Wow, the EMs in Queenstown are very expensive. How much did you pay?

Queenstown EM smelly smelly 800k up, maybe close to 900k?

Umm... I'll rather not say lah... but yeah, not cheap.

What to do, I like the location, distance to town, and peaceful feel.

Plus I love the space of course.

Now looking at reno and furnishing budget and v.tight after COV.

I need/want to...

1. Do all 3 toilets

2. Move & make a kitchen

3. Hack n do flooring on 1st floor

4. Hack n replace walls for proposed study

5. Make a staircase

6. Hack wall n do a WIW

7. Build wardrobe for MBR

8. Replace all windows & security grills for corridor windows

9. Install sliding door for balcony

10. Install 7 aircon units (2 compressors)

11. Install 5 ceiling fans

12. Build shoe cabinet

13. False ceilings and lights

14. Plaster and paint walls

15. Polish 2nd floor

16. Electricals

17. Custom TV display unit

18. Install roller shutter if still have cash...

Headache... think 50K not enough right?

Umm... I'll rather not say lah... but yeah, not cheap.

What to do, I like the location, distance to town, and peaceful feel.

Plus I love the space of course.

Now looking at reno and furnishing budget and v.tight after COV.

I need/want to...

1. Do all 3 toilets

2. Move & make a kitchen

3. Hack n do flooring on 1st floor

4. Hack n replace walls for proposed study

5. Make a staircase

6. Hack wall n do a WIW

7. Build wardrobe for MBR

8. Replace all windows & security grills for corridor windows

9. Install sliding door for balcony

10. Install 7 aircon units (2 compressors)

11. Install 5 ceiling fans

12. Build shoe cabinet

13. False ceilings and lights

14. Plaster and paint walls

15. Polish 2nd floor

16. Electricals

17. Custom TV display unit

18. Install roller shutter if still have cash...

Headache... think 50K not enough right?

Take a look at my T-Blog as I estimate mine will finish around 46K all in (electical and sanitary ware included) so it should give you an idea.

Just a point of note, two compressors is against HDB rules although there are some in my block in Tampines which also have two installed. Just something to be aware of if you were not already.

RB

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?

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?

If no-one else in your block or the surrounding blocks have had it done then it is unlikely to get approved I would guess. Changes to the external look of the building are usually rejected. Give HDB a quick call as they are usually guite helpful.

RB

you're unlikely to be able to pull off your entire list of works for below 50k without dropping big ticket items like carpentry, staircases. One system 4 a/c is already 4k.

Really a long list.

50k, yes and no answer.

u need to consider the below:

1) Id or contractor?

2) Needs and wants?

3) Material use? Take for example choosing a tile for $2 psf and $4 psf does make a lot of diff.

One toilet, hacking + wall tiles + floor tiles cost about 3k to 4k.... your 3 toilets already take up at least 10k not inclusive of shower screen, pan, basin and other accessories.

Think about what u need first.

Umm... I'll rather not say lah... but yeah, not cheap.

What to do, I like the location, distance to town, and peaceful feel.

Plus I love the space of course.

Now looking at reno and furnishing budget and v.tight after COV.

I need/want to...

1. Do all 3 toilets

2. Move & make a kitchen

3. Hack n do flooring on 1st floor

4. Hack n replace walls for proposed study

5. Make a staircase

6. Hack wall n do a WIW

7. Build wardrobe for MBR

8. Replace all windows & security grills for corridor windows

9. Install sliding door for balcony

10. Install 7 aircon units (2 compressors)

11. Install 5 ceiling fans

12. Build shoe cabinet

13. False ceilings and lights

14. Plaster and paint walls

15. Polish 2nd floor

16. Electricals

17. Custom TV display unit

18. Install roller shutter if still have cash...

Headache... think 50K not enough right?

Take a look at my T-Blog as I estimate mine will finish around 46K all in (electical and sanitary ware included) so it should give you an idea.

Just a point of note, two compressors is against HDB rules although there are some in my block in Tampines which also have two installed. Just something to be aware of if you were not already.

RB

Thanks RB. I think 2 compressor is allowed for my unit as some neighbours have that. Read on the forum that it depends on whether it's the newer or older EMs cos some older EMs cannot handle the power needed for 2.

