bluewater 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Hi fellow members, Renotalk has been an enriching place for me to gather notes prior to renovation. Have been ups and downs even before the works got started cos' I was supposed to engage a highly recommended contractor (by many here), but bad experiences forced me to pull the handbrake and decided to settle for another (non internet based) whom was recommended by my colleague. Thank god, discussion with him was so much smoother with no hiccups and pleasant experience till date. For selection of tiles, the contractor has even gave me a lift to and fro. Finally now, I got bit of time to start a T-blog for my first home @ Holland area. My floor plan: Some before makeover Pics: Main Entrance Living hall - kitchen http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6862/kitchenu.jpg Kitchen http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3937/house6s.jpg Kitchen http://img200.imageshack.us/i/house3x.jpg/ Master toilet http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1069/house4.jpg Master bedroom * Sorry to direct link cos' I can't seem to link smoothly for the latter 4 pics... We'll be doing a full overhaul for my place as below: 1. To hack all required areas - living hall/kitchen & service yard/storeroom/2 toilets. *edited - no hacking on bedrooms* 2. To clear all debris 3. Supply & lay homo tiles for living hall, kitchen & storeroom w/ skirting (average $3.20/psf as I chosen tiles of different pricing) 4. Supply & lay laminated flooring (Krono-swiss Noblesse) at 3 bedrooms w/ silencer foam 5. Replace 1 set aluminium bifoldable door at common toilet 6. Replace 1 set tempered glass swing door at master bedroom 7. Replace existing main gate with customised iron bar gate 8. Labour to install cooker and hood 9. Replace 4 pcs veneer doors & main door (Outsourced to Yon Tat) 10. Supply and install 1 suspended vanity cabinet at master bedroom toilet c/w hard solid surface top 11. To supply and install 15.5ft kitchen cabinet c/w laminate finish and dish rack / full height storage unit 12. 1 pc breakfast table top with laminate finish 13. Black Galaxy Granite table top at kitchen cabinet 14. Supply and install 14ft TV console cabinet with laminate finish **** hall 15. Supply feature wall behind TV console with laminate finish **** hall 16. Supply 9ft sliding door built in wardrobe at master bedroom with laminate finish 17. Supply & install 1 set TV console w/ storage shelves at master bedroom 18. Supply 6ft sliding door built in wardrobe at bedroom 2 with laminate finish 19. Labour to install WC/basin etc 20. To plaster 4 rooms & kitchen rockstone ceiling + plaster touch up for whole house 21. To paint whole house using ICI 22. To install false ceiling w/ L-box **** hall 23. To install false ceiling at master bedroom 24. Wiring all required points 25. Replacing power sockets and switches from MK 26. Relocate master bedroom entrance c/w hollow block wall / new door frame 27. Install 4ft full height shoe cabinet at main entrance c/w laminate and glass finish 28. To replace existing window to alum. sliding windows 29. Lay floor & wall tiles for 2 toilets up to ceiling height 30. Water proofing for 2 toilets 31. 1 set shower screen at master toilet 32. Replace hot and cold s/s pipings at 2 toilets 33. Box up piping @ Master toilet & partial box up of upper piping @ common toilet 34. Replace kitchen entrance existing sliding door to frameless sliding glass door 35. Install TV shelving console @ Bedroom 2 36. Install dressing table w/ storage drawer & mirror @ Master Bedroom 37. Replace existing & supply window grille 38. Box up master bedroom aircon trunking 39. Install 3m study table w/ storage wall hung cabinet @ Bedroom 3 40. Install 8ft half height wall hung shoe cabinet @ living hall 41. Install 1m width long stretch mirror @ main entrance 42. Supply 6ft sliding door built in wardrobe at bedroom 3 with laminate finish 43. Install cornice for Bedroom 2 & 3 *Red=Newly added items ** Latest quote @ $40k Total quoted was $30+ k, which was the lowest from other ID's quotes & from 1-2 contractors who are quite popular at Renotalk but service is questionable based on their initial follow up. After some thought, we did not want to waste anymore time to source out for the cheapest (in the first place, is there one we can call cheapest???) and the experience with this contractor is by far the best. No alibaba time wasting and no aeroplanes running across our heads. Thus, we don't mind paying slight more, even if it turns out so, for his great service & follow up. Somemore, he draws himself on the designs he proposed. Swee~ General works will start coming Monday. Let's hope things progress as sweet. Wish me luck, guys! Edited January 8, 2010 by bluewater Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Angel81 1 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Congrates on ur new home and hope u have a smooth reno journey coming Monday! Price doesn't matter lar. Most impt is that u guys like ur place and are happy staying in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickey M 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Congrats! It is ur home ultimately. Doesn't matter who u engage to renovate your place as long as u are happy and comfortable with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelvinkezz 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 your new home looks like it is in a "shift in" condition! anyway, welcome to RT! will be visiting your T-blog for ideas! =) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
necrosis 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 hello...welcomes! your place looks really good laio.....not much renov need woh.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supersimon27 2 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Hi bluewater glad that u start yr renovation liao . Rem seeing yr post some time back at one of the thread stay cool and keep us update on yr reno see ya ard Simon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ossify 1 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 welcome to RT neighbour I'm at Blk 8 where did you go to select tiles? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickey M 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Actually it is gd u started a thread on a new contractor. Reno mates will have one more gd contractor to engage if he is gd! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goobii Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Welcome to QUEENSTOWN estate... I am at Dover.... your place look good~! why waste on renovation... maybe redo wiring and do up some minor renovation is enough... about 10k can do alot of wonders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goobii Report post Posted November 11, 2009 I saw something which your contractor never help you to save money... 1. To hack all areas - living hall/kitchen & service yard/3 bedrooms/storeroom/2 toilets. 2. To clear all debris 3. Supply & lay homo tiles for living hall, kitchen & storeroom w/ skirting (average $3.20/psf as I chosen tiles of different pricing) 4. Supply & lay laminated flooring (Krono-swiss Noblesse) at 3 bedrooms w/ silencer foam BEDROOM no need to HACK flooring... just hack side skirts can already.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluewater 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Angel81, Mickey_M, kelvinkezz, necrosis, supersimon27,ossify & Goobii > Thanks so much for your heads up!!! Will update in due course ossify> I selected my tiles @ Hup Kiong. Goobii> Perhaps I took good pics on my lousy hp... haha... In person, the condition is not as good as shown & btw, the house is of 13yrs old. Ohhhhh, my apologies for overlooking. Bedroom flooring not hacking. haha. Replace laminated flooring instead. Moi type too fast. Too excited perhaps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ossify 1 Report post Posted November 12, 2009 Angel81, Mickey_M, kelvinkezz, necrosis, supersimon27,ossify & Goobii > Thanks so much for your heads up!!! Will update in due course ossify> I selected my tiles @ Hup Kiong. Goobii> Perhaps I took good pics on my lousy hp... haha... In person, the condition is not as good as shown & btw, the house is of 13yrs old. Ohhhhh, my apologies for overlooking. Bedroom flooring not hacking. haha. Replace laminated flooring instead. Moi type too fast. Too excited perhaps. ok thanks, may i check if you went yourself or if you went with contractor and what discounts did you get? what tiles did you go for? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happypie 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2009 welcome! ur house condition looks quite good from ur pics.. anyway looking forward to more pics on ur house transformation! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CJREDDEVIL 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2009 Hi fellow members, Renotalk has been an enriching place for me to gather notes prior to renovation. Have been ups and downs even before the works got started cos' I was supposed to engage a highly recommended contractor (by many here), but bad experiences forced me to pull the handbrake and decided to settle for another (non internet based) whom was recommended by my colleague. Thank god, discussion with him was so much smoother with no hiccups and pleasant experience till date. For selection of tiles, the contractor has even gave me a lift to and fro. Finally now, I got bit of time to start a T-blog for my first home @ Holland area. My floor plan: Some before makeover Pics: Main Entrance Living hall - kitchen http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4365/house5.jpg Kitchen http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3937/house6s.jpg Kitchen http://img200.imageshack.us/i/house3x.jpg/ Master toilet http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1069/house4.jpg Master bedroom * Sorry to direct link cos' I can't seem to link smoothly for the latter 4 pics... We'll be doing a full overhaul for my place as below: 1. To hack all areas - living hall/kitchen & service yard/storeroom/2 toilets. *edited - no hacking on bedrooms* 2. To clear all debris 3. Supply & lay homo tiles for living hall, kitchen & storeroom w/ skirting (average $3.20/psf as I chosen tiles of different pricing) 4. Supply & lay laminated flooring (Krono-swiss Noblesse) at 3 bedrooms w/ silencer foam 5. Replace 1 set aluminium bifoldable door at common toilet 6. Replace 1 set tempered glass swing door at master bedroom 7. Revarnish existing main door c/w door stopper 8. Labour to install cooker and hood 9. Replace 4 pcs veneer doors 10. Supply and install 1 suspended vanity cabinet at master bedroom c/w hard solid surface top 11. To supply and install 15.5ft kitchen cabinet c/w laminate finish and dish rack / full height storage unit 12. 1 pc breakfast table top with laminate finish 13. Hard surface table top at kitchen cabinet (using A slide) 14. Supply and install 14ft TV console cabinet with laminate finish **** hall 15. Supply feature wall behind TV console with laminate finish **** hall 16. Supply 9ft sliding door built in wardrobe at master bedroom with laminate finish 17. Supply & install 1 set TV console w/ storage shelves at master bedroom 18. Supply 6ft sliding door built in wardrobe at bedroom 2 with laminate finish 19. Labour to install WC/basin etc 20. To plaster 4 rooms & kitchen rockstone ceiling 21. To paint whole house using ICI 22. To install false ceiling w/ L-box **** hall 23. To install false ceiling at master bedroom 24. Wiring all required points 25. Replacing power sockets and switches from legrand 26. Relocate master bedroom entrance c/w hollow block wall / new door frame 27. 1 set divider at main entrance c/w laminate and glass finish 28. To replace existing window to alum. sliding windows 29. Lay floor & wall tiles for 2 toilets up to ceiling height 30. Water proofing for 2 toilets 31. 1 set shower screen at master toilet 32. Replace hot and cold s/s pipings at 2 toilets 33. Replace kitchen entrance existing sliding door to timber framed sliding glass door Total quoted was $30+ k, which was the lowest from other ID's quotes & from 1-2 contractors who are quite popular at Renotalk but service is questionable based on their initial follow up. After some thought, we did not want to waste anymore time to source out for the cheapest (in the first place, is there one we can call cheapest???) and the experience with this contractor is by far the best. No alibaba time wasting and no aeroplanes running across our heads. Thus, we don't mind paying slight more, even if it turns out so, for his great service & follow up. Somemore, he draws himself on the designs he proposed. Swee~ General works will start coming Monday. Let's hope things progress as sweet. Wish me luck, guys! Hi Blue... Welcome to RT-Blog. Looks like you are all well prepared and we are all awaiting to see your new house transformation. Cheers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluewater 0 Report post Posted November 12, 2009 ossify> We went with contractor as mentioned above. In fact, he discounted $1k less from finalised quote & that's provided I choose the tiles from one factory @ Defu Lane. However, we ended up choosing all @ H.K cos' nothing fancied @ Defu. Best still, he still gives us the discount. We got those homo tiles from China. Not any of premium kind. Design wise we are quite satisfied though. Happypie/CJREDDEVIL > Thanks peeps. Yea do agree that it is in shift-in condition but some areas are not really well accepted by us. However, we intend to stay long there & thus decided to go for a new full change plus the fact that we bought below val. for the unit. Similar to those freaks who want new car smell, no 2nd hand cars for them. haha. Will update next week Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
