the windows. I estimate the ceiling could be 3.5m-4m high at the highest point. Was thinking to build a wooden loft at one corner of the rooms, do you think it is allowed?

Hi All Hope to get some advice in SOBF Repurchased flats. I am a second timer (sold my first subsidized flat 7 years ago, now staying in a resale flat), thus I wonder if it is worthwhile to buy one from HDB. 1. Is buying a 20+ year old repurchased flat from HDB considered as buying a "subsidized" flat? I mean they are selling it at market valuation, plus a lease of 70+ years, so it is not that worthwhile? 2. If the above is true, as a 2nd timer, I will be required to pay a resale levy. It will be better off for me to go for a open market resale and use the money as COV instead? Thanks.

hi, these decals are nice, where do u get them?

I am painting my house soon, and would like to plaster some of the walls. These were original HDB walls from the 80s and is a bit rough I intend to do some wall decal and thus need them to be flat. Anyone can advice where can I get the meterials? And if this is doable?

Hi Mansionette owners If I have a ground floor EM without a back door at the balcony, any possibility to get HDB approved to hack open and install one?

Depends on which area in HG. I have been looking around for a while as well. This is the info i have for those near kovan and lorong ah soo. $465 is pretty low, which area? Blocks 22+ ~600k Blocks 23+ ~550k Blocks 13+ ~500k Blocks 14+ ~510k

Just to share my experience in house hunting for the last few months. My problem is I have a problem getting even to view units as an independent buyer. When I called up the agents, they will say they will arrange viewing, then most of the time, they will not get back to me, or say the seller is busy, not at home. I was wondering, is business really so good? we must "Kao Tow" to agents? and still pay them $$$? Now I am beggining to suspect that seller agents are not keen to do biz with direct buyers, they will just service buyers that is brought in by their fellow agents. I am beginning to lose heart in buying direct, and thinking of engaging an agent instead. Think difficult to save the 1% with such un-ethical behavior.

Thanks for all the advices.

Eh... want to get my kids into a better school. 1. What rebate do I lose? Can elaborate? 2. Subject to income tax right? If my wife is not working, can I declare it as her income? 3. How much will that be for a 5 rm flat? Thanks!

Hi, I am currently staying in my resale 5 rm HDB, has been staying for 6 years liao. Can I rent out my HDB and rent a condo? Thanks.

cov does not seems to be coming down or sellers not realistic? has been looking for an em but the cov asking is very high. I am ok to pay 20-30k cov if the place is renovated, but most are asking for 40-50k cov for original conditioned 20+ year old units.

agreed, definitely not worth the 100k extra. the previous ground unit sold, at blk 122, was 480k also. so the 580k is really a new high. nonetheless, really love this area.

the planting plot is not included in the "size" of the unit. It was only added a few years ago, as part of the lift upgrading programme. thus everyone gets a lift, but the gorund floor units gets a "plot". It is bigger then 4 sqm definitely. The price have since shot up from 350k in 2004 to the now 500k bracket.

Guess u got the 3rd floor unit. This few block is very unique, the ground floor unit comes with a planting plot, thus the high price. I am eyeing at this area for a unit, but prices have gone up too much.

yes...kinda changing my plans. not point staying so near and need to ballot, and the ballot chances is < 50%.

Anyone mansionette owner in Serangoon North Ave 4? I am considering looking for a unit around there, the neighbourhood looks quiet and there is a very good school, so will be good for my kids that is due for primary school soon. Realise that blk 503 is a ground floor unit? Is it 5 rm or executive? Search through resale data and cannot find 503....seems like no one selling. I prefer a place that is quiet and unblocked, any floor plan to share and recent transactions? How much COV is expected? Thanks in advance!

aircon man went to my house to service aircon. recommended chemical wash as he say very dirty. during the servicing, the flipper stop functioning. he say due to weak motor. as I was not at home, my dear wife let him go without solving the problem. now have to manually flip the flipper out after turning on aircon, but it works after that. only turning on that time is a problem. any idea if this is a motor issue? not sure how much to repair....