Congrats on your place!

you're unlikely to be able to pull off your entire list of works for below 50k without dropping big ticket items like carpentry, staircases. One system 4 a/c is already 4k.

Ha, yeah, thought so... love your staircase btw!

I've convinced my SO we should do a wall light too.

Really a long list.

50k, yes and no answer.

u need to consider the below:

1) Id or contractor?

2) Needs and wants?

3) Material use? Take for example choosing a tile for $2 psf and $4 psf does make a lot of diff.

One toilet, hacking + wall tiles + floor tiles cost about 3k to 4k.... your 3 toilets already take up at least 10k not inclusive of shower screen, pan, basin and other accessories.

Think about what u need first.

Re: (1) I would rather go with contractor to save $$$. But my SO is insisting to go to ID first, so we'll see...

Re: (2) Hmm... I've already not included some wants... like the crummy floor on the 2nd floor that I hate, but I think I can live with it. Everything else can't be kept... ok, perhaps WIW is more a want than a need but that is quite a non-nego item for me.

I know it's a long list lar... also wish it's shorter but can't be helped. I'm even willing to re-use the stair steps if they are salvagable after removing the wooden railings.

Re: (3) No idea. I guess I'll learn as I go along?

Question to experienced bros/sis: For stuff like cables (HDMI? uhh, all the technical stuff RB mentioned in his T-Blog), fans, doors, bathroom fixtures (taps, shower head, toilet bowl, basin, shower partition), light switches and electrical outlets, kitchen hob and electricals, and aircon, are they usually included in the reno quotation or do we have to source for them separately and then ask the ID/contractor to install?

My guess-timate for some items after reading over 90 pages...

1. Do all 3 toilets - $10K + $2-3K for fixtures?

2. Move & make a kitchen - ? not sure how much cabinets/hobs cost

3. Hack n do flooring on 1st floor - ? dps on material right?

4. Hack n replace walls for proposed study ?

5. Make a staircase $4 to $10K

6. Hack wall n do a WIW - ?

7. Build wardrobe for MBR - ?

8. Replace all windows & security grills for corridor windows - ?

9. Install sliding door for balcony -?

10. Install 7 aircon units (2 compressors) - $7.5K

11. Install 5 ceiling fans - $1.5K

12. Build shoe cabinet - ?

13. False ceilings and lights - $3K

14. Plaster and paint walls - $3K

15. Polish 2nd floor - $2K

16. Electricals - $2K

17. Custom TV display unit - ?

18. Install roller shutter if still have cash... - $3K

No need to guess, drop by IMM 3rd floor, bring along your floor plan, walk in to the shops and tell them what you want. You will know how much it cost in a few days or few weeks time.

Get at least 10 quotations to compare...... as long as you have the time and energy.

Good luck ya.

My guess-timate for some items after reading over 90 pages...

1. Do all 3 toilets - $10K + $2-3K for fixtures?

2. Move & make a kitchen - ? not sure how much cabinets/hobs cost

3. Hack n do flooring on 1st floor - ? dps on material right?

4. Hack n replace walls for proposed study ?

5. Make a staircase $4 to $10K

6. Hack wall n do a WIW - ?

7. Build wardrobe for MBR - ?

8. Replace all windows & security grills for corridor windows - ?

9. Install sliding door for balcony -?

10. Install 7 aircon units (2 compressors) - $7.5K

11. Install 5 ceiling fans - $1.5K

12. Build shoe cabinet - ?

13. False ceilings and lights - $3K

14. Plaster and paint walls - $3K

15. Polish 2nd floor - $2K

16. Electricals - $2K

17. Custom TV display unit - ?

18. Install roller shutter if still have cash... - $3K

Question to experienced bros/sis: For stuff like cables (HDMI? uhh, all the technical stuff RB mentioned in his T-Blog), fans, doors, bathroom fixtures (taps, shower head, toilet bowl, basin, shower partition), light switches and electrical outlets, kitchen hob and electricals, and aircon, are they usually included in the reno quotation or do we have to source for them separately and then ask the ID/contractor to install?

HDMI will not be in the quote unless you specifically ask for it. I would just get form somewhere like Amazon TBH.

Electrical work will be quoted to your specification. Prices soon add up though and I paid 2K with adding very few new sockets and using the existing wiring (change all trunking / sockets) as our wiring is buried in coving on the ceiling and we didn't need to have it removed (save cash). We had to bargain hard as they wanted 3K to start with. Our 3 room old apartment was 3K for a complete re-do of the electricals but we added quite a few sockets here, there and everywhere . I would put aside at least 3K for electrical work..... more if you want network points and speaker cable runs.

Depends on the ID company if they include the sanitary ware as our first reno did but we had to top up to get what we really wanted but our current one didn't, was cheaper but we had to budget 3K+ for the sinks, toilets and showers and that was for fairly standard stuff, nothing particularly expensive / fancy at all. Check what is listed in the quote very carefully. If it lists supply and fitting of toilet doors then the cost is all included. If that is missing, then you will have to add on. If in doubt ask, never assume. It is also worth asking to see catalogues you can choose from so you know the quality level. You may be able to source better locally like we did for our bedroom doors.

RB

Well, we have shortlisted some IDs and started the process of talking to them this weekend. None at IMM tho.

Let's see how it goes. In the meantime we have to eat cheaper food and cut down on frivolous spending for a while I guess.

Thanks for the advice RB. I suspect we won't be getting a projector TV after all since my SO has been casting lustful looks at those ultra thin LED TVs.

Hello fellow EM owners,

Finally, got enough budget to reno my place...I got a popular contractor here to quote..happy he can do my place but there are some items which I feel is too over priced. He managed to meet my budget but after scrutinising the quote.. he forgot quote me for 1st floor toilet, change 3x bedroom doors + window & grilles for 2nd floor..

Some items i feel overpriced & i feel like sourcing out on my own for these few items like windows/grilles:

1. 12mm thick glassn panel for railing - $4,900 + $850 (concrete support for glass panels)

2. I ask him to quote for wrought iron coz later i find not so safe if kids wanna use it as support - $3,200

3. Rewiring for whole house - $3,900 (not sure how many lighting/power pts im given)

4. Whole house painting + plastering +oil sealer - $4,250 (but was later told he quoted wrongly & be adjusting upwards, not sure by how much)

5. Kitchen cabinet (41 ft) - $4,100

some other items, but i find these 5 items bit high..any comments..

hi all EM owners. my relative is looking to buy an EM unit at bishan area. she hoping for a direct DIY transaction without buyer /seller agents involved (save $$$ for both sides).

if you are interested in selling your EM or aware of friends or relatives who want to sell, please PM me. Thanks!

My numbers are back in 2008... wonder if it has increased over the years.

1. 12mm thick glassn panel for railing - $4,900 + $850 (concrete support for glass panels)

- did not ask.

2. I ask him to quote for wrought iron coz later i find not so safe if kids wanna use it as support - $3,200

- i was quoted 2800.

3. Rewiring for whole house - $3,900 (not sure how many lighting/power pts im given)

- about there, but eventually decided to keep the wiring and added few points, spent 1200.

4. Whole house painting + plastering +oil sealer - $4,250 (but was later told he quoted wrongly & be adjusting upwards, not sure by how much)

- painting alone 1800, he is charging u 2450 for plastering and oil sealer, consider reasonable.

5. Kitchen cabinet (41 ft) - $4,100

- i got 90 pfr, or top and bottom 180. Spent 3600.

Hi All,

Soon i will part of the EM group..... yeah yeah yeah

Good to see many EM lovers around this forum...

My numbers are back in 2008... wonder if it has increased over the years.

1. 12mm thick glassn panel for railing - $4,900 + $850 (concrete support for glass panels)

- did not ask.

2. I ask him to quote for wrought iron coz later i find not so safe if kids wanna use it as support - $3,200

- i was quoted 2800.

3. Rewiring for whole house - $3,900 (not sure how many lighting/power pts im given)

- about there, but eventually decided to keep the wiring and added few points, spent 1200.

4. Whole house painting + plastering +oil sealer - $4,250 (but was later told he quoted wrongly & be adjusting upwards, not sure by how much)

- painting alone 1800, he is charging u 2450 for plastering and oil sealer, consider reasonable.

5. Kitchen cabinet (41 ft) - $4,100

- i got 90 pfr, or top and bottom 180. Spent 3600.

Thanks bro..i feel like seeking another quote for comparison